bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microscopic-Scale Examination of the Black and Orange–Yellow Colours of Architectural Glazes from Aššur, Khorsabad and Babylon in Ancient Mesopotamia
Authors: Alloteau Fanny , Majérus Odile , Gerony Floriane , Bouquillon Anne , Doublet Christel , Gries Helen , Fügert Anja , Thomas Ariane , Wallez Gilles
Published: March 2022

Three major corpora of architectural glazed bricks from Ancient Mesopotamia dating to the Neo-Assyrian (Aššur and Khorsabad sites) and the Neo-Babylonian (Babylon site) Periods have been submitted to an in-depth comparative study of the orange–yellow and black glazes. Distinct hues in the orange–yellow range were observed according to the archaeological site. They appear to have been well mastered by the glassmakers, consisting in the ex situ preparation of the antique lead antimonate pigment and its mixing with transparent soda-lime glass frit or with the glass-forming components. The intentional addition of hematite or of Cu2+ colouring ions in a controlled amount is suggested in two cases. SEM-EDX and Raman analysis of the lead antimonate pigments have pointed out different chemical substitutions in their pyrochlore structure, mainly Fe3+ in the Sb5+ site and Ca2+ in the Pb2+ site, the proportion of which being correlated to the pigment shade (from pale yellow to orange–red). Part of these substitutions arises from the chemical reaction of the pigment with the hematite and glass melt during firing. Regarding the black glazes, an unexpected colouring technique involving copper sulphide nanoparticles together with the chromophore Fe3+-S2− is highlighted for Khorsabad (8th century BC) and for Babylon (6th century BC). For Aššur blacks, the study reveals a change in their colouring technique between the 9th and 8th centuries BC, from a colouration with Mn oxides to an enigmatic one that could also have involved copper sulphide nanoparticles.
Experimental Study on the Stability of a Novel Nanocomposite-Enhanced Viscoelastic Surfactant Solution as a Fracturing Fluid under Unconventional Reservoir Stimulation
Authors: Si Xiaodong , Luo Mingliang , Li Mingzhong , Ma Yuben , Huang Yige , Pu Jingyang
Published: March 2022

Fe3O4@ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized to improve the stability of the wormlike micelle (WLM) network structure of viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fracturing fluid and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Then, an NC-enhanced viscoelastic surfactant solution as a fracturing fluid (NC-VES) was prepared, and its properties, including settlement stability, interactions between NCs and WLMs, proppant-transporting performance and gel-breaking properties, were systematically studied. More importantly, the influences of the NC concentration, shear rate, temperature and pH level on the stability of NC-VES were systematically investigated. The experimental results show that the NC-VES with a suitable content of NCs (0.1 wt.%) shows superior stability at 95 °C or at a high shear rate. Meanwhile, the NC-VES has an acceptable wide pH stability range of 6–9. In addition, the NC-VES possesses good sand-carrying performance and gel-breaking properties, while the NCs can be easily separated and recycled by applying a magnetic field. The temperature-resistant, stable and environmentally friendly fracturing fluid opens an opportunity for the future hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs.
Impact of Electrolyte Incorporation in Anodized Niobium on Its Resistive Switching
Authors: Zrinski Ivana , Löfler Marvin , Zavašnik Janez , Cancellieri Claudia , Jeurgens Lars , Hassel Achim , Mardare Andrei
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to develop memristors based on Nb2O5 grown by a simple and inexpensive electrochemical anodization process. It was confirmed that the electrolyte selection plays a crucial role in resistive switching due to electrolyte species incorporation in oxide, thus influencing the formation of conductive filaments. Anodic memristors grown in phosphate buffer showed improved electrical characteristics, while those formed in citrated buffer exhibited excellent memory capabilities. The chemical composition of oxides was successfully determined using HAXPES, while their phase composition and crystal structure with conductive filaments was assessed by TEM at the nanoscale. Overall, understanding the switching mechanism leads towards a wide range of possible applications for Nb memristors either as selector devices or nonvolatile memories.
Facile Fabrication of Polyaniline/Pbs Nanocomposite for High-Performance Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Gamal Ahmed , Shaban Mohamed , BinSabt Mohammad , Moussa Mahmoud , Ahmed Ashour M. , Rabia Mohamed , Hamdy Hany
Published: March 2022

In this work, a polyaniline/lead sulfide (PANI/PbS) nanocomposite was prepared by combining the in situ oxidation polymerization method and the surface adsorption process. This nanocomposite was applied as a supercapacitor electrode. The crystal structure, nanomorphology, and optical analysis of PANI and PANI/PbS were investigated. The electrochemical performance of the designed PANI/PbS electrode-based supercapacitor was tested by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry (CP), and AC impedance techniques in HCl and Na2SO4 electrolytes. The average crystallite size of the PANI/PbS nanocomposite is about 43 nm. PANI/PbS possesses an agglomerated network related to PANI with additional spherical shapes from PbS nanoparticles. After the PANI/PbS nanocomposite formation, there are enhancements in their absorption intensities. At a current density of 0.4 A g−1, the specific capacitance of PANI/PbS in Na2SO4 and HCl was found to be 303 and 625 F g−1, respectively. In HCl (625 F g−1 and 1500 mF cm−2), the gravimetric and areal capacitances of the PANI/PbS electrode are nearly double those of the Na2SO4 electrolyte. Also, the average specific energy and specific power density values for the PANI/PbS electrode in HCl are 4.168 Wh kg−1 and 196.03 W kg−1, respectively. After 5000 cycles, the capacitance loses only 4.5% of its initial value. The results refer to the high stability and good performance of the designed PANI/PbS as a supercapacitor electrode.
Porcine Circoviruses and Herpesviruses Are Prevalent in an Austrian Game Population
Authors: Auer Angelika , Schweitzer Lea , Kübber-Heiss Anna , Posautz Annika , Dimmel Katharina , Seitz Kerstin , Beiglböck Christoph , Riedel Christiane , Rümenapf Till
Published: March 2022

