bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Underwater Vision Enhancement: From Traditional Methods to Recent Deep Learning
Authors: Hu Kai , Weng Chenghang , Zhang Yanwen , Jin Junlan , Xia Qingfeng
Published: February 2022

Underwater video images, as the primary carriers of underwater information, play a vital role in human exploration and development of the ocean. Due to the optical characteristics of water bodies, underwater video images generally have problems such as color bias and unclear image quality, and image quality degradation is severe. Degenerated images have adverse effects on the visual tasks of underwater vehicles, such as recognition and detection. Therefore, it is vital to obtain high-quality underwater video images. Firstly, this paper analyzes the imaging principle of underwater images and the reasons for their decline in quality and briefly classifies various existing methods. Secondly, it focuses on the current popular deep learning technology in underwater image enhancement, and the underwater video enhancement technologies are also mentioned. It also introduces some standard underwater data sets, common video image evaluation indexes and underwater image specific indexes. Finally, this paper discusses possible future developments in this area.
Molecular Profiling Reveals Characteristic and Decisive Signatures in Patients after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Suffering from Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Zoran Tamara , Seelbinder Bastian , White Philip , Price Jessica , Kraus Sabrina , Kurzai Oliver , Linde Joerg , Häder Antje , Loeffler Claudia , Grigoleit Goetz , Einsele Hermann , Panagiotou Gianni , Loeffler Juergen , Schäuble Sascha
Published: February 2022

Despite available diagnostic tests and recent advances, diagnosis of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis (IPA) remains challenging. We performed a longitudinal case-control pilot study to identify host-specific, novel, and immune-relevant molecular candidates indicating IPA in patients post allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Supported by differential gene expression analysis of six relevant in vitro studies, we conducted RNA sequencing of three alloSCT patients categorized as probable IPA cases and their matched controls without Aspergillus infection (66 samples in total). We additionally performed immunoassay analysis for all patient samples to gain a multi-omics perspective. Profiling analysis suggested LGALS2, MMP1, IL-8, and caspase-3 as potential host molecular candidates indicating IPA in investigated alloSCT patients. MMP1, IL-8, and caspase-3 were evaluated further in alloSCT patients for their potential to differentiate possible IPA cases and patients suffering from COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and appropriate control patients. Possible IPA cases showed differences in IL-8 and caspase-3 serum levels compared with matched controls. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in IL-8 and caspase-3 levels among CAPA patients compared with control patients. With our conceptual work, we demonstrate the potential value of considering the human immune response during Aspergillus infection to identify immune-relevant molecular candidates indicating IPA in alloSCT patients. These human host candidates together with already established fungal biomarkers might improve the accuracy of IPA diagnostic tools.
Factors Predisposing the Response to Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor in People with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Mésinèle Julie , Ruffin Manon , Guillot Loïc , Boëlle Pierre-Yves , Corvol Harriet ,   on behalf of the French CF Modifier Gene Study Investigators
Published: February 2022

Lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUMA-IVA) therapy is prescribed to people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) homozygous for the Phe508del-CFTR variant to restore CFTR protein function. There is, however, large inter-individual variability in treatment response. Here, we seek to identify clinical and/or genetic factors that may modulate the response to this CFTR modulator therapy. A total of 765 pwCF older than 12 years under LUMA-IVA therapy and with lung function and nutritional measurements available before and after treatment initiation were included. Response to treatment was determined by the change in lung function and nutritional status, from baseline and over the first two years after initiation, and it was assessed by weighted generalized estimating equation models. Gains in lung function and nutritional status were observed after 6 months of treatment (on average 2.11 ± 7.81% for percent predicted FEV1 and 0.44 ± 0.77 kg/m2 for BMI) and sustained over the 2 years. We observed that the more severe patients gained the most in lung function and nutritional status. While females started with a nutritional status more impaired than males, they had a larger response and regained BMI Z-score values similar to men after 2 years of treatment. We observed no association between variants in solute carrier (SLC) genes and the respiratory function response to LUMA-IVA, but the SLC6A14 rs12839137 variant was associated with the nutritional response. Further investigations, including other genomic regions, will be needed to fully explore the inter-individual variability of the response to LUMA-IVA.
Androgen Receptor: A New Marker to Predict Pathological Complete Response in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Trastuzumab Plus Pertuzumab Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Li Jiayi , Zhang Shuang , Ye Chen , Liu Qian , Cheng Yuanjia , Ye Jingming , Liu Yinhua , Duan Xuening , Xin Ling , Zhang Hong , Xu Ling
Published: February 2022

