bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Influenza Vaccination Reduce the Risk of Contracting COVID-19?
Authors: Alòs Francesc , Cánovas Zaldúa Yoseba , Feijóo Rodríguez María Victoria , Del Val Garcia Jose Luis , Sánchez-Callejas Andrea , Colomer Mª Àngels
Published: September 2022

The concurrent timing of the COVID-19 pandemic and the seasonal occurrence of influenza, makes it especially important to analyze the possible effect of the influenza vaccine on the risk of contracting COVID-19, or in reducing the complications caused by both diseases, especially in vulnerable populations. There is very little scientific information on the possible protective role of the influenza vaccine against the risk of contracting COVID-19, particularly in groups at high-risk of influenza complications. Reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19 in high-risk patients (those with a higher risk of infection, complications, and death) is essential to improve public well-being and to reduce hospital pressure and the collapse of primary health centers. Apart from overlapping in time, COVID-19 and flu share common aspects of transmission, so that measures to protect against flu might be effective in reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19. In this study, we conclude that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is reduced if patients are vaccinated against flu, but the reduction is small (0.22%) and therefore not clinically important. When this reduction is analysed based on the risk factor suffered by the patient, statistically significant differences have been obtained for patients with cardiovascular problems, diabetics, chronic lung and chronic kidney disease; in all four cases the reduction in the risk of contagion does not reach 1%. It is worth highlighting the behaviour that is completely different from the rest of the data for institutionalized patients. The data for these patients does not suggest a reduction in the risk of contagion for patients vaccinated against the flu, but rather the opposite, a significant increase of 6%. Socioeconomic conditions, as measured by the MEDEA deprivation index, explain increases in the risk of contracting COVID-19, and awareness campaigns should be increased to boost vaccination programs.
Capturing the Turning Hook of Stress-Dilatancy Curve of Crushable Calcareous Sand
Authors: Jin Weifeng , Tao Ying , Chen Rongzhong
Published: September 2022

For crushable calcareous sand, the stress-dilatancy curve has a significant turning hook around the peak stress ratio, the hook contains the main features of the loading process, including the phase transformation point and the peak stress ratio point. However, more than half of this turning hook, i.e., the line after the peak stress ratio point, is usually ignored by known stress-dilatancy models. It is difficult to directly establish the stress-dilatancy model with such turning hook characteristics, since such turning hook demonstrates that the dilatancy is not a single-valued function of the stress ratio. Based on the first law of thermodynamic, we related dilatancy to breakage energy. Then, we mapped breakage energy from the stress-energy plane to the strain-energy plane to avoid the non-single-valued function problem. Then, the stress-dilatancy model was conveniently established. Compared with the other four existing stress-dilatancy models, the benefit of our modeling process is that it can easily capture the turning hook of the stress-dilatancy curve. Our model is also verified by simulating colloidal-silica-stabilized and MICP-stabilized calcareous sands, as well as three types of calcareous sands, respectively.
Molecular Characterization and Expression Analysis of Novel Interleukin-1 Family Member (nIL-1Fm) Gene in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Wangkahart Eakapol , Jumpalueang Sukanda , Ardprachan Supanniga , Phudkliang Janjira , Sunthamala Phitcharat , Pholchamat Sirinya , Qi Zhitao
Published: September 2022

In this study, a novel interleukin-1-family member (nIL-1Fm) was studied from the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a widely cultured fish species in brackish water and freshwater in Thailand and worldwide. The complete sequence of the Nile tilapia nIL-1Fm comprised 2474 bp, encoding 350 amino acids. The genome organization of nIL-1Fm had seven exons and six introns, which were conserved in teleost fish. During tissue distribution analysis, the nIL-1Fm was extremely increased in the head kidney, tailfin and trunk kidney, which had the highest levels, followed by the spleen. Additionally, nIL-1Fm was significantly up-regulated under PAMP stimulation, whereas the stimulation of LPS, PHA and poly I:C could significantly induce nIL-1Fm expression in vitro. Moreover, nIL-1Fm transcription was significantly induced when infected with Streptococcus agalactiae in the spleen, liver and intestine. Taking together, our results indicated that nIL-1Fm can expand our knowledge of the IL-1 cytokine family in fish immune response.
Endometrial Stem/Progenitor Cells: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Gargett Caroline E. , Hapangama Dharani
Published: September 2022

The human endometrium is one of the most regenerative tissues in the body, undergoing over 400 cycles of menstrual shedding and regeneration during reproductive life [...]
Six Commonly Used Postoperative Radiographic Alignment Parameters Do Not Predict Clinical Outcome Scores after Unrestricted Caliper-Verified Kinematically Aligned TKA
Authors: Dhaliwal Anand , Zamora Tomas , Nedopil Alexander J. , Howell Stephen M. , Hull Maury L.
Published: September 2022

