bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trust, Transparency and Transnational Lessons from COVID-19
Authors: Cole Alistair , Baker Julien S. , Stivas Dionysios
Published: December 2021

The article engages in an exercise in reflexivity around trust and the COVID-19 pandemic. Common understandings of trust are mapped out across disciplinary boundaries and discussed in the cognitive fields in the medical and social sciences. While contexts matter in terms of the understandings and uses made of concepts such as trust and transparency, comparison across academic disciplines and experiences drawn from country experiences allows general propositions to be formulated for further exploration. International health crises require efforts to rebuild trust, understood in a multidisciplinary sense as a relationship based on trusteeship, in the sense of mutual obligations in a global commons, where trust is a key public good. The most effective responses in a pandemic are joined up ones, where individuals (responsible for following guidelines) trust intermediaries (health professionals) and are receptive to messages (nudges) from the relevant governmental authorities. Hence, the distinction between hard medical and soft social science blurs when patients and citizens are required to be active participants in combatting the virus. Building on the diagnosis of a crisis of trust (in the field of health security and across multiple layers of governance), the article renews with calls to restore trust by enhancing transparency.
Stacking Subsidies in Factor Markets: Evidence from Market Experiments
Authors: Baffoe-Bonnie Anthony , Bastian Christopher T. , Menkhaus Dale J. , Phillips Owen R.
Published: December 2021

Government policies employ different support programs such as subsidies to reduce risks, increase efficiency in markets, and enhance societal welfare. In markets such as ethanol markets, where multiple agents receive subsidy, it is often difficult to determine whether recipients of these support programs will transfer some of their payments to other agents in the market. In this study, we use laboratory market experiments to understand subsidy incidence in markets where both buyers and sellers receive subsidies, and there are few buyers relative to sellers. Our results show that when subsidizing both sides of the market, framing effects matter, and when markets are buyer concentrated, subsidy distributions generally tend to favor buyers. With a per-unit subsidy of 20 tokens to both sides and an equal number of buyers and sellers in the market, we find that buyers increase their earnings by 13.4% while seller earnings decrease by 16.1%. On a per-schedule basis, buyer earnings in the concentrated market are similar to what we observed in the competitive market.
Immune System Disorders, Cancer and Viral Infections: A New Treatment Opportunity for the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Olivares-Hernández Alejandro , Figuero-Pérez Luis , Miramontes-González José Pablo , López-Gutiérrez Álvaro , González-Sarmiento Rogelio , Cruz-Hernández Juan Jesús , Fonseca-Sánchez Emilio
Published: December 2021

The relationship between viral infections and cancer is well known and has been established for decades. Multiple tumours are generated from alterations secondary to viral infections 2 resulting from a dysregulation of the immune system in many cases. Certain causal relationships, such as that between the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in nasopharyngeal cancer or hepatitis C and B viruses in hepatocarcinoma, have been clearly established, and their implications for the prognosis and treatment of solid tumours are currently unknown. Multiple studies have evaluated the role that these infections may have in the treatment of solid tumours using immunotherapy. A possible relationship between viral infections and an increased response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been established at a theoretical level in solid neoplasms, such as EBV-positive cavum cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and oropharyngeal cancer. These could yield a greater response associated with the activation of the immune system secondary to viral infection, the consequence of which is an increase in survival in these patients. That is why the objective of this review is to assess the different studies or clinical trials carried out in patients with solid tumours secondary to viral infections and their relationship to the response to ICIs.
Extracellular Vesicles in Pulmonary Fibrosis Models and Biological Fluids of Interstitial Lung Disease Patients: A Scoping Review
Authors: d’Alessandro Miriana , Bergantini Laura , Bargagli Elena , Vidal Silvia
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a heterogeneous group of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders characterized by the pathogenetic involvement of interstitium. Therefore, an elucidation of the etiology and pathogenesis as well as the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of such diseases is more compelling than ever. It is of note that there is increasing evidence of the involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the pathogenesis of lung diseases including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis. It has been speculated that EVs play a pivotal role as mediators of intercellular communication, as well as the highlighting of the role of EVs as co-operators in the development of lung diseases such as IPF. Methods: The present study aimed to carry out a systematic exploratory search of the literature (through the scoping review approach) to identify and systematize the main results of the pathogenetic role of EVs in pulmonary fibrosis models and biological fluids from ILD patients, including plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sputum. Conclusion: Fibroblast-to-mesenchymal differentiation, collagen and extracellular matrix deposition are key mechanisms in the development and progression of IPF. EV-coupled miRNA are important modulators of biological processes in terms of intercellular communication as shown in pulmonary fibrosis models as well as biofluids. The helpfulness of EVs as diagnostic and theranostic markers is worth further investigation. The evolving potential of EVs to translate effective EV-based therapies into clinical practice is of growing interest, due to the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies for IPF patients.
Prevalence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci and Antimicrobial Residues in Wastewater and Surface Water
Authors: Hricová Kristýna , Röderová Magdaléna , Fryčák Petr , Pauk Volodymyr , Kurka Ondřej , Mezerová Kristýna , Štosová Taťána , Bardoň Jan , Milde David , Kučová Pavla , Kolář Milan
Published: December 2021

