bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Construction of Exact Numerical Schemes for Linear Delay Models
Authors: Mayorga Carlos Julio , Castro María Ángeles , Sirvent Antonio , Rodríguez Francisco
Published: April 2023

Exact numerical schemes have previously been obtained for some linear retarded delay differential equations and systems. Those schemes were derived from explicit expressions of the exact solutions, and were expressed in the form of perturbed difference systems, involving the values at previous delay intervals. In this work, we propose to directly obtain expressions of the same type for the fundamental solutions of linear delay differential equations, by considering vector equations with vector components corresponding to delay-lagged values at previous intervals. From these expressions for the fundamental solutions, exact numerical schemes for arbitrary initial functions can be proposed, and they may also facilitate obtaining explicit exact solutions. We apply this approach to obtain an exact numerical scheme for the first order linear neutral equation x′(t)−γx′(t−τ)=αx(t)+βx(t−τ), with the general initial condition x(t)=φ(t) for −τ≤t≤0. The resulting expression reduces to those previously published for the corresponding retarded equations when γ=0.
Effect of Adding Kinesio Taping to Exercise Therapy in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Authors: Lee Jin , Rhim Hye , Jang Ki-Mo
Published: April 2023

Background and objectives: Patellar taping has been widely used for the primary or adjunctive treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS); however, there are limited data in terms of functional outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether there is any beneficial effect of adding Kinesio Taping® (KT) to exercise therapy in the treatment of PFPS. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients (27.5 ± 5.4 years) with PFPS who applied KT and 19 patients (27.3 ± 7.4 years) who did not were included in this study. Quadriceps muscle strength and acceleration time (AT) were assessed using an isokinetic device. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the Kujala anterior knee pain scale (AKPS). Both groups underwent one-month exercise therapy. Results: There was no significant difference in quadriceps strength, AT, and AKPS at baseline and at 1 month between the taping and non-taping groups (p > 0.05). However, for quadriceps muscle strength, the effect of time*group interaction was statistically significant (F(1.37) = 4.543, p < 0.05, partial eta squared 0.109), showing that improvement in the quadriceps strength was higher in the non-taping group than that in the taping group. Conclusions: Adding KT to exercise therapy did not elicit extra benefits in quadriceps muscle strength and AT, and AKPS among PFPS with abnormal patellar tracking at one month.
Biological Activity and Component Analyses of Chamaecyparis obtusa Leaf Extract: Evaluation of Antiwrinkle and Cell Protection Effects in UVA-Irradiated Cells
Authors: Jang Young-Ah , Kim Se-Gie , Kim Hye-Kyung , Lee Jin-Tae
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtuse) extract has been used as a folk medicinal remedy in East Asian countries to alleviate inflammation and prevent allergies. Active oxygen causes skin aging and leads to skin cell and tissue damage. Extensive research has been conducted to control active oxygen generation to prevent skin aging. We evaluated the antioxidant activity and antiwrinkle effect of C. obtusa extract to determine its potential as a cosmetic material. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity of a 70% ethanol extract of C. obtusa (COE 70) and a water extract of C. obtusa (COW) was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) scavenging, superoxide dismutase-like activity, xanthine oxidase inhibition, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The effective concentration of the extracts was determined using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay to evaluate their toxicity. The effects of COE 70 on the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and procollagen, and expression of activated cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), in UVA-irradiated fibroblasts were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, quercitrin, amentoflavone, hinokiflavone, and myricetin concentrations in COE 70 were determined using high-pressure high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: COE 70 had higher polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations than COW and exhibited an excellent antioxidant effect. COE 70 suppressed UVA-induced fibroblast death by 21.3% at 25 µg/mL. It also increased MMP-1, MMP-3, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA levels at 5–25 µg/mL compared with those in control UVA-irradiated fibroblasts. Moreover, mRNA levels of collagen type I and superoxide dismutase significantly increased, indicating the antiwrinkle and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract. Among the COE 70 components, quercitrin concentration was the highest; hence, quercitrin could be an active ingredient. Conclusions: COE 70 could be used as a natural antioxidant and antiwrinkle agent.
Formation Mechanism and Evolution of Plastic Damage in Billet during Reduction Pretreatment
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Jianhua , He Yang
Published: April 2023

The formation mechanism and evolution of plastic damage in billet during reduction pretreatment were investigated using laboratory experiments and simulations. The microstructure and damage distribution were observed using reduction pretreatment experiments. Isothermal tension tests were designed to study the mechanism of damage under different deformation temperatures and strain rates. A plastic damage model based on tension tests was established to further analyze damage evolution during reduction pretreatment. Experimental results showed that the distribution of the damage was characterized by microvoids near the surface and microcracks along the grain boundary at the center. With the increase in strain rate, plastic damage above 1050 °C was transformed from grain boundary damage caused by grain boundary slip to inclusion damage caused by dislocation movement. The simulation results showed that the established plastic damage model was reliable and could be used to describe the plastic damage evolution during reduction pretreatment.
Some Considerations on the Behaviour of Bolted Stainless-Steel Beam-to-Column Connections: A Simplified Analytical Approach
Authors: Sarfarazi Sina , Shamass Rabee , Mascolo Ida , Della Corte Gaetano , Guarracino Federico
Published: April 2023