(1) Background: Neoadjuvant therapy is the main therapeutic strategy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients, and the combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) has become a routine treatment. How to predict and screen patients who are less likely to respond to neoadjuvant therapy is the focus of research. The androgen receptor (AR) is a biomarker that is widely expressed in all breast cancer subtypes and is probably related to treatment response and prognosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between AR expression and treatment response in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with HP neoadjuvant therapy. (2) Methods: We evaluated early breast cancer patients treated with HP neoadjuvant therapy from Jan. 2019 to Oct. 2020 at Peking University First Hospital Breast Cancer Center. The inclusion criteria were as follows: early HER2-positive breast cancer patients diagnosed by core needle biopsy who underwent both HP neoadjuvant therapy and surgery. We compared the clinical and pathological features between pathological complete response (pCR) and non-pCR patients. (3) Results: We included 44 patients. A total of 90.9% of patients received neoadjuvant therapy of taxanes, carboplatin, trastuzumab and pertuzumab (TCHP), and the total pCR rate was 50%. pCR was negatively related to estrogen receptor (ER) positivity (OR 0.075 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.008–0.678], p = 0.021) and positively related to high expression levels of AR (OR 33.145 [95% CI 2.803–391.900], p = 0.005). We drew a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the predictive value of AR expression for pCR, and the area under the curve was 0.737 (95% CI 0.585–0.889, p = 0.007). The optimal cutoff of AR for predicting pCR was 85%. (4) Conclusion: AR is a potential marker for the prediction of pCR in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with HP neoadjuvant therapy.
How Should the Effectiveness of Marine Functional Zoning in China Be Evaluated? Taking Wenzhou Marine Functional Zoning as an Example
Authors: Ma Renfeng , Chen Jiarui , Pan Qi , Cheng Yuxian , Wang Weiqin , Zhu Baoyu , Ma Jingwu , Li Jiaming
Published: February 2022

Marine functional zoning is a basic form of marine management proposed and organized by the Chinese government in the late 1980s, and the third round of planning and implementation has been completed. Effectiveness evaluation of marine functional zoning is an important tool to supervise the implementation of marine functional zoning and improve the level of marine management. For the first time, based on the concept of consistency, based on the planning blueprint, with the sea area use compliance, environmental quality compliance and development and utilization impact as the evaluation benchmark, this paper attempts to integrate and construct the coordination discrimination method of sea area utilization status and marine functional zoning, that is, the coordination index of marine functional zoning, and takes Wenzhou as an example. The research shows that the coordination index of marine functional zoning in Wenzhou is 0.81 during the planning period, and the implementation effect of marine functional zoning is good. Empirical research shows that this evaluation method can provide basic guidance for scientific compilation and effective implementation of marine spatial planning.
Deforestation in Continental Ecuador with a Focus on Protected Areas
Authors: Kleemann Janina , Zamora Camilo , Villacis-Chiluisa Alexandra Belen , Cuenca Pablo , Koo Hongmi , Noh Jin Kyoung , Fürst Christine , Thiel Michael
Published: February 2022

Forest conservation is of particular concern in tropical regions where a large refuge of biodiversity is still existing. These areas are threatened by deforestation, forest degradation and fragmentation. Especially, pressures of anthropogenic activities adjacent to these areas significantly influence conservation effectiveness. Ecuador was chosen as study area since it is a globally relevant center of forest ecosystems and biodiversity. We identified hotspots of deforestation on the national level of continental Ecuador between 1990 and 2018, analyzed the most significant drivers of deforestation on national and biome level (the Coast, the Andes, The Amazon) as well as inside protected areas in Ecuador by using multiple regression analysis. We separated the national system of protected areas (SNAP) into higher and lower protection levels. Besides SNAP, we also considered Biosphere Reserves (BRs) and Ramsar sites. In addition, we investigated the rates and spatial patterns of deforestation in protected areas and buffer zones (5 km and 10 km outwards the protected area boundaries) using landscape metrics. Between 1990 and 2018, approximately 4% of the accumulated deforestation occurred within the boundaries of SNAP, and up to 25.5% in buffer zones. The highest rates of deforestation have been found in the 5 km buffer zone around the protected areas with the highest protection level. Protected areas and their buffer zones with higher protection status were identified as the most deforested areas among SNAP. BRs had the highest deforestation rates among all protected areas but most of these areas just became BRs after the year 2000. The most important driver of deforestation is agriculture. Other relevant drivers differ between the biomes. The results suggest that the SNAP is generally effective to prevent deforestation within their protection boundaries. However, deforestation around protected areas can undermine conservation strategies to sustain biodiversity. Actions to address such dynamics and patterns of deforestation and forest fragmentation, and developing conservation strategies of their landscape context are urgently needed especially in the buffer zones of areas with the highest protection status.
Regional Differentiations of the Potential of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Relation to Natural Capital—A Case Study in Selected Regions of the Slovak Republic
Authors: Makovníková Jarmila , Kološta Stanislav , Flaška Filip , Pálka Boris
Published: February 2022

