bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-Vaccine on the Induction of Myocarditis in Different Murine Animal Models
Authors: Zirkenbach Vanessa A. , Ignatz Rebecca M. , Öttl Renate , Cehreli Zeynep , Stroikova Vera , Kaya Mansur , Lehmann Lorenz H. , Preusch Michael R. , Frey Norbert , Kaya Ziya
Published: March 2023

In the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, vaccination safety and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccines were under consideration after case reports of vaccine-related side effects, such as myocarditis, which were mostly described in young men. However, there is almost no data on the risk and safety of vaccination, especially in patients who are already diagnosed with acute/chronic (autoimmune) myocarditis from other causes, such as viral infections, or as a side effect of medication and treatment. Thus, the risk and safety of these vaccines, in combination with other therapies that could induce myocarditis (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy), are still poorly assessable. Therefore, vaccine safety, with respect to worsening myocardial inflammation and myocardial function, was studied in an animal model of experimentally induced autoimmune myocarditis. Furthermore, it is known that ICI treatment (e.g., antibodies (abs) against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, or a combination of those) plays an important role in the treatment of oncological patients. However, it is also known that treatment with ICIs can induce severe, life-threatening myocarditis in some patients. Genetically different A/J (most susceptible strain) and C57BL/6 (resistant strain) mice, with diverse susceptibilities for induction of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) at various age and gender, were vaccinated twice with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccine. In an additional A/J group, an autoimmune myocarditis was induced. In regard to ICIs, we tested the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in PD-1−/− mice alone, and in combination with CTLA-4 abs. Our results showed no adverse effects related to inflammation and heart function after mRNA-vaccination, independent of age, gender, and in different mouse strains susceptible for induction of experimental myocarditis. Moreover, there was no worsening effect on inflammation and cardiac function when EAM in susceptible mice was induced. However, in the experiments with vaccination and ICI treatment, we observed, in some mice, low elevation of cardiac troponins in sera, and low scores of myocardial inflammation. In sum, mRNA-vaccines are safe in a model of experimentally induced autoimmune myocarditis, but patients undergoing ICI therapy should be closely monitored when vaccinated.
Genome-Wide Association Study and Transcriptome of Japanese Patients with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Demonstrates an Association with the Ferroptosis Signaling Pathway
Authors: Mori Yu , Ueno Kazuko , Chiba Daisuke , Hashimoto Ko , Kawai Yosuke , Baba Kazuyoshi , Tanaka Hidetatsu , Aki Takashi , Ogasawara Masanori , Shibasaki Naoto , Tokunaga Katsushi , Aizawa Toshimi , Nagasaki Masao
Published: March 2023

This study examined the association between developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and disease-associated loci in a Japanese cohort. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 238 Japanese patients with DDH and 2044 healthy individuals was performed. As a replicate, GWAS was also conducted on the UK Biobank data with 3315 cases and matched 74,038 controls. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEAs) of both the genetics and transcriptome of DDH were performed. Transcriptome analysis of cartilage specimens from DDH-associated osteoarthritis and femoral neck fractures was performed as a control. Most of the lead variants were very low-frequency ones in the UK, and variants in the Japanese GWAS could not be replicated with the UK GWAS. We assigned DDH-related candidate variants to 42 and 81 genes from the Japanese and UK GWASs, respectively, using functional mapping and annotation. GSEA of gene ontology, disease ontology, and canonical pathways identified the most enriched pathway to be the ferroptosis signaling pathway, both in the Japanese gene set as well as the Japanese and UK merged set. Transcriptome GSEA also identified significant downregulation of genes in the ferroptosis signaling pathway. Thus, the ferroptosis signaling pathway may be associated with the pathogenic mechanism of DDH.
Does the Use of the “Proseek® Multiplex Inflammation I Panel” Demonstrate a Difference in Local and Systemic Immune Responses in Endometriosis Patients with or without Deep-Infiltrating Lesions?
Authors: Perricos Alexandra , Husslein Heinrich , Kuessel Lorenz , Gstoettner Manuela , Weinhaeusel Andreas , Eiwegger Thomas , Beikircher Gabriel , Wenzl René
Published: March 2023

Endometriotic lesions are able to infiltrate surrounding tissue. This is made possible partly by an altered local and systemic immune response that helps achieve neoangiogenesis, cell proliferation and immune escape. Deep-infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) differs from other subtypes through the invasion of its lesions over 5 mm into affected tissue. Despite the invasive nature of these lesions and the wider range of symptoms they can trigger, DIE is described as a stable disease. This elicits the need for a better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis. We used the “Proseek® Multiplex Inflammation I Panel” in order to simultaneously detect 92 inflammatory proteins in plasma and peritoneal fluid (PF) of controls and patients with endometriosis, as well as in particular patients with DIE, in order to gain a better insight into the systemically and locally involved immune response. Extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced gycation end-products binding protein (EN-RAGE), C-C motif Chemokine ligand 23 (CCL23), Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4—binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and human glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (hGDNF) were significantly increased in plasma of endometriosis patients compared to controls, whereas Hepatocyte Growth factor (HGF) and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) were decreased. In PF of endometriosis patients, we found Interleukin 18 (IL-18) to be decreased, yet Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) to be increased. TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE) and C-C motif Chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) were significantly decreased in plasma, whereas C-C motif Chemokine ligand 23 (CCL23), Stem Cell Factor (SCF) and C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5) were significantly increased in PF of patients with DIE compared to endometriosis patients without DIE. Although DIE lesions are characterized by increased angiogenetic and pro-inflammatory properties, our current study seems to support the theory that the systemic immune system does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of these lesions.
Post-Transcriptional and Post-Translational Modifications in Telomerase Biogenesis and Recruitment to Telomeres
Authors: Shepelev Nikita , Dontsova Olga , Rubtsova Maria
Published: March 2023

