bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance-Based Assessment of RC Building with Short Columns Due to the Different Design Principles
Authors: Işık Ercan , Ulutaş Hakan , Harirchian Ehsan , Avcil Fatih , Aksoylu Ceyhun , Arslan Musa Hakan
Published: March 2023

Many factors affect the earthquake vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, constituting a large part of the existing building stock. Short column in RC structures is one of the reasons for earthquake damage. Significant damages may occur due to brittle fractures in structural elements when the shear resistances are exceeded under the effect of high shear stress in short columns formed due to architectural and topographic reasons. This study created structural models for three situations: the hill slope effect, band-type window and mezzanine floor, which may cause short column formation. The structural analyses by SAP2000 were compared with the reference building model with no short columns. Structural analyses were performed separately according to strength-based and deformation-based design approaches in the updated Türkiye Building Earthquake Code (TBEC-2018). Short column formation; the effects on soft-storey irregularity, the relative storey drifts, column shear force, plastic rotation in columns, roof displacement, base shear force and column damage levels were investigated. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the relative drifts from the first floor of the building decreased significantly due to the band-type window and slope effect, which caused the second storey to fall into the soft-storey status. In addition, short-column formation caused a significant increase in both plastic rotation demand and shear force in short columns.
Efficient Removal of Tannic Acid from Olive Mill Wastewater Using Carbon Steel Slag
Authors: Sarti Otmane , El Mansouri Fouad , Yahia El Habib , Otal Emilia , Morillo José , Saidi Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Mediterranean countries experience a large production of olive oil, thus generating huge quantities of non-biodegradable vegetation waters. The discharge of these effluents into aquatic environments seriously affects the quality of surface waters. This study investigated the potential use of carbon steel slag (SS) as an adsorbent and improver for reducing olive mill wastewater (OMWW) toxicity. The elemental and structural characterization of SS was carried out using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP/EOS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. OMWW characterization indicated that the effluent was acidic in nature, with a pH of 4.8, a higher conductivity reaching 14.92 mS/cm, higher COD of 157.31 g/L, rich in organic matter 112.33 g/L, and total phenolic compounds of 11.13 g/L. The neutralization capacity of SS was demonstrated by reducing the OMWW’s acidic character. Afterward, the adsorption of tannic acid (TA) was investigated using SS. Parameters such as contact time, initial TA concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature were investigated. The kinetic study indicated that the adsorption of TA onto SS fitted well with the second pseudo-order (r = 0.99) and Elovich (r = 0.98) models, indicating that the adsorption of TA was mainly chemical and depends on the reactions of oxide hydrolysis and hydroxides dissolution. Moreover, Langmuir isotherm has greatly described the adsorption of TA on SS (R = 0.997), suggesting that the surface of SS is homogenous, and the adsorption occurs mainly in monolayer. The maximum adsorption capacity reached 714.28 mg/g, indicating the higher capacity of SS to reduce the polyphenolic compounds in OMWW. This study demonstrated that SS residue from the steelmaking industry could present a highly interesting material for OMWW remediation.
Solvent-Free, One-Pot, Multicomponent Synthesis of Xanthene Derivatives
Authors: Bosica Giovanna , De Nittis Riccardo , Borg Ryan
Published: March 2023

An efficient and environmentally benign one-pot condensation of cyclic diketones, aldehydes and naphthols was achieved with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2-2-2]octane supported on Amberlyst-15 as a novel catalyst, producing a variety of benzoxanthenones in good to excellent yields. The advantages of this multicomponent reaction include the use of a heterogeneous catalyst, solventless conditions and a simple methodology that is atom-economical and results in low E-factor values. A total of 17 xanthene derivatives, including two novel molecules, were synthesized and then characterized. Aromatic aldehydes carrying an electron-withdrawing group provided excellent yields. Appreciable results were also obtained using aliphatic aldehydes. The catalyst is fully recyclable and can be reused up to six times.
Computational Modelling of Pyrrolic MN4 Motifs Embedded in Graphene for Catalyst Design
Authors: Low Jian Liang , Paulus Beate
Published: March 2023

Carbon-based materials doped with metal and nitrogen (M-N-Cs) have promising potential in electrocatalytic applications with the advantage of material sustainability. MN4 motifs incorporated into a carbon lattice are generally known to be responsible for the activity of these materials. While many computational studies assume the tetrapyridinic MN4 motifs, recent studies have elucidated the role of tetrapyrrolic MN4 motifs in electrocatalysis. Using density functional theory, we constructed and compared various structural models to study the incorporation of tetrapyrrolic and tetrapyridinic MN4 motifs in 2D carbon materials and analyzed the type of interactions between each metal species and the N4 site. We further quantified the relative affinity of various metal species to the two types of N4 site. Upon analysis of energies, bond lengths, electronic population and charges, we found that metals that exhibit highly ionic binding characters have a greater affinity towards tetrapyrrolic MN4 motifs compared to species that participate in covalent interactions with the π-system. Furthermore, the binding strength of each species in the N4 site depend on the electronegativity as well as the availability of orbitals for accepting electrons from the π-system.
Facile Fabrication of Oxygen-Defective ZnO Nanoplates for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and In Vitro Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Kim Sujeong , Son Namgyu , Park Sun-Min , Lee Chul-Tae , Pandey Sadanand , Kang Misook
Published: March 2023