Cultural ecosystem services (ES) require a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate regional differences in the values of cultural ES in relation to natural capital in four small pilot regions of the Slovak Republic using a matrix system. The article is an approximation of the connection of the biophysical method of evaluation (matrix system) of cultural ES of natural capital with geospatial data at the regional level in the Slovak Republic. Within the natural potential of the ES cultural categories, we evaluated recreation and tourism, landscape character and aesthetics, natural and cultural heritage, knowledge base, and regional significance for the given region. The highest values of indices in all categories were found in the Brezno region. The results of the pilot regions of the Slovak Republic indicated that the terrain fragmentation in combination with a higher altitude and a larger area of forests and protected areas may represent significant factors influencing the potential of the area to provide the various benefits resulting from cultural ES. Even though there is significant monetary potential of cultural ES in the region, its intensive utilization is not readily apparent.
Desertification in Spain: A Sound Diagnosis without Solutions and New Scenarios
Authors: Martínez-Valderrama Jaime , del Barrio Gabriel , Sanjuán María E. , Guirado Emilio , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: February 2022

The latest world atlas of desertification represents a turning point in the diagnosis of desertification. While it forgoes desertification mapping due to the intrinsic complexity of the phenomenon and the impossibility of measuring it using a single indicator, it introduces the convergence of evidence paradigm, which identifies socioeconomic and biophysical variables whose behaviour allows pointing out those areas prone to desertification. The Spanish National Action Program Against Desertification (PAND), back in 2008, already implemented a similar approach to identify five “desertification landscapes” within Spain using both socio-economic and climatic information. The PAND was not only pioneering but also, unfortunately, accurate. Desertification in Spain has continued to worsen and the first two decades of the 21st century have consolidated an agri-food model whose dynamics have exacerbated the desertification processes identified in the PAND. Despite its scientific value, the PAND lacked a proper action plan and was completely detached from the diagnosis. As a result, the diagnosis it provided was not followed by effective actions to halt desertification in Spain. The Spanish government’s recent declaration of climate and environmental emergency requires a new strategy to combat desertification. This commitment is an excellent opportunity to update the diagnosis of the situation and, more crucially, to unify the different desertification sectoral policies and actions under a single front. We provide here elements (e.g., analysis of agri-food trends and integration of plans and policies at different geographical and sectoral levels) for a roadmap to be designed around the pressures, impacts, and drivers that define today’s Spanish desertification landscapes to effectively manage and avoid their further degradation.
Characterizing Dominant Field-Scale Cropping Sequences for a Potato and Vegetable Growing Region in Central Wisconsin
Authors: Heineman Emily Marrs , Kucharik Christopher J.
Published: February 2022

Crop rotations are known to improve soil health by replenishing lost nutrients, increasing organic matter, improving microbial activity, and reducing disease risk and weed pressure. We characterized the spatial distribution of crops and dominant field-scale cropping sequences from 2008 to 2019 for the Wisconsin Central Sands (WCS) region, a major producer of potato and vegetables in the U.S. The dominant two- and three-year rotations were determined, with an additional focus on assessing regional potato rotation management. Our results suggest corn and soybean are the two most widely planted crops, occurring on 67% and 36% of all agricultural land at least once during the study period. The most frequent two- and three-year crop rotations include corn, soybean, alfalfa, sweet corn, potato, and beans, with continuous corn being the most dominant two- and three-year rotations (13.2% and 8.5% of agricultural land, respectively). While four- and five-year rotations for potato are recommended to combat pest and disease pressure, 23.2% and 65.9% of potato fields returned to that crop in rotation after two and three years, respectively. Furthermore, 5.6% of potato fields were planted continuously with that crop. Given potato’s high nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirements, the prevalence of sandy soils, and ongoing water quality issues, adopting more widespread use of four- or five-year rotations of potato with crops that require zero or less N fertilizer could reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations and improve water quality.
Some Implications of the Development of E-Commerce on EU Tax Regulations
Authors: Tofan Mihaela , Bostan Ionel
Published: February 2022

E-commerce has progressed within Europe before, on the basis of the pre-pandemic raise, with COVID-19 determining an explosion of its evolution. The European e-commerce market is very important, linking together more than 500 million consumers. This paper presents the results of assessing the guidelines and trends observed in the European regulatory process in the current period, when e-commerce is developing appreciably, studying the applicable legal norms and their effects on facilitating the control of remote payments. Compliance with the VAT (value-added tax) regime is addressed in the context described by the two important categories of active legal rules: the rules for consumer protection and the rules related to ensuring data protection. The investigation of the legal framework in this regard started from the presupposition that the necessary changes in regulation for facilitating e-commerce are capable to determine indirect changes in many aspects of financial rules and taxation. While analyzing the regulation of online trade, the various measures undertaken recently in respect to European sources of law and their implications for national legal framework opened additional directions of investigation. This paper points out the indirect effect of e-commerce development on the regulatory framework, both in the area of consumer protection and in line with the difficult balance between the right to information and protection of data. The fiscal effects of e-commerce payments and the challenges for the value-added tax regime are also addressed, both from a theoretical point of view and with input from the Court of Justice of the European Union’s jurisprudence. The analyzed documents show that, in this respect, the legal reform will go deeper and will continue with the rhythm of the development of the online activities.
Experimental Study on Support Vector Machine-Based Early Detection for Sensor Faults and Operator-Based Robust Fault Tolerant Control
Authors: Deng Mingcong , Tanaka Yuki , Li Ximei
Published: February 2022