Due to the extensive use of antimicrobial agents in human and veterinary medicine, residues of various antimicrobials get into wastewater and, subsequently, surface water. On the one hand, a combination of processes in wastewater treatment plants aims to eliminate chemical and biological pollutants; on the other hand, this environment may create conditions suitable for the horizontal transfer of resistance genes and potential selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Wastewater and surface water samples (Morava River) were analyzed to determine the concentrations of 10 antibiotics and identify those exceeding so-called predicted no-effect environmental concentrations (PNECs). This study revealed that residues of five of the tested antimicrobials, namely ampicillin, clindamycin, tetracycline, tigecycline and vancomycin, in wastewater samples exceeded the PNEC. Vancomycin concentrations were analyzed with respect to the detected strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), in which the presence of resistance genes, virulence factors and potential relationship were analyzed. VRE were detected in 16 wastewater samples (11%) and two surface water samples (6%). The PNEC of vancomycin was exceed in 16% of the samples. Since the detected VRE did not correlate with the vancomycin concentrations, no direct relationship was confirmed between the residues of this antimicrobials and the presence of the resistant strains.
Photocurable Coatings Based on Bio-Renewable Oligomers and Monomers
Authors: Bednarczyk Paulina , Nowak Małgorzata , Mozelewska Karolina , Czech Zbigniew
Published: December 2021

Due to long-term problems related to environmental protection, economic aspects, and waste management in the chemical industry, it is justified to develop renewable polymers as an alternative to synthetic polymers. Two kinds of acrylic bio-renewable components were used for the modification of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). The bio-based compositions used as photocurable binders to obtain the photocurable coatings with satisfactory properties and high bio content were then prepared. The kinetic of curing reaction of the oligomers and monomers towards radical photopolymerization and the properties of the cured coatings were fully investigated; the results are discussed in relation with the compounds’ structures. Important information about how to design and obtain renewable photocurable coatings with satisfactory properties was provided in this study. In this study, AESO resin was modified with renewable oligomer or (math)acrylate monomer to increase the reactivity and reduce the viscosity of the photoreactive system in order to obtain renewable and viable alternatives to petroleum-based polymeric materials with perfect film-forming properties. It turned out that both photopolymerization rate and hardness of cured coatings were increased significantly with the addition of modifiers; the use of a thiol modifier and change of the photoinitiator concentration allowed to improve the adhesion, hardness, and control of the photo-curing process.
The Preparation and Characterization of Quantum Dots in Polysaccharide Carriers (Starch/Chitosan) as Elements of Smart Packaging and Their Impact on the Growth of Microorganisms in Food
Authors: Grzebieniarz Wiktoria , Nowak Nikola , Khachatryan Gohar , Krzan Marcel , Krystyjan Magdalena , Kosiński Jarosław , Khachatryan Karen
Published: December 2021

Nanocomposite materials are increasingly commonly used to ensure food safety and quality. Thanks to their unique properties, stemming from the presence of nanoparticles, they are used to develop advanced sensors and biosensors, e.g., for various harmful substances, heavy metals, microorganism growth, and environmental changes in food products. The aim of this study is to produce novel films based on natural resources—potato starch and chitosan—incorporating generated quantum dots of zinc sulfide and cadmium sulfide. The biocomposites were subjected to the following assays: FTIR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and SEM/TEM spectroscopy. Their mechanical properties were also analyzed, a colorimetric analysis was performed, and the water content, solubility, and water absorption capacity were determined. A storage test was also performed, using poultry meat covered with the produced films, to assess the microbiological quality. The results confirmed the presence of the quantum dots in the starch–chitosan matrix. The unique optical properties of the films were also demonstrated. It was shown that the composites with nanoparticles limited the growth of selected microorganisms in poultry meat. The food storage time was found to have an impact on the fluorescent properties of the composites. The results point to the possibility of using the produced films as active and smart packaging.
Maximal Function Characterizations of Hardy Spaces on Rn with Pointwise Variable Anisotropy
Authors: Wang Aiting , Wang Wenhua , Li Baode
Published: December 2021

In 2011, Dekel et al. developed highly geometric Hardy spaces Hp(Θ), for the full range 0<p≤1, which were constructed by continuous multi-level ellipsoid covers Θ of Rn with high anisotropy in the sense that the ellipsoids can rapidly change shape from point to point and from level to level. In this article, when the ellipsoids in Θ rapidly change shape from level to level, the authors further obtain some real-variable characterizations of Hp(Θ) in terms of the radial, the non-tangential, and the tangential maximal functions, which generalize the known results on the anisotropic Hardy spaces of Bownik.
The Robust Efficiency Estimation in Lower Secondary Education: Cross-Country Evidence
Authors: Dancaková Darya , Glova Jozef , Andrejovská Alena
Published: December 2021