Telomere length is associated with the proliferative potential of cells. Telomerase is an enzyme that elongates telomeres throughout the entire lifespan of an organism in stem cells, germ cells, and cells of constantly renewed tissues. It is activated during cellular division, including regeneration and immune responses. The biogenesis of telomerase components and their assembly and functional localization to the telomere is a complex system regulated at multiple levels, where each step must be tuned to the cellular requirements. Any defect in the function or localization of the components of the telomerase biogenesis and functional system will affect the maintenance of telomere length, which is critical to the processes of regeneration, immune response, embryonic development, and cancer progression. An understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of telomerase biogenesis and activity is necessary for the development of approaches toward manipulating telomerase to influence these processes. The present review focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in the major steps of telomerase regulation and the role of post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications in telomerase biogenesis and function in yeast and vertebrates.
Synthesis of Ester-Containing Chroman-4-Ones via Cascade Radical Annulation of 2-(Allyloxy)Arylaldehydes with Oxalates under Metal Free Conditions
Authors: Peng Sha , Liu Jiao , Jiang Ze-Qun , Yuan Lin , Liu Xiao-Wen , Xie Long-Yong
Published: March 2023

A convenient and practical method for the synthesis of bioactive ester-containing chroman-4-ones through the cascade radical cyclization of 2-(allyloxy)arylaldehydes and oxalates is described. The preliminary studies suggest that an alkoxycarbonyl radical might be involved in the current transformation, which was generated via the decarboxylation of oxalates in the presence of (NH4)2S2O8.
Effects of Terahertz Radiation on the Aggregation of Alzheimer’s Aβ42 Peptide
Authors: Wang Lei , Cheng Yuanyuan , Wang Wenxia , Zhao Jinwu , Wang Yinsong , Zhang Xumei , Wang Meng , Shan Tianhe , He Mingxia
Published: March 2023

The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be directly linked to the abnormal aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the nervous system as a common neurodegenerative disease. Consequently, researchers in many areas are actively looking for factors that affect Aβ aggregation. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that, in addition to chemical induction of Aβ aggregation, electromagnetic radiation may also affect Aβ aggregation. Terahertz waves are an emerging form of non-ionizing radiation that has the potential to affect the secondary bonding networks of biological systems, which in turn could affect the course of biochemical reactions by altering the conformation of biological macromolecules. As the primary radiation target in this investigation, the in vitro modeled Aβ42 aggregation system was examined using fluorescence spectrophotometry, supplemented by cellular simulations and transmission electron microscopy, to see how it responded to 3.1 THz radiation in various aggregation phases. The results demonstrated that in the nucleation aggregation stage, 3.1 THz electromagnetic waves promote Aβ42 monomer aggregation and that this promoting effect gradually diminishes with the exacerbation of the degree of aggregation. However, by the stage of oligomer aggregation into the original fiber, 3.1 THz electromagnetic waves exhibited an inhibitory effect. This leads us to the conclusion that terahertz radiation has an impact on the stability of the Aβ42 secondary structure, which in turn affects how Aβ42 molecules are recognized during the aggregation process and causes a seemingly aberrant biochemical response. Molecular dynamics simulation was employed to support the theory based on the aforementioned experimental observations and inferences.
Role of Dopamine in the Heart in Health and Disease
Authors: Neumann Joachim , Hofmann Britt , Dhein Stefan , Gergs Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Dopamine has effects on the mammalian heart. These effects can include an increase in the force of contraction, and an elevation of the beating rate and the constriction of coronary arteries. Depending on the species studied, positive inotropic effects were strong, very modest, or absent, or even negative inotropic effects occurred. We can discern five dopamine receptors. In addition, the signal transduction by dopamine receptors and the regulation of the expression of cardiac dopamine receptors will be of interest to us, because this might be a tempting area of drug development. Dopamine acts in a species-dependent fashion on these cardiac dopamine receptors, but also on cardiac adrenergic receptors. We will discuss the utility of drugs that are currently available as tools to understand cardiac dopamine receptors. The molecule dopamine itself is present in the mammalian heart. Therefore, cardiac dopamine might act as an autocrine or paracrine compound in the mammalian heart. Dopamine itself might cause cardiac diseases. Moreover, the cardiac function of dopamine and the expression of dopamine receptors in the heart can be altered in diseases such as sepsis. Various drugs for cardiac and non-cardiac diseases are currently in the clinic that are, at least in part, agonists or antagonists at dopamine receptors. We define the research needs in order to understand dopamine receptors in the heart better. All in all, an update on the role of dopamine receptors in the human heart appears to be clinically relevant, and is thus presented here.
Integrating Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals the Regulatory Mechanisms of White–Violet Mutant Flowers in Grape Hyacinth (Muscari latifolium)
Authors: Ma Junren , Li Zhi , Liu Yali
Published: March 2023