During the annual hunt in a privately owned Austrian game population in fall 2019 and 2020, 64 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 5 fallow deer (Dama dama), 6 mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon), and 95 wild boars (Sus scrofa) were shot and sampled for PCR testing. Pools of spleen, lung, and tonsillar swabs were screened for specific nucleic acids of porcine circoviruses. Wild ruminants were additionally tested for herpesviruses and pestiviruses, and wild boars were screened for pseudorabies virus (PrV) and porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1-3). PCV2 was detectable in 5% (3 of 64) of red deer and 75% (71 of 95) of wild boar samples. In addition, 24 wild boar samples (25%) but none of the ruminants tested positive for PCV3 specific nucleic acids. Herpesviruses were detected in 15 (20%) ruminant samples. Sequence analyses showed the closest relationships to fallow deer herpesvirus and elk gammaherpesvirus. In wild boars, PLHV-1 was detectable in 10 (11%), PLHV-2 in 44 (46%), and PLHV-3 in 66 (69%) of animals, including 36 double and 3 triple infections. No pestiviruses were detectable in any ruminant samples, and all wild boar samples were negative in PrV-PCR. Our data demonstrate a high prevalence of PCV2 and PLHVs in an Austrian game population, confirm the presence of PCV3 in Austrian wild boars, and indicate a low risk of spillover of notifiable animal diseases into the domestic animal population.
Polymorphism in Adiponectin and Adiponectin Receptor Genes in Diabetes Mellitus Pathogenesis
Authors: Shramko Iuliana , Ageeva Elizaveta , Krutikov Eugene , Maliy Konstantin , Repinskaya Irina , Fomochkina Iryna , Kubishkin Anatolii , Gurtovaya Anna , Tarimov Cyrill , Shekhar Suman
Published: March 2022

The role played by hereditary factors in the development of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) has not yet been fully established. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence of adiponectin and polymorphism in its gene receptors in connection with the primary symptoms of DM2 pathogenesis. Genomic DNA was isolated from the whole blood of 94 patients with an established diagnosis of DM2 using the phenol–chloroform method. Gene polymorphisms were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most common polymorphic variants in patients with DM2 were the genotypes AA (rs11061971) and GG (rs16928751) on the ADIPOR2 gene. A strong correlation was found between the rs16928751 polymorphism on the ADIPOR2 gene and increased body mass index (BMI). TG (rs2275737) ADIPOR1 gene genotype carriers were found to have the highest levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), whereas TT (rs2275738) caused stable hyperglycemia. In addition, the rs16928751 ADIPOR2 gene polymorphism showed an association with the development of key mechanisms of DM2 in the Russian population, although a number of genomic searches failed to show any association of this gene with DM2. Unique gene variants associated with the risk of developing DM2 in the Crimean population were established.
Old and New Biomarkers for Infection, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity in Treatment-Resistant Affective and Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Scheiber Christian , Schulz Tanja , Schneider Julian M. , Bechter Karl , Schneider E. Marion
Published: March 2022

Affective (AF) and Schizophrenic (SZ) Spectrum disorders manifest with risk factors, involving inflammatory processes linked to infections and autoimmunity. This study searched for novel biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood. A total of 29 AF and 39 SZ patients with treatment-resistant disease were included. In CSF, the chemokine IL-8 was significantly elevated in AF and SZ patients. IL-8 promotes chemotaxis by neutrophils and may originate from different tissues. S100B, a glia-derived brain damage marker, was higher in CSF from AF than SZ patients. Among the plasma-derived biomarkers, ferritin was elevated in AF and SZ. Soluble CD25, indicating Treg dysfunction, was higher in SZ than in AF patients. Interferon-γ, implying virus-specific immune activation, was positive in selective AF patients, only. Both groups showed elevated expression of immunosuppressive CD33 on monocytes, but higher amounts of CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells were restricted to SZ. In conclusion, chemotactic IL-8 indicates neuronal stress and inflammation in the CSF of both groups. Novel plasma-derived biomarkers such as sCD25 and monocytic CD33 distinguish SZ from AF with an autoimmune phenotype.
To Enhance Mucus Penetration and Lung Absorption of Drug by Inhalable Nanocrystals-In-Microparticles
Authors: Huang Guiting , Shuai Shuyuan , Zhou Weicheng , Chen Yingchong , Shen Baode , Yue Pengfei
Published: March 2022

