bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Picture-Word Interference Effects Are Robust With Covert Retrieval, With and Without Gamification
Authors: Wei Hsi T. , Hu You Zhi , Chignell Mark , Meltzer Jed A.
Published: January 2022

The picture-word interference (PWI) paradigm has been used to investigate the time course of processes involved in word retrieval, but is challenging to implement online due to dependence on measurements of vocal reaction time. We performed a series of four experiments to examine picture-word interference and facilitation effects in a form of covert picture naming, with and without gamification. A target picture was accompanied by an audio word distractor that was either unrelated, phonologically-related, associatively-related, or categorically-related to the picture. Participants were instructed to judge whether the name of the target picture ended in the phoneme assigned to the block by pressing corresponding keys as quickly and accurately as possible. Experiments 1 and 2 successfully replicated categorical interference and phonological facilitation effects at different optimal stimulus-onset-asynchronies (SOAs) between words and pictures. Experiment 3 demonstrated that a key gamification feature (collecting coins) motivated faster speed at the expense of accuracy in the gamified vs. experimental format of the task. Experiment 4 adopted the optimal SOAs and verified that the gamification reveals expected interference and facilitation effects despite the speed-accuracy tradeoff. These studies confirmed that categorical interference occurs earlier than phonological facilitation, while both processes are independent from articulation and inherent to word retrieval itself. The covert PWI paradigm and its gamification have methodological value for neuroimaging studies in which articulatory artifacts obscure word retrieval processes, and may be developed into potential online word-finding assessments that can reveal word retrieval difficulties with greater sensitivity.
Increased Pain Symptomatology Among Females vs. Males With Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome
Authors: Johnson Devon , Santos Ellery , Kim Kyoungmi , Ponzini Matthew D. , McLennan Yingratana A. , Schneider Andrea , Tassone Flora , Hagerman Randi J.
Published: January 2022

Individuals with the fragile X premutation report symptoms of chronic pain from multiple systems, have increased incidence of comorbid conditions where pain is a prominent feature, and pathophysiology that supports disrupted pain regulation, inflammation, and energy imbalance. Less is known about how pain manifests for the subpopulation of carriers that develop the motor and cognitive changes of fragile X-associated tremor and ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and how pain may differ between men and women. We gathered data collected from 104 males and females with FXTAS related to chronic pain, comorbid conditions related to pain, and medications used for pain control to further explore the types of pain experienced and to better characterize how individuals with the fragile X premutation experience pain sensation across genders. We found that women experience significantly more pain symptoms than men, particularly allodynia (20 vs. 2.0%,p= 0.008), peripheral neuropathy pain (43.9 vs. 25.4%,p= 0.0488), migraine (43.9 vs. 14.5%,p= 0.0008), fibromyalgia (26.8 vs. 0%,p= 0.0071) and back pain (48.5 vs. 23.4%,p= 0.008). We found onset of peripheral neuropathy predicts the onset of ataxia (β = 0.63 ± 0.25,p= 0.019) and tremor (β = 0.56 ± 0.17,p= 0.004) across gender. Women also report significantly more anxiety (82.9 vs. 39.7%,p< 0.001), which has implications for ideal pain treatment. These pain symptoms need to be recognized in the medical history and treated appropriately, with consideration for overlapping comorbidities.
Burnout in the Pharmaceutical Activity: The Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Santos Pedro Machado dos , Silva Claudia Ribeiro da , Costa Diana , Torre Carla
Published: January 2022

Importance

Pharmacists are among the healthcare professionals involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining essential services. In the context of restrictions and reorganization of human resources, as a result of policies recently applied to the health sector, following international guidelines, and given the scarcity of data on burnout in pharmaceutical activity, it was considered highly relevant to promote a nationwide survey aiming to collect more complete evidence on the burnout syndrome and to understand how pharmacists have viewed their work and the people they worked closely with.

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the occurrence of pharmacist burnout and determine outcomes for each of its dimensions; identify potentially associated characteristics; and determine profiles and critical limits.