Grape hyacinth (Muscari spp.) is a famous bulbous blue flower; however, few bicolor varieties are available in the market. Therefore, the discovery of bicolor varieties and understanding of their mechanisms are crucial to the breeding of new varieties. In this study, we report a significant bicolor mutant with white upper and violet lower portions, with both parts belonging to a single raceme. Ionomics showed that pH and metal element contents were not responsible for the bicolor formation. Targeted metabolomics illustrated that the content of the 24 color-related compounds was significantly lower in the upper part than that in the lower part. Moreover, full-length transcriptomics combined with second-generation transcriptomics revealed 12,237 differentially expressed genes in which anthocyanin synthesis gene expression of the upper part was noted to be significantly lower than that of the lower part. Transcription factor differential expression analysis was used to describe the presence of a pair of MaMYB113a/b sequences, with low levels of expression in the upper part and high expression in the lower part. Furthermore, tobacco transformation confirmed that overexpression of MaMYB113a/b can promote anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves. Accordingly, the differential expression of MaMYB113a/b contributes the formation of a bicolor mutant in Muscari latifolium.
Harmonization of Newborn Screening Results for Pompe Disease and Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I
Authors: Dorley M. Christine , Dizikes George J. , Pickens Charles Austin , Cuthbert Carla , Basheeruddin Khaja , Gulamali-Majid Fizza , Hetterich Paul , Hietala Amy , Kelsey Ashley , Klug Tracy , Lesko Barbara , Mills Michelle , Moloney Shawn , Neogi Partha , Orsini Joseph , Singer Douglas , Petritis Konstantinos
Published: March 2023

In newborn screening, false-negative results can be disastrous, leading to disability and death, while false-positive results contribute to parental anxiety and unnecessary follow-ups. Cutoffs are set conservatively to prevent missed cases for Pompe and MPS I, resulting in increased falsepositive results and lower positive predictive values. Harmonization has been proposed as a way to minimize false-negative and false-positive results and correct for method differences, so we harmonized enzyme activities for Pompe and MPS I across laboratories and testing methods (Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) or Digital Microfluidics (DMF)). Participating states analyzed proofof- concept calibrators, blanks, and contrived specimens and reported enzyme activities, cutoffs, and other testing parameters to Tennessee. Regression and multiples of the median were used to harmonize the data. We observed varied cutoffs and results. Six of seven MS/MS labs reported enzyme activities for one specimen for MPS I marginally above their respective cutoffs with results classified as negative, whereas all DMF labs reported this specimen’s enzyme activity below their respective cutoffs with results classified as positive. Reasonable agreement in enzyme activities and cutoffs was achieved with harmonization; however, harmonization does not change how a value would be reported as this is dependent on the placement of cutoffs.
Magnetic Susceptibility of a Nanocomposite Based on an Opal Matrix with Yb2Ti2O7 Particles
Authors: Rinkevich Anatoly B. , Nemytova Olga V. , Perov Dmitry V.
Published: March 2023

The DC and AC magnetic susceptibilities of an opal matrix-based nanocomposite with pyrochlore-structured ytterbium titanate particles up to 60 nm in size have been studied in the range of magnetic fields up to 30 kOe. The measurements were performed at temperatures from 2 to 200 K. The temperature dependence of the nanocomposite Yb2Ti2O7 has been found to deviate significantly from the Curie–Weiss law. From the frequency dependence of the AC susceptibility measured in the range from 10 Hz to 10 kHz, the spin relaxation times have been determined, and two relaxation times have been found to be required for the description of the frequency dependence of the susceptibility. The field dependence of the AC susceptibility has been measured. This dependence is proved to be described by the modified Cole–Cole formula. The characteristic fields of the magnetic field dependence of the real part of the susceptibility are determined, the value of the characteristic field being found to increase with increasing temperatures.
Fabrication and Characterization of Hollow Polysiloxane Microsphere Polymer Matrix Composites with Improved Energy Absorption
Authors: Gomez Sofia Gabriela , Irigoyen Andrea , Gonzalez Stephanie , Estala-Rodriguez Kevin , Shafirovich Evgeny , Hassan Md Sahid , Zaman Saqlain , Lin Yirong
Published: March 2023