In this study, we examined whether catalysts with many defects have excellent photoactivity. We prepared ZnO nanoplates with varying degrees of defects in a short time of 4 h by varying the crystal growth temperature at 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C under a strong alkali NaOH atmosphere of 4.0 M. During high-temperature preparation of ZnO, crystal defects were reduced and crystallinity was further increased. In crystallized systems over 100 °C, rhombic nanoplates were used to control particle shape and induce growth in only two axes. The PL, Raman, and XPS analyses confirmed the presence of strong oxygen vacancies in all ZnO nanoplates, and the vacancies decreased with increasing crystallization temperatures. Methylene blue (MB) dye was initially fixed at 50 mg/L with a peak decrease in absorption at 600–700 nm, confirming its decomposition over time. For the 5 h reaction, the MB removal concentration follows the following order: ZnO-50 < ZnO-100 < ZnO-150 < ZnO-200. The study confirms that ZnO-200 nanoplates with fewer oxygen vacancies decompose MB more quickly. ZnO-200 nanoplates synthesized at 200 °C provided the best sterilization performance when tested against gram-positives and gram-negatives, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. ZnO-200 nanoplates after 3 h showed a high sterilization performance of 96.95% (86.67% in a dark room) for staphylococcus aureus and 95.82% (74.66% in a dark room) for Escherichia coli when irradiated with light. Particularly noteworthy in this study is that ·OH and ·O2− radicals are generated more strongly in ZnO-200 than in ZnO-50 nanoplates. These results show that too-strong oxygen vacancies rather inhibit the antibacterial performance, and that the virtue of moderation also exists in the catalytic activity.
Surfactant Improved Interface Morphology and Mass Transfer for Electrochemical Oxygen-Evolving Reaction
Authors: Zhu Mingze , Zhu Zexuan , Xu Xiaoyong , Xu Chunxiang
Published: March 2023

The surface microstructure of a catalyst coating layer directly affects the active area, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, and the high porosity is desirable especially for solid–liquid–gas three-phase catalytic reactions. However, it remains challenging to customize catalyst distribution during the coating process. Here, we report a simple strategy for achieving ultrafine nanocatalyst deposition in a porous structure via introducing the surfactant into coating inks. For a proof-of-concept demonstration, we spin-coated the nanoscale IrO2 sol with a surfactant of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) onto the glassy carbon (GC) electrode for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Due to the surfactant action, the deposited IrO2 nanocatalyst is evenly distributed and interconnected into a highly porous overlayer, which facilitates electrolyte permeation, gas bubble elimination and active-site accessibility, thus affording high-performance OER in alkaline media. Particularly, the SDS-modified electrodes enable the industrial-level high-current-density performance via enhanced mass transfer kinetics. Such manipulation is effective to improve the coating electrodes’ catalytic activity and stability, and scalable for practical applications and suggestive for other gas-evolving electrodes.
Performance of Eversa Transform 2.0 Lipase in Ester Production Using Babassu Oil (Orbignya sp.) and Tucuman Oil (Astrocaryum vulgar): A Comparative Study between Liquid and Immobilized Forms in Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Brandão Júnior João , Andrade do Nascimento Jean Gleison , França Silva Michael Pablo , Lima Brandão Eliane de Aquino , de Castro Bizerra Viviane , dos Santos Kaiany Moreira , Serpa Juliana de França , Santos José Cleiton Sousa dos , da Fonseca Aluísio Marques , Vasconcelos de Oliveira Diego Lomonaco , Souza Maria Cristiane Martins de
Published: March 2023

In this study, biodiesel was produced through the enzymatic esterification of vegetable oils from two common Brazilian palm trees: babassu and tucuman. The oils were hydrolyzed by a chemical route and their free fatty acids esterified with ethanol and methanol using the lipase enzyme Eversa® Transform 2.0 in free forms and supported in iron magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) (enzymatic load: 80 UpNPBg−1). These enzymatic reactions were performed at an oil–alcohol molar ratio of 1:1, reaction temperature of 37 °C, agitation at 150 rpm, and reaction times of 2, 4, 6 and 8 h for the reactions catalyzed by the soluble enzyme and 8 h for the reactions using the biocatalyst. The conversions of fatty acids in ethyl and methyl esters obtained were monitored by gas chromatography (CG). The results obtained from ester synthesis using enzyme catalysts in free form were better: babassu 52.6% (methanol) and 57.5% (ethanol), and for tucuman 96.7% (methanol) and 93.4% (ethanol). In the case of immobilized enzymes, the results obtained ranged from 68.7% to 82.2% for babassu and from 32.5% to 86.0% for tucuman, with three cycles of reuse and without significant catalyst loss. Molecular coupling studies revealed the structures of lipase and that linoleic acid bonded near the active site of the enzyme with the best free energy of −6.5 Kcal/mol.
Hydrodeoxygenation of Bio-Oil over an Enhanced Interfacial Catalysis of Microemulsions Stabilized by Amphiphilic Solid Particles
Authors: Du Kuan , Yu Beichen , Xiong Yimin , Jiang Long , Xu Jun , Wang Yi , Su Sheng , Hu Song , Xiang Jun
Published: March 2023