Design

A cross-sectional observational study conducted by a multidisciplinary panel from the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society (PPS). Professionals from community and hospital pharmacies who were at the forefront of the COVID-19 response were involved in (i) confirming the need and pertinence for conducting this research, (ii) identifying the main factors leading to pharmaceutical emotional distress (“burnout”), and (iii) disseminating the survey. The questionnaire was designed for digital voluntary, confidential, and anonymous participation and divided into four segments of data collection: (i) demographics, (ii) employment and workplace characterization, (iii) pandemic impact on labor activity, and (iv) burnout assessment (as described ahead).

Setting

An electronic survey was addressed to all PPS members, and an account was created solely to manage the questionnaire data for the research team. The web-based and user-friendly platform Google Forms supported the data capture and provided an intuitive interface for validated data entry.

Participants

In a population of 15,565 pharmacists (members of the PPS), the minimum recommended sample size (Epi Info software), with a 5% margin of error and a 99.9% confidence interval, should be 1,012 individuals. A total of 1,362 pharmacists participated in the study. Of these, 91.4% (n = 1,246) were involved in direct patient care activity and 7.7% (n = 106) in non-direct patient care activity.
Digital Health Interventions for Mental Health, Substance Use, and Co-occurring Disorders in the Criminal Justice Population: A Scoping Review
Authors: Leach Rebecca , Carreiro Stephanie , Shaffer Paige M. , Gaba Ayorkor , Smelson David
Published: January 2022

Background

Substance use disorder (SUD), mental health disorders (MHD), and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are common among criminal justice populations. Digital health interventions (DHI) represent an opportunity to expand co-occurring disorder treatment for justice involved populations, but efficacy data are lacking.

Objectives

The current scoping review aims to address this gap via following objectives: (1) Describe trends involving DHIs for MHD, SUD, or co-occurring disorders studied in criminal justice settings; and (2) review available evidence for the impact of DHIs on criminal justice-, substance-, and mental health-related outcomes.

Methods

PubMed was searched for relevant articles that met the follow inclusion criteria: (1) focus on criminal justice-involved individuals; (2) description of an intervention focused on SUD, MHD, or co-occurring disorders; and (3) use of DHI. Articles were assessed using standardized data abstraction and quality assessment tools.

Results

Four-hundred unique articles were identified on initial search, and 19 were included in the final review. The most common focus of the intervention was SUDs. The most common modalities were telehealth and computer assisted interventions, with most utilized as an adjunct to treatment as usual. No DHIs used wearable devices, and one included justice involved youth. Feasibility and acceptability were high, and the studies that measured substance and mental health-related outcomes reported equivocal or positive results. No studies focused on long-term justice-related outcomes.

Conclusions

Literature on DHIs for criminal justice involved populations diagnosed with SUD, MHD and co-occurring disorders is limited, and largely focuses on telehealth or eHealth, with less data on mHealth approaches. Future research should focus on the inclusion of diverse populations and include objective monitoring tools.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and miRNA Impairment in Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Authors: Demirel-Yalciner Tugce , Sozen Erdi , Ozer Nesrin Kartal
Published: January 2022

Aging is a physiological process defined by decreased cellular and tissue functions. Reduced capacity of protein degradation is one of the important hallmarks of aging that may lead to misfolded protein accumulation and progressive loss of function in organ systems. Recognition of unfolded/misfolded protein aggregates via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensors activates an adaptive mechanism, the unfolded protein response (UPR). The initial step of UPR is defined by chaperone enhancement, ribosomal translation suppression, and misfolded protein degradation, while prolonged ER stress triggers apoptosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs affecting various signaling pathways through degradation or translational inhibition of targeted mRNAs. Therefore, UPR and miRNA impairment in aging and age-related diseases is implicated in various studies. This review will highlight the recent insights in ER stress–miRNAs alterations during aging and age-related diseases, including metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases and several cancers.
Changes in the Number of Medal Events, Sport Events, and Classes During the Paralympic Games: A Historical Overview
Authors: Baumgart Julia Kathrin , Blaauw Eline Renee , Mulder Roy , Severin Anna Cecilia
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To chart how changes in the number of medal events relate to changes in the number of sport events and classes during the Paralympic Games (PG) between 1960 and 2018.