In this study, we assessed the efficiency of compulsory lower secondary education. We selected three variables that may significantly affect students’ performance in a particular country. First, we assumed that student scores achieved in PISA testing determine the number of monetary funds spent on these three variables, specifically student–teacher ratio, class size, and the annual number of hours spent in school. Second, we evaluated the efficiency of education in a sample of 24 different OECD countries, comparing the students’ performance in PISA 2018. Third, we used the two-stage data envelopment analysis with a bootstrapping procedure for estimating technical efficiency scores. Finally, we applied OLS and quantile regression, where our regression estimates in both models showed a positive effect of GDP per capita on students’ achievement across countries. The positive impact of GDP per capita was significant only for the least efficient countries. Conversely, the level of impact of parental education was much stronger and more positive for the inefficient countries and proved to be negative for more efficient countries.
The Integral Mittag-Leffler, Whittaker and Wright Functions
Authors: Apelblat Alexander , González-Santander Juan
Published: December 2021

Integral Mittag-Leffler, Whittaker and Wright functions with integrands similar to those which already exist in mathematical literature are introduced for the first time. For particular values of parameters, they can be presented in closed-form. In most reported cases, these new integral functions are expressed as generalized hypergeometric functions but also in terms of elementary and special functions. The behavior of some of the new integral functions is presented in graphical form. By using the MATHEMATICA program to obtain infinite sums that define the Mittag-Leffler, Whittaker, and Wright functions and also their corresponding integral functions, these functions and many new Laplace transforms of them are also reported in the Appendices for integral and fractional values of parameters.
Pensions, Ageing and Social Security Research: Literature Review and Global Trends
Authors: Valls Martínez María del Carmen , Santos-Jaén José Manuel , Amin Fahim-ul , Martín-Cervantes Pedro Antonio
Published: December 2021

Pension systems are one of the fundamental pillars of the welfare state. The ageing of the population caused by longer life expectancy and low birth rates has led to a crisis in the public pension system in developed countries. Changes for the system’s sustainability are necessary, and the scientific literature on the subject is abundant, especially in recent years. This article aims to carry out a bibliometric analysis of the research carried out to date, highlighting, in turn, future lines of research. The study was carried out on a total of 1287 articles published from 1936 to 2021 and found in the Scopus database. The SciMAT, VOSviewer, and Datawrapper tools were used to analyse the most important articles, authors, countries, and institutions by volume of production and citations, as well as the relationships between them. Likewise, the most important keywords and their evolution over time were highlighted, obtaining the main focus of the research. In addition to the general analysis, a specific study was carried out in the area of Mathematics. The results show that the leading countries are the United Kingdom, the USA, and the Netherlands. On the other hand, the lead subject area in which these articles have been published is Economics, Econometrics, and Finance. The research trends are sustainability, pension reform related to ageing, and pension insurance.
Permissible Outcomes of Lobe-Specific Lymph Node Dissection for Elevated Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kuroda Hiroaki , Ichinose Junji , Masago Katsuhiro , Takahashi Yusuke , Nakada Takeo , Nakao Masayuki , Okumura Sakae , Hashimoto Kohei , Matsuura Yosuke , Sakakura Noriaki , Matsushita Hirokazu , Mun Mingyon
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: Lobe-specific nodal dissection (L-SND) is currently acceptable for the dissection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but not for cancers of more advanced clinical stages. We aimed to assess the efficacy of L-SND, compared to systemic nodal dissection (SND). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) abnormality who underwent complete resection of NSCLC via lobectomy or more in addition to either SND or L-SND at two cancer-specific institutions from January 2006 to December 2017. Results: A total of 799 patients, including 265 patients who underwent SND and 534 patients who underwent L-SND, were included. On multivariate analysis, thoracotomy, more than lobectomy, cN1-2, advanced pathological stage, adjuvant treatment, and EGFR or ALK were strongly associated with SND. No significant differences were found in overall survival, disease-free survival, and overtime survival after propensity adjustment (p = 0.09, p = 0.11, and p = 0.50, respectively). There were no significant differences in local (p = 0.16), regional (p = 0.72), or distant (p = 0.39) tumor recurrence between the two groups. Conclusions: SND did not improve the prognosis of NSCLC patients with CEA abnormality. Complete pulmonary resection via L-SND seems useful for NSCLC patients with CEA abnormality.
Spatter Formation and Splashing Induced Defects in Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion of AlSi10Mg Alloy: A Novel Hydrodynamics Modelling with Empirical Testing
Authors: Ur Rehman Asif , Mahmood Muhammad Arif , Ansari Peyman , Pitir Fatih , Salamci Metin Uymaz , Popescu Andrei C. , Mihailescu Ion N.
Published: December 2021