Background: Unrestricted caliper-verified kinematically aligned (KA) TKA restores patient’s prearthritic coronal and sagittal alignments, which have a wide range containing outliers that concern the surgeon practicing mechanical alignment (MA). Therefore, knowing which radiographic parameters are associated with dissatisfaction could help a surgeon decide whether to rely on them as criteria for revising an unhappy patient with a primary KA TKA using MA principles. Hence, we determined whether the femoral mechanical angle (FMA), hip–knee–ankle angle (HKAA), tibial mechanical angle (TMA), tibial slope angle (TSA), and the indicators of patellofemoral tracking, including patella tilt angle (PTA) and the lateral undercoverage of the trochlear resection (LUCTR), are associated with clinical outcome scores. Methods: Forty-three patients with a CT scan and skyline radiograph after a KA TKA with PCL retention and medial stabilized design were analyzed. Linear regression determined the strength of the association between the FMA, HKA angle, PTS, PTA, and LUCTR and the forgotten joint score (FJS), Oxford knee score (OKS), and KOOS Jr score obtained at a mean of 23 months. Results: There was no correlation between the FMA (range 2° varus to −10° valgus), HKAA (range 10° varus to −9° valgus), TMA (range 10° varus to −0° valgus), TSA (range 14° posterior to −4° anterior), PTA (range, −10° medial to 14° lateral), and the LUCTR resection (range 2 to 9 mm) and the FJS (median 83), the OKS (median 44), and the KOOS Jr (median 85) (r = 0.000 to 0.079). Conclusions: Surgeons should be cautious about using postoperative FMA, HKAA, TMA, TSA, PTA, and LUCTR values within the present study’s reported ranges to explain success and dissatisfaction after KA TKA.
Does Land Urbanization Affect the Catch-Up Effect of Carbon Emissions Reduction in China’s Logistics?
Authors: Liu Bingquan , Wang Yue , Chang Xuran , Nie Boyang , Meng Lingqi , Li Yongqing
Published: September 2022

Logistics is playing an important role in China with the rapid growth of the digital economy, and has caused large quantities of carbon emissions as an energy-intensive industry. Due to the extreme imbalance of land urbanization, the performance of carbon emissions reduction in logistics is significantly different among regions. This paper establishes a new indicator to describe the carbon emissions catch-up effect and decomposes the impact of land urbanization into 4 driving factors, thereby identifying the impact of land urbanization on carbon emissions catch-up effect in detail. The results indicate that: (1) at the national level, the catch-up effect of carbon emissions in logistics showed three stages of “catching up-lagging behind-catching up”, which was consistent with the development of logistics. (2) At the regional level, the land urbanization-related factors had significant but different impacts on the catch-up effect of carbon emissions. The spatial expansion and road network density effect were the main inhibitors for catch-up effect of the eastern region, and spatial structure effect was the main inhibitor for central and western regions. (3) At the provincial level, the impact of land urbanization-related factors on provinces at different development stages was different. Finally, some policy implications are proposed to achieve carbon neutrality targets.
Antibacterial Effects of Phytocannabinoids
Authors: Scott Cassidy , Neira Agonh Daniel , Lehmann Christian
Published: September 2022

Antibiotics are used as the first line of treatment for bacterial infections. However, antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to the future of antibiotics, resulting in increased medical costs, hospital stays, and mortality. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, impeding the success of antibiotics in treating common infectious diseases. Recently, phytocannabinoids have been shown to possess antimicrobial activity on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids presents a unique mechanism of action to overcome existing antibiotic resistance. Future research must be carried out on phytocannabinoids as potential therapeutic agents used as novel treatments against resistant strains of microbes.
Crosstalk between Glycogen-Selective Autophagy, Autophagy and Apoptosis as a Road towards Modifier Gene Discovery and New Therapeutic Strategies for Glycogen Storage Diseases
Authors: Andjelkovic Marina , Skakic Anita , Ugrin Milena , Spasovski Vesna , Klaassen Kristel , Pavlovic Sonja , Stojiljkovic Maja
Published: September 2022

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are rare metabolic monogenic disorders characterized by an excessive accumulation of glycogen in the cell. However, monogenic disorders are not simple regarding genotype–phenotype correlation. Genes outside the major disease-causing locus could have modulatory effect on GSDs, and thus explain the genotype–phenotype inconsistencies observed in these patients. Nowadays, when the sequencing of all clinically relevant genes, whole human exomes, and even whole human genomes is fast, easily available and affordable, we have a scientific obligation to holistically analyze data and draw smarter connections between genotype and phenotype. Recently, the importance of glycogen-selective autophagy for the pathophysiology of disorders of glycogen metabolism have been described. Therefore, in this manuscript, we review the potential role of genes involved in glycogen-selective autophagy as modifiers of GSDs. Given the small number of genes associated with glycogen-selective autophagy, we also include genes, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs involved in autophagy. A cross-link with apoptosis is addressed. All these genes could be analyzed in GSD patients with unusual discrepancies between genotype and phenotype in order to discover genetic variants potentially modifying their phenotype. The discovery of modifier genes related to glycogen-selective autophagy and autophagy will start a new chapter in understanding of GSDs and enable the usage of autophagy-inducing drugs for the treatment of this group of rare-disease patients.
Bridging with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience
Authors: Amodeo Antonio , Stojanovic Milena , Dave Hitendu , Cesnjevar Robert , Konetzka Alexander , Erdil Tugba , Kretschmar Oliver , Schweiger Martin
Published: September 2022