Bio-oil emulsions were stabilized using coconut shell coke, modified amphiphilic graphene oxide, and hydrophobic nano-fumed silica as solid emulsifiers. The effects of different particles on the stability of bio-oil emulsions were discussed. Over 21 days, the average droplet size of raw bio-oil increased by 64.78%, while that of bio-oil Pickering emulsion stabilized by three particles only changed within 20%. The bio-oil Pickering emulsion stabilized by Ni/SiO2 was then used for catalytic hydrodeoxygenation. It was found that the bio-oil undergoes polymerization during catalytic hydrogenation. For raw bio-oil hydrodeoxygenation, the polymerization reaction was little affected by the temperature below 200 °C, but when the temperature raised to 250 °C, it was greatly accelerated. However, the polymerization of monocyclic aromatic compounds in the reaction process was partially inhibited under the bio-oil Pickering emulsion system. Additionally, a GC-MS analysis was performed on raw bio-oil and hydrodeoxygenated bio-oil to compare the change in GC-MS-detectable components after hydrodeoxygenation at 200 °C. The results showed that the Pickering emulsion catalytic system greatly promoted the hydrodeoxygenation of phenolic compounds in bio-oil, with most monocyclic phenolic compounds detected by GC-MS converting to near 100%.
Highly Efficient Copper Doping LaFeO3 Perovskite for Bisphenol A Removal by Activating Peroxymonosulfate
Authors: Zhong Xin , Liu Junjie , Jie Haonan , Wu Wenting , Jiang Fubin
Published: March 2023

A series of copper doping LaFeO3 perovskite (LaCuxFe1−xO3, LCFO, x = 0.1, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.9) are successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method under mild conditions. In this study, it is applied for the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for bisphenol A (BPA) removal. More than 92.6% of BPA was degraded within 30 min at 0.7 g/L of LCFO and 10.0 mM of PMS over a wide pH range with limited leaching of copper and iron ions. The physical–chemical properties of the catalysts were demonstrated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the effects of catalyst dosage, PMS concentration, initial pH value, and inorganic anions on the LCFO/PMS system were fully investigated. Quenching experiments were performed to verify the formation of reactive oxidant species, which showed that the radical reaction and mechanisms play a great role in the catalytic degradation of BPA. The perovskite LCFO is considered a stable, easy to synthesize, and efficient catalyst for the activation of PMS for wastewater treatment.
Semi-Rational Design of Diaminopimelate Dehydrogenase from Symbiobacterium thermophilum Improved Its Activity toward Hydroxypyruvate for D-serine Synthesis
Authors: Wang Ziyao , Qu Haojie , Li Wenqi , Xu Yan , Nie Yao
Published: March 2023

D-serine plays an essential role in the field of medicine and cosmetics. Diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (DAPDH) is a kind of oxidoreductase that can reduce keto acid into the corresponding D-amino acid. Because of its high stereoselectivity and lack of by-product production, DAPDH has become the preferred enzyme for the efficient one-step synthesis of D-amino acids. However, the types of DAPDH with a reductive amination function reported so far are limited. Although the DAPDH from Symbiobacterium thermophilum (StDAPDH) demonstrates reductive amination activity toward a series of macromolecular keto acids, activity toward hydroxypyruvate (HPPA) for D-serine synthesis has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the activity of the available StDAPDH/H227V toward HPPA by measuring the desired product D-serine. After homologous structure modeling and docking analysis concerning the substrate-binding pocket, four residues, D92, D122, M152, and N253, in the active pocket were predicted for catalyzing HPPA. Through single-point saturation mutation and iterative mutation, a mutant D92E/D122W/M152S was obtained with an 8.64-fold increase in enzyme activity, exhibiting a specific activity of 0.19 U/mg and kcat value of 3.96 s−1 toward HPPA. Using molecular dynamics simulation, it was speculated that the increase in enzyme activity might be related to the change in substrate pocket size and the enhancement of the interactions between the substrate and key residues.
Pathogenic Microglia Orchestrate Neurotoxic Properties of Eomes-Expressing Helper T Cells
Authors: Zhang Chenyang , Raveney Ben , Takahashi Fumio , Yeh Tzu-wen , Hohjoh Hirohiko , Yamamura Takashi , Oki Shinji
Published: March 2023