Powder spattering and splashing in the melt pool are common phenomena during Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) of metallic materials having high fluidity. For this purpose, analytical and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models have been deduced for the LPBF of AlSi10Mg alloy. The single printed layer’s dimensions were estimated using primary operating conditions for the analytical model. In CFD modelling, the volume of fluid and discrete element modelling techniques were applied to illustrate the splashing and spatter phenomena, providing a novel hydrodynamics CFD model for LPBF of AlSi10Mg alloy. The computational results were compared with the experimental analyses. A trial-and-error method was used to propose an optimized set of parameters for the LPBF of AlSi10Mg alloy. Laser scanning speed, laser spot diameter and laser power were changed. On the other hand, the powder layer thickness and hatch distance were kept constant. Following on, 20 samples were fabricated using the LPBF process. The printed samples’ microstructures were used to select optimized parameters for achieving defect-free parts. It was found that the recoil pressure, vaporization, high-speed vapor cloud, Marangoni flow, hydraulic pressure and buoyancy are all controlled by the laser-material interaction time. As the laser-AlSi10Mg material interaction period progresses, the forces presented above become dominant. Splashing occurs due to a combination of increased recoil pressure, laser-material interaction time, higher material’s fluidity, vaporization, dominancy of Marangoni flow, high-speed vapor cloud, hydraulic pressure, buoyancy, and transformation of keyhole from J-shape to reverse triangle-shape that is a tongue-like protrusion in the keyhole. In the LPBF of AlSi10Mg alloy, only the conduction mode melt flow has been determined. For multi-layers printing of AlSi10Mg alloy, the optimum operating conditions are laser power = 140 W, laser spot diameter = 180 µm, laser scanning speed = 0.6 m/s, powder layer thickness = 50 µm and hatch distance = 112 µm. These conditions have been identified using sample microstructures.
Review on Laser Interaction in Confined Regime: Discussion about the Plasma Source Term for Laser Shock Applications and Simulations
Authors: Rondepierre Alexandre , Sollier Arnaud , Videau Laurent , Berthe Laurent
Published: December 2021

This review proposes to summarize the development of laser shock applications in a confined regime, mainly laser shock peening, over the past 50 years since its discovery. We especially focus on the relative importance of the source term, which is directly linked to plasma pressure. Discussions are conducted regarding the experimental setups, experimental results, models and numerical simulations. Confined plasmas are described and their specific properties are compared with those of well-known plasmas. Some comprehensive keys are provided to help understand the behavior of these confined plasmas during their interaction with laser light to reach very high pressures that are fundamental for laser shock applications. Breakdown phenomena, which limit pressure generation, are also presented and discussed. A historical review was conducted on experimental data, such as pressure, temperature, and density. Available experimental setups used to characterize the plasma pressure are also discussed, and improvements in metrology developed in recent years are presented. Furthermore, analytical and numerical models based on these experiments and their improvements, are also reviewed, and the case of aluminum alloys is studied through multiple works. Finally, this review outlines necessary future improvements that expected by the laser shock community to improve the estimation of the source term.
Circulating Metabolites Indicate Differences in High and Low Residual Feed Intake Holstein Dairy Cows
Authors: Martin Malia J. , Pralle Ryan S. , Bernstein Isabelle R. , VandeHaar Michael J. , Weigel Kent A. , Zhou Zheng , White Heather M.
Published: December 2021

Selection for more feed efficient dairy cows is key to improving sustainability and profitability of dairy production; however, underlying mechanisms contributing to individual animal feed efficiency are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to identify circulating metabolites, and pathways associated with those metabolites, that differ between efficient and inefficient Holstein dairy cows using targeted metabolite quantification and untargeted metabolomics. The top and bottom fifteen percent of cows (n = 28/group) with the lowest and highest residual feed intake in mid-lactation feed efficiency trials were grouped retrospectively as high-efficient (HE) and low-efficient (LE). Blood samples were collected for quantification of energy metabolites, markers of hepatic function, and acylcarnitines, in addition to a broader investigation using untargeted metabolomics. Short-chain acylcarnitines, C3-acylcarnitine, and C4-acylcarntine were lower in HE cows (n = 18/group). Untargeted metabolomics and multivariate analysis identified thirty-nine differential metabolites between HE and LE (n = 8/group), of which twenty-five were lower and fourteen were higher in HE. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated differences in tryptophan metabolism. Combined results from targeted metabolite quantification and untargeted metabolomics indicate differences in fatty acid and amino acid metabolism between HE and LE cows. These differences may indicate post-absorptive nutrient use efficiency as a contributor to individual animal variation in feed efficiency.
Metabolic Syndrome and PCOS: Pathogenesis and the Role of Metabolites
Authors: Chen Weixuan , Pang Yanli
Published: December 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases among women of reproductive age and is associated with many metabolic manifestations, such as obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and hyperandrogenism. The underlying pathogenesis of these metabolic symptoms has not yet been fully elucidated. With the application of metabolomics techniques, a variety of metabolite changes have been observed in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS patients and animal models. Changes in metabolites result from the daily diet and occur during uncommon physiological routines. However, some of these metabolite changes may provide evidence to explain possible mechanisms and new approaches for prevention and therapy. This article reviews the pathogenesis of PCOS metabolic symptoms and the relationship between metabolites and the pathophysiology of PCOS. Furthermore, the potential clinical application of some specific metabolites will be discussed.
Multicenter Technical Validation of 30 Rapid Antigen Tests for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 (VALIDATE)
Authors: Greub Gilbert , Caruana Giorgia , Schweitzer Michael , Imperiali Mauro , Muigg Veronika , Risch Martin , Croxatto Antony , Opota Onya , Heller Stefanie , Albertos Torres Diana , Tritten Marie-Lise , Leuzinger Karoline , Hirsch Hans H. , Lienhard Reto , Egli Adrian
Published: December 2021