Methods

Web-scraping was used to extract information from the website of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on all unique medal events, sport events, and classes per PG, which were then accumulated per sport to descriptively identify and further explore changes.

Results

The increased number of medal events during the early Summer Games (SG) (1960–1984: 113–975) and Winter Games (WG) (1976–1994: 55–113) was primarily due to an increased number of classes and sport events. While this suggested an increased sports participation among athletes with disabilities, it made the PG difficult to organize. A decrease in the number of medal events subsequently occurred during the SG (1984–1992: 975–489) and WG (1994–2006: 133–58). This was mainly achieved by reducing the number of sport events in the larger sports. Following this decline phase, the number of medal events and sport events has remained relatively stable for both editions of the PG, though this was achieved through different strategies. The WG employed the time-factor system for all individual sports, which enabled competitions across classes within sport events and thus, award a single gold medal (one medal event) for several classes. The SG have maintained the number of medal events despite a slight increase in classes (112–181). This was due to some sports combining classes in the same event, while others excluded certain classes from certain sport events.

Conclusions

The number of medal events during each PG appear to be closely related to the number of sport events and, partially, to the number of classes. The stability in the number of medal events may indicate that a balance has been achieved, where there currently are enough classes and sport events to ensure fairness, while also maintaining a level of prestigiousness for winning a medal. However, it remains to be seen whether this stability will last or if the continued growth of the PG with more athletes and countries will warrant changes in the number of medal events.
A Survey on the Use of Spirometry in Small Animal Anaesthesia and Critical Care
Authors: Raillard Mathieu , Levionnois Olivier , Mosing Martina
Published: January 2022

The objective was to document the use of spirometry and ventilation settings in small animal anaesthesia and intensive care through a descriptive, open, online, anonymous survey. The survey was advertised on social media and via email. Participation was voluntary. The google forms platform was used. It consisted of eight sections in English: demographic information, use of spirometry in spontaneously ventilating/mechanically ventilated dogs, need for spirometry, equipment available and calibration status, ventilation modes, spirometry displays, compliance (CRS) and resistance (RRS) of the respiratory system. Simple descriptive analyses were applied. There were 128 respondents. Respondents used spirometry more in ventilated dogs than during spontaneous breathing. Over 3/4 of the respondents considered spirometry essential in “selected” (43%) or “most” cases (33%). Multiple devices and technologies were used. The majority of the respondents were not directly involved in or informed about the calibration of their equipment. Of all displays, pressure-volume loops were the most common. Values of CRS and RRS were specifically monitored in more than 50% of cases by 44% of the respondents only. A variety of ventilation modes was used. Intensivists tend to use smaller VT than anaesthetists. More information on reference intervals of CRS and RRS and technical background on spirometers is required
Peroxisomal Stress Response and Inter-Organelle Communication in Cellular Homeostasis and Aging
Authors: Kim Jinoh , Bai Hua
Published: January 2022

Peroxisomes are key regulators of cellular and metabolic homeostasis. These organelles play important roles in redox metabolism, the oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), and the biosynthesis of ether phospholipids. Given the essential role of peroxisomes in cellular homeostasis, peroxisomal dysfunction has been linked to various pathological conditions, tissue functional decline, and aging. In the past few decades, a variety of cellular signaling and metabolic changes have been reported to be associated with defective peroxisomes, suggesting that many cellular processes and functions depend on peroxisomes. Peroxisomes communicate with other subcellular organelles, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and lysosomes. These inter-organelle communications are highly linked to the key mechanisms by which cells surveil defective peroxisomes and mount adaptive responses to protect them from damages. In this review, we highlight the major cellular changes that accompany peroxisomal dysfunction and peroxisomal inter-organelle communication through membrane contact sites, metabolic signaling, and retrograde signaling. We also discuss the age-related decline of peroxisomal protein import and its role in animal aging and age-related diseases. Unlike other organelle stress response pathways, such as the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the ER and mitochondria, the cellular signaling pathways that mediate stress responses to malfunctioning peroxisomes have not been systematically studied and investigated. Here, we coin these signaling pathways as “peroxisomal stress response pathways”. Understanding peroxisomal stress response pathways and how peroxisomes communicate with other organelles are important and emerging areas of peroxisome research.
Spatiotemporal Variation and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Industrialized Urban River Sediments: Fengshan River in Southern Taiwan as a Case Study
Authors: Lin Kuan-Nan , Lim Yee-Cheng , Chen Chiu-Wen , Chen Chih-Feng , Kao Chih-Ming , Dong Cheng-Di
Published: January 2022