To effectively achieve the pulmonary delivery for curcumin (CN), novel inhalable mucus-penetrating nanocrystal-based microparticles (INMP) were designed. The D-Tocopherol acid polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) modified CN nanocrystals (CN-NS@TPGS) were prepared by high pressure homogenization and further converted into nanocrystal-based microparticles (CN-INMP@TPGS) using spray-drying. It was demonstrated that CN-NS@TPGS exhibited little interaction with the negatively charged mucin due to a strong electrostatic repulsion effect and PEG hydrophilic chain, and exhibited a much higher penetration ability across the mucus layer compared with poloxamer 407 modified CN-NS (CN-NS@P407) and tween 80 modified CN-NS (CN-NS@TW80). The aerodynamic results demonstrated that the CN-INMP with 10% TPGS acting as the stabilizer presented a high FPF value, indicating excellent deposition in the lung after inhalation administration. Additionally, in vivo bioavailability studies indicated that the AUC(0-t) of CN-INMP@TPGS (2413.18 ± 432.41 µg/L h) were 1.497- and 3.32-fold larger compared with those of CN-INMP@TW80 (1612.35 ± 261.35 µg/L h) and CN-INMP@P407 (3.103 ± 196.81 µg/L h), respectively. These results indicated that the CN-INMP@TPGS were absorbed rapidly after pulmonary administration and resulted in increased systemic absorption. Therefore, the inhalable CN-INMP could significantly improve the bioavailability of CN after inhalation administration. The developed mucus-penetrating nanocrystals-in-microparticles might be regarded as a promising formulation strategy for the pulmonary administration of poorly soluble drugs.
Available Strategies for the Management of Andean Lupin Anthracnose
Authors: Falconí César E. , Yánez-Mendizábal Viviana
Published: March 2022

The lupin (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) is a legume domesticated and cultivated for more than 4000 years by the pre-Hispanic cultures of the Andean zone. Due to its good taste and protein content, the lupin seed contributes significantly to the food and nutritional security of the Andean population. However, lupin is susceptible to diseases, and of these, anthracnose is the most devastating as it affects the whole crop, including leaves, stems, pods, and seeds. This review focuses on available strategies for management of lupin anthracnose from sowing to harvest. Seed disinfection is the primary anthracnose management strategy. Seed treatment with fungicides reduces transmission from seed to seedling, but it does not eradicate anthracnose. Attention is given to alternative strategies to limit this seed-borne pathogen as well as to enhance plant resistance and to promote plant growth. For anthracnose management in the field, integrated practices are discussed that encompass control of volunteer plants, lupin ontogenetic resistance, and rotation of biocontrol with chemical fungicides at susceptible phenological stages. This review covers some local experiences on various aspects of anthracnose management that could prove useful to other the groups focusing on the problem.
Comparative Analysis of Root Na+ Relation under Salinity between Oryza sativa and Oryza coarctata
Authors: Ishikawa Tetsuya , Shabala Lana , Zhou Meixue , Venkataraman Gayatri , Yu Min , Sellamuthu Gothandapani , Chen Zhong-Hua , Shabala Sergey
Published: March 2022

Na+ toxicity is one of the major physiological constraints imposed by salinity on plant performance. At the same time, Na+ uptake may be beneficial under some circumstances as an easily accessible inorganic ion that can be used for increasing solute concentrations and maintaining cell turgor. Two rice species, Oryza sativa (cultivated rice, salt-sensitive) and Oryza coarctata (wild rice, salt-tolerant), demonstrated different strategies in controlling Na+ uptake. Glasshouse experiments and gene expression analysis suggested that salt-treated wild rice quickly increased xylem Na+ loading for osmotic adjustment but maintained a non-toxic level of stable shoot Na+ concentration by increased activity of a high affinity K+ transporter HKT1;5 (essential for xylem Na+ unloading) and a Na+/H+ exchanger NHX (for sequestering Na+ and K+ into root vacuoles). Cultivated rice prevented Na+ uptake and transport to the shoot at the beginning of salt treatment but failed to maintain it in the long term. While electrophysiological assays revealed greater net Na+ uptake upon salt application in cultivated rice, O. sativa plants showed much stronger activation of the root plasma membrane Na+/H+ Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) exchanger. Thus, it appears that wild rice limits passive Na+ entry into root cells while cultivated rice relies heavily on SOS1-mediating Na+ exclusion, with major penalties imposed by the existence of the “futile cycle” at the plasma membrane.
Development and Application of an In Vitro Method to Evaluate Anthracnose Resistance in Soybean Germplasm
Authors: Zhu Longming , Feng Lele , Yu Xiaomin , Fu Xujun , Yang Qinghua , Jin Hangxia , Yuan Fengjie
Published: March 2022

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum truncatum is a major fungal disease of soybean, especially vegetable soybean (edamame). Studies of this disease have mainly focused on resistance evaluation, but the primary methods used—in vivo inoculation of pods or plants under greenhouse or field conditions—have limitations with respect to accuracy, stability, scale, and environmental safety. In this study, we developed a method for inoculating pods in vitro by soaking in a mycelial suspension. We optimized the crucial components, including the mycelial suspension concentration (40 to 60 mg mL−1), the maturity of the sampled pods (15 days after flowering), and the post-inoculation incubation period (5 days). Application of the mycelial suspension by soaking rather than spraying improved the efficiency of inoculation and made large-scale evaluation possible. Using this method, we evaluated 589 soybean germplasm resources (275 cultivars, 233 landraces, and 81 wild accessions). We identified 25 highly resistant cultivars, 11 highly resistant landraces, but only one highly resistant wild accession. Our results will aid future research on soybean anthracnose resistance, including gene discovery, the elucidation of molecular mechanisms, and the breeding of resistant cultivars.
Development of a Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Rapid Detection of Olea Europaea Geminivirus
Authors: Bertacca Sofia , Caruso Andrea Giovanni , Trippa Daniela , Marchese Annalisa , Giovino Antonio , Matic Slavica , Noris Emanuela , Ambrosio Maria Isabel Font San , Alfaro Ana , Panno Stefano , Davino Salvatore
Published: March 2022