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is frequently used in children with and without congenital heart disease (CHD). This study, of a single-center and retrospective design, evaluated the use and timing of V-A ECMO in a pediatric cohort who underwent V-A ECMO implantation between January 2009 and December 2019. The patients were divided into a pre-/non-surgical group and a post-surgical group. Among the investigated variables were age, gender, weight, duration of ECMO, ECMO indication, and ventricular physiology, with only the latter being statistically relevant between the two groups. A total of 111 children (58 male/53 female), with a median age of 87 days (IQR: 7–623) were supported using V-A ECMO. The pre-/non-surgical group consisted of 59 patients and the post-surgical group of 52 patients. Survival at discharge was 49% for the pre-/non-surgical group and 21% for the surgical group (p = 0.04). Single-ventricle physiology was significant for a worse outcome (p = 0.0193). Heart anatomy still has the biggest role in the outcomes of children on ECMO. Nevertheless, children with CHD can be successfully bridged with ECMO to cardiac operation.
Distributed H∞ and H2 Time-Varying Formation Tracking Control for Linear Multi-Agent Systems with Directed Topologies
Authors: Chen Lin , Bi Shusheng , Cheng Jun , Cai Yueri , Mei Fanghua
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the H∞ and H2 time-varying formation tracking problems for multi-agent systems with directed topologies in the presence of external disturbances are investigated. The followers need to achieve the desired time-varying formation during movement and simultaneously track the state trajectory generated by the leader. First, a distributed consensus protocol based on the local state information of neighbors of the agents for solving H∞ and H2 time-varying formation tracking problems are proposed without utilizing global information about the entire agents. The conditions to achieve H∞ and H2 time-varying formation tracking in the presence of external disturbances are suggested respectively. Then, to determine the parameters of the designed protocol which satisfy suitable conditions, algorithms for H∞ and H2 time-varying formation tracking in the form of pseudo-code are presented, respectively. Furthermore, the proofs of the proposed theorems are derived by utilizing algebraic graph theory and Lyapunov analysis theory tools to demonstrate the closed-loop stability of the system in the presence of external disturbances. Finally, the usefulness and effectiveness of the approaches proposed are demonstrated by numerical simulation examples.
Geometry with a STEM and Gamification Approach: A Didactic Experience in Secondary Education
Authors: Moral-Sánchez Silvia Natividad , Sánchez-Compaña M.ª Teresa , Romero Isabel
Published: September 2022

Recent societal changes have meant that education has had to adapt to digital natives of the 21st century. These changes have required a transformation in the current educational paradigm, where active methodologies and ICT have become vehicles for achieving this goal, designing complete teaching sequences with STEM approaches that help students to learn. Under a gamified approach, this document addresses a didactic proposal in geometry focused on STEM disciplines. This proposal combines tools such as AR, VR, manipulative materials, and social networks, with techniques such as m-learning, cooperative-learning, and flipped-learning, which make methodological transformation possible. The research was carried out during two academic years under an action research framework. It departed from a traditional methodology and, in two cycles, methodology was improved with the benefits that gamification brings to STEM proposals in Secondary Education. The data gathered in the experiment were analysed following a mixed method. Learning produced, strategies employed, successes and errors, and results of a questionnaire are presented. Evidence shows an improvement in academic performance from 50% fails to 100% pass, most of the students ended up motivated, participation was of the whole group, more than 80% showed positive emotions, and thanks to the cooperative-learning, group cohesion was improved.
On Lemniscate Starlikeness of the Solution of General Differential Equations
Authors: Mondal Saiful R.
Published: September 2022

In this article, we derived conditions on the coefficient functions a(z) and b(z) of the differential equations y″(z)+a(z)y′(z)+b(z)y(z)=0 and z2y″(z)+a(z)zy′(z)+b(z)y(z)=0, such their solution f(z) with normalization f(0)=0=f′(0)−1 is starlike in the lemniscate domain, equivalently zf′(z)/f(z)≺1+z. We provide several examples with graphical presentations for a clear view of the obtained results.
A Novel Improved GSA-BPSO Driven PID Controller for Load Frequency Control of Multi-Source Deregulated Power System
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Gupta Deepak Kumar , Ghatak Sriparna Roy , Appasani Bhargav , Bizon Nicu , Thounthong Phatiphat
Published: September 2022