Considering sensor faults for a thermoelectric cooler actuated by Peltier devices, this work proposes an operator-based robust nonlinear fault tolerant controller (FTC) integrated with early fault detection using a support vector machine (SVM). Firstly, a physical model is formulated based on the law of heat transfer, and the estimated model is derived based on Volterra identification. Then, an operator-based robust nonlinear control system is employed to compensate for uncertainties and to eliminate the effects of coupling. Furthermore, FTC integrated with SVM-based early fault detection is designed to improve the safety performance in the case of sensor faults. The simulation results indicate that SVM-based fault detection can shorten the detection time in comparison to the conventional method without the SVM classier. The experiment results are utilized to verify the tracking performance of the proposed FTC method in the case study.
Structural Characterization of Ion Nitrided 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel: Influence of Treatment Temperature and Time
Authors: Gokcekaya Ozkan , Ergun Celaletdin , Gulmez Turgut , Nakano Takayoshi , Yilmaz Safak
Published: February 2022

The ion nitriding behavior of AISI 316L austenite stainless steel was investigated at different nitriding times (2 h, 4 h, and 9 h) and temperatures (450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C). The structural characterization has been assessed by several considerations which can be listed: (i) the evaluation of phase distribution through Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns and accompanying peak fitting process, (ii) hardness profile and related nitride layer thickness by microhardness and microscopic measurements, and (iii) displacement measurements to assess the residual stress accumulation. The diffusion of nitrogen atomic species into the sample surface caused a transformation of the γ phase matrix into an expanded austenite (γN) phase, which is recognized with its high hardness and wear resistance. Furthermore, depending on the nitriding condition, chromium nitride (Cr1-2N) and iron nitride (ε-Fe2-3N and γ′-Fe4N) phases were detected, which can be detrimental to the corrosion resistance of the 316L austenite stainless steel. The γN phase was observed in all nitriding conditions, resulting in a significant increase in the surface hardness. However, decomposition of the γN phase with an increase in nitriding temperature eventually altered the surface hardness distribution in the nitriding layer. Considering the phase-type and distribution with the consequent hardness characteristics in the nitride layer, to our best knowledge, this is the first report in which an ion-nitriding temperature of 500 °C (higher than 450 °C) and time of 9 h can be proposed as ideal processing parameters leading to optimal phase composition and hardness distribution for 316L austenite stainless steels particularly for the applications requiring a combination of both wear and corrosion resistance.
Comparison of Lysis and Detachment Sample Preparation Methods for Cultured Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Using UHPLC–HRMS-Based Metabolomics
Authors: Rushing Blake R. , Schroder Madison , Sumner Susan C. J.
Published: February 2022

Dysregulation of cellular metabolism is now a well-recognized hallmark of cancer. Studies investigating the metabolic features of cancer cells have shed new light onto processes in cancer cell biology and have identified many potential novel treatment options. The advancement of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has improved the ability to monitor multiple metabolic pathways simultaneously in various experimental settings. However, questions still remain as to how certain steps in the metabolite extraction process affect the metabolic profiles of cancer cells. Here, we use ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) untargeted metabolomics to investigate the effects of different detachment and lysis methods on the types and abundances of metabolites extracted from MDA-MB-231 cells through the use of in-house standards libraries and pathway analysis software. Results indicate that detachment methods (trypsinization vs. scraping) had the greatest effect on metabolic profiles whereas lysis methods (homogenizer beads vs. freeze–thaw cycling) had a lesser, though still significant, effect. No singular method was clearly superior over others, with certain metabolite classes giving higher abundances or lower variation for each detachment–lysis combination. These results indicate the importance of carefully selecting sample preparation methods for cell-based metabolomics to optimize the extraction performance for certain compound classes.
Fast Electrochemical Actuator with Ti Electrodes in the Current Stabilization Regime
Authors: Uvarov Ilia V. , Melenev Artem E. , Svetovoy Vitaly B.
Published: February 2022

The actuators needed for autonomous microfluidic devices have to be compact, low-power-consuming, and compatible with microtechnology. The electrochemical actuators could be good candidates, but they suffer from a long response time due to slow gas termination. An actuator in which the gas is terminated orders of magnitude faster has been demonstrated recently. It uses water electrolysis performed by short voltage pulses of alternating polarity (AP). However, oxidation of Ti electrodes leads to a rapid decrease in the performance. In this paper, we demonstrate a special driving regime of the actuator, which is able to support a constant stroke for at least 105 cycles. The result is achieved using a new driving regime when a series of AP pulses are interspersed with a series of single-polarity (SP) pulses. The new regime is realized by a special pulse generator that automatically adjusts the amplitude of the SP pulses to keep the current flowing through the electrodes at a fixed level. The SP pulses increase the power consumption by 15–60% compared to the normal AP operation and make the membrane oscillate in a slightly lifted position.
Lime and Cement Plasters from 20th Century Buildings: Raw Materials and Relations between Mineralogical–Petrographic Characteristics and Chemical–Physical Compatibility with the Limestone Substrate
Authors: Columbu Stefano , Usai Marco , Rispoli Concetta , Fancello Dario
Published: February 2022