A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for simple, rapid and efficient detection of the Olea europaea geminivirus (OEGV), a virus recently reported in different olive cultivation areas worldwide. A preliminary screening by end-point PCR for OEGV detection was conducted to ascertain the presence of OEGV in Sicily. A set of six real-time LAMP primers, targeting a 209-nucleotide sequence elapsing the region encoding the coat protein (AV1) gene of OEGV, was designed for specific OEGV detection. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the diagnostic assay were determined. The LAMP assay showed no cross-reactivity with other geminiviruses and was allowed to detect OEGV with a 10-fold higher sensitivity than conventional end-point PCR. To enhance the potential of the LAMP assay for field diagnosis, a simplified sample preparation procedure was set up and used to monitor OEGV spread in different olive cultivars in Sicily. As a result of this survey, we observed that 30 out of 70 cultivars analyzed were positive to OEGV, demonstrating a relatively high OEGV incidence. The real-time LAMP assay developed in this study is suitable for phytopathological laboratories with limited facilities and resources, as well as for direct OEGV detection in the field, representing a reliable method for rapid screening of olive plant material.
Mechanical Forces in Floral Development
Authors: Bull–Hereñu Kester , dos Santos Patricia , Toni João Felipe Ginefra , El Ottra Juliana Hanna Leite , Thaowetsuwan Pakkapol , Jeiter Julius , Ronse De Craene Louis Philippe , Iwamoto Akitoshi
Published: March 2022

Mechanical forces acting within the plant body that can mold flower shape throughout development received little attention. The palette of action of these forces ranges from mechanical pressures on organ primordia at the microscopic level up to the twisting of a peduncle that promotes resupination of a flower at the macroscopic level. Here, we argue that without these forces acting during the ontogenetic process, the actual flower phenotype would not be achieved as it is. In this review, we concentrate on mechanical forces that occur at the microscopic level and determine the fate of the flower shape by the physical constraints on meristems at an early stage of development. We thus highlight the generative role of mechanical forces over the floral phenotype and underline our general view of flower development as the sum of interactions of known physiological and genetic processes, together with physical aspects and mechanical events that are entangled towards the shaping of the mature flower.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the Banana WRKY Transcription Factor Gene Family Closely Related to Fruit Ripening and Stress
Authors: Jia Caihong , Wang Zhuo , Wang Jingyi , Miao Hongxia , Zhang Jianbin , Xu Biyu , Liu Juhua , Jin Zhiqiang , Liu Jihong
Published: March 2022

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress as well as in plant growth and development. In the present study, bioinformatics methods were used to identify members of the WRKY transcription factor family in the Musa acuminata (DH-Pahang) genome (version 2). A total of 164 MaWRKYs were identified and phylogenetic analysis showed that MaWRKYs could be categorized into three subfamilies. Overall, the 162 MaWRKYs were distributed on 11 chromosomes, and 2 genes were not located on the chromosome. There were 31 collinear genes from segmental duplication and 7 pairs of genes from tandem duplication. RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the expression profiles of MaWRKYs in different fruit development, ripening stages, under various abiotic and biotic stressors. Most of the MaWRKYs showed a variety of expression patterns in the banana fruit development and ripening stages. Some MaWRKYs responded to abiotic stress, such as low temperature, drought, and salt stress. Most differentially expressed MaWRKYs were downregulated during banana’s response to Foc TR4 infection, which plays an important role in physiological regulation to stress. Our findings indicate that MaWRKY21 directly binds to the W-box of the MaICS promoter to decrease MaICS transcription and then reduce the enzyme activity. These studies have improved our understanding of the molecular basis for the development and stress resistance of an important banana variety.
In Silico Genome-Wide Characterisation of the Lipid Transfer Protein Multigenic Family in Sunflower (H. annuus L.)
Authors: Vangelisti Alberto , Simoni Samuel , Usai Gabriele , Mascagni Flavia , Ventimiglia Maria , Natali Lucia , Cavallini Andrea , Giordani Tommaso
Published: March 2022