Stainless-steel has proven to be a first-class material with unique mechanical properties for a variety of applications in the building and construction industry. High ductility, strain hardening, durability and aesthetic appeal are only a few of them. From a specific point of view, its nonlinear stress–strain behaviour appears capable of providing a significant increase in the rotational capacity of stainless-steel connections. This, in turn, may provide significant benefits for the overall response of a structure in terms of capacity and ductility. However, the bulk of the research on stainless-steel that has been published so far has mostly ignored the analysis of the deformation capabilities of the stainless-steel connections and has mostly focused on the structural response of individual members, such as beams or columns. For such a reason, the present study aims to contribute to the general understanding of the behaviour of stainless-steel connections from a conceptual, numerical and design standpoint. After a brief review of the available literature, the influence of the use of stainless-steel for column–beam connections is discussed from a theoretical standpoint. As a novel contribution, a different approach to compute the pseudo-plastic moment resistance that takes into account the post-elastic secant stiffness of the stainless-steel is proposed. Successively, a refined finite element model is employed to study the failure of stainless-steel column–beam connections. Finally, a critical assessment of the employment of carbon-steel-based design guidelines for stainless-steel connections provided by the Eurocode 3 design (EN 1993-1-8) is performed. The findings prove the need for the development of novel design approaches and more precise capacity models capable of capturing the actual stainless-steel joint response and their impact on the overall ductility and capacity of the whole structure.
Editorial of Special Issue “The COVID-19 Pandemic and Bacterial Infections: Microbiological and Clinical Aspects”
Authors: Di Pilato Vincenzo , Giacobbe Daniele Roberto
Published: April 2023

The emergence in late 2019 of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), posed significant health challenges worldwide [...]
Geochemical Evidence of Ediacaran Phosphate Nodules in the Volyno-Podillya-Moldavia Basin, Ukraine
Authors: Sasmaz Ahmet , Sasmaz Bilge , Soldatenko Yevheniia , El Albani Abderrazak , Zhovinsky Edward , Kryuchenko Nataliya
Published: April 2023

The sedimentary basin of Podillya (Volyno-Podillya-Moldavia) is situated in the southwest of the Ukrainian crystalline shield and belongs to the middle part of the Upper Neoproterozoic section of the Moguiliv-Podilska Group. By analyzing the primary oxide, trace, and rare-earth element compositions of the phosphate nodules in the area, this study sought to shed light on the potential precipitation characteristics of the Ediacaran Sea, where phosphate nodules were created. The mean major oxide contents of the nodules were 50.8 wt.% CaO, 34.2 wt.% P2O5, 5.29 wt.% SiO2, 4.77 wt.% LOI, 1.69 wt% Fe2O3, 1.63 wt% Al2O3, and 0.35 wt.% MnO. The average trace element concentrations were 183 ppm Ba, 395 ppm Sr, 13.4 ppm Ni, 32.7 ppm Cr, 62.2 ppm Zn, 764 ppm Y, 16 ppm V, 10.8 ppm As, 75.8 ppm Cu, 84 ppm Pb, 2.1 ppm U, 1.7 ppm Th, and 4.2 ppm Co. The trace element contents were generally low and indicated an assemblage of Cu, Y, As, Cd, and Pb enrichments in comparison to PAAS. The total REE concentrations varied from 1638 ppm to 3602 ppm. The nodules had medium REE (MREE) enrichments and showed similar REE patterns normalized to PAAS. All the nodules had strongly negative Ce, Pr, and Y anomalies and substantially negative Eu anomalies, with four samples being exceptions. These abnormalities suggest that oxic and suboxic sea conditions existed at the time the nodules formed. The extremely high REE concentrations are thought to be the result of REEs being redistributed between the authigenic and detrital phases that were created during the diagenetic equilibration of phosphate with pore water. The genetic hypothesis for phosphate nodule formation states that the nodules were generally formed in oxic and suboxic seawater and were precipitated on slopes in response to a significant upwelling from a deeper basin with abundant organic matter under anoxic/suboxic conditions. The majority of the organic material at the water–sediment interface of the seafloor underwent oxidation before phosphate was released into the pore water of the sediment.
Normative Mineralogy of 1170 Soil Profiles across Canada
Authors: Aldis Margot , Posch Maximilian , Aherne Julian
Published: April 2023