In this paper, a novel improved gravitational search algorithm–binary particle swarm optimization (IGSA-BPSO) driven proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is proposed to deal with issues of automatic generation control (AGC) of interconnected multi-source (thermal-hydro-gas) multi-area deregulated power systems. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed controller is compared and analyzed with GSA and PSO-driven PID controllers. The simulated and mathematically formulated results show the superiority of the proposed IGSA-BPSO driven PID controller compared with the other two techniques in settling time, overshoot, and convergence time. The two-area test system considered in this article is integrated with a thermal, hydro, and gas turbine power plant. Integral time multiplied by absolute error (ITAE) is used as the objective function (minimization) by optimization techniques for getting optimum parameters of PID controllers installed in each area. The system’s dynamics are examined using poolco, bilateral, and contract violation cases under a deregulated environment, and the comparative results are shown to analyze the efficacy of the proposed concept. Physical constraints such as generation rate constraints (GRC) and time-delay (TD) have been considered in the system as a realistic approach. This paper considers an accurate AC-DC tie-link model for the proposed AGC mechanism. Dynamic load change condition is tested and verified. The variations of different parameters will be used in the robustness analysis of the proposed system. The comparison shows that the designed controllers are more robust and produce better results than those considered as references.
Identification of Review Helpfulness Using Novel Textual and Language-Context Features
Authors: Khan Muhammad Shehrayar , Rizwan Atif , Faisal Muhammad Shahzad , Ahmad Tahir , Khan Muhammad Saleem , Atteia Ghada
Published: September 2022

With the increase in users of social media websites such as IMDb, a movie website, and the rise of publicly available data, opinion mining is more accessible than ever. In the research field of language understanding, categorization of movie reviews can be challenging because human language is complex, leading to scenarios where connotation words exist. Connotation words have a different meaning than their literal meanings. While representing a word, the context in which the word is used changes the semantics of words. In this research work, categorizing movie reviews with good F-Measure scores has been investigated with Word2Vec and three different aspects of proposed features have been inspected. First, psychological features are extracted from reviews positive emotion, negative emotion, anger, sadness, clout (confidence level) and dictionary words. Second, readablility features are extracted; the Automated Readability Index (ARI), the Coleman Liau Index (CLI) and Word Count (WC) are calculated to measure the review’s understandability score and their impact on review classification performance is measured. Lastly, linguistic features are also extracted from reviews adjectives and adverbs. The Word2Vec model is trained on collecting 50,000 reviews related to movies. A self-trained Word2Vec model is used for the contextualized embedding of words into vectors with 50, 100, 150 and 300 dimensions.The pretrained Word2Vec model converts words into vectors with 150 and 300 dimensions. Traditional and advanced machine-learning (ML) algorithms are applied and evaluated according to performance measures: accuracy, precision, recall and F-Measure. The results indicate Support Vector Machine (SVM) using self-trained Word2Vec achieved 86% F-Measure and using psychological, linguistic and readability features with concatenation of Word2Vec features SVM achieved 87.93% F-Measure.
Environmental Friendly Fabrication of Porous Cement Membranes via Reusable Camphene-Based Freeze-Casting Method
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wang Xiaojuan , Sun Zhantong , Wang Xiaofeng , Wang Hongdong , Gao Congjie , Gao Xueli
Published: September 2022

Inorganic membranes have been developed rapidly in recent years because of excellent anti-fouling performance, high mechanical strength and outstanding resistances to acid and alkali. However, the high production cost still restricts its large-scale industrial application. In this work, an environmental friendly unidirectional freezing method via introducing camphene as a reusable template was adapted to prepare porous cement membranes (PCMs). The naturally formed and highly aligned porous structures of PCMs could be divided into three parts: a dense layer, a transition layer and a supporting layer. With the solid content rising from 40 wt.% to 60 wt.%, the pore size of the PCMs decreased from 3.34 nm to 3.62 nm, the bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection increased from 81.3% to 93.5% and water flux decreased from 346.8 L·m−2·h−1 to 167.3 L·m−2·h−1 (0.2 MPa). Significantly, the performance of PCMs was maintained; even the camphene was reused 20 times. Additionally, the recovery rate of camphene could be reached up to 97.16%. Therefore, this method is cost effective and environmental friendly, which endowed the PCMs great potential in water treatment.
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Steam Turbine Steel: The Influence of Organic Acid Characteristics
Authors: De Seranno Tim , Lambrechts Ellen , Verliefde Arne R. D. , Depover Tom , Verbeken Kim
Published: September 2022

This work evaluates the impact of different organic acids on the corrosion sensitivity and stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) of NiCrMoV steam turbine steel. For all organic acids, potentiodynamic measurements shows linear relationships between corrosion rate and hydrogen proton concentration between pH 2.4 and 3.9. For solutions with the same pH, i.e., similar conductivity, the corrosion rate differs depending on the type of organic acid. The anodic dissolution in formic acid is the highest, followed by acetic, propanoic and nonanoic acid. The acid dissociation reaction is identified as the rate determining step in the corrosion process. Nonanoic acid, alternatively, clearly acts as a corrosion inhibitor. In situ four-point constant-extension tests in formic acid, acetic acid and nonanoic acid, at a pH value of 3.4 were performed to evaluate their impact on the SSC sensitivity. The general degradation followed the trend of the corrosion rate, although the synergetic effect of corrosion and stress resulted in a higher degradation depth. Though nonanoic acid induced little visible corrosion, still stress-corrosion cracks were still detected. It was shown that solutions of different organic acids with the same pH do not have the same influence on stress-induced degradation.
Laboratory Risk Assessment of Three Entomopathogenic Fungi Used for Pest Control toward Social Bee Pollinators
Authors: Leite Mariana O. G. , Alves Denise A. , Lecocq Antoine , Malaquias José Bruno , Delalibera Italo , Jensen Annette B.
Published: September 2022