During COVID19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (RATs) were marketed with minimal or no performance data. We aimed at closing this gap by determining technical sensitivities and specificities of 30 RATs prior to market release. We developed a standardized technical validation protocol and assessed 30 RATs across four diagnostic laboratories. RATs were tested in parallel using the Standard Q® (SD Biosensor/Roche) assay as internal reference. We used left-over universal transport/optimum media from nasopharyngeal swabs of 200 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative and 100 PCR-positive tested patients. Transport media was mixed with assay buffer and applied to RATs according to manufacturer instructions. Sensitivities were determined according to viral loads. Specificity of at least 99% and sensitivity of 95%, 90%, and 80% had to be reached for 107, 106, 105 virus copies/mL, respectively. Sensitivities ranged from 43.5% to 98.6%, 62.3% to 100%, and 66.7% to 100% at 105, 106, 107 copies/mL, respectively. Automated assay readers such as ExDia or LumiraDx showed higher performances. Specificities ranged from 88.8% to 100%. Only 15 of 30 (50%) RATs passed our technical validation. Due to the high failure rate of 50%, mainly caused by lack of sensitivity, we recommend a thorough validation of RATs prior to market release.
Application of the Metabolomics Approach in Food Authentication
Authors: Selamat Jinap , Rozani Nur Amalyn Alyaa , Murugesu Suganya
Published: December 2021

The authentication of food products is essential for food quality and safety. Authenticity assessments are important to ensure that the ingredients or contents of food products are legitimate and safe to consume. The metabolomics approach is an essential technique that can be utilized for authentication purposes. This study aimed to summarize food authentication through the metabolomics approach, to study the existing analytical methods, instruments, and statistical methods applied in food authentication, and to review some selected food commodities authenticated using metabolomics-based methods. Various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, etc., were used to obtain previous research works relevant to the objectives. The review highlights the role of the metabolomics approach in food authenticity. The approach is technically implemented to ensure consumer protection through the strict inspection and enforcement of food labeling. Studies have shown that the study of metabolomics can ultimately detect adulterant(s) or ingredients that are added deliberately, thus compromising the authenticity or quality of food products. Overall, this review will provide information on the usefulness of metabolomics and the techniques associated with it in successful food authentication processes, which is currently a gap in research that can be further explored and improved.
Production and Characterization of Cross-Linked Aggregates of Geobacillus thermoleovorans CCR11 Thermoalkaliphilic Recombinant Lipase
Authors: Oliart-Ros Rosa-María , Badillo-Zeferino Giselle-Lilian , Quintana-Castro Rodolfo , Ruíz-López Irving-Israel , Alexander-Aguilera Alfonso , Domínguez-Chávez Jorge-Guillermo , Khan Azmat Ali , Nguyen Dinh Duc , Nadda Ashok Kumar , Sánchez-Otero María-Guadalupe
Published: December 2021

Immobilization of enzymes has many advantages for their application in biotechnological processes. In particular, the cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) allow the production of solid biocatalysts with a high enzymatic loading and the advantage of obtaining derivatives with high stability at low cost. The purpose of this study was to produce cross-linked enzymatic aggregates (CLEAs) of LipMatCCR11, a 43 kDa recombinant solvent-tolerant thermoalkaliphilic lipase from Geobacillus thermoleovorans CCR11. LipMatCCR11-CLEAs were prepared using (NH4)2SO4 (40% w/v) as precipitant agent and glutaraldehyde (40 mM) as cross-linker, at pH 9, 20 °C. A U10(56) uniform design was used to optimize CLEA production, varying protein concentration, ammonium sulfate %, pH, glutaraldehyde concentration, temperature, and incubation time. The synthesized CLEAs were also analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that showed individual particles of <1 µm grouped to form a superstructure. The cross-linked aggregates showed a maximum mass activity of 7750 U/g at 40 °C and pH 8 and retained more than 20% activity at 100 °C. Greater thermostability, resistance to alkaline conditions and the presence of organic solvents, and better durability during storage were observed for LipMatCCR11-CLEAs in comparison with the soluble enzyme. LipMatCCR11-CLEAs presented good reusability by conserving 40% of their initial activity after 9 cycles of reuse.
Moisture Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Processed in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Annohene Gilbert , Tepper Gary
Published: December 2021