Weathering of soil minerals provides base cations that buffer against acidity, and nutrients that support plant growth. In general, direct observations of soil minerals are rare; however, their abundance can be determined indirectly through soil geochemistry using normative-calculation procedures. This study compiled a data set of major oxide content from published and archived soil geochemical observations for 1170 sites across Canada (averaged over the soil profile [A, B, and C horizons], weighted by depth and bulk density to a maximum depth of 50 cm). Quantitative soil mineralogy (wt%) was systematically determined at each site using the normative method, ‘Analysis to Mineralogy’ (A2M); the efficacy of the approach was evaluated by comparison to X-ray Diffraction (XRD) mineralogy available for a subset of the study sites. At these sites, predicted A2M mineralogy was significantly related to estimated XRD, showing a strong linear relationship for plagioclase, quartz, and K-feldspar, and a moderate linear relationship for chlorite and muscovite. Further, the predicted A2M plagioclase content was almost identical to the estimated XRD soil mineralogy, showing no statistical difference. The Canada-wide predicted quantitative soil mineralogy was consistent with the underlying bedrock geology, such as in north-western Saskatchewan and north-eastern Alberta, which had high amounts of quartz due to the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Other soil minerals (plagioclase, potassium feldspar, chlorite, and muscovite) varied greatly in response to changing bedrock geology across Canada. Normative approaches, such as A2M, provide a reliable approach for national-scale determination of quantitative soil mineralogy, which is essential for the assessment of soil weathering rates.
The Potential Roles of Free and Attached Microbial Community in Decreasing Cadmium Level from Cadmium-Contaminated Soils by Mixotrophic Acidophiles of Different Scale-Up Cultivation Stages
Authors: Feng Guifang , Chen Zhiqun , Zhu Ping , Yan Li , Hao Xiaodong , Xiao Yunhua
Published: April 2023

In this study, cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils were bioremediated using the mixotrophic acidophiles in different scale-up cultivation stages. The free and attached bacterial and fungal diversities and community structures, and their effects on soil Cd removal were investigated. Percentages of dominant bacteria (Acidithiobacillus, Sulfobacillus, and Pseudomonas) and fungi (Acidomyces and Coniochaeta) between the free and attached communities exhibited the pronounced differences. The α-diversity of attached bacteria was higher than the free bacteria, while the distinct variations in attached and free fungi were not observed. However, the β-diversity between the free and attached bacteria and fungi was significantly changed. Solution pH and reduced glucose level affected the abundance patterns of Acidithiobacillus in free bacteria and Acidomyces in attached fungi, which had great contributions to the soil Cd removal efficiency.
Nanofabrication of Bulk Diffraction Nanogratings via Direct Ultrashort-Pulse Laser Micro-Inscription in Elastomers and Heat-Shrinkable Polymers
Authors: Kesaev Vladimir , Rupasov Alexey , Smirnov Nikita , Pakholchuk Petr , Kudryashov Sergey , Odintsova Galina
Published: April 2023

Optical-range bulk diffraction nanogratings were fabricated via challenging direct inscription by ultrashort (femtosecond, fs) laser pulses inside heat-shrinkable polymers (thermoplastics) and VHB 4905 elastomer. The inscribed bulk material modifications do not emerge on the polymer surface, being visualized inside the materials by 3D-scanning confocal photoluminescence/Raman microspectroscopy and by the multi-micron penetrating 30-keV electron beam in scanning electron microscopy. The laser-inscribed bulk gratings have multi-micron periods in the pre-stretched material after the second laser inscription step, with their periods continuously reduced down to 350 nm on the third fabrication step, using thermal shrinkage for thermoplastics and elastic properties for elastomers. This three-step process allows facile laser micro-inscription of diffraction patterns and their following controlled scaling down as a whole pattern to pre-determined dimensions. In elastomers, utilizing the initial stress anisotropy, the post-radiation elastic shrinkage along the given axes could be precisely controlled until the 28-nJ threshold fs-laser pulse energy, where elastomer deformation ability is dramatically reduced, producing wrinkled patterns. In thermoplastics, the fs-laser inscription does not affect their heat-shrinkage deformation up to the carbonization threshold. The measured diffraction efficiency of the inscribed gratings increases during the elastic shrinkage for the elastomers and slightly decreases for the thermoplastics. High 10% diffraction efficiency was demonstrated for the VHB 4905 elastomer at the 350 nm grating period. No significant molecular-level structural modifications were observed by Raman micro-spectroscopy in the inscribed bulk gratings in the polymers. This novel few-step method paves the way for facile and robust ultrashort-pulse laser inscription of bulk functional optical elements in polymeric materials for diffraction, holographic and virtual reality devices.
The Non-Canonical Iron-Responsive Element of IRE-tvcp12 Hairpin Structure at the 3′-UTR of Trichomonas vaginalis TvCP12 mRNA That Binds TvHSP70 and TvACTN-3 Can Regulate mRNA Stability and Amount of Protein
Authors: León-Sicairos Claudia R. , Figueroa-Angulo Elisa E. , Calla-Choque Jaeson S. , Arroyo Rossana
Published: April 2023

Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common sexually transmitted parasites in humans. This protozoan has high iron requirements for growth, metabolism, and virulence. However, iron concentrations also differentially modulate T. vaginalis gene expression as in the genes encoding cysteine proteinases TvCP4 and TvCP12. Our goal was to identify the regulatory mechanism mediating the upregulation of tvcp12 under iron-restricted (IR) conditions. Here, we showed by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry assays that IR conditions increase mRNA stability and amount of TvCP12. RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay (REMSA), UV cross-linking, and competition assays demonstrated that a non-canonical iron-responsive element (IRE)-like structure at the 3′-untranslated region of the tvcp12 transcript (IRE-tvcp12) specifically binds to human iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) and to atypical RNA-binding cytoplasmic proteins from IR trichomonads, such as HSP70 and α-Actinin 3. These data were confirmed by REMSA supershift and Northwestern blot assays. Thus, our findings show that a positive gene expression regulation under IR conditions occurs at the posttranscriptional level possibly through RNA-protein interactions between atypical RNA-binding proteins and non-canonical IRE-like structures at the 3′-UTR of the transcript by a parallel mechanism to the mammalian IRE/IRP system that can be applied to other iron-regulated genes of T. vaginalis.
Back from Exile? First Records of Chewing Lice (Lutridia exilis; Ischnocera; Mallophaga) in Growing Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) Populations from Northern Germany
Authors: Rohner Simon , Boyi Joy Ometere , Artemeva Valentina , Zinke Olaf , Kiendl Astrid , Siebert Ursula , Lehnert Kristina
Published: April 2023

Arthropod ectoparasites of aquatic wildlife often have complex relationships with their host species that have developed over long evolutionary time scales. Specialist parasite occurrence might depend on these hosts’ distributions. Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) populations are recovering in Northern German federal states, such as Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. Chewing lice (Lutridia exilis; Ischnocera; Mallophaga) are considered otter-specific yet rare parasites in their known range. In 2022, they were recorded for the first time on nine otters found dead in Northern Germany. All otters originated from the years 2021–2022 and were dissected during population health monitoring programs in 2022. Females (n = 6) were 0–5.5 years old and showed signs of disease in five cases. Males (n = 3), in contrast, were 0–1.6 years old and showed disease in a single case. Individual lice intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 75 specimens per otter. No direct adverse health effects of chewing lice on the otters were noted. Lutridia exilis morphological characteristics were documented and measurements were taken to study specialized adaptations that allow lice to attach to semi-aquatic otters. In addition, morphology was compared between lice from different geographical regions and specimens from previous reports. A region of the COI mDNA was amplified to molecularly characterize L. exilis for the first time and detect genetic differences between otter lice populations in Germany. It is believed that specialist parasites reduce in numbers even before their host populations decline. Recovering otter populations in Northern Germany could be an example of a reverse effect, where the comeback of a host species results in the return of a specialist parasite, which reflects an ultimate boost in overall species biodiversity.
The Effect of Glycine Betaine on Nitrogen and Polyamine Metabolisms, Expression of Glycoside-Related Biosynthetic Enzymes, and K/Na Balance of Stevia under Salt Stress
Authors: Ghorbani Abazar , Ghasemi-Omran Vali Ollah , Chen Moxian
Published: April 2023

The beneficial role of glycine betaine (GB) in the adaptation of plants to abiotic stresses is well known; therefore, the study of physiological and molecular responses induced by exogenous GB under NaCl stress can provide a suitable reference for the application of this compound to enhance the adaptation of plants to salinity. The present study was conducted under in vitro conditions to evaluate the effect of GB (25 and 50 mM) on the growth, physiological, and molecular traits of Stevia rebaudiana during NaCl toxicity (50 mM). The results showed that applying NaCl treatment increased Na accumulation, induced oxidative stress, and disrupted N metabolism and K/Na homeostasis, which, as a result, decreased the stevia plant’s growth and biomass. However, application of GB improved the adaptation of NaCl-stressed plants by improving N metabolism and modulating the metabolism of polyamines. By increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, GB diminished oxidative stress, protected the plasma membrane, and restored photosynthetic pigments under NaCl toxicity. By reducing Na accumulation and increasing K accumulation, GB maintained the K/Na balance and reduced the effects of toxicity caused by the high Na concentration in stevia leaves. GB increased the leaf accumulation of rebaudioside A in NaCl-stressed plants by modulating the expression of genes (KAH, UGT74G1, UGT76G1, and UGT85C2) involved in the sugar compounds of the stevia plants. Our results provide a broad understanding of GB-induced responses in NaCl-stressed plants, which can help increase our knowledge of the role of GB in the defense mechanisms of plants under abiotic stresses.
Pollinator Proboscis Length Plays a Key Role in Floral Integration of Honeysuckle Flowers (Lonicera spp.)
Authors: Xiang Gan-Ju , Lázaro Amparo , Dai Xiao-Kang , Xia Jing , Yang Chun-Feng
Published: April 2023

Pollinator-mediated selection is supposed to influence floral integration. However, the potential pathway through which pollinators drive floral integration needs further investigations. We propose that pollinator proboscis length may play a key role in the evolution of floral integration. We first assessed the divergence of floral traits in 11 Lonicera species. Further, we detected the influence of pollinator proboscis length and eight floral traits on floral integration. We then used phylogenetic structural equation models (PSEMs) to illustrate the pathway through which pollinators drive the divergence of floral integration. Results of PCA indicated that species significantly differed in floral traits. Floral integration increased along with corolla tube length, stigma height, lip length, and the main pollinators’ proboscis length. PSEMs revealed a potential pathway by which pollinator proboscis length directly selected on corolla tube length and stigma height, while lip length co-varied with stigma height. Compared to species with short corolla tubes, long-tube flowers may experience more intense pollinator-mediated selection due to more specialized pollination systems and thus reduce variation in the floral traits. Along elongation of corolla tube and stigma height, the covariation of other relevant traits might help to maintain pollination success. The direct and indirect pollinator-mediation selection collectively enhances floral integration.
Meiotic Behaviors of Allotetraploid Citrus Drive the Interspecific Recombination Landscape, the Genetic Structures, and Traits Inheritance in Tetrazyg Progenies Aiming to Select New Rootstocks
Authors: Calvez Lény , Dereeper Alexis , Perdereau Aude , Mournet Pierre , Miranda Maëva , Bruyère Saturnin , Hufnagel Barbara , Froelicher Yann , Lemainque Arnaud , Morillon Raphaël , Ollitrault Patrick
Published: April 2023