In addition to disease-associated microglia (DAM), microglia with MHC-II and/or IFN-I signatures may form additional pathogenic subsets that are relevant to neurodegeneration. However, the significance of such MHC-II and IFN-I signatures remains elusive. We demonstrate here that these microglial subsets play intrinsic roles in orchestrating neurotoxic properties of neurotoxic Eomes+ Th cells under the neurodegeneration-associated phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) that corresponds to progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Microglia acquire IFN-signature after sensing ectopically expressed long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) gene. Furthermore, ORF1, an L1-encoded protein aberrantly expressed in the diseased central nervous system (CNS), stimulated Eomes+ Th cells after Trem2-dependent ingestion and presentation in MHC-II context by microglia. Interestingly, administration of an L1 inhibitor significantly ameliorated neurodegenerative symptoms of EAE concomitant with reduced accumulation of Eomes+ Th cells in the CNS. Collectively, our data highlight a critical contribution of new microglia subsets as a neuroinflammatory hub in immune-mediated neurodegeneration.
Proteomic Analysis in Valvular Cardiomyopathy: Aortic Regurgitation vs. Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Holst Theresa , Petersen Johannes , Ameling Sabine , Müller Lisa , Christ Torsten , Gedeon Naomi , Eschenhagen Thomas , Reichenspurner Hermann , Hammer Elke , Girdauskas Evaldas
Published: March 2023

Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after aortic valve (AV) surgery is less predictable in chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) than in aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to disclose specific LV myocardial protein signatures possibly contributing to differential disease progression. Global protein profiling of LV myocardial samples excised from the subaortic interventricular septum in patients with isolated AR or AS undergoing AV surgery was performed using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. Based on label-free quantitation protein intensities, a logistic regression model was calculated and adjusted for age, sex and protein concentration. Web-based functional enrichment analyses of phenotype-associated proteins were performed utilizing g:Profiler and STRING. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD039662. Lysates from 38 patients, including 25 AR and 13 AS samples, were analyzed. AR patients presented with significantly larger LV diameters and volumes (end-diastolic diameter: 61 (12) vs. 48 (13) mm, p < 0.001; end-diastolic volume: 180.0 (74.6) vs. 92.3 (78.4), p = 0.001). A total of 171 proteins were associated with patient phenotype: 117 were positively associated with AR and the enrichment of intracellular compartment proteins (i.e., assigned to carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolism, protein biosynthesis and the proteasome) was detected. Additionally, 54 were positively associated with AS and the enrichment of extracellular compartment proteins (i.e., assigned to the immune and hematopoietic system) was observed. In summary, functional enrichment analysis revealed specific AR- and AS-associated signatures of LV myocardial proteins.
Airway Smooth Muscle and Asthma
Authors: An Steven , Tang Dale D.
Published: March 2023

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) was first described in 1804 by Franz Daniel Reisseisen (as related by Otis (1983)) [...]
Environmental Enrichment Engages Vesicular Zinc Signaling to Enhance Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Authors: Chrusch Michael J. , Fu Selena , Spanswick Simon C. , Vecchiarelli Haley A. , Patel Payal P. , Hill Matthew N. , Dyck Richard H.
Published: March 2023

Zinc is highly concentrated in synaptic vesicles throughout the mammalian telencephalon and, in particular, the hippocampal dentate gyrus. A role for zinc in modulating synaptic plasticity has been inferred, but whether zinc has a particular role in experience-dependent plasticity has yet to be determined. The aim of the current study was to determine whether vesicular zinc is important for modulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis in an experience-dependent manner and, consequently, hippocampal-dependent behaviour. We assessed the role of vesicular zinc in modulating hippocampal neurogenesis and behaviour by comparing ZnT3 knockout (KO) mice, which lack vesicular zinc, to wild-type (WT) littermates exposed to either standard housing conditions (SH) or an enriched environment (EE). We found that vesicular zinc is necessary for a cascade of changes in hippocampal plasticity following EE, such as increases in hippocampal neurogenesis and elevations in mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF), but was otherwise dispensable under SH conditions. Using the Spatial Object Recognition task and the Morris Water task we show that, unlike WT mice, ZnT3 KO mice showed no improvements in spatial memory following EE. These experiments demonstrate that vesicular zinc is essential for the enhancement of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and behaviour following enrichment, supporting a role for zincergic neurons in contributing to experience-dependent plasticity in the hippocampus.
Investigation of the Effect of Milling Duration on a Ce-Gd Doped Zirconolite Phase Assemblage Synthesised by Hot Isostatic Pressing
Authors: Kuman Merve , Gardner Laura J. , Blackburn Lewis R. , Stennett Martin C. , Hyatt Neil C. , Corkhill Claire L.
Published: March 2023

Zirconolite is a candidate ceramic wasteform under consideration for the immobilisation of the UK civil PuO2 inventory. In the present work, a baseline dual-substituted zirconolite with the target composition (Ca0.783Gd0.017Ce0.2)(Zr0.883Gd0.017Ce0.1)(Ti1.6Al0.4)O7 was fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIPing). In order to optimise the microstructure properties and improve the obtained yield of the zirconolite phase, a range of planetary ball milling parameters were investigated prior to consolidation by HIP. This included milling the batched oxide precursors at 400 rpm for up to 120 min, the pre-milling of CeO2 (PuO2 surrogate) to reduce the particle size and using a CeO2 source with finer particle size (<5 µm). The HIPed zirconolite product consisted of both zirconolite-2M and zirconolite-3T polytypes in varying proportions; however, an additional perovskite phase was obtained in varying quantities as a secondary phase. Ce L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy was utilised to determine the Ce oxidation state. In this study, the ideal milling parameter for the fabrication of zirconolite waste forms was defined as 60 min at 400 rpm.
Simultaneous Electrochemical Analysis of Uric Acid and Xanthine in Human Saliva and Serum Samples Using a 3D Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite-Modified Electrode
Authors: Han Seong-Hyun , Moon Ki Won , Lee Yun Jong , Lee Gi-Ja
Published: March 2023