The use of fungal-based biopesticides to reduce pest damage and protect crop quality is often considered a low-risk control strategy. Nevertheless, risk assessment of mycopesticides is still needed since pests and beneficial insects, such as pollinators, co-exist in the same agroecosystem where mass use of this strategy occurs. In this context, we evaluated the effect of five concentrations of three commercial entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Cordyceps fumosorosea, by direct contact and ingestion, on the tropical stingless bees Scaptotrigona depilis and Tetragonisca angustula, temperate bee species, the honey bee Apis mellifera, and the bumble bee Bombus terrestris, at the individual level. Furthermore, we studied the potential of two infection routes, either by direct contact or ingestion. In general, all three fungi caused considerable mortalities in the four bee species, which differed in their response to the different fungal species. Scaptotrigona depilis and B. terrestris were more susceptible to B. bassiana than the other fungi when exposed topically, and B. terrestris and A. mellifera were more susceptible to M. anisopliae when exposed orally. Interestingly, increased positive concentration responses were not observed for all fungal species and application methods. For example, B. terrestris mortalities were similar at the lowest and highest fungal concentrations for both exposure methods. This study demonstrates that under laboratory conditions, the three fungal species can potentially reduce the survival of social bees at the individual level. However, further colony and field studies are needed to elucidate the susceptibility of these fungi towards social bees to fully assess the ecological risks.
Oleic Acid and Palmitic Acid from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus johnsonii Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory and Antifungal Properties
Authors: Charlet Rogatien , Le Danvic Chrystelle , Sendid Boualem , Nagnan-Le Meillour Patricia , Jawhara Samir
Published: September 2022

A decrease in populations of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus johnsonii is observed during the development of colitis and fungal overgrowth, while restoration of these populations reduces inflammatory parameters and fungal overgrowth in mice. This study investigated the effect of two fatty acids from B. thetaiotaomicron and L. johnsonii on macrophages and Caco-2 cells, as well as their impact on the inflammatory immune response and on Candida glabrata overgrowth in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Oleic acid (OA) and palmitic acid (PA) from L. johnsonii and B. thetaiotaomicron were detected during their interaction with epithelial cells from colon samples. OA alone or OA combined with PA (FAs) reduced the expression of proinflammatory mediators in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells challenged with DSS. OA alone or FAs increased FFAR1, FFAR2, AMPK, and IL-10 expression in macrophages. Additionally, OA alone or FAs decreased COX-2, TNFα, IL-6, and IL-12 expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In the DSS murine model, oral administration of FAs reduced inflammatory parameters, decreased Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis populations, and eliminated C. glabrata from the gut. Overall, these findings provide evidence that OA combined with PA exhibits anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.
Sources and Drivers of ARGs in Urban Streams in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Authors: Sowah Robert A. , Molina Marirosa , Georgacopoulos Ourania , Snyder Blake , Cyterski Mike
Published: September 2022

The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquatic environment is an emerging concern in the interest of protecting public health. Stemming the environmental dissemination of ARGs will require a better understanding of the sources and drivers of ARGs in the water environment. In this study, we used direct measurement of sewage-associated molecular markers, the class 1 integron gene, standard water quality parameters, and watershed characteristics to evaluate the sources and drivers of ARGs in an urban watershed impacted by a gradient of human activities. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to quantify the abundance of the sewage-associated HF183, the E. coli fecal indicator, class 1 integron gene (int1), and the ARGs sulI, sulII, tetW, tetM, ampC, and blaSHV in stream water samples collected from the Proctor Creek watershed in Atlanta, Georgia. Our findings show that ARGs were widely distributed, with detection frequencies of 96% (sulI and sulII), 82% (tetW and tetM), and 49% (ampC and blaSHV). All the ARGs were positively and significantly correlated (r > 0.5) with the HF183 and E. coli markers. Non-linear machine learning models developed using generalized boosting show that more than 70% of the variation in ARG loads in the watershed could be explained by fecal source loading, with other factors such as class 1 integron, which is associated with acquired antibiotic resistance, and environmental factors contributing < 30% to ARG variation. These results suggest that input from fecal sources is a more critical driver of ARG dissemination than environmental stressors or horizontal gene transfer in aquatic environments highly impacted by anthropogenic pollution. Finally, our results provide local watershed managers and stakeholders with information to mitigate the burden of ARGs and fecal bacteria in urban streams.
A Correction Method of Positioning for Deep-Sea Camera Data
Authors: Zhao Yue , Yan Shijuan , Yang Gang , Li Chuanshun , Du Dewen , Ye Jun , Ren Xiangwen , Zhao Qiukui , Shi Xinyu
Published: September 2022