Sexual breeding at the tetraploid level is a promising strategy for rootstock breeding in citrus. Due to the interspecific origin of most of the conventional diploid citrus rootstocks that produced the tetraploid germplasm, the optimization of this strategy requires better knowledge of the meiotic behavior of the tetraploid parents. This work used Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS) data from 103 tetraploid hybrids to study the meiotic behavior and generate a high-density recombination landscape for their tetraploid intergenic Swingle citrumelo and interspecific Volkamer lemon progenitors. A genetic association study was performed with root architecture traits. For citrumelo, high preferential chromosome pairing was revealed and led to an intermediate inheritance with a disomic tendency. Meiosis in Volkamer lemon was more complex than that of citrumelo, with mixed segregation patterns from disomy to tetrasomy. The preferential pairing resulted in low interspecific recombination levels and high interspecific heterozygosity transmission by the diploid gametes. This meiotic behavior affected the efficiency of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) detection. Nevertheless, it enabled a high transmission of disease and pest resistance candidate genes from P. trifoliata that are heterozygous in the citrumelo progenitor. The tetrazyg strategy, using doubled diploids of interspecific origin as parents, appears to be efficient in transferring the dominant traits selected at the parental level to the tetraploid progenies.
Correction: Alfei et al. 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid as an Antiviral Product from Alkaline Autoxidation of Catechinic Acid: A Fact to Be Reviewed. Plants 2022, 11, 1822
Authors: Alfei Silvana , Caviglia Debora , Penco Susanna , Zuccari Guendalina , Gosetti Fabio
Published: April 2023

In the original publication [...]
High-Thermal-Conductivity AlN Ceramics Prepared from Octyltrichlorosilane-Modified AlN Powder
Authors: Li Guangqi , Li Bin , Ren Bo , Li Yang , Chen Haiyang , Chen Junhong
Published: April 2023

Aluminum nitride has been widely used as heat-management material for large-scale integrated circuits and semiconductor packages because of its excellent insulation, high thermal conductivity, low dielectric constant and loss, similar expansion coefficient to that of silicon, and non-toxicity. However, the increase of oxygen content caused by the hydration of aluminum nitride powder during storage often decreases the thermal conductivity of aluminum nitride ceramics. In this work, we propose an approach for preparing high-thermal-conductivity AlN ceramics via octyltrichlorosilane-modified AlN powder. The octyltrichlorosilane reacted with the hydroxyl group on the surface of the AlN powder forming a siloxane protective layer. The protective layer not only enhanced the water contact angle of AlN powder from 34.8° to 151°, but also ensured the phase of AlN powder did not change in the distilled water at 25 °C for 72 h. High-thermal-conductivity AlN ceramics up to 186 W·m−1·K−1 were successfully prepared based on the modified AlN powder which had been stored for one year. This work provides a simple, effective, and practical method for the stable preparation of high-thermal-conductivity AlN ceramics.
Selective and Efficient Catalytic Oxygenation of Alkyl Aromatics Employing H2O2 Catalyzed by Simple Porphyrin Iron(II) under Mild Conditions
Authors: Zhou Xin-Yan , He Bin , Zhang Yu , Ni Jia-Ye , Liu Qiu-Ping , Wang Mei , Shen Hai-Min , She Yuan-Bin
Published: April 2023