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is among the most widely cultivated crops in the world due to the oilseed production. Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are low molecular mass proteins encoded by a broad multigenic family in higher plants, showing a vast range of functions; these proteins have not been characterised in sunflower at the genomic level. In this work, we exploited the reliable genome sequence of sunflower to identify and characterise the LTP multigenic family in H. annuus. Overall, 101 sunflower putative LTP genes were identified using a homology search and the HMM algorithm. The selected sequences were characterised through phylogenetic analysis, exon–intron organisation, and protein structural motifs. Sunflower LTPs were subdivided into four clades, reflecting their genomic and structural organisation. This gene family was further investigated by analysing the possible duplication origin of genes, which showed the prevalence of tandem and whole genome duplication events, a result that is in line with polyploidisation events that occurred during sunflower genome evolution. Furthermore, LTP gene expression was evaluated on cDNA libraries constructed on six sunflower tissues (leaf, root, ligule, seed, stamen, and pistil) and from roots treated with stimuli mimicking biotic and abiotic stress. Genes encoding LTPs belonging to three out of four clades responded specifically to external stimuli, especially to abscisic acid, auxin, and the saline environment. Interestingly, genes encoding proteins belonging to one clade were expressed exclusively in sunflower seeds. This work is a first attempt of genome-wide identification and characterisation of the LTP multigenic family in a plant species.
Genome-Wide Identification of the TIFY Gene Family in Brassiceae and Its Potential Association with Heavy Metal Stress in Rapeseed
Authors: Sun Fujun , Chen Zhiyou , Zhang Qianwei , Wan Yuanyuan , Hu Ran , Shen Shulin , Chen Si , Yin Nengwen , Tang Yunshan , Liang Ying , Lu Kun , Qu Cunmin , Hua Wei , Li Jiana
Published: March 2022

The TIFY gene family plays important roles in various plant biological processes and responses to stress and hormones. The chromosome-level genome of the Brassiceae species has been released, but knowledge concerning the TIFY family is lacking in the Brassiceae species. The current study performed a bioinformatics analysis on the TIFY family comparing three diploid (B. rapa, B. nigra, and B. oleracea) and two derived allotetraploid species (B. juncea, and B. napus). A total of 237 putative TIFY proteins were identified from five Brassiceae species, and classified into ten subfamilies (six JAZ types, one PPD type, two TIFY types, and one ZML type) based on their phylogenetic relationships with TIFY proteins in A. thaliana and Brassiceae species. Duplication and synteny analysis revealed that segmental and tandem duplications led to the expansion of the TIFY family genes during the process of polyploidization, and most of these TIFY family genes (TIFYs) were subjected to purifying selection after duplication based on Ka/Ks values. The spatial and temporal expression patterns indicated that different groups of BnaTIFYs have distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns under normal conditions and heavy metal stresses. Most of the JAZIII subfamily members were highest in all tissues, but JAZ subfamily members were strongly induced by heavy metal stresses. BnaTIFY34, BnaTIFY59, BnaTIFY21 and BnaTIFY68 were significantly upregulated mostly under As3+ and Cd2+ treatment, indicating that they could be actively induced by heavy metal stress. Our results may contribute to further exploration of TIFYs, and provided valuable information for further studies of TIFYs in plant tolerance to heavy metal stress.
MaxEnt Modeling to Predict the Current and Future Distribution of Pomatosace filicula under Climate Change Scenarios on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Chen Kaiyang , Wang Bo , Chen Chen , Zhou Guoying
Published: March 2022

As an important Tibetan medicine and a secondary protected plant in China, Pomatosace filicula is endemic to the country and is mainly distributed in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). However, global climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions might lead to the extinction of P. filicula. To understand the potential spatial distribution of P. filicula in future global warming scenarios, we used the MaxEnt model to simulate changes in its suitable habitat that would occur by 2050 and 2070 using four representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios and five global climate models. The results showed that the QTP currently contains a suitable habitat for P. filicula and will continue to do so in the future. Under the RCP2.6 scenario, the suitable habitat area would increase by 2050 but shrink slightly by 2070, with an average reduction of 2.7%. However, under the RCP8.5 scenario, the area of unsuitable habitat would expand by an average of 54.65% and 68.20% by 2050 and 2070, respectively. The changes in the area of suitable habitat under the RCP4.5 and RCP6.0 scenarios were similar, with the unsuitable area increasing by approximately 20% by 2050 and 2070. Under these two moderate RCPs, the total suitable area in 2070 would be greater than that in 2050. The top three environmental factors impacting the habitat distribution were altitude, annual precipitation (BIO12) and annual temperature range (BIO7). The cumulative contribution rate of these three factors was as high as 82.8%, indicating that they were the key factors affecting the distribution and adaptability of P. filicula, P. filicula grows well in damp and cold environments. Due to global warming, the QTP will become warmer and drier; thus, the growing area of P. filicula will move toward higher elevations and areas that are humid and cold. These areas are mainly found near the Three-River Region. Future climate change will aggravate the deterioration of the P. filicula habitat and increase the species’ survival risk. This study describes the distribution of P. filicula and provides a basis for the protection of endangered plants in the QTP.
Evolution of Spinal Cord Transection of Rhesus Monkey Implanted with Polymer Synthesized by Plasma Evaluated by Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Authors: Morales-Guadarrama Axayacatl , Salgado-Ceballos Hermelinda , Grijalva Israel , Morales-Corona Juan , Hernández-Godínez Braulio , Ibáñez-Contreras Alejandra , Ríos Camilo , Diaz-Ruiz Araceli , Cruz Guillermo Jesus , Olayo María Guadalupe , Sánchez-Torres Stephanie , Mondragón-Lozano Rodrigo , Alvarez-Mejia Laura , Fabela-Sánchez Omar , Olayo Roberto
Published: March 2022