Hollow polymer microspheres with superior elastic properties, high thermal stability, and energy absorbance capabilities are essential in many applications where shock and vibration need to be mitigated, such as in civil, medical, and defense industries. In this paper, the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of hollow thermoset microspheres for syntactic polymer foam were studied. The hollow polymer microspheres (HPMs) were made by developing core–shell composites and thermally removing the polystyrene core to yield a polysiloxane shell. The HPMs were embedded into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix to form a polymer syntactic foam. The mechanical energy absorption characteristic of polymer syntactic foams was measured by cyclic uniaxial compression testing following ASTM 575. The engineered compression response was demonstrated by fabricating and testing syntactic foams with different porosities, ranging from a 50 vol% to 70 vol% of HPMs. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we observed that the HPM contributes to the energy absorption of the syntactic foam. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) determined the necessity of a profound study to understand the effects of varying HPM synthesis parameters, as well as the syntactic foam fabrication methods. It was shown that the compressive modulus and toughness can be increased by 20% using a 70 vol% of porosity with synthesized HPM syntactic foams over bulk PDMS. We also found that the energy absorbed increased by 540% when using a 50 vol% of porosity with fabricated HPM-PDMS syntactic foams.
Real-Time In-Process Evaluation of Spatter Area and Depth of Aluminium Surface in a Pulsed Laser Ablation Process Using Received Radio Frequency Power from Plasma Plumes
Authors: Samimi Mahdieh , Hosseinlaghab Hassan , McNally Patrick J.
Published: March 2023

During the pulsed laser ablation of metals, as well as other materials, the development of a plasma plume close to the ablated surface leads to the emission of radio frequency energy. In this paper, we describe a process for analysing the received radio frequency power (RFP) for an aluminium (Al) surface ablation process in atmosphere using picosecond laser pulses at a wavelength of 1064 nm. The analysis of the RFP was carried out on two sets of experiments, where two parameters of the laser (repetition rate of laser (RRL) and power of laser (PL)) were varied while other parameters remained constant. In addition to the RFP measurement during the laser processing, the spatter area (SA), which is defined in this paper, and the depth of the ablated hole were measured post-process using a 3D microscope. It was observed that there is a direct relationship between (RFP)2 and SA. Accordingly, an appropriate RF calibration was performed, which leads to the definition of a quantity called the RF regulation % (RFR%). By comparing the RFR and PL/RRL variations, to which the laser beam fluence is proportional in these experiments, a diagnostic process (i.e., flowchart) for real-time depth evaluation was proposed and experimentally confirmed. This diagnostic process can indicate if the depth of the laser ablated crater is less than or exceeds a predetermined depth, which in this study was set to 15 µm. It is also demonstrated that the SA variation can be estimated in real-time by analysing the received RF power and, secondly, the depth of ablation can be measured in real time using a combination of information from the received RF power and laser parameters.
A Comprehensive Review of High-Pressure Laser-Induced Materials Processing, Part III: Laser Reactive Synthesis within Diamond Anvil Cells
Authors: Alabdulkarim Mohamad E. , Maxwell Wendy D. , Thapliyal Vibhor , Maxwell James L.
Published: March 2023

The synthesis of advanced materials at high pressures has been an area of growing research interest for several decades. This article is the third in a three-part series that reviews Laser Materials Processing Within Diamond Anvil Cells (L-DACs). Part III focuses on the practice of Laser Reactive Synthesis Within Diamond Anvil Cells (LRS-DAC). During LRS-DAC processing, chemicals are precompressed within diamond anvil cells, then microscale chemical reactions are induced by focused laser beams. The method is distinguished from the well-known Laser-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell (LH-DAC) technique (see Part I) through the existence of chemical precursors (reactants), end-products, and quantifiable changes in chemical composition upon reaction. LRS-DAC processing provides at least three new degrees of freedom in the search for advanced materials (beyond adjusting static pressures and temperatures), namely: laser-excitation/cleavage of chemical bonds, time-dependent reaction kinetics via pulsed lasers, and pressure-dependent chemical kinetics. All of these broaden the synthetic phase space considerably. Through LRS-DAC experimentation, it is possible to obtain increased understanding of high-pressure chemical kinetics—and even the nature of chemical bonding itself. Here, LRS-DAC experimental methods are reviewed, along with the underlying chemistry/physics of high-pressure microchemical reactions. A chronology of key events influencing the development of LRS-DAC systems is provided, together with a summary of novel materials synthesised, and unusual chemical reactions observed. Current gaps in knowledge and emerging opportunities for further research are also suggested.
Investigation of LCD 3D Printing of Carbon Fiber Composites by Utilising Central Composite Design
Authors: Salih Raveen Mohammed , Kadauw Abdulkader , Zeidler Henning , Aliyev Rezo
Published: March 2023

The technology of additive manufacturing (AM) has transformed the fields of machinery, aerospace, and electronics. Adopting cost-effective, precise, and rapid procedures in AM is one of the major concerns of today’s industry. Stereolithography is a promising AM technique that is thought to meet these requirements. However, the fact that materials printed with stereolithography do not have good mechanical properties limits their application, such as in biomedicine and aerospace. Previous studies have shown the shortcomings of stereolithography printers. This research focuses on enhancing the mechanical characteristics of the polymer resin used in stereolithography (SLA)-like liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printers by fabricating a new AM composite material with carbon fibers. For this reason, chopped carbon fibers (0.1 mm size) at amounts of 0.25 wt% and 0.5 wt% have been used with Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-like photopolymer transparent resin during the printing process, and three different print layer thicknesses were tested. For the design of the experiment (DoE), Q-DAS software was used to analyze the resulting data. A tensile-testing machine was utilized to determine the ultimate strength using the ASTM D638 standard. The results show an increase in the ultimate strength by adding carbon fiber to some extent, but after a certain percentage of carbon fiber added, the strength drops off.
Research on Multi-Fault Identification of Marine Vertical Centrifugal Pump Based on Multi-Domain Characteristic Parameters
Authors: Cheng Zhiming , Liu Houlin , Hua Runan , Dong Liang , Ma Qijiang , Zhu Jiancheng
Published: March 2023