Accurate and effective diagnosis and individualized management of gout can be potentially achieved by detecting uric acid (UA) and xanthine (XT) simultaneously using an easy-to-use method. Herein, we report simultaneous detection of UA and XT using a 3-dimensional (3D) macroporous gold nanoparticle-incorporated reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanotube nanocomposite (GNP/rGO-CNT). The GNP/rGO-CNT was simply prepared on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by one-step electrochemical deposition/co-reduction. It displayed highly sensitive and selective responses to UA and XT, showing excellent stability and good reproducibility in neutral pH. It was demonstrated that 3D GNP/rGO-CNT on GCE could detect UA and XT in human saliva and blood serum simultaneously. This GNP/rGO-CNT for simultaneous detection of UA and XT in human body fluids can be utilized for monitoring drug adherence for gout treatment, together with gout diagnosis.
Macrocyclic Compounds Comprising Tris(3-Aminopropyl)Amine Units and Fluorophore Moieties: Synthesis and Spectroscopic Studies in the Presence of Metal Salts
Authors: Kuliukhina Daria S. , Chernichenko Nataliya M. , Averin Alexei D. , Abel Anton S. , Maloshitskaya Olga A. , Beletskaya Irina P.
Published: March 2023

The synthesis of a variety of polyazamacrocyclic compounds comprising structural units of tris(3-aminopropyl)amine (TRPN) and oxadiamines, decorated with one or two fluorophore groups (dansyl or quinoline) at different nitrogen atoms, was carried out using Pd(0)-catalyzed amination. The dependence of the yields of the macrocycles on the synthetic path was observed. The spectrophotometric and fluorescent properties of the target compounds were studied, and their coordination with metal cations using UV–vis, fluorescence spectra as well as NMR titration was investigated. The stoichiometry and binding constants of several complexes with Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) were established. Three of the six studied macrocycles can be judged as prospective detectors of Zn(II) cations due to the substantial enhancement of fluorescence.
Development of a Moisture Pretreatment Device for the Accurate Quantitation of Water-Soluble Volatile Organic Compounds in Air
Authors: Lee Sang-Woo , Dinh Trieu-Vuong , Park Shin-Young , Choi In-Young , Kim In-Young , Park Byeong-Gyu , Baek Da-Hyun , Park Jae-Hyung , Seo Ye-Bin , Kim Jo-Chun
Published: March 2023

In air pollutant monitoring using sensors, moisture can adversely affect the analytical accuracy of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, a new moisture pretreatment device (KPASS–Odor) for analyzing VOCs in the air was developed, based on frost and created by a desublimation process inside a cold tube. The performance of KPASS–Odor was compared with conventional devices (i.e., a NafionTM dryer and a cooler) through the measurements of low water-soluble VOCs (i.e., benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, p-xylene, and styrene) and relatively high ones (i.e., methyl-ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isobutyl alcohol) using gas chromatography (GC) and sensor methods. Regarding the GC method, the recovery rates for KPASS–Odor and the cooler were >95% and >80%, respectively, at a flow rate of 500 mL/min for all compounds. For the NafionTM dryer, the recovery rates differed between low and high water-soluble compounds, which exhibited the rates ≥88% and ≤86%, respectively. In terms of the sensor method, the VOC recovery rates of KPASS–Odor and the NafionTM dryer were found to be >90% and <50%, respectively. Therefore, KPASS–Odor was determined to be the most suitable moisture pretreatment device for highly soluble VOCs of concern in this study.
Respiratory Management of the Preterm Infant: Supporting Evidence-Based Practice at the Bedside
Authors: Tana Milena , Tirone Chiara , Aurilia Claudia , Lio Alessandra , Paladini Angela , Fattore Simona , Esposito Alice , De Tomaso Davide , Vento Giovanni
Published: March 2023

Extremely preterm infants frequently require some form of respiratory assistance to facilitate the cardiopulmonary transition that occurs in the first hours of life. Current resuscitation guidelines identify as a primary determinant of overall newborn survival the establishment, immediately after birth, of adequate lung inflation and ventilation to ensure an adequate functional residual capacity. Any respiratory support provided, however, is an important contributing factor to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The risks correlated to invasive ventilatory techniques increase inversely with gestational age. Preterm infants are born at an early stage of lung development and are more susceptible to lung injury deriving from mechanical ventilation. Any approach aiming to reduce the global burden of preterm lung disease must implement lung-protective ventilation strategies that begin from the newborn’s first breaths in the delivery room. Neonatologists today must be able to manage both invasive and noninvasive forms of respiratory assistance to treat a spectrum of lung diseases ranging from acute to chronic conditions. We searched PubMed for articles on preterm infant respiratory assistance. Our narrative review provides an evidence-based overview on the respiratory management of preterm infants, especially in the acute phase of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, starting from the delivery room and continuing in the neonatal intensive care unit, including a section regarding exogenous surfactant therapy.
Lace Up and Mindfulness: A Randomized Controlled Trial Intervention to Reduce Emotional Eating, Anxiety, and Sleep Disturbances in Latinx and Black Youth
Authors: Olvera Norma , Hein Sascha , Matthews-Ewald Molly , Zhang Rongfang , Scherer Rhonda
Published: March 2023