The deep-sea camera is the most intuitive and effective detection tool for seabed investigation, and the accuracy of camera positioning can ensure its data value. A bundled ultra-short baseline (USBL) positioning system is generally employed to realize the spatial positioning of an underwater camera. The influence of the underwater acoustic environment and other factors cause USBL positioning data to become unstable, leading to abnormalities, or missing data, which creates difficulties for camera positioning. In order to solve the problem, this paper selects the seabed camera data of the “XunMei” mineralization area acquired from the China south Atlantic voyage. Moreover, the USBL positioning data, combined with high-precision terrain, bathymetry, and ship-borne GPS positioning data, were analyzed and mined comprehensively. In order to eliminate the abnormal data, a four-dimensional anomaly culling model of USBL positioning data is established based on the time and space scales through the ArcGIS tool. Then, modeling, simulation, and interpolation prediction are performed for the positioning data after anomaly elimination to achieve the geographic location correction of the hydrothermal sulfide near-bottom camera and its data. This method has achieved good results in practical applications. The corrected water depth profile of the camera survey line is compatible with the high-precision terrain detected at different times in the same area. The characteristics of the corrected video images are compatible with the sample characteristics of the TV grab sampling position. A set of high-quality positioning data (sampling test 5000 points) not participating in the correction model is compared with the corrected USBL data at the same position. The following results are obtained: in the case of a confidence interval of 95%, the correlation coefficient is 1, the significance is 0, there is no significant difference between the corrected data after the simulation and its original positioning data (not participating in the model), and the correction error is below 5 m. This shows that the problem of locating a submarine camera and its data can be solved using the proposed four-dimensional anomaly elimination model established based on the USBL positioning data, high precision terrain, bathymetry and GPS data, and the corresponding cubic polynomial least-squares correction model.
Formation of Noble Metal Phases (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Au, Ag) in the Process of Fractional Crystallization of the CuFeS2 Melt
Authors: Sinyakova Elena Fedorovna , Vasilyeva Inga Grigorievna , Oreshonkov Aleksandr Sergeevich , Goryainov Sergey Vladimirovich , Karmanov Nikolay Semenovich
Published: September 2022

The quasi-equilibrium directional crystallization of the melt composition (at. %): Cu 24.998, Fe 25.001, S 49.983, with Ag 0.002, Pd 0.003, Ru 0.004, Rh 0.006, and Au, Pt, Ir (each as 0.001) was carried out. The crystallized cylindrical ingot consisted of two primary zones and three secondary zones with different chemical and phase compositions. The compositions of the primary zones corresponded to high-temperature intermediate solid solution (zone I) and liquid enriched in sulfur (zone II). The compositions of the secondary zones corresponded to low-temperature intermediate solid solution and chalcopyrite (zone Ia), the same intermediate solid solution with chalcopyrite and bornite (zone Ib), and again with bornite, chalcocite, and idaite (zone II). We plotted the distribution curves of Fe, Cu, and S along the ingot, calculated the distribution coefficients of the components during directional crystallization, and clearly showed that, from the initial stoichiometric composition CuFeS2, the intermediate solid solution enriched in Fe and depleted in S is crystallized. Based on the data of directional crystallization and thermal analysis, a cross section was constructed in the intermediate solid solution-sulfide melt region of the Cu-Fe-S system. With solubility in the solid Cu-Fe sulfides lying below detection limit of scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS), noble elements occurred as individual phases of a size more often <10 µm. They were identified as Ag, RuS2, PdS, Au* (an Au based alloy), (Rh, Ir, Ru)3S8, (Rh, Ir)3S8, Rh3S8, and (Cu, Fe)~2(Pt, Rh)1S~5 phases by electron microprobe. Based on ab initio calculations of crystal structure, electronic band structure, and lattice dynamics of idealized laurite RuS2 phase and the idealized Ir3S8, Rh3S8, and Ru3S8 phases, the interpretation of Raman spectrum of the cation-mixed (Ru, Rh, Ir)S2 sulfide was presented for the first time.
Importance of Structural Relaxation on the Electrical Characteristics and Bias Stability of Solution-Processed ZnSnO Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Hwang Yu-Jin , Kim Do-Kyung , Jeon Sang-Hwa , Wang Ziyuan , Park Jaehoon , Lee Sin-Hyung , Jang Jaewon , Kang In Man , Bae Jin-Hyuk
Published: September 2022