The marine vertical centrifugal pump is an important piece of auxiliary equipment for ships. Due to the complex operating conditions of marine equipment and the frequent swaying of the hull, typical pump failures such as rotor misalignment, rotor unbalance and mechanical loosening occur frequently, which seriously affect the service life of the marine vertical centrifugal pump. Based on multi-domain characteristic parameters, a fault identification method combining weighted kernel principal component analysis (WKPCA) and particle swarm optimization support vector machine (PSO-SVM) is proposed in this paper. It can effectively solve the problem of multi-fault classification of the centrifugal pump and provide reference for efficient maintenance of equipment. Firstly, a vertical centrifugal pump test bench is set up to simulate typical faults. The collected original fault data are denoised by Kalman filtering. Then, a multi-domain feature set composed of 20 feature parameters was constructed. However, due to high dimension, data redundancy and calculation time were increased. After dimensionality reduction, a fault feature set with 9 feature indexes was established by combining with the WKPCA method. Finally, the PSO-SVM model is used to realize multi-fault identification, and the recognition results of the traditional support vector machine and the genetic algorithm support vector machine (GA-SVM) are compared to verify the diagnosis results and classification performance of PSO-SVM. The results show that the accuracy of WKPCA and PSO-SVM fault recognition methods based on multi-domain characteristic parameters is 1, and it has good convergence.
Lightweight Model-Based Weld Line Generation and Its Applications to Support the Construction of Ships and Offshore Plants
Authors: Kwon Kiyoun , Lee Jaeyong , Mun Duhwan
Published: March 2023

Welding is the most expensive process in building ships and offshore plants. Therefore, the quantity of welding material should be calculated for the subsections (cells) of the blocks for efficient work planning, and welding paths must be generated for welding automation. Three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) models have been used for this work. However, relevant information regarding welding is often omitted, and a separate database and interface to this database must be developed. In this study, a method of lightweight model-based weld line generation is proposed, followed by the calculation of bead length for welding material quantity estimation and welding path generation. Experiments were performed on various test cases of curved parts and blocks. The proposed method accurately generated weld lines, calculated bead length, and generated welding paths in a short time of approximately 1 s.
Physicochemical Drivers of Zooplankton Seasonal Variability in a West African Lagoon (Nokoué Lagoon, Benin)
Authors: Chaigneau Alexis , Ouinsou François Talomonwo , Akodogbo Hervé Hotèkpo , Dobigny Gauthier , Avocegan Thalasse Tchémangnihodé , Dossou-Sognon Fridolin Ubald , Okpeitcha Victor Olaègbè , Djihouessi Metogbe Belfrid , Azémar Frédéric
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation of zooplankton diversity and abundance in the Nokoué Lagoon in southern Benin. Through extensive sampling, a total of 109 zooplanktonic taxa were identified and quantified. The average zooplankton abundance was found to be 60 individuals per liter, with copepods and rotifers being the most dominant groups, comprising 68.1% and 29.1% of the total abundance, respectively. The key factor identified as driving the structure of the zooplanktonic assemblages was salinity, which showed significant seasonal variation. The results revealed that during the high water period, when the lagoon was filled with fresh water, rotifers were dominant, zooplanktonic diversity was highest, and abundances were quite high. Conversely, during the low water period, when the lagoon was characterized by brackish water, diversity was minimal, and abundance decreased slightly. The study also found that some areas of the lagoon showed high abundances independent of salinity levels, suggesting that other factors such as riverine inputs or the presence of acadjas (home-made brush parks used as fish traps) may also have notable effects on the zooplankton community. Overall, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the functioning of one of the most biologically productive lagoons in West Africa.
Production of (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-Pyriculol and Its HPLC Quantification in Liquid Cultures of Pyricularia grisea, a Potential Mycoherbicide for the Control of Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris)
Authors: Zorrilla Jesús G. , Masi Marco , Clement Suzette , Cimmino Alessio , Meyer Susan
Published: March 2023