The excessive utilization of additives in chemical reactions is a troublesome problem in industrial processes, due to their adverse effects on equipment and processes. To acquire oxidative functionalization of alkyl aromatics under additive-free and mild conditions, a large library of metalloporphyrins was applied to the oxygenation of alkyl aromatics as catalysts with H2O2 as an oxidant. On the basis of systematic investigation of the catalytic performance of metalloporphyrins, it was discovered that, surprisingly, only porphyrin irons(II) possessed the ability to catalyze the oxygenation of alkyl aromatics with H2O2 under additive-free conditions and with satisfying substrate scope. Especially with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl) porphyrin iron(II) (T(2,6-diCl)PPFe) as the catalyst, the substrate conversion reached up to 27%, with the selectivity of 85% to the aromatic ketone in the representative oxygenation of ethylbenzene with H2O2 as oxidant and without any additive used. The study of apparent kinetics and mechanisms in the optimal oxygenation system was also conducted in detail. Based on thorough exploration and characterization, the source of the superior catalytic performance of T(2,6-diCl)PPFe was acquired mainly as its planar structure, the low positive charge in the metal center, and better solubility in the oxygenation mixture, which favored the approach of reactants to the catalytic center, and the interaction between the metal center and H2O2. The beneficial interaction between T(2,6-diCl)PPFe and H2O2 was verified through cyclic voltammetry measurements and UV–vis absorption spectra. In comparison to previous studies, in this work, an efficient, selective, and additive-free means was developed for the oxygenation of alkyl aromatics under mild conditions, which could act as a representative example and a valuable reference for industrial processes in oxygenation of alkyl aromatics, and a great advance in the realization of oxygenation of alkyl aromatics under additive-free and mild conditions.
The Biological Responses of Staphylococcus aureus to Cold Plasma Treatment
Authors: Liew Kok Jun , Zhang Xinhua , Cai Xiaohong , Ren Dongdong , Chen Jingdi , Chang Zhidong , Chong Kheng Loong , Tan Melvin Chun Yun , Chong Chun Shiong
Published: April 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that causes various diseases in humans. Cold plasma is found to be an alternative to eliminate S. aureus. Most studies of cold plasma on S. aureus mainly focus on the physiochemical changes of the cells. So far, biological responses of S. aureus to cold plasma treatment under different treatment durations have not yet been evaluated. In this study, the results showed that the cold plasma was effective in eliminating S. aureus. At the initial exposure (1 min), the treated cells showed gene upregulations of stress proteins, antioxidants, nitrosative stress, and transporter proteins, but no significant change in other biological processes, such as cell membrane synthesis, DNA repairing, transcription, and translation. This indicated that the cells actively countered the damage from cold plasma. In contrast, during the prolonged treatment (3 and 5 min), biological processes related to central dogma were affected, including the DNA repairing mechanism, transcription, and translation. In addition, the majority of the genes related to cell membrane synthesis were downregulated, indicating that the treated cells could no longer sustain their cell integrity. In conclusion, this study elucidated how cold plasma inactivated S. aureus in a series of cold plasma exposures and highlighted the sequential transcriptomic responses of S. aureus.
Factor Structure, Validity and Reliability of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale -12 (IUS-12) in a Greek Undergraduate Sample
Authors: Simos Gregoris , Nisyraiou Anna
Published: April 2023

Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) is described as the tendency to avoid uncertain states and exhibit negative responses to uncertain situations on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels. It is considered a transdiagnostic cognitive bias that plays a role in developing and maintaining psychopathology. The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12) has proven to be a sound measure of intolerance of uncertainty with excellent validity and reliability. Although research has supported a two-factor structure of IUS-12, most recent studies also suggest a bifactor model. The present study examines the factorial structure, validity, and reliability of the Greek version of IUS-12 with a sample of 959 university students (66.6% female) aged 19.63 years (SD = 3.20). Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that although the two-factor solution adequately fit the data, the bifactor model better fit with IU total as an underlying one-factor. Internal consistency and validity were excellent for the total IUS-12 and Prospective and Inhibitory Anxiety subscales. Our findings support recent findings concerning the factorial structure of IUS-12 and the scale’s psychometric qualities in a Greek undergraduate sample. We expect that future research with clinical samples will confirm the screening and clinical utility of IUS-12.
A Zinc(II) Schiff Base Complex as Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Selective and Sensitive Detection of Copper(II) in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Oliveri Ivan Pietro , Attinà Agostino , Di Bella Santo
Published: April 2023

The development of chemosensors able to detect analytes in a variety of sample matrices through a low-cost, fast, and direct approach is of current interest in food, health, industrial, and environmental fields. This contribution presents a simple approach for the selective and sensitive detection of Cu2+ ions in aqueous solution based on a transmetalation process of a fluorescent substituted Zn(salmal) complex. Transmetalation is accompanied by relevant optical absorption changes and quenching of the fluorescence emission, leading to high selectivity and sensitivity of the chemosensor, with the advantage of not requiring any sample pretreatment or pH adjustment. Competitive experiments demonstrate a high selectivity of the chemosensor towards Cu2+ with respect to the most common metal cations as potential interferents. A limit of detection down to 0.20 μM and a dynamic linear range up to 40 μM are achieved from fluorometric data. By exploiting the fluorescence quenching upon formation of the copper(II) complex, simple paper-based sensor strips, visible to naked eyes under UV light, are used for the rapid, qualitative, and quantitative in situ detection of Cu2+ ions in aqueous solution over a wide concentration range, up to 10.0 mM, in specific environments, such as in industrial wastewater, where higher concentrations of Cu2+ ions can occur.
Mobile Payment Protocol with Deniably Authenticated Property
Authors: Liu Yunzhuo , Huang Wen , Zhuo Ming , Zhou Shijie , Li Mengshi
Published: April 2023

Mobile payment services have been widely applied in our daily life, where users can conduct transactions in a convenient way. However, critical privacy concerns have arisen. Specifically, a risk of participating in a transaction is the disclosure of personal privacy. This might occur if, for example, the user pays for some special medicine, such as AIDS medicine or contraceptives. In this paper, we propose a mobile payment protocol that is suitable for mobile devices only with limited computing resources. In particular, the user in a transaction can confirm the identity of others in the same transaction while the user cannot show convincing evidence to prove that others also take part in the same transactions. We implement the proposed protocol and test its computation overhead. The experiment results corroborate that the proposed protocol is suitable for mobile devices with limited computing resources.
The Effect of Surrounding Vegetation on Basal Stem Measurements Acquired Using Low-Cost Depth Sensors in Urban and Native Forest Environments
Authors: McGlade James , Wallace Luke , Hally Bryan , Reinke Karin , Jones Simon
Published: April 2023