Effect of structural relaxation (SR) on the electrical characteristics and bias stability of solution-processed zinc–tin oxide (ZTO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) were systematically investigated by controlling the annealing time of the ZTO semiconductor films. Note that SR was found to increase with increased annealing time. Due to the increased SR, the ratio of oxygen vacancies (VO) increased from 21.5% to 38.2%. According to increased VO, the mobility in the saturation region was exhibited by a sixfold increase from 0.38 to 2.41 cm2 V−1 s−1. In addition, we found that the threshold voltage negatively shifted from 3.08 to −0.95 V. Regarding the issue of bias stability, according to increased SR, positive-bias stress of the ZTO TFTs was enhanced, compared with reverse features of negative-bias stress. Our understanding is expected to provide a basic way to improve the electrical characteristics and bias stability of rare-metal-free oxide semiconductor TFTs, which have not been sufficiently studied.
Copper-Modified Titania-Based Photocatalysts for the Efficient Hydrogen Production under UV and Visible Light from Aqueous Solutions of Glycerol
Authors: Kurenkova Anna Yu. , Yakovleva Anastasiya Yu. , Saraev Andrey A. , Gerasimov Evgeny Yu. , Kozlova Ekaterina A. , Kaichev Vasily V.
Published: September 2022

In this study, we have proposed titania-based photocatalysts modified with copper compounds for hydrogen evolution. Thermal pre-treatment of commercial TiO2 Degussa P25 (DTiO2) and Hombifine N (HTiO2) in the range from 600 to 800 °C was carried out followed by the deposition of copper oxides (1–10 wt. % of Cu). The morphology and chemical state of synthesized photocatalysts were studied using X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and XANES/EXAFS X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was tested in the hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions of glycerol under ultraviolet (λ = 381 nm) and visible (λ = 427 nm) light. The photocatalysts 2% CuOx/DTiO2 T750 and 5% CuOx/DTiO2 T700 showed the highest activity under UV irradiation (λ = 380 nm), with the rate of H2 evolution at the level of 2.5 mmol (H2) g−1 h−1. Under the visible light irradiation (λ = 427 nm), the highest activity of 0.6 mmol (H2) g−1 h−1 was achieved with the 5% CuOx/DTiO2 T700 photocatalyst. The activity of these photocatalysts is 50% higher than that of the platinized 1% Pt/DTiO2 sample. Thus, it was shown for the first time that a simple heat treatment of a commercial titanium dioxide in combination with a deposition of non-noble metal particles led to a significant increase in the activity of photocatalysts and made it possible to obtain materials that were active in hydrogen production under visible light irradiation.
Effective Method for a Graphene Oxide with Impressive Selectivity in Carboxyl Groups
Authors: Rodríguez-Pastor Iluminada , López-Pérez Adelia , Romero-Sánchez María D. , Pérez Juana M. , Fernández Ignacio , Martin-Gullon Ignacio
Published: September 2022

The development of new applications of graphene oxide in the biomedical field requires the covalent bonding of bioactive molecules to a sheet skeleton. Obtaining a large carboxyl group population over the surface is one of the main targets, as carboxyl group concentration in conventional graphene oxide is low among a majority of non-useful sp3-C-based functionalities. In the present work, we propose a selective method that yields an impressive increase in carboxyl group population using single-layer, thermally reduced graphene oxide as a precursor in a conventional Hummers–Offemann reaction. When starting with a reduced graphene oxide with no interlayer registry, sulfuric acid cannot form a graphite intercalated compound. Then, potassium permanganate attacks in in-plane (vacancies or holes) structural defects, which are numerous over a thermally reduced graphene oxide, as well as in edges, yielding majorly carboxyl groups without sheet cutting and unzipping, as no carbon dot formation was observed. A single-layer precursor with no ordered stacking prevents the formation of an intercalated compound, and it is this mechanism of the potassium permanganate that results in carboxyl group formation and the hydrophilic character of the compound.
One-Step Preparation of PVDF/GO Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane for High-Efficient Adsorption of Cr(VI)
Authors: Wang Qingfeng , Shao Zungui , Jiang Jiaxin , Liu Yifang , Wang Xiang , Li Wenwang , Zheng Gaofeng
Published: September 2022

Mass loading of functional particles on the surface of nanofibers is the key to efficient heavy metal treatment. However, it is still difficult to prepare nanofibers with a large number of functional particle loads on the surface simply and efficiently, which hinders the further improvement of performance and increases the cost. Here, a new one-step strategy was developed to maximize the adhesion of graphene oxide (GO) particle to the surface of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers, which was combined with coaxial surface modification technology and blended electrospinning. The oxygen content on the as-prepared fiber surface increased from 0.44% to 9.32%, showing the maximized GO load. The increased adsorption sites and improved hydrophilicity greatly promoted the adsorption effect of Cr(VI). The adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) was 271 mg/g, and 99% removal rate could be achieved within 2 h for 20 mL Cr(VI) (100 mg/L), which was highly efficient. After five adsorption–desorption tests, the adsorption removal efficiency of the Cr(VI) maintained more than 80%, exhibiting excellent recycling performance. This simple method achieved maximum loading of functional particles on the fiber surface, realizing the efficient adsorption of heavy metal ions, which may promote the development of heavy-metal-polluted water treatment.
Number Concentration Measurements of Polystyrene Submicrometer Particles
Authors: DeRose Paul C. , Benkstein Kurt D. , Elsheikh Elzafir B. , Gaigalas Adolfas K. , Lehman Sean E. , Ripple Dean C. , Tian Linhua , Vreeland Wyatt N. , Welch Eric J. , York Adam W. , Zhang Yu-Zhong , Wang Lili
Published: September 2022