This paper deals with the “modern” plaster mortars based on air lime, hydraulic lime, and cement used between the 1950s and 1990s of the last century, taking, as a case study, a historical building of the Cagliari city whose foundations and ground floor are cut into in-situ limestone. Different plaster layers (i.e., arriccio and intonachino, paint), applied on the excavated limestone walls, were collected from cave-room. All samples were analysed by optical and electron (SEM-EDS) microscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) in order to define their microstructures, textures and compositional features. In addition, real and bulk density, water and helium open porosity, water absorption kinetic, and saturation index were measured. By microscopic imaging analyses, the binder/aggregate ratio as vol.% was determined. Results revealed that cement mortars, composed mainly of C-S-H, C-A-H, and C-F-H phases, given their high hydraulicity, low open porosity, and a rigid behaviour, showed a good chemical but not physical–mechanical adherence, as they were often found detached from the substrate and frequently loaded with salt efflorescence. On the contrary, the hydraulic lime-based mortars, characterised by a binder composed of C-S-H and C-A-H phases and calcite derived from the portlandite carbonation, showed a greater affinity with limestone substrate and other plasters. Thus, they are more suitable to be used as a repair mortar, showing a long durability on the time. The thin air lime-based plasters (intonachino) showed a good adhesion to the substrate, exerting their coating function better than the harder, cement-based mortars. Lime-based wall paints have a good chemical adhesion and adaptability to the irregular surface of the substrate, due to low thickness of lime paint layers (<1 mm) that confers an elastic physical behaviour.
Flotation Separation of Dolomite from Fluorapatite Using Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate as the Efficient Collector under Low Temperature
Authors: Zheng Huifang , Chen Yingxin , Weng Xiaoqing , Jin Yanfeng , Kasomo Richard M. , Ao Shunfu
Published: February 2022

Flotation is the most often employed process to achieve the selective removal of contaminants from the raw materials used in the manufacturing of phosphate fertilizer. However, sodium oleate (NaOL), as a typical collector, is ineffective because of its low collecting ability under low temperature. As a result, developing and implementing feasible alternatives is critical for the long-term output of mines. In this study, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), a low-cost and freely soluble reagent under low temperature was used to examine its collecting ability and selectivity in a fluorapatite-dolomite system by means of single and artificially mixed minerals flotation. The adsorption mechanism was evaluated with the help of XPS analyses. The flotation results demonstrate that SDBS could float both fluorapatite and dolomite, but show a higher affinity towards fluorapatite instead of dolomite. Moreover, SDBS could preferred adsorb onto fluorapatite surface when fluorapatite and dolomite coexist. SDBS is more suitable than NaOL for satisfactory recovery of fluorapatite under low temperature in terms of the higher recovery obtained. The XPS analyses results demonstrate that the adsorption of SDBS on fluorapatite surface was more intensively as opposed to that on dolomite surface and Ca active sites on fluorapatite surface are supposed to be the main location for SDBS attachment.
Surface Coverage- and Excitation Laser Wavelength-Dependent Luminescence Properties of U(VI) Species Adsorbed on Amorphous SiO2
Authors: Jung Euo Chang , Jo Yongheum , Kim Tae-Hyeong , Kim Hee-Kyung , Cho Hye-Ryun , Cha Wansik , Baik Min Hoon , Yun Jong-Il
Published: February 2022

Time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy is usefully used to identify U(VI) surface species adsorbed on SiO2. However, the cause of the inconsistent luminescence lifetimes and spectral shapes reported previously remains undetermined. In this study, the U(VI) surface coverage (Γ) and excitation laser wavelength (λex) were examined as the predominant factors governing the luminescence properties of U(VI) surface species. At neutral pH, the luminescence lifetimes of U(VI) surface species increased with decreasing Γ. In the low-Γ region, where a relatively large number of adjacent surface sites are involved in the formation of multidentate surface complexes, the displacement of more number of coordinated water molecules in the equatorial plane of U(VI) results in a longer lifetime. The pH-dependent luminescence lifetimes of U(VI) surface species at the same U(VI) to SiO2 concentration ratio in the pH range of 4.5–7.5 also explain the effect of the surface binding sites on the luminescence lifetime. The time-resolved luminescence properties of the U(VI) surface species were also investigated at different excitation wavelengths. Continued irradiation of the SiO2 surface with a UV laser beam at λex = 266 nm considerably reduced the luminescence intensities of the U(VI) surface species. The higher the laser pulse energy, the greater the decrease in luminescence intensity. Laser-induced thermal desorption (LITD) of U(VI) surface species is suggested to be the origin of the decrease in luminescence intensity. LITD effects were not observed at λex = 355 and 422 nm, even at high laser pulse energies.
Behaviour of Extractives in Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Bark during Pile Storage
Authors: Halmemies Eelis S. , Alén Raimo , Hellström Jarkko , Läspä Otto , Nurmi Juha , Hujala Maija , Brännström Hanna E.
Published: February 2022