This study assessed the effects of a 12-week afterschool mindfulness-based diet and exercise intervention on mental and physical health in Latinx and Black youth. One hundred forty-eight boys and girls (average age = 10.1 years, SD = 1.3 years; 52% girls; 72.3% Latinx) were randomized to either the experimental group (n = 80) or the control group (n = 68). The experimental group participants engaged in fitness yoga, kickboxing, and/or spinning sessions, and mindfulness practices (e.g., breathing, meditation, and mindful eating) twice per week for 12 weeks. The control group participants engaged in a recreational play session once per week for 12 weeks. All participants completed surveys (demographics, acculturation, anxiety, emotional eating, sleep, and food intake) and had their height, weight, and percent body fat measured pre- and post-intervention. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days pre- and post-intervention. Repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that the experimental group participants reported lower scores in emotional eating, anxiety, and sleep latency post-intervention compared to the control group participants. Conversely, no significant differences were observed in physical activity between the experimental and control group participants post-intervention. These findings indicate that a mindfulness-based intervention has a positive effect on emotional eating, anxiety, and sleep latency among youth of color.
Food Allergy Management Competence in Greek Schools
Authors: Feketea Gavriela , Lakoumentas John , Papatriantafyllou Evangelia , Douladiris Nikolaos , Efthymiou Dimitris , Stanciu Luminita Aurelia , Vassilopoulou Emilia
Published: March 2023

Background: Schoolchildren are likely to consume meals and snacks at school, with a possibility of allergic food reactions and anaphylaxis in the school environment. The school personnel should be informed of the presence of schoolchildren with food allergy (FA) and need to be trained in the management of allergic reactions, as to prepare them to intervene appropriately when necessary. Limited knowledge of FA and its management is documented globally among school staff and there is no uniform protocol in schools. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, teachers at state schools throughout Greece completed an online anonymous questionnaire on their awareness of FA reactions and the plans for the management of medical emergencies in their schools of employment. Results: Among the 289 teachers who responded the online invitation, 203 (70.24%) were female and 157 (54%) were aged under 40 years. Females expressed a higher level of concern about the presence of school personnel trained to manage FA symptoms (p = 0.001), written instructions, and the availability of adrenaline (epinephrine) at school (p < 0.001). A younger age was associated with a higher level of both interest and knowledge on FA management in schools. School directors were more certain about the availability of a special record of children with FA at school (p = 0.01), the availability of adrenaline (p = 0.006), and written guidelines on the management of serious health incidents at school (p = 0.04). Written guidelines instructing children to avoid sharing cutlery, glasses, home-prepared meals, and snacks bought from the school canteen were more common in schools in urban areas (p = 0.015). Only 20% of respondents could confirm with certainty that adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs) were available at their schools, for the purpose of administering to children in the case of a severe FA reaction. Approximately 3/4 of the participating teachers stated that completion of this questionnaire raised their awareness of the risk of FA reactions in children at school. Conclusions: This study, the first in Greece to explore the knowledge of teachers about FA in schoolchildren, revealed the following absences in many schools: a process for identifying children with FA, a written emergency treatment plan, and immediate access to emergency AAI. School FA guidelines are necessary in Greece, and training, which includes the use of AAIs, is required to prepare teachers to manage FA reactions in children at school.
Thoracoscopic Resection of Lung Nodules following CT-Guided Labeling in Children and Adolescents with Solid Tumors
Authors: Warmann Steven W. , Lieber Justus , Schaefer Juergen F. , Ebinger Martin , Urla Cristian , Kirschner Hans-Joachim , Tsiflikas Ilias , Schmidt Andreas , Fuchs Joerg
Published: March 2023

Resection of lung metastases in children with solid tumors is regularly hampered by limited intraoperative detectability and relevant operative trauma of the open surgical access. The aim of this study was to analyze thoracoscopic resection of lung metastases in children following CT-guided labeling with coil wires. We retrospectively analyzed data of children and adolescents undergoing this approach at our institution between 2010 and 2022 with regard to technical aspects as well as surgical and oncological data. Within this period, we performed this procedure on 12 patients wherein we resected 18 lesions (1–5 per patient). The median age of patients was 178 months (51–265). The median duration of coil wire placement was 41 min (30–173) and the median surgery time was 53 min (11–157). No conversions were necessary and no intraoperative complications occurred. Complete microscopic resection (R0) was achieved in all labeled lesions and malignant tumor components were found in 5/12 patients. Our study shows that with a careful patient selection, thoracoscopic resection of lung metastases after coil wire labeling is a safe and reproducible procedure in children. Using this approach, lesions that are expected to have a reduced intraoperative detectability during open surgery become resectable. Patients benefit from the minimally invasive surgical access and reduced operative trauma.
Concerns and Strengths: Caregiver Perceptions of Their Infant/Toddler with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Pruner Misty , Jirikowic Tracy , Baylor Carolyn , Astley Hemingway Susan
Published: March 2023