(10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol is a phytotoxic metabolite produced by Pyricularia grisea, a fungus identified as a foliar pathogen on the invasive weed species buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) in North America. The effective control of buffelgrass has not yet been achieved, and there is a need to develop effective and green solutions. Herbicides based on natural products and the use of phytopathogenic organisms could provide the most suitable tools for the control of weeds such as buffelgrass. Thus, one of the most relevant points to study about potential suitable phytotoxins such as (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol is its production on a large scale, either by isolation from fungal fermentations or by synthesis. For these purposes, rapid and sensitive methods for the quantification of (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol in complex mixtures are required. In this study, a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for its quantification was developed and applied to organic extracts from twelve P. grisea isolates obtained from diseased buffelgrass leaves and grown in potato dextrose broth (PDB) liquid cultures. The analysis proved that the production of (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol is fungal-isolate dependent and strongly correlated with phytotoxic activity, shown by the P. grisea organic extracts in a buffelgrass radicle elongation test. The HPLC method reported herein allowed us to select the best strain for the production of (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol and could be useful for selecting the best cultural conditions for its mass production, providing a tool for the use of this promising metabolite as a new bioherbicide for the control of buffelgrass.
Implantation Mycoses and Invasive Fungal Infections with Cutaneous Involvement in Tropical Taiwan: An 11-Year Retrospective Study of a Medical Center
Authors: Hsu Ting-Jung , Lee Chih-Hung
Published: March 2023

Background: The rising incidence of implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections prompts the need for studies describing the latest trends of these diseases; however, the literature remains scarce from tropical Asia in recent years. We shared our 11-year clinical experience at a tertiary center in Southern Taiwan to improve physicians’ understanding of the diseases, which could help them assume appropriate management strategies. Patients and methods: Forty cases of pathology-proven cases of implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections with cutaneous involvement were retrospectively reviewed. The epidemiology, patients’ characteristics, initial clinical impressions, fungal species, management, and outcomes were compared and reported. Results: Fonsecaea sp. was the most commonly (14%) involved species in implantation mycoses. The percentages of immunocompromised patients with implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections were 26% and 60%, respectively. Additionally, 46% of patients with implantation mycoses had type 2 diabetes mellitus. The lesions were commonly mistaken for skin appendage tumors, skin cancers, and hyperkeratotic dermatoses. The prognosis was favorable for the implantation mycoses (83% showed clinical improvement) but bleak for the invasive fungal infections (100% mortality). Conclusions: Presentations of implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections vary widely, and immunocompromised status and diabetes mellitus are important associated factors.
How Do Sustainability Stakeholders Seize Climate Risk Premia in the Private Cleantech Sector?
Authors: Li Lingyu , Zheng Xianrong
Published: March 2023

This paper explores the strategies and practices of capturing climate risk premia for venture capital (VC) fund managers and entrepreneurs in the private cleantech sector. It also examines the impact of the feed-in tariffs (FITs) policy on the management of cleantech investments. It is shown that a longer investment period, less investment capital in cleantech investment management strategies, and optimistic climate risk management practices will help investors to better capture climate risk premia. In fact, the FITs policy will give rise to VC fund managers and entrepreneurs having a positive view regarding the prospects of the cleantech sector, motivating them to make long-term investments. Furthermore, it is shown that the greater the impact of the FITs policy, the greater the climate risk premia to be captured. In addition, the captured climate risk premia are greater in weaker economic conditions and in times of increased uncertainty with regard to product demand.
Time-Varying Relation between Oil Shocks and European Stock Market Returns
Authors: Castro César , Jiménez-Rodríguez Rebeca , Kizys Renatas
Published: March 2023

This paper considers a time-varying parameter vector autoregression model to analyze the varying impact of three types of structural oil shocks (the supply-side shock, the aggregate demand shock, and the oil-specific demand shock) on the European stock market since the 1990s. Our findings show that the three types of oil shocks heterogeneously influence stock market returns in the euro area, and that this influence considerably changes over time during the period considered. First, an unexpected increase in oil supply appears to exert a positive but generally declining effect in the period before the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2007–2009, which descends into negative values after the GFC. Second, an unanticipated increase in aggregate demand triggers a generally positive effect on stock market returns in the euro area. However, in the period from 2003 to 2005, stock market returns responded negatively, which could be attributed to the so-called growth-retarding effect. Third, an unexpected increase in oil-specific demand instigates a negative response in the pre-GFC period (considering the response 4–5 months after the shock), although this changes to a positive effect thereafter. Interestingly, irrespective of the origin of oil price fluctuations, oil price increases are associated with positive European stock market returns after the GFC. This signals a greater degree of oil market financialization.
Effect of Yield Spreads (State Bonds) on Economic Growth Performance in Indonesia
Authors: Chandra Kristian , Sari Wahyuni Rusliyana , Sriwulan Dwi Yantik , Adhimukti Muhammad Raditya
Published: March 2023

This research analyzes the effect of the government bond yield curve spread on economic growth performance in Indonesia using the indicators of exchange rate, inflation, BI rate, foreign investment, portfolio investment, current account, and government accounts. Furthermore, it aims to prove the accuracy of the vector autoregression (VAR) or vector autoregression model in predicting economic growth from Q1 2010 to Q3 2020. The results showed that the yield curve spread has a significant effect on economic growth. Meanwhile, the exchange rate, inflation, and the BI rate have a negative effect on economic growth. Capital inflows such as foreign direct investment, portfolio investment, as well as the current account balance and government balance have a positive effect on economic growth. These results are useful to government policymakers, fund managers, and investors, as they provide further evidence of the potential use of yield curves as an indicator of future economic activity.
Contemporary Mobile Commerce: Determinants of Its Adoption
Authors: Mollick Joseph , Cutshall Robert , Changchit Chuleeporn , Pham Long
Published: March 2023