The current practices regarding the procurement chain of forest industry sidestreams, such as conifer bark, do not always lead to optimal conditions for preserving individual chemical compounds. This study investigates the standard way of storing bark in large piles in an open area. We mainly focus on the degradation of the most essential hydrophilic and hydrophobic extractives and carbohydrates. First, two large 450 m3 piles of bark from Norway spruce (Picea abies) were formed, one of which was covered with snow. The degradation of the bark extractives was monitored for 24 weeks. Samples were taken from the middle, side and top of the pile. Each sample was extracted at 120 °C with both n-hexane and water, and the extracts produced were then analysed chromatographically using gas chromatography with flame ionisation or mass selective detection and high-performance liquid chromatography. The carbohydrates were next analysed using acidic hydrolysis and acidic methanolysis, followed by chromatographic separation of the monosaccharides formed and their derivatives. The results showed that the most intensive degradation occurred during the first 4 weeks of storage. The levels of hydrophilic extractives were also found to decrease drastically (69% in normal pile and 73% in snow-covered pile) during storage, whereas the decrease in hydrophobic extractives was relatively stable (15% in normal pile and 8% in snow-covered pile). The top of the piles exhibited the most significant decrease in the total level of extractives (73% in normal and snow-covered pile), whereas the bark in the middle of the pile retained the highest amount of extractives (decreased by 51% in normal pile and 47% in snow-covered pile) after 24-week storage.
The Hydrophobicity and Antifungal Potentiation of Burkholdine Analogues
Authors: Konno Hiroyuki , Sasaki Mio , Sano Hinata , Osawa Keima , Nosaka Kazuto , Yano Shigekazu
Published: February 2022

The burkholdines are a family of cyclic lipopeptides reported to exhibit antifungal activity. We synthesized a series of 18 burkholdine analogues in good yield by conventional Fmoc-SPPS followed by cyclization with DIPCI/HOBt in the solution phase. Although none of the synthesized peptides exhibited antifungal activity, several did potentiate the antibiotic effect of the antibiotic G418, including the Thr-bearing Bk analogue (4b) and the tartaramide-bearing Bk analogue (5b). This work exemplifies the potential of burkholdine analogues as potentiating agents.
Comprehensive Characterization of Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Yarns Produced by Various Spinning Methods
Authors: Watanabe Takayuki , Yamazaki Satoshi , Yamashita Satoshi , Inaba Takumi , Muroga Shun , Morimoto Takahiro , Kobashi Kazufumi , Okazaki Toshiya
Published: February 2022

A comprehensive characterization of various carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns provides insight for producing high-performance CNT yarns as well as a useful guide to select the proper yarn for a specific application. Herein we systematically investigate the correlations between the physical properties of six CNT yarns produced by three spinning methods, and their structures and the properties of the constituent CNTs. The electrical conductivity increases in all yarns regardless of the spinning method as the effective length of the constituent CNTs and the density of the yarns increase. On the other hand, the tensile strength shows a much stronger dependence on the packing density of the yarns than the CNT effective length, indicating the relative importance of the interfacial interaction. The contribution of each physical parameter to the yarn properties are quantitatively analyzed by partial least square regression.
A Stackable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wave-Driven Marine Buoys
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhu Chuanqing , Wang Weichen , Xu Ruijiang , Chen Pengfei , Du Taili , Xue Tingxi , Wang Zhaoyang , Xu Minyi
Published: February 2022

Marine distributed devices are essential infrastructure for exploring and utilizing the ocean. As the most common carrier of these devices, floating and submerged buoys are subject to a bottleneck of power supply. Recent progress in nanogenerators could convert the high-entropy marine kinetic energy (e.g., wave) robustly, which may form an in-situ power solution to marine distributed devices. This study is devoted to develop a stackable triboelectric nanogenerator (S-TENG), while each layer of it is made into multiple channels carrying PTFE balls in between Aluminum electrodes. In the experiments based on forced motion, the peak power density of the S-TENG reaches 49 W/m3, about 29% promotion from our previous benchmark. The S-TENG has also become less vulnerable to directional variation of the excitation, making its integration on various platforms more flexible in real conditions. In practice, the S-TENG has demonstrated its capability of powering LEDs as well as various sensors measuring salinity, temperature and acidity, which means the S-TENG could self-power many compact marine buoys.
Preparation and Drug-Loading Properties of Amphoteric Cassava Starch Nanoparticles
Authors: Xie Xinling , Zhang Youquan , Zhu Yong , Lan Yiling
Published: February 2022