Caregiver-reported assessments provide opportunities for caregivers to share concerns and identify the strengths of their infant/toddler regarding prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). These insights may reveal under-recognized concerns and inform a strengths-based approach to early intervention. The purpose of this study was to describe the type and frequency of caregiver-reported concerns and strengths in a sample of infants/toddlers at the time of their fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic evaluation. Caregivers’ concerns and strengths were identified in the context of two parent-report questionnaires, the Infant Toddler Sensory Profile and Child Behavior Checklist/1½-5. By using content analysis, caregivers’ open-ended responses were identified, coded, and analyzed. The frequencies of all the coded concerns and strengths were counted. The data were compared across the two age groups (<2 years and ≥2 years) and caregiver status. Caregivers (n = 117) identified numerous concerns and strengths across multiple categories. The most frequently reported concerns were related to aggressive behavior, language/communication, and sensory processing. The most frequently reported strengths were related to happiness, sociability, and love. The type of concerns and strengths reported were relatively consistent across age and caregiver status. These findings reinforce the value of caregivers’ perspectives and offer a reminder to practitioners that infants/toddlers with PAE and their caregivers have many strengths that can be harnessed, in addition to a range of challenges that must be addressed.
Early Fruit Development Regulation-Related Genes Concordantly Expressed with TCP Transcription Factors in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Authors: Edris Sherif , Abulfaraj Aala A. , Makki Rania M. , Abo-Aba Salah , Algandaby Mardi M. , Sabir Jamal , Jansen Robert K. , El Domyati Fotouh M. , Bahieldin Ahmed
Published: March 2023

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is considered one of the most important vegetable crops globally, both agronomically and economically; however, its fruit development regulation network is still unclear. The transcription factors serve as master regulators, activating many genes and/or metabolic pathways throughout the entire plant life cycle. In this study, we identified the transcription factors that are coordinated with TCP gene family regulation in early fruit development by making use of the high-throughput sequencing of RNA (RNAseq) technique. A total of 23 TCP-encoding genes were found to be regulated at various stages during the growth of the fruit. The expression patterns of five TCPs were consistent with those of other transcription factors and genes. There are two unique subgroups of this larger family: class I and class II TCPs. Others were directly associated with the growth and/or ripening of fruit, while others were involved in the production of the hormone auxin. Moreover, it was discovered that TCP18 had an expression pattern that was similar to that of the ethylene-responsive transcription factor 4 (ERF4). Tomato fruit set and overall development are under the direction of a gene called auxin response factor 5 (ARF5). TCP15 revealed an expression that was in sync with this gene. This study provides insight into the potential processes that help in acquiring superior fruit qualities by accelerating fruit growth and ripening.
Public Acceptance and Willingness to Pay for Carbon Capture and Utilisation Products
Authors: Pieri Tryfonas , Nikitas Alexandros , Angelis-Dimakis Athanasios
Published: March 2023

Although the significance of the social science agenda reflecting and affecting the carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) value chain has been acknowledged, there is still a scarcity of research about it. This work contributes in developing an understanding of public perceptions regarding the acceptance, use, and purchasing of carbon dioxide (CO2)-derived products through an online quantitative survey. Our research suggests the awareness and acceptance of such products are relatively high. Respondents were in favour of CO2-derived product promotion by policy makers and the industry, approved the funding of such schemes by government, and supported companies that use captured CO2 in their products. The product category seems to influence the willingness of people to use and buy CO2-derived products, with our respondents being more willing to use CO2-derived fuels than food or beverages, showing a caution toward health-related risks. Respondents were also more willing to buy a CO2-derived product if it was cheaper or better for the environment. Male respondents were in general less willing to pay for CCU-based products, while people aged 25 to 29 were more positive toward them. We conclude that the public will be in favour of CCU-based products and willing to buy them if the involved stakeholders do their part in delivering a safe product at a comparable quality and price to existing ones. Better information provision can also support this cause.
Salinity Intrusion Trends under the Impacts of Upstream Discharge and Sea Level Rise along the Co Chien River and Hau River in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Thanh Tuu Nguyen , Huynh Van Hiep , Vo Minh Hoang , Tri Van Pham Dang
Published: March 2023