In spinal cord injury (SCI) there is damage to the nervous tissue, due to the initial damage and pathophysiological processes that are triggered subsequently. There is no effective therapeutic strategy for motor functional recovery derived from the injury. Several studies have demonstrated neurons growth in cell cultures on polymers synthesized by plasma derived from pyrrole, and the increased recovery of motor function in rats by implanting the polymer in acute states of the SCI in contusion and transection models. In the process of transferring these advances towards humans it is recommended to test in mayor species, such as nonhuman primates, prioritizing the use of non-invasive techniques to evaluate the injury progression with the applied treatments. This work shows the ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate the evolution of the SCI in nonhuman primates through the fraction of anisotropy (FA) analysis and the diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) calculus. The injury progression was analysed up to 3 months after the injury day by FA and DTT. The FA recovery and the DTT re-stabilization were observed in the experimental implanted subject with the polymer, in contrast with the non-implanted subject. The parameters derived from DTI are concordant with the histology and the motor functional behaviour.
Characterization and Toxicity Evaluation of Broiler Skin Elastin for Potential Functional Biomaterial in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Kamaruzaman Nurkhuzaiah , Fauzi Mh , Yusop Salma
Published: March 2022

Broiler skin, a by-product of poultry processing, has been proven to contain essential elastin, a high-value protein with many applications. The present study reported the extraction of water-soluble elastin from broiler skin by using sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and oxalic acid treatment before freeze-drying. Chemical characterization such as protein and fat content, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, amino acid composition and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed and compared with commercial elastin from bovine neck ligament. The resultant elastin’s toxicity was analyzed using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium assay and primary skin irritation test. Results showed a high quality of the extracted-elastin with the presence of a high amount of proline (6.55 ± 0.40%) and glycine (9.65 ± 0.44%), low amount of hydroxyproline (0.80 ± 0.32%), methionine (2.04 ± 0.05%), and histidine (1.81 ± 0.05%) together with calculated 0.56 isoleucine/leucine ratio. FTIR analysis showed the presence of typical peaks of amide A, B, I, and II for protein with high denaturation temperature around 322.9 °C. The non-toxic effect of the extracted elastin was observed at a concentration lower than 0.5 mg/mL. Therefore, water-soluble elastin powder extracted from broiler skin can be an alternative source of elastin as a biomaterial for tissue engineering applications.
Identification of Representative Equivalent Volumes on the Microstructure of 3D-Printed Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics Based on Statistical Characterization
Authors: Dutra Thiago Assis , Ferreira Rafael Thiago Luiz , Resende Hugo Borelli , Oliveira Luís Miguel , Blinzler Brina Jane , Asp Leif E.
Published: March 2022

The present work describes a methodology to compute equivalent volumes representing the microstructure of 3D-printed continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, based on a statistical characterization of the fiber distribution. In contrast to recent work, the methodology herein presented determines the statistically equivalent fiber distribution directly from cross-section micrographs, instead of generating random fiber arrangements. For this purpose, several regions, with different sizes and from different locations, are cropped from main cross-section micrographs and different spatial descriptor functions are adopted to characterize the microstructures in terms of agglomeration and periodicity of the fibers. Detailed information about the adopted spatial descriptors and the algorithm implemented to identify the fiber distribution, as well as to define the location of cropped regions, are given. From the obtained statistical characterization results, the minimum size of the equivalent volume required to be representative of the fiber distribution, which is found in the cross-section micrographs of 3D-printed composite materials, is presented. To support the findings, as well as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, the homogenized properties are also computed using representative equivalent volumes obtained in the statistical characterization and the results are compared to those experimentally measured, which are available in the literature.
Polymeric Membranes for Oil-Water Separation: A Review
Authors: Dmitrieva Evgenia , Anokhina Tatyana , Novitsky Eduard , Volkov Vladimir , Borisov Ilya , Volkov Alexey
Published: March 2022

This review is devoted to the application of bulk synthetic polymers such as polysulfone (PSf), polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for the separation of oil-water emulsions. Due to the high hydrophobicity of the presented polymers and their tendency to be contaminated with water-oil emulsions, methods for the hydrophilization of membranes based on them were analyzed: the mixing of polymers, the introduction of inorganic additives, and surface modification. In addition, membranes based on natural hydrophilic materials (cellulose and its derivatives) are given as a comparison.
Protein-Based Hydrogels: Promising Materials for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Davari Niyousha , Bakhtiary Negar , Khajehmohammadi Mehran , Sarkari Soulmaz , Tolabi Hamidreza , Ghorbani Farnaz , Ghalandari Behafarid
Published: March 2022

The successful design of a hydrogel for tissue engineering requires a profound understanding of its constituents’ structural and molecular properties, as well as the proper selection of components. If the engineered processes are in line with the procedures that natural materials undergo to achieve the best network structure necessary for the formation of the hydrogel with desired properties, the failure rate of tissue engineering projects will be significantly reduced. In this review, we examine the behavior of proteins as an essential and effective component of hydrogels, and describe the factors that can enhance the protein-based hydrogels’ structure. Furthermore, we outline the fabrication route of protein-based hydrogels from protein microstructure and the selection of appropriate materials according to recent research to growth factors, crucial members of the protein family, and their delivery approaches. Finally, the unmet needs and current challenges in developing the ideal biomaterials for protein-based hydrogels are discussed, and emerging strategies in this area are highlighted.
Improving Biocompatibility of Polyester Fabrics through Polyurethane/Gelatin Complex Coating for Potential Vascular Application
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhou Ziyi , Liu Na , Zhang Xiaopei , Zhou Hua , Wang Yuanfei , Fang Kuanjun , Wu Tong
Published: March 2022