The number of techniques to measure number concentrations and size distributions of submicrometer particles has recently increased. Submicrometer particle standards are needed to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of these techniques. The number concentrations of fluorescently labeled polystyrene submicrometer sphere suspensions with nominal 100 nm, 200 nm and 500 nm diameters were measured using seven different techniques. Diameter values were also measured where possible. The diameter values were found to agree within 20%, but the number concentration values differed by as much as a factor of two. Accuracy and reproducibility related with the different techniques are discussed with the goal of using number concentration standards for instrument calibration. Three of the techniques were used to determine SI-traceable number concentration values, and the three independent values were averaged to give consensus values. This consensus approach is proposed as a protocol for certifying SI-traceable number concentration standards.
Label-Free Detection of DNA via Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Using Au@Ag Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Ting , Quan Xubin , Cao Naisi , Zhang Zhaoying , Li Yang
Published: September 2022

DNA is a building block of life; surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been broadly applied in the detection of biomolecules but there are challenges in obtaining high-quality DNA SERS signals under non-destructive conditions. Here, we developed a novel label-free approach for DNA detection based on SERS, in which the Au@AgNPs core–shell structure was selected as the enhancement substrate, which not only solved the problem of the weak enhancement effect of gold nanoparticles but also overcame the disadvantage of the inhomogeneous shapes of silver nanoparticles, thereby improving the sensitivity and reproducibility of the SERS signals of DNA molecules. The method obtained SERS signals for four DNA bases (A, C, G, and T) without destroying the structure, then further detected and qualified different specific structures of DNA molecules. These results promote the application of SERS technology in the field of biomolecular detection.
Development and Validation of Dietary Behavior Inventory—Surgery (DBI-S) in the Scope of International Post-Bariatric Surgery Guidelines and Recommendations
Authors: Bäuerle Alexander , Schräpler Laura , Marsall Matthias , Engelmann Gerrit , Knoll-Pientka Nadja , Schüren Lynik Chantal , Niedergethmann Marco , Robitzsch Anita , Skoda Eva-Maria , Hasenberg Till , Teufel Martin
Published: September 2022

(1) Dietary behavior is highly relevant for patients after bariatric surgery. No instrument exists assessing adherence to medical guidelines concerning the dietary behavior of patients after bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to develop and validate such an instrument. (2) Data from patients after bariatric surgery (n = 543) were collected from March to May 2022. The development of the DBI-S was theory-based and interdisciplinary. Items’ and content validity of the DBI-S were examined. (3) The final version of the DBI-S consists of 13 items. Convergent validation was confirmed by significant correlations between DBI-S score and attitude towards healthy food (r = 0.26, p = <0.001) and impulsivity (r = −0.26, p = <0.001). Criterion validity was confirmed by significant correlations between DBI-S score and pre-/post-surgery BMI difference (r = −0.14, p = 0.002), pre-/post-surgery weight difference (r = 0.13, p = 0.003), and quality of life (r = 0.19, p = <0.001). Cluster analysis confirmed the ability to distinguish between two dietary behavior clusters (rather healthy and rather unhealthy). (4) The DBI-S is an economic and valid instrument to assess the adherence of post-bariatric surgery patients to the relevant dietary behavior recommendations and guidelines and can distinguish between rather unhealthy and healthy dietary behavior.
Detection of Alpha- and Betacoronaviruses in Frugivorous and Insectivorous Bats in Nigeria
Authors: George Uwem , George Oluwadamilola , Oragwa Arthur , Motayo Babatunde , Kamani Joshua , Adamu Andrew , Sowemimo Oluyomi , Adeleke Richard , Abalaka Samson , Sani Nuhu , Oguzie Judith , Eromon Philomena , Folarin Onikepe , Happi Anise , Komolafe Isaac , Happi Christian
Published: September 2022

The rise of bat-associated zoonotic viruses necessitates a close monitoring of their natural hosts. Since the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), it is evident that bats are vital reservoirs of coronaviruses (CoVs). In this study, we investigated the presence of CoVs in multiple bat species in Nigeria to identify viruses in bats at high-risk human contact interfaces. Four hundred and nine bats comprising four bat species close to human habitats were individually sampled from five states in Nigeria between 2019 and 2021. Coronavirus detection was done using broadly reactive consensus PCR primers targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of CoVs. Coronavirus RNA was detected in 39 samples (9.5%, CI 95%: [7.0, 12.8]), of which 29 were successfully sequenced. The identified CoVs in Nigerian bats were from the unclassified African alphacoronavirus lineage and betacoronavirus lineage D (Nobecovirus), with one sample from Hipposideros ruber coinfected with alphacoronavirus and betacoronavirus. Different bat species roosting in similar or other places had CoVs from the same genetic lineage. The phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics data indicated a high CoV diversity in Nigeria, while host switching may have contributed to CoV evolution. Robust sentinel surveillance is recommended to enhance our knowledge of emerging and re-emerging coronaviruses.