A one-dimensional hydraulic HEC-RAS model was developed to forecast the change in salinity in the tributaries of the Co Chien and Hau Rivers in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. The boundary data includes river discharge at Can Tho and My Thuan, water levels, and salinity at coastal monitoring stations. Six monitoring stations along the Co Chien River and Hau River were selected to study salinity changes. Four scenarios for the period 2020–2050 were selected, including SLR17, SLR22, SLR26L, and SLR26H, corresponding to sea level rise (17, 22, and 26 cm) and upstream river discharge decrease (in the ranges of 100–128% and 80–117% at Can Tho and My Thuan, respectively) in the dry season based on new climate change scenarios in Vietnam and previous studies. The results highlight that when the average discharge at Can Tho and My Thuan reduces, the salinity increases more significantly than the impact of sea level rise. Salinity at the monitoring stations in Tra Vinh province is projected to increase within the ranges of 4–21% and 3–29% along the Co Chien River and Hau River, respectively. In addition, sea level rise is seen to affect the discharge distribution into the Co Chien River. It suggests an urgent need to raise farmers’ awareness of climate change adaptation, investment in production equipment, and appropriate regulation of riverbed mining and activities upstream in the Mekong River.
Physico-Mechanical Properties of a Newly Developed Base Material Containing Mineral Trioxide Aggregate
Authors: Nakamura Keigo , Horasawa Noriko , Okuse Toshiyuki , Uchikawa Ryutaro , Shimada Katsumitsu , Kuroiwa Akihiro , Murakami Satoshi , Hasegawa Hiromasa , Kameyama Atsushi
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties of a new cavity base material containing mineral trioxide aggregate, LA-T1, prototyped by Neo Dental Chemical Products for indirect restoration. Three base materials, LA-T1, Cavios (CAV, Neo Dental Chemical Products), and Bulk Base Hard (BBH, Sun Medical), were examined. The depth of cure, microshear bond strength with a resin-based luting cement, and the compressive strength of these materials were investigated. The depth of cure of LA-T1 was similar to that of CAV, while the depth of cure of BBH was above the measurement limit. The distance from the base material to the light source, 0 mm and 4 mm, did not significantly affect the depth of cure of all materials. The microshear bond strength of LA-T1 bonded to a resin-based luting cement was slightly higher than that of CAV and similar to that of BBH, both of which were bonded to the same luting cement under the same conditions. The compressive strength of LA-T1 was similar to that of CAV but less than that of BBH. The results of this study indicate that LA-T1 has properties that are similar to those of CAV and thus can be clinically applied.
On the Limits of the EIS Low-Frequency Impedance Modulus as a Tool to Describe the Protection Properties of Organic Coatings Exposed to Accelerated Aging Tests
Authors: Cristoforetti Andrea , Rossi Stefano , Deflorian Flavio , Fedel Michele
Published: March 2023

This study analyzes the limitations of the low-frequency EIS impedance modulus as a tool to describe the protective properties of organic coatings subjected to accelerated aging tests. Acrylic clear-coated steel and hot-dip galvanized steel were exposed to accelerated test methods such as the neutral salt spray chamber and the Prohesion test for up to 2000 and 3000 h, respectively. During exposure, the protective properties of the coatings were monitored by EIS and visual inspection. We observed a significant discrepancy between the measured impedance modulus in the low frequency range (|Z0.01Hz|), and the actual deterioration of the metal–paint interface. The degradation of the two painted substrates is independent of the accelerated test considered. The |Z0.01Hz| values do not represent the actual degradation state of the metal–polymer interface. The manuscript discusses the reasons for the lack of agreement between EIS and visual inspection. The limitations of using the low-frequency EIS impedance modulus to describe the protective properties of organic coatings are highlighted, and several cautions for interpreting the raw EIS data are suggested. The reliability of possible thresholds of |Z0.01Hz| (e.g., failure below 106 ohm∙cm2) to define the protective performance of the coating turned out to be misleading.
Model Compression for Deep Neural Networks: A Survey
Authors: Li Zhuo , Li Hengyi , Meng Lin
Published: March 2023

Currently, with the rapid development of deep learning, deep neural networks (DNNs) have been widely applied in various computer vision tasks. However, in the pursuit of performance, advanced DNN models have become more complex, which has led to a large memory footprint and high computation demands. As a result, the models are difficult to apply in real time. To address these issues, model compression has become a focus of research. Furthermore, model compression techniques play an important role in deploying models on edge devices. This study analyzed various model compression methods to assist researchers in reducing device storage space, speeding up model inference, reducing model complexity and training costs, and improving model deployment. Hence, this paper summarized the state-of-the-art techniques for model compression, including model pruning, parameter quantization, low-rank decomposition, knowledge distillation, and lightweight model design. In addition, this paper discusses research challenges and directions for future work.
Proactive Self-Healing Approaches in Mobile Edge Computing: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Adeniyi Olusola , Sadiq Ali Safaa , Pillai Prashant , Taheir Mohammed Adam , Kaiwartya Omprakash
Published: March 2023

The widespread use of technology has made communication technology an indispensable part of daily life. However, the present cloud infrastructure is insufficient to meet the industry’s growing demands, and multi-access edge computing (MEC) has emerged as a solution by providing real-time computation closer to the data source. Effective management of MEC is essential for providing high-quality services, and proactive self-healing is a promising approach that anticipates and executes remedial operations before faults occur. This paper aims to identify, evaluate, and synthesize studies related to proactive self-healing approaches in MEC environments. The authors conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) using four well-known digital libraries (IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Scopus) and one academic search engine (Google Scholar). The review retrieved 920 papers, and 116 primary studies were selected for in-depth analysis. The SLR results are categorized into edge resource management methods and self-healing methods and approaches in MEC. The paper highlights the challenges and open issues in MEC, such as offloading task decisions, resource allocation, and security issues, such as infrastructure and cyber attacks. Finally, the paper suggests future work based on the SLR findings.