Based on the characteristics of charge reversal around the isoelectric point (pI) of amphoteric starch-containing anionic and cationic groups, amphoteric cassava starch nanoparticles (CA-CANPs) are prepared by a W/O microemulsion crosslinking method using (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride as a cationic reagent and POCl3 as an anionic reagent, and the effects of preparation conditions on the particle size of the CA-CANPs are studied in detail in the present study. CA-CANPs with a smooth surface and an average diameter of 252 nm are successfully prepared at the following optimised conditions: a crosslinking agent amount of 15 wt%, an aqueous starch concentration of 6.0 wt%, an oil–water ratio of 10:1, a total surfactant amount of 0.20 g·mL−1, and a CHPTAC amount of 4.05 wt%. The pH-responsive value of the CA-CANPs can be regulated by adjusting the nitrogen–phosphorus molar ratio in the CA-CANPs. By using CA-CANPs with a pI of 6.89 as drug carriers and the paclitaxel (PTX) as a model drug, the maximum loading rate of 36.14 mg·g−1 is achieved, and the loading process is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption, with the calculated thermodynamic parameters of ΔH° = −37.91 kJ·mol−1, ΔS° = −10.96 J·mol−1·K−1 and ΔG° < 0. By testing the release rate in vitro, it is noted that the release rates of PTX in a neutral environment (37.6% after 96 h) and a slightly acidic environment (58.65% after 96 h) are quite different, suggesting that the CA-CANPs have the possibility of being a targeted controlled-release carrier with pH responsiveness for antitumor drugs.
Reference Ranges of Glycemic Variability in Infants after Surgery—A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kaminska Halla , Wieczorek Pawel , Zalewski Grzegorz , Malachowska Beata , Kucharski Przemyslaw , Fendler Wojciech , Szarpak Lukasz , Jarosz-Chobot Przemyslawa
Published: February 2022

We aimed to define reference ranges of glycemic variability indices derived from continuous glucose monitoring data for non-diabetic infants during post-operative intensive care treatment after cardiac surgery procedures. We performed a prospective cohort intervention study in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Non-diabetic infants aged 0–12 months after corrective cardiovascular surgery procedures were fitted upon arrival to the PICU with a continuous glucose monitoring system (iPro2, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Thirteen glycemic variability indices were calculated for each patient. Complete recordings of 65 patients were collected on the first postoperative day. During the first three postsurgical days 5%, 24% and 43% of patients experienced at least one hypoglycemia episode, and 40%, 10% and 15%—hyperglycemia episode, respectively, in each day. Due to significant differences between the first postoperative day (mean glycemia 130 ± 31 mg/dL) and the second and third day (105 ± 18 mg/dL, 101 ± 22.2 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), we proposed two separate reference ranges—for the acute and steady state patients. Thus, for individual glucose measurements, we proposed a reference range between 85 and 229 mg/dL and 69 and 149 mg/dL. For the mean daily glucose level, ranges between 122 and 137 mg/dL and 95 and 110 mg/dL were proposed. In conclusion, rt-CGM revealed a very high likelihood of hyperglycemia in the first postsurgical day. The widespread use of CGM systems in a pediatric ICU setting should be considered as a safeguard against dysglycemic episodes; however, reference ranges for those patients should be different to those used in diabetes care.
Oral Intake of L-Ornithine-L-Aspartate Is Associated with Distinct Microbiome and Metabolome Changes in Cirrhosis
Authors: Horvath Angela , Traub Julia , Aliwa Benard , Bourgeois Benjamin , Madl Tobias , Stadlbauer Vanessa
Published: February 2022

L-ornithine L-aspartate (LOLA) is administered as a therapeutic and/or preventive strategy against hepatic encephalopathy either intravenously or orally in patients with liver cirrhosis. Here, we analyzed how LOLA influences the microbiome and metabolome of patients with liver cirrhosis. We retrospectively analyzed the stool microbiome, stool, urine and serum metabolome as well as markers for gut permeability, inflammation and muscle metabolism of 15 cirrhosis patients treated orally with LOLA for at least one month and 15 propensity-score-matched cirrhosis patients without LOLA. Results were validated by comparing the LOLA-treated patients to a second set of controls. Patients with and without LOLA were comparable in age, sex, etiology and severity of cirrhosis as well as PPI and laxative use. In the microbiome, Flavonifractor and Oscillospira were more abundant in patients treated with LOLA compared to the control group, while alpha and beta diversity were comparable between groups. Differences in stool and serum metabolomes reflected the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy and confirmed LOLA intake. In the urine metabolome, ethanol to acetic acid ratio was lower in patients treated with LOLA compared to controls. LOLA-treated patients also showed lower serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 than patients without LOLA. No differences in gut permeability or inflammation markers were found. A higher abundance of Flavonifractor and Oscillospira in LOLA-treated patients could indicate LOLA as a potential microbiome modulating strategy in patients with liver disease. The lower levels of IGF1 in patients treated with LOLA suggest a possible link between the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy and muscle health.
Primary Prevention of Pediatric Asthma through Nutritional Interventions
Authors: Nuzzi Giulia , Di Cicco Maria , Trambusti Irene , Agosti Massimo , Peroni Diego G. , Comberiati Pasquale
Published: February 2022