Performance degradation under environmental conditions currently limits the practical utility of perovskite-based solar cells. The moisture stability of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films and solar cells was measured during exposure to three different levels of relative humidity. The films were crystallized at two different temperatures with and without simultaneous exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide. The film crystallinity, optical absorption, and device photoconversion efficiency was measured over time for three relative humidity levels and both crystallization methods. It was determined that film crystallization in supercritical CO2 resulted in significant improvement in moisture stability for films processed at 50 °C, but negligible improvement in stability for films processed at 100 °C.
Pressure-Induced Polymerization: Addition and Condensation Reactions
Authors: Li Fang , Xu Jingqin , Wang Yajie , Zheng Haiyan , Li Kuo
Published: December 2021

Under pressure of 1–100 GPa, unsaturated organic molecules tend to form covalent bond to each other for a negative enthalpy change, which often produces polymeric materials with extended carbon skeleton. The polymerization reactions typically happen in crystal, which promotes the topochemical process. This review summarized the topochemical polymerization processes of several alkynes, aromatics, and alkynylphenyl compounds, including the critical crystal structures before the reaction, bonding process, and the structure of the products. Secondly, this review also summarized the condensation reaction identified in the polymerization process, including the elimination of small molecules such as NH3, etc.
A Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES)-Mediated Strategies for the Extraction of Chitin from Marine Crustacean Shells
Authors: Morgan Kellie , Conway Colin , Faherty Sheila , Quigley Cormac
Published: December 2021

Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, is utilised in a wide range of applications including wastewater treatment, drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, and stem cell technology among others. This review compares the most prevalent strategies for the extraction of chitin from crustacean sources including chemical methods that involve the use of harsh solvents and emerging methods using deep eutectic solvents (DES). In recent years, a significant amount of research has been carried out to identify and develop environmentally friendly processes which might facilitate the replacement of problematic chemicals utilised in conventional chemical extraction strategies with DES. This article provides an overview of different experimental parameters used in the DES-mediated extraction of chitin while also comparing the purity and yields of associated extracts with conventional methods. As part of this review, we compare the relative proportions of chitin and extraneous materials in different marine crustaceans. We show the importance of the species of crustacean shell in relation to chitin purity and discuss the significance of varying process parameters associated with different extraction strategies. The review also describes some recent applications associated with chitin. Following on from this review, we suggest recommendations for further investigation into chitin extraction, especially for experimental research pertaining to the enhancement of the “environmentally friendly” nature of the process. It is hoped that this article will provide researchers with a platform to better understand the benefits and limitations of DES-mediated extractions thereby further promoting knowledge in this area.
Preparation and Characterization of Photocatalytically Active Antibacterial Surfaces Covered with Acrylic Matrix Embedded Nano-ZnO and Nano-ZnO/Ag
Authors: Rosenberg Merilin , Visnapuu Meeri , Saal Kristjan , Danilian Dmytro , Pärna Rainer , Ivask Angela , Kisand Vambola
Published: December 2021

In the context of healthcare-acquired infections, microbial cross-contamination and the spread of antibiotic resistance, additional passive measures to prevent pathogen carryover are urgently needed. Antimicrobial high-touch surfaces that kill microbes on contact or prevent their adhesion could be considered to mitigate the spread. Here, we demonstrate that photocatalytic nano-ZnO- and nano-ZnO/Ag-based antibacterial surfaces with efficacy of at least a 2.7-log reduction in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus viability in 2 h can be produced by simple measures using a commercial acrylic topcoat for wood surfaces. We characterize the surfaces taking into account cyclic wear and variable environmental conditions. The light-induced antibacterial and photocatalytic activities of the surfaces are enhanced by short-term cyclic wear, indicating their potential for prolonged effectivity in long-term use. As the produced surfaces are generally more effective at higher relative air humidity and silver-containing surfaces lost their contact-killing properties in dry conditions, it is important to critically evaluate the end-use conditions of materials and surfaces to be tested and select application-appropriate methods for their efficacy assessment.
Preparation and Characterization of Silver-Iron Bimetallic Nanoparticles on Activated Carbon Using Plasma in Liquid Process
Authors: Lee Heon , Park Jaegu , Park Young-Kwon , Kim Byung-Joo , An Kay-Hyeok , Kim Sang-Chai , Jung Sang-Chul
Published: December 2021

The mono and bi-metallic nanoparticles have conspicuous properties and are widely used in the environment, energy, and medical fields. In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles composed of silver and iron were precipitated on the surface of activated carbon in a single process using plasma in liquid process (PLP). Silver-iron ions and various radicals were actively generated in the aqueous reactant solution by the PLP. Although metals were precipitated on AC depending on the number of precursors added to the aqueous reactant solution, the standard reduction potential of silver ions was higher than that of iron ions, so silver precipitated on AC. The silver precipitate on AC was a mixture of metallic silver and silver oxide, and iron was present as Fe3O4. Spherical nanoparticles, 100–120 nm in size, were observed on the surface of the Ag-Fe/AC composite. The composition of the bimetallic nanoparticles could be controlled by considering the ionization tendency and standard reduction potential of metal ions and controlling the concentration of the precursors. The PLP presented in this study can be applied to the preparing method of bimetallic nanoparticle/carbon materials and can be expected to be used in the prepare of energy and environmental materials such as MFC and absorption materials for removing pollutants.
Facile Synthesis Bi2Te3 Based Nanocomposites: Strategies for Enhancing Charge Carrier Separation to Improve Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Wu Di , Guo Jun , Ge Zhen-Hua , Feng Jing
Published: December 2021