Three colour and depth (RGB-D) devices were compared, to assess the effect of depth image misalignment, resulting from simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) error, due to forest structure complexity. Urban parkland (S1) was used to assess stem density, and understory vegetation (≤1.3 m) was assessed in native woodland (S2). Individual stem and continuous capture approaches were used, with stem diameter at breast height (DBH) estimated. Misalignment was present within point clouds; however, no significant differences in DBH were observed for stems captured at S1 with either approach (Kinect p = 0.16; iPad p = 0.27; Zed p = 0.79). Using continuous capture, the iPad was the only RGB-D device to maintain SLAM in all S2 plots. There was significant correlation between DBH error and surrounding understory vegetation with the Kinect device (p = 0.04). Conversely, there was no significant relationship between DBH error and understory vegetation for the iPad (p = 0.55) and Zed (p = 0.86). The iPad had the lowest DBH root-mean-square error (RMSE) across both individual stem (RMSE = 2.16cm) and continuous (RMSE = 3.23cm) capture approaches. The results suggest that the assessed RGB-D devices are more capable of operation within complex forest environments than previous generations.
Measuring the Immediate Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training on Motor, Cognitive and Physiological Parameters in Well-Trained Adults
Authors: Molinaro Luca , Taborri Juri , Pauletto Denis , Guerra Valentina , Molinaro Damiano , Sicari Giovanni , Regina Antonello , Guerra Enrico , Rossi Stefano
Published: April 2023

The importance of physical activity has been widely demonstrated both in clinics and in sports. One of the new frontier training programs is high-intensity functional training (HIFT). The immediate effects of HIFT on the psychomotor and cognitive performance of well-trained people are still not clear. This paper aims to evaluate the immediate effects induced by HIFT on blood lactate levels, physical performance in terms of body stability and jump ability, and cognitive performance in terms of reaction time. Nineteen well-trained participants were enrolled in the experimental studies and asked to execute six repetitions of a circuit training. Data were gathered both in a pre-training session and after each one of the circuit repetitions. An immediate significant increase with respect to the baseline was observed during the first repetition, with a further increase after the third one. No effects on jump ability were found, whereas a deterioration in body stability was found. Positive immediate effects on cognitive performance in terms of accuracy and speed in task execution were assessed. The findings can be exploited by trainers during coaching to optimize the design of training programs.
Graph-Based Self-Training for Semi-Supervised Deep Similarity Learning
Authors: Wang Yifan , Huang Yan , Wang Qicong , Zhao Chong , Zhang Zhenchang , Chen Jian
Published: April 2023

Semi-supervised learning is a learning pattern that can utilize labeled data and unlabeled data to train deep neural networks. In semi-supervised learning methods, self-training-based methods do not depend on a data augmentation strategy and have better generalization ability. However, their performance is limited by the accuracy of predicted pseudo-labels. In this paper, we propose to reduce the noise in the pseudo-labels from two aspects: the accuracy of predictions and the confidence of the predictions. For the first aspect, we propose a similarity graph structure learning (SGSL) model that considers the correlation between unlabeled and labeled samples, which facilitates the learning of more discriminative features and, thus, obtains more accurate predictions. For the second aspect, we propose an uncertainty-based graph convolutional network (UGCN), which can aggregate similar features based on the learned graph structure in the training phase, making the features more discriminative. It can also output the uncertainty of predictions in the pseudo-label generation phase, generating pseudo-labels only for unlabeled samples with low uncertainty; thus, reducing the noise in the pseudo-labels. Further, a positive and negative self-training framework is proposed, which combines the proposed SGSL model and UGCN into the self-training framework for end-to-end training. In addition, in order to introduce more supervised signals in the self-training process, negative pseudo-labels are generated for unlabeled samples with low prediction confidence, and then the positive and negative pseudo-labeled samples are trained together with a small number of labeled samples to improve the performance of semi-supervised learning. The code is available upon request.
Portable Surface Plasmon Resonance Detector for COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Trzaskowski Maciej , Mazurkiewicz-Pisarek Anna , Trzciński Jakub Waldemar , Drozd Marcin , Podgórski Rafał , Zabost Anna , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa
Published: April 2023