Medical apparatus and instruments, such as vascular grafts, are first exposed to blood when they are implanted. Therefore, blood compatibility is considered to be the critical issue when constructing a vascular graft. In this regard, the coating method is verified to be an effective and simple approach to improve the blood compatibility as well as prevent the grafts from blood leakage. In this study, polyester fabric is chosen as the substrate to provide excellent mechanical properties while a coating layer of polyurethane is introduced to prevent the blood leakage. Furthermore, gelatin is coated on the substrate to mimic the native extracellular matrix together with the improvement of biocompatibility. XPS and FTIR analysis are performed for elemental and group analysis to determine the successful coating of polyurethane and gelatin on the polyester fabrics. In terms of blood compatibility, hemolysis and platelet adhesion are measured to investigate the anticoagulation performance. In vitro cell experiments also indicate that endothelial cells show good proliferation and morphology on the polyester fabric modified with such coating layers. Taken together, such polyester fabric coated with polyurethane and gelatin layers would have a promising potential in constructing vascular grafts with expected blood compatibility and biocompatibility without destroying the basic mechanical requirements for vascular applications.
Highly Efficient Adsorption of Sr2+ and Co2+ Ions by Ambient Prepared Alkali Activated Metakaolin
Authors: Huang Yi-Hsuan , Wu Yu-Chun
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to explore a low cost and sustainable adsorbent to remove Sr2+ and Co2+ ions, which are major radioactive ions in nuclear wastewater. The material properties of the alkali-activated metakaoline as a function of soaking time at ambient temperature from 1 day to 7 days were examined by XRD, XRF, SEM, and solid-state NMR. Adsorption isotherms were used to evaluate the appropriate soaking time for the optimal sorption performance for both Sr2+ and Co2+ ions. The alkali-activated metakaolin soaked for 3 days (BK3) presented the maximum adsorption capacities of 3.81 meq/g (167.5 mg/g) and 4.02 meq/g (118.5 mg/g) for Sr2+ and Co2+, respectively. The sorption mechanisms for Sr2+ and Co2+ in the BK3 sample were investigated, and the experimental results indicated that adsorption for Sr2+ was achieved via ion exchange. By contrast, surface complexation in combination with ion exchange contributed to the sorption mechanisms for the removal of Co2+. Competitive adsorption experiments revealed that the alkali-activated metakaolin favored the adsorption for divalent ions (i.e., Sr2+ and Co2+), and it was less effective for Cs+. Finally, the used adsorbent could be directly mineralized and vitrified by heat treatment to immobilize the Sr2+ and Co2+ ions.
Glass Transition Temperature of PLGA Particles and the Influence on Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Liu Guangliang , McEnnis Kathleen
Published: March 2022

Over recent decades, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) based nano- and micro- drug delivery vehicles have been rapidly developed since PLGA was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Common factors that influence PLGA particle properties have been extensively studied by researchers, such as particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), surface morphology, zeta potential, and drug loading efficiency. These properties have all been found to be key factors for determining the drug release kinetics of the drug delivery particles. For drug delivery applications the drug release behavior is a critical property, and PLGA drug delivery systems are still plagued with the issue of burst release when a large portion of the drug is suddenly released from the particle rather than the controlled release the particles are designed for. Other properties of the particles can play a role in the drug release behavior, such as the glass transition temperature (Tg). The Tg, however, is an underreported property of current PLGA based drug delivery systems. This review summarizes the basic knowledge of the glass transition temperature in PLGA particles, the factors that influence the Tg, the effect of Tg on drug release behavior, and presents the recent awareness of the influence of Tg on drug delivery applications.
Using Box–Behnken Design Coupled with Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing Rapeseed Oil Expression Parameters under Heating and Freezing Conditions
Authors: Demirel Cimen , Kabutey Abraham , Herák David , Sedlaček Aleš , Mizera Čestmír , Dajbych Oldřich
Published: March 2022

The effect of heating and freezing pretreatments on rapeseed oil yield and the volume of oil energy under uniaxial compression loading was investigated. Four separate experiments were carried out to achieve the study objective. The first and second experiments were performed to determine the compression parameters (deformation, mass of oil, oil yield, oil expression efficiency, energy, volume of oil and volume of oil energy). The third and fourth experiments identified the optimal factors (heating temperatures: 40, 60 and 80 °C, freezing temperatures: −2, −22 and −36 °C, heating times: 15, 30 and 45 min and speeds: 5, 10 and 15 mm/min) using the Box–Behnken design via the response surface methodology where the oil yield and volume of oil energy were the main responses. The optimal operating factors for obtaining a volume of oil energy of 0.0443 kJ/mL were a heating temperature of 40 °C, heating time of 45 min and speed of 15 mm/min. The volume of oil energy of 0.169 kJ/mL was reached at the optimal conditions of a freezing temperature of −36 °C, freezing time of 37.5 min and speed of 15 mm/min. The regression model established was adequate for predicting the volume of oil energy only under heating conditions.
Religious Environmental Sensemaking in Climate-Induced Conflicts
Authors: Tarusarira Joram
Published: March 2022