Mobile commerce is the next generation of electronic commerce that allows consumers to perform many transactions via a mobile phone instead of a desktop computer. To online businesses, this commerce channel also allows them to have almost non-stop accessibility to a large population of mobile device users. This study examines the factors affecting intention to use contemporary mobile commerce on the basis of integrating perceived security, subjective norm, innovativeness, and self-efficacy into the TAM model. Statistical analysis results show that self-efficacy and innovativeness are positively related to perceived ease of use. Perceived ease of use has a positive effect on perceived usefulness. Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived security, and subjective norm have a positive relationship with intention to use mobile commerce. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Finally, future research directions are outlined.
Drivers of Degradation of Croplands and Abandoned Lands: A Case Study of Macubeni Communal Land in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Sibiya Silindile , Clifford-Holmes Jai Kumar , Gambiza James
Published: March 2023

Soil erosion is a global environmental problem and a pervasive form of land degradation that threatens land productivity and food and water security. Some of the biggest sources of sediment in catchments are cultivated and abandoned lands. However, the abandonment of cultivated fields is not well-researched. Our study assesses the level of degradation in cultivated and abandoned lands using a case study in South Africa. We answer three main questions: (1) What is the extent of crop field degradation on used, partly used, and abandoned fields? (2) What are the drivers of field abandonment in relation to land degradation? (3) Can proposed sustainable land management interventions tackle the dynamics of land abandonment and associated degradation? To answer these questions, cultivated and abandoned lands were mapped in a pilot catchment with ArcGIS tools and assigned severity codes and classified according to status, degradation, and encroachment. Systems diagrams were developed to show the interactions between agricultural land use and the level of degradation and leverage points in the system, with interventions assessed via a multi-criteria analysis. The results revealed that 37% of the total mapped area of croplands in the pilot site was abandoned and 20% of those lands were highly degraded. We argue that the innovative application of systems thinking through causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and leverage point analysis, combined with spatial and multi-criteria analyses, can assist with planning SLM interventions in similar contexts in the developing world.
Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Behavior, and In Vitro Cell Studies of the New Ti-25Ta-25Nb-5Sn Alloy
Authors: Silva Kerolene Barboza da , Carobolante João Pedro Aquiles , Rajan S. Sudhagara , Júnior Celso Bortolini , Sabino Roberta Maia , Seixas Maurício Rangel , Nakazato Roberto Zenhei , Popat Ketul C. , Claro Ana Paula Rosifini Alves
Published: March 2023

This study aims to characterize a new Ti-25Ta-25Nb-5Sn alloy for biomedical application. Microstructure, phase formation, mechanical and corrosion properties, along with the cell culture study of the Ti-25Ta-25Nb alloy with Sn content 5 mass% are presented in this article. The experimental alloy was processed in an arc melting furnace, cold worked, and heat treated. For characterization, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, microhardness, and Young’s modulus measurements were employed. Corrosion behavior was also evaluated using open-circuit potential (OCP) and potentiodynamic polarization. In vitro studies with human ADSCs were performed to investigate cell viability, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Comparison among the mechanical properties observed in other metal alloy systems, including CP Ti, Ti-25Ta-25Nb, and Ti-25Ta-25-Nb-3Sn showed an increase in microhardness and a decrease in the Young’s modulus when compared to CP Ti. The potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated that the corrosion resistance of the Ti-25Ta-25Nb-5Sn alloy was similar to CP Ti and the experiments in vitro demonstrated great interactions between the alloy surface and cells in terms of adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Therefore, this alloy presents potential for biomedical applications with properties required for good performance.
Zn-doped Mono- and Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Materials Derived from Agriculture Waste and Their Potential Biomedical Applications: Part I
Authors: Kalbarczyk Marta , Szcześ Aleksandra , Belcarz Anna , Kazimierczak Paulina , May Zoltan
Published: March 2023

In this study, calcium phosphate materials were obtained via a simple, eco-friendly wet synthesis method using hen eggshells as a calcium source. It was shown that Zn ions were successfully incorporated into hydroxyapatite (HA). The obtained ceramic composition depends on the zinc content. When doped with 10 mol % of Zn, in addition to HA and Zn-doped HA, DCPD (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate) appeared and its content increased with the increase in Zn concentration. All doped HA materials exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Nevertheless, fabricated samples significantly decreased preosteoblast (MC3T3-E1 Subclone 4) viability in vitro, exerting a cytotoxic effect which probably resulted from their high ionic reactivity.
Research on Automatic Identification and Rating of Ferrite–Pearlite Grain Boundaries Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Zhu Xiaolin , Zhu Yuhong , Kang Cairong , Liu Mingqi , Yao Qiang , Zhang Pingze , Huang Guanxi , Qian Linning , Zhang Zhitao , Yao Zhengjun
Published: March 2023