Methods based on nucleic acid detection are currently the most commonly used technique in COVID-19 diagnostics. Although generally considered adequate, these methods are characterised by quite a long time-to-result and the necessity to prepare the material taken from the examined person—RNA isolation. For this reason, new detection methods are being sought, especially those characterised by the high speed of the analysis process from the moment of sampling to the result. Currently, serological methods of detecting antibodies against the virus in the patient’s blood plasma have attracted much attention. Although they are less precise in determining the current infection, such methods shorten the analysis time to several minutes, making it possible to consider them a promising method for screening tests in people with suspected infection. The described study investigated the feasibility of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based detection system for on-site COVID-19 diagnostics. A simple-to-use portable device was proposed for the fast detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human plasma. SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative patient blood plasma samples were investigated and compared with the ELISA test. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 was selected as a binding molecule for the study. Then, the process of antibody detection using this peptide was examined under laboratory conditions on a commercially available SPR device. The portable device was prepared and tested on plasma samples from humans. The results were compared with those obtained in the same patients using the reference diagnostic method. The detection system is effective in the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 with the detection limit of 40 ng/mL. It was shown that it is a portable device that can correctly examine human plasma samples within a 10 min timeframe.
Development of the QuEChERS Extraction Method for the Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Aroclor 1254) in Soil Samples by Using GC-MS
Authors: Alsefri Samia , Balbaied Thanih , Alatawi Hanan , Albalawi Ibtihaj , Hogan Anna , Moore Eric
Published: April 2023

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in soil, which has typically been the result of industrial pollution in the past two decades. Although they are banned, PCBs can still be found in soils and other environmental media. For this reason, it is critical to develop an analytical method that can reliably identify and monitor their sources. This study describes a gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique, which was used to detect PCBs in soil samples by using a fast extraction method. Using the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method, PCBs were more effectively extracted from soil. Different related parameters, such as time of shaking and centrifuging, type of solvent, and clean-up adsorbents, were compared and optimized. As the extraction solvent, acetonitrile/water produced the best results, and as the dispersive solid-phase extraction sorbent, diatomaceous earth produced the best results. Procedures allowed recovery values between 95.3% and 103.2%. A limit of detection of 1.9 µg/kg was determined with relative standard deviations (n = 3) of 2.1–4.0% for intra-day assays and 3.6–5.8% for inter-day assays. It was demonstrated that the method was simple, sensitive, efficient, and environmentally friendly when applied to soil samples. To our knowledge, an integrated approach based on QuEChERS for the determination of Aroclor 1254 in soil has not been published before. It is believed that this approach will eliminate the significant challenge of sample extraction in GC-MS processing, which was considered to be a procedural challenge in previous analyses.
The Adsorption Behaviors and Mechanisms of Humic Substances by Thermally Oxidized Graphitic Carbon Nitride
Authors: Li Hongxin , Wang Jianlong , Yue Dongbei , Wang Jianchao , Tang Chu , Zhang Lingyue
Published: April 2023

Thermal oxidation is efficient for enhancing the photocatalysis performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), while its effect on adsorption performance has not been fully studied, which is crucial to the application of g-C3N4 as adsorbents and photocatalysts. In this study, thermal oxidation was used to prepare sheet-like g-C3N4 (TCN), and its application for adsorption of humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) was evaluated. The results showed that thermal oxidation clearly affected the properties of TCN. After thermal oxidation, the adsorption performance of TCN was enhanced significantly, and the adsorption amount of HA increased from 63.23 (the bulk g-C3N4) to 145.35 mg/g [TCN prepared at 600 °C (TCN-600)]. Based on fitting results using the Sips model, the maximum adsorption amounts of TCN-600 for HA and FA were 327.88 and 213.58 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption for HA and FA was markedly affected by pH, alkaline, and alkaline earth metals due to electrostatic interactions. The major adsorption mechanisms included electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, along with a special pH-dependent conformation (for HA). These findings implied that TCN prepared from environmental-friendly thermal oxidation showed promising prospects for humic substances (HSs) adsorption in natural water and wastewater.
Early Oral Administration of Ginseng Stem-Leaf Saponins Enhances the Peyer’s Patch-Dependent Maternal IgA Antibody Response to a PEDV Inactivated Vaccine in Mice, with Gut Microbiota Involvement
Authors: Su Fei , Li Junxing , Xue Yin , Yu Bin , Ye Shiyi , Xu Lihua , Fu Yuan , Yuan Xiufang
Published: April 2023

Neonatal piglets during the first week of life are highly susceptible to porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) infection, with mortality rates reaching 80–100%. Passive lactogenic immunity remains the most effective way to protect neonates from infection. Although safe, inactivated vaccines provide little or no passive protection. Here, we administered ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) to mice before parenteral immunization with an inactivated PEDV vaccine to investigate the effect of GSLS on the gut–mammary gland (MG)–secretory IgA axis. Early oral GSLS administration potently increased PEDV-specific IgA plasma cell generation in the intestine, facilitated intestinal IgA plasma cell migration to the MG by enhancing the chemokine receptor (CCR)10-chemokine ligand (CCL)28 interaction, and ultimately promoted specific IgA secretion into milk, which was dependent on Peyer’s patches (PPs). Additionally, GSLS improved the gut microbiota composition, especially increasing probiotic abundance, and these microflora members promoted the GSLS-enhanced gut–MG–secretory IgA axis response and were regulated by PPs. In summary, our findings highlight the potential of GSLS as an oral adjuvant for PEDV-inactivated vaccines and provide an attractive vaccination strategy for lactogenic immunity induction in sows. Further studies are required to evaluate the mucosal immune enhancement efficacy of GSLS in pigs.