This article used the case of the Pokot community in northern Kenya to argue that focusing only on technical approaches in dealing with conflicts induced by climate change neglects the deeper religio-spiritual mechanisms that motivate actors in such conflicts and give the latter their texture. For example, the sacred connection with cattle, forests, and land, or the spiritual blessings of cattle raiders in times of competition over dwindling resources raise questions concerning whether and how indigenous religions’ sacred beliefs and practices contribute to finding peaceful solutions to such conflicts and advancing the discourse of religious peacebuilding. This article deployed the concept of religious environmental sense-making to argue that framing climate-induced conflicts in sacred terms influences how actors position themselves within them, as well as their level of intensity and intractability. Answering this question is crucial to advancing the field of peacebuilding, understanding what propels actors in climate-induced conflicts, and comprehending how policy-makers and mediators in conflicts can develop locally grounded strategies to address such climate issues.
Seminar Lessons: Infectious Diseases Associated with and Causing Disaster
Authors: Hattori Toshio , Chagan-Yasutan Haorile , Koga Shin , Yanagihara Yasutake , Tanaka Issei
Published: March 2022

Disasters such as the magnitude-9 Great East Japan Earthquake occur periodically. We considered this experience while developing measures against a predicted earthquake in the Nankai Trough. This report includes a summary of 10 disastrous infectious diseases for which a countermeasures seminar was held. Thirty-five speakers from twenty-one organizations performed the lectures. Besides infectious diseases, conference topics also included disaster prevention and mitigation methods. In addition, the development of point-of-care tests, biomarkers for diagnosis, and severity assessments for infectious diseases were introduced, along with epidemics of infectious diseases affected by climate. Of the 28 pathogens that became a hot topic, 17 are viruses, and 14 out of these 17 (82%) are RNA viruses. Of the 10 seminars, the last 2 targeted only COVID-19. It was emphasized that COVID-19 is not just a disaster-related infection but a disaster itself. The first seminar on COVID-19 provided immunological and epidemiological knowledge and commentary on clinical practices. During the second COVID-19 seminar, vaccine development, virological characteristics, treatment of respiratory failure, biomarkers, and human genetic susceptibility for infectious diseases were discussed. Conducting continuous seminars is important for general infectious controls.
Educational Trajectories and Outcomes of Multiracial College Students
Authors: Mitchell Sam , Warren Evangeline
Published: March 2022

Although higher education research has identified racial/ethnic disparities in college enrollment and degree completion, few studies investigate the educational outcomes of multiracial students relative to monoracial student groups. This paper begins to fill this gap and aims to open a conversation about the precarious state of data collection and empirical research on the growing multiracial population. Using several waves from the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS) and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we center multiracial college students in our empirical analysis, which investigates the following questions: (1) how do enrollment rates and patterns of enrollment based on institutional type differ, if at all, for multiracial college students relative to monoracial college students? and (2) how does retention and overall degree attainment differ between multiracial and monoracial groups of college students? Our analyses identify several trends that suggest that multiracial people enroll in college at significantly lower rates, are more likely to enroll in private colleges and universities and four-year institutions, and are less likely to earn bachelor’s degrees relative to other racial groups.
A Search for Neutron to Mirror Neutron Oscillation Using Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Measurements
Authors: Mohanmurthy Prajwal , Young Albert R. , Winger Jeff A. , Zsigmond Geza
Published: March 2022

Baryon number violation is a key ingredient of baryogenesis. It has been hypothesized that there could also be a parity-conjugated copy of the standard model particles, called mirror particles. The existence of such a mirror universe has specific testable implications, especially in the domain of neutral particle oscillation, viz. the baryon number violating neutron to mirror-neutron (n−n′) oscillation. Consequently, there were many experiments that have searched for n−n′ oscillation, and imposed constraints upon the parameters that describe it. Recently, further analysis on some of these results have identified anomalies which could point to the detection of n−n′ oscillation. All the previous efforts searched for n−n′ oscillation by comparing the relative number of ultracold neutrons that survive after a period of storage for one or both of the two cases: (i) comparison of zero applied magnetic field to a non-zero applied magnetic field, and (ii) comparison where the orientation of the applied magnetic field was reversed. However, n−n′ oscillations also lead to variations in the precession frequency of polarized neutrons upon flipping the direction of the applied magnetic field. Precession frequencies are measured, very precisely, by experiments searching for the electric dipole moment. For the first time, we used the data from the latest search for the neutron electric dipole moment to constrain n−n′ oscillation. After compensating for the systematic effects that affect the ratio of precession frequencies of ultracold neutrons and cohabiting 199Hg-atoms, chief among which was due to their motion in non-uniform magnetic field, we constrained any further perturbations due to n−n′ oscillation. We thereby provide a lower limit on the n−n′ oscillation time constant of τnn′/|cos(β)|>5.7s,0.36T′<B′<1.01T′ (95% C.L.), where β is the angle between the applied magnetic field and the ambient mirror magnetic field. This constraint is the best available in the range of 0.36T′<B′<0.40T′.