Grain size has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of metals. It is very important to accurately rate the grain size number of steels. This paper presents a model for automatic detection and quantitative analysis of the grain size of ferrite–pearlite two-phase microstructure to segment ferrite grain boundaries. In view of the challenging problem of hidden grain boundaries in pearlite microstructure, the number of hidden grain boundaries is inferred by detecting them with the confidence of average grain size. The grain size number is then rated using the three-circle intercept procedure. The results show that grain boundaries can be accurately segmented by using this procedure. According to the rating results of grain size number of four types of ferrite–pearlite two-phase microstructure samples, the accuracy of this procedure is greater than 90%. The grain size rating results deviate from those calculated by experts using the manual intercept procedure by less than Grade 0.5—the allowable detection error specified in the standard. In addition, the detection time is shortened from 30 min of the manual intercept procedure to 2 s. The procedure presented in this paper allows automatic rating of grain size number of ferrite–pearlite microstructure, thereby effectively improving the detection efficiency and reducing the labor intensity.
The Electronic Structures and Energies of the Lowest Excited States of the Ns0, Ns+, Ns− and Ns-H Defects in Diamond
Authors: Platonenko Alexander , Mackrodt William C. , Dovesi Roberto
Published: March 2023

This paper reports the energies and charge and spin distributions of the mono-substituted N defects, N0s, N+s, N−s and Ns-H in diamonds from direct Δ-SCF calculations based on Gaussian orbitals within the B3LYP function. These predict that (i) Ns0, Ns+ and Ns− all absorb in the region of the strong optical absorption at 270 nm (4.59 eV) reported by Khan et al., with the individual contributions dependent on the experimental conditions; (ii) Ns-H, or some other impurity, is responsible for the weak optical peak at 360 nm (3.44 eV); and that Ns+ is the source of the 520 nm (2.38 eV) absorption. All excitations below the absorption edge of the diamond host are predicted to be excitonic, with substantial re-distributions of charge and spin. The present calculations support the suggestion by Jones et al. that Ns+ contributes to, and in the absence of Ns0 is responsible for, the 4.59 eV optical absorption in N-doped diamonds. The semi-conductivity of the N-doped diamond is predicted to rise from a spin-flip thermal excitation of a CN hybrid orbital of the donor band resulting from multiple in-elastic phonon scattering. Calculations of the self-trapped exciton in the vicinity of Ns0 indicate that it is essentially a local defect consisting of an N and four nn C atoms, and that beyond these the host lattice is essential a pristine diamond as predicted by Ferrari et al. from the calculated EPR hyperfine constants.
Influence of Sintering Conditions and Nanosilicon Carbide Concentration on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Si3N4-Based Materials
Authors: Gizowska Magdalena , Piątek Milena , Perkowski Krzysztof , Antosik Agnieszka
Published: March 2023

In the work, silicon nitride ceramics (Si3N4) and silicon nitride reinforced by nano silicon carbide particles (Si3N4-nSiC) in amounts of 1–10 wt.% were investigated. The materials were obtained using two sintering regimes: under conditions of ambient and high isostatic pressure. The influence of the sintering conditions and the concentration of nanosilicon carbide particles on the thermal and mechanical properties was studied. The presence of highly conductive silicon carbide particles caused an increase in thermal conductivity only in the case of the composites containing 1 wt.% of the carbide phase (15.6 W·m−1·K−1) in comparison with silicon nitride ceramics (11.4 W·m−1·K−1) obtained under the same conditions. With the increase in the carbide phase, a decrease in the densification efficiency during sintering was observed, which caused a decrease in thermal and mechanical performance. The sintering performed using a hot isostatic press (HIP) proved to be beneficial in terms of mechanical properties. The one-step high-pressure assisted sintering process in the HIP minimizes the formation of defects at the sample surface.
Synthesis of Planar-Type ZnO Powder in Non-Nano Scale Dimension and Its Application in Ultraviolet Protection Cosmetics
Authors: Lee Jung-Hwan , Lee Gun-Sub , Park Eung-Nam , Jo Dong-Hyeon , Kim So-Won , Lee Hee-Chul
Published: March 2023

ZnO is one of the most widely used inorganic sunscreens, owing to its fine particle size and UV light shielding capability. However, powders at nanosizes can be toxic and cause adverse effects. The development of non-nanosized particles has been slow. The present work investigated synthesis methods of non-nanosized ZnO particles for ultraviolet protection application. By altering the starting material, KOH concentration, and input speed, the ZnO particles can be obtained in different forms, including needle type, planar type, and vertical wall type. Cosmetic samples were made by mixing different ratios of synthesized powders. The physical properties and the UV blockage efficacy of different samples were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analyzer (PSA), and ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectrometer. The samples with 1:1 ratio of needle-type ZnO and vertical wall-type ZnO exhibited superior light blocking effect owing to improved dispersibility and prevention of particle agglomeration. The 1:1 mixed sample also complied with the European nanomaterials regulation due to the absence of nanosized particles. With superior UV protection in the UVA and UVB regions, the 1:1 mixed powder showed potential to be used as a main ingredient in UV protection cosmetics.