Varying structure Bi2Te3-based nanocomposite powders including pure Bi2Te3, Bi2Te3/Bi core−shell, and Bi2Te3/AgBiTe2 heterostructure were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis using Bi2S3 as the template and hydrazine as the reductant. Successful realization of Bi2Te3-based nanostructures were concluded from XRD, FESEM, and TEM. In this work, the improvement in the performance of the rhodamine B (RhB) decomposition efficiency under visible light was discussed. The Bi2Te3/AgBiTe2 heterostructures revealed propitious photocatalytic performance ca. 90% after 60 min. The performance was over Bi2Te3/Bi core-shell nanostructures (ca. 40%) and more, exceeding pure Bi2Te3 (ca. 5%). The reason could be scrutinized in terms of the heterojunction structure, improving the interfacial contact between Bi2Te3 and AgBiTe2 and enabling retardation in the recombination rate of the photogenerated charge carriers. A credible mechanism of the charge transfer process in the Bi2Te3/AgBiTe2 heterostructures for the decomposition of an aqueous solution of RhB was also explicated. In addition, this work also investigated the stability and recyclability of a Bi2Te3/AgBiTe2 heterojunction nanostructure photocatalyst. In addition, this paper anticipates that the results possess broad potential in the photocatalysis field for the design of a visible light functional and reusable heterojunction nanostructure photocatalyst.
Laser 3D Printing of Inorganic Free-Form Micro-Optics
Authors: Gonzalez-Hernandez Diana , Varapnickas Simonas , Merkininkaitė Greta , Čiburys Arūnas , Gailevičius Darius , Šakirzanovas Simas , Juodkazis Saulius , Malinauskas Mangirdas
Published: December 2021

A pilot study on laser 3D printing of inorganic free-form micro-optics is experimentally validated. Ultrafast laser direct-write (LDW) nanolithography is employed for structuring hybrid organic-inorganic material SZ2080TM followed by high-temperature calcination post-processing. The combination allows the production of 3D architectures and the heat-treatment results in converting the material to inorganic substances. The produced miniature optical elements are characterized and their optical performance is demonstrated. Finally, the concept is validated for manufacturing compound optical components such as stacked lenses. This is an opening for new directions and applications of laser-made micro-optics under harsh conditions such as high intensity radiation, temperature, acidic environment, pressure variations, which include open space, astrophotonics, and remote sensing.
Morphological and Chemical Evaluations of Leaf Surface on Particulate Matter2.5 (PM2.5) Removal in a Botanical Plant-Based Biofilter System
Authors: Choi Yong-Keun , Song Hak-Jin , Jo Jeong-Wook , Bang Seong-Won , Park Byung-Hoon , Kim Ho-Hyun , Kim Kwang-Jin , Jeong Na-Ra , Kim Jeong-Hee , Kim Hyung-Joo
Published: December 2021

Particulate matter has been increasing worldwide causing air pollution and serious health hazards. Owing to increased time spent indoors and lifestyle changes, assessing indoor air quality has become crucial. This study investigated the effect of watering and drought and illumination conditions (constant light, light/dark cycle, and constant dark) on particulate matter2.5 (PM2.5) removal and surface characterization of leaf in a botanical plant-based biofilter system. Using Ardisia japonica and Hedera helix as experimental plants in the plant-based biofilter system, PM2.5, volatile organic carbon, and CO2, as the evaluators of indoor air quality, were estimated using a sensor. Morphological and chemical changes of the leaf surface (i.e., roughness and wax) associated with PM2.5 removal were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The highest PM2.5 removal efficiency, stomata closure, high leaf roughness, and wax layer were observed under drought with constant light condition. Consequently, PM2.5 removal was attributed to the combined effect of leaf roughness and wax by adsorption rather than stomatal uptake. These results suggest that operating conditions of indoor plant-based biofilter system such as watering (or drought) and illumination may be applied as a potential strategy for enhancing PM2.5 removal.
Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging-Based Duckweed Phenotyping to Assess Acute Phytotoxic Effects
Authors: Oláh Viktor , Hepp Anna , Irfan Muhammad , Mészáros Ilona
Published: December 2021