Asthma is the most common chronic non-communicable disease in children, the pathogenesis of which involves several factors. The increasing burden of asthma worldwide has emphasized the need to identify the modifiable factors associated with the development of the disease. Recent research has focused on the relationship between dietary factors during the first 1000 days of life (including pregnancy)—when the immune system is particularly vulnerable to exogenous interferences—and allergic outcomes in children. Specific nutrients have been analyzed as potential targets for the prevention of childhood wheeze and asthma. Recent randomized controlled trials show that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, using higher doses than currently recommended, may be protective against early childhood wheezing but not school-age asthma. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy and infancy may be associated with a reduced risk of childhood wheeze, although the evidence is conflicting. Data from observational studies suggest that some dietary patterns during pregnancy and infancy might also influence the risk of childhood asthma. However, the quality of the available evidence is insufficient to allow recommendations regarding dietary changes for the prevention of pediatric asthma. This review outlines the available high-quality evidence on the role of prenatal and perinatal nutritional interventions for the primary prevention of asthma in children and attempts to address unmet areas for future research in pediatric asthma prevention.
Preventive Impact of Long-Term Ingestion of Chestnut Honey on Glucose Disorders and Neurodegeneration in Obese Mice
Authors: Terzo Simona , Calvi Pasquale , Nuzzo Domenico , Picone Pasquale , Galizzi Giacoma , Caruana Luca , Di Carlo Marta , Lentini Laura , Puleio Roberto , Mulè Flavia , Amato Antonella
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of long-term honey ingestion on metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Three groups of mice were fed with a standard diet (STD), HFD or HFD supplemented with honey (HFD-H) for 16 weeks. Biochemical, histological, Western blotting, RT-PCR and Profiler PCR array were performed to assess metabolic parameters, peripheral and central insulin resistance and neurodegeneration. Daily honey intake prevented the HFD-induced glucose dysmetabolism. In fact, it reduced plasma fasting glucose, insulin and leptin concentrations and increased adiponectin levels. It improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and HOMA index without affecting plasma lipid concentration. HFD mice showed a significantly higher number of apoptotic nuclei in the superficial and deep cerebral cortex, upregulation of Fas-L, Bim and P27 (neuronal pro-apoptotic markers) and downregulation of Bcl-2 and BDNF (anti-apoptotic factors) in comparison with STD- and HFD-H mice, providing evidence for honey neuroprotective effects. PCR-array analysis showed that long-term honey intake increased the expression of genes involved in insulin sensitivity and decreased genes involved in neuroinflammation or lipogenesis, suggesting improvement of central insulin resistance. The expressions of p-AKT and p-GSK3 in HFD-H mice, which were decreased and increased, respectively, in HFD mouse brain, index of central insulin resistance, were similar to STD animals supporting the ability of regular honey intake to protect brain neurons from insulin resistance. In conclusion, the present results provide evidence for the beneficial preventative impact of regular honey ingestion on neuronal damage caused by HFD.
Combined Antagonism of 5-HT2 and NMDA Receptors Reduces the Aggression of Monoamine Oxidase a Knockout Mice
Authors: Frau Roberto , Pardu Alessandra , Godar Sean , Bini Valentina , Bortolato Marco
Published: February 2022

The enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) catalyzes the degradation of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin. A large body of evidence has shown that genetic MAOA deficiency predisposes humans and mice to aggression and antisocial behavior. We previously documented that the aggression of male MAOA-deficient mice is contributed by serotonin 5-HT2 and glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Indeed, blocking either receptor reduces the aggression of MAOA knockout (KO) mice; however, 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, such as ketanserin (KET), reduce locomotor activity, while NMDA receptor blockers are typically associated with psychotomimetic properties. To verify whether NMDA receptor blockers induce psychotomimetic effects in MAOA KO mice, here we tested the effects of these compounds on prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex. We found that male MAOA KO mice are hypersensitive to the PPI-disrupting properties of NMDA receptor antagonists, including the non-competitive antagonist dizocilpine (DIZ; 0.1, 0.3 mg/kg, IP) and the NR2B subunit-specific blocker Ro-256981 (5, 10 mg/kg, IP). Since KET has been previously shown to counter the PPI deficits caused by NMDA receptor antagonists, we tested the behavioral effects of the combination of KET (2 mg/kg, IP) and these drugs. Our results show that the combination of KET and DIZ potently reduces aggression in MAOA KO mice without any PPI deficits and sedative effects. While the PPI-ameliorative properties of KET were also observed after infusion in the medial PFC (0.05 μg/side), KET did not counter the PPI-disruptive effects of Ro-256981 in MAOA KO mice. Taken together, these results point to the combination of non-subunit-selective NMDA and 5-HT2 receptor antagonists as a potential therapeutic approach for aggression and antisocial behavior with a better safety and tolerability profile than each monotherapy.