Duckweeds (Lemnaceae species) are extensively used models in ecotoxicology, and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging offers a sensitive and high throughput platform for phytotoxicity assays with these tiny plants. However, the vast number of potentially applicable chlorophyll fluorescence-based test endpoints makes comparison and generalization of results hard among different studies. The present study aimed to jointly measure and compare the sensitivity of various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in Spirodela polyrhiza (giant duckweed) plants exposed to nickel, chromate (hexavalent chromium) and sodium chloride for 72 h, respectively. The photochemistry of Photosystem II in both dark- and light-adapted states of plants was assessed via in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence imaging method. Our results indicated that the studied parameters responded with very divergent sensitivity, highlighting the importance of parallelly assessing several chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Generally, the light-adapted parameters were more sensitive than the dark-adapted ones. Thus, the former ones might be the preferred endpoints in phytotoxicity assays. Fv/Fm, i.e., the most extensively reported parameter literature-wise, proved to be the least sensitive endpoint; therefore, future studies might also consider reporting Fv/Fo, as its more responsive analogue. The tested toxicants induced different trends in the basic chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and, at least partly, in relative proportions of different quenching processes, suggesting that a basic distinction of water pollutants with different modes of action might be achievable by this method. We found definite hormetic patterns in responses to several endpoints. Hormesis occurred in the concentration ranges where the applied toxicants resulted in strong growth inhibition in longer-term exposures of the same duckweed clone in previous studies. These findings indicate that changes in the photochemical efficiency of plants do not necessarily go hand in hand with growth responses, and care should be taken when one exclusively interprets chlorophyll fluorescence-based endpoints as general proxies for phytotoxic effects.
Warburgia ugandensis Leaf and Bark Extracts: An Alternative to Copper as Fungicide against Downy Mildew in Organic Viticulture?
Authors: Kraus Christian , Abou-Ammar Rada , Schubert Andreas , Fischer Michael
Published: December 2021

In organic viticulture, copper-based fungicides are commonly used to suppress Downy Mildew infection, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola. However, the frequent and intensive use of such fungicides leads to accumulation of the heavy metal in soil and nearby waters with adverse effects on the ecosystem. Therefore, alternative, organic fungicides against Downy Mildew are urgently needed to reduce the copper load in vineyards. In this study, the use of Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Family Canellacea) leaf and bark extracts as potential fungicides against Downy Mildew were evaluated. In vitro (microtiter) and in vivo (leaf discs, seedlings) tests were conducted, as well as field trials to determine the efficacy of the extracts against Downy Mildew. The results revealed an MIC100 of 500 µg/mL for the leaf extract and 5 µg/mL for the bark extract. Furthermore, experiments with leaf discs and seedlings demonstrated a strong protective effect of the extracts for up to 48 h under (semi-) controlled conditions. However, in field trials the efficacy of the extracts distinctly declined, regardless of the extracts’ origin and concentration.
Novel Anthracene HTM Containing TIPs for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Paek Sanghyun
Published: December 2021

Recently, perovskite solar cells have been in the spotlight due to several of their advantages. Among the components of PSCs, hole transporting materials (HTMs) re the most important factors for achieving high performance and a stable device. Here, we introduce a new D–π–D type hole transporting material incorporating Tips-anthracene as a π–conjugation part and dimethoxy-triphenylamine as a donor part (which can be easily synthesized using commercially available materials). Through the measurement of various optical properties, the new HTM not only has an appropriate energy level but also has excellent hole transport capability. The device with PEH-16 has a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 17.1% under standard one sun illumination with negligible hysteresis, which can be compared to a device using Spiro_OMeTAD under the same conditions. Ambient stability for 1200 h shown that 98% of PEH-16 device from the initial PCE was retained, indicating that the devices had good long-term stability.
Environmental and Energetic Evaluation of Refuse-Derived Fuel Gasification for Electricity Generation
Authors: Marques Taís Eliane , Castillo Santiago York , Renó Maria Luiza Grillo , Yepes Maya Diego Mauricio , Sphaier Leandro Alcoforado , Shi Yunye , Ratner Albert
Published: December 2021

In this work, an energetic and environmental evaluation of the electricity generation process through refuse-derived fuel (RDF) gasification coupled to a gas microturbine (GM) was performed. Two scenarios are considered with different gasification agents in RDF gasification modeling: air and air enriched with oxygen. A thermodynamic chemical equilibrium approach was used to analyze the gasification parameters. The results of RDF gasification indicate a maximum value of syngas low heating value (LHV) equal to 8.0 MJ/Nm3, obtained for an equivalence ratio of 0.3. The use of these syngas in the gas microturbine produces 79.6 kW of electrical power. For the environmental evaluation of gasification and electricity generation systems, the Life Cycle Assessment methodology was employed. The calculated environmental impacts indicate that the emission of contaminants from fossil fuel combustion (in the stage of transport by heavy load vehicles) and that the electricity consumption for equipment operation (in the stage of municipal solid waste pretreatment) contributes to environmental pollution. On the other hand, electricity generation through GM presented lower environmental impact for all analyzed categories, suggesting that the electricity generation from gas obtained from gasification could be a viable option for thermochemical conversion of RDF and its subsequent energetic use.