The sediment pollution index acts as a useful indicator for assessing anthropogenic pollution within river drainage basins. An industrialized urban river, Fengshan River in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan has been suffering heavy metal pollution from surrounding factories. In this study, spatial and seasonal variations in heavy metals in sediments from seven sampling sites of Fengshan River were determined to assess sediment pollution status and potential ecological risk using multiple sediment pollution indices. Results showed that the heavy metal concentrations displayed large spatial variations. Severe contamination of heavy metals, especially for Cr, Hg, and Zn in the lower reaches of Fengshan River, may attribute to wastewater discharges from leather processing and metal finishing factories along the river drainage basin. An increase in metal concentrations from upstream to downstream indicated that heavy metals tend to accumulate in tidal reaches, probably as a result of the flocculation effect. Frequent heavy rainfall in the wet season can enhance surface runoff to discharge metal pollutants from non-point sources (scattered factories) into the river. Assessment of multiple pollution indices showed moderately polluted (mCd = 3.9, PLI = 2.6) and considerable ecological risk (RI = 540, mERMQ = 0.55), indicating Fengshan River sediments, particularly in the lower reaches, are considered toxic and can cause adverse effects to benthic organisms. Organic matters showed a good correlation with heavy metals, which play an important role in the spatiotemporal variations in heavy metal pollutants in the Fengshan River sediments. This study can provide valuable information for river pollution remediation, and urban planning and management.
Variable Neighborhood Search for the Two-Echelon Electric Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows
Authors: Akbay Mehmet Anıl , Kalayci Can Berk , Blum Christian , Polat Olcay
Published: January 2022

Increasing environmental concerns and legal regulations have led to the development of sustainable technologies and systems in logistics, as in many fields. The adoption of multi-echelon distribution networks and the use of environmentally friendly vehicles in freight distribution have become major concepts for reducing the negative impact of urban transportation activities. In this line, the present paper proposes a two-echelon electric vehicle routing problem. In the first echelon of the distribution network, products are transported from central warehouses to satellites located in the surroundings of cities. This is achieved by means of large conventional trucks. Subsequently, relatively smaller-sized electric vehicles distribute these products from the satellites to demand points/customers located in the cities. The proposed problem also takes into account the limited driving range of electric vehicles that need to be recharged at charging stations when necessary. In addition, the proposed problem considers time window constraints for the delivery of products to customers. A mixed-integer linear programming formulation is developed and small-sized instances are solved using CPLEX. Furthermore, we propose a constructive heuristic based on a modified Clarke and Wright savings heuristic. The solutions of this heuristic serve as initial solutions for a variable neighborhood search metaheuristic. The numerical results show that the variable neighborhood search matches CPLEX in the context of small problems. Moreover, it consistently outperforms CPLEX with the growing size and difficulty of problem instances.
Staphylococcus aureus from Minas Artisanal Cheeses: Biocide Tolerance, Antibiotic Resistance and Enterotoxin Genes
Authors: Allaion Josisleine Recalde , Barrionuevo Karina Ghougassian , Grande Burgos Maria Jose , Gálvez Antonio , Franco Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo
Published: January 2022

Staphylococcus aureus is a common contaminant in artisanal raw-milk cheeses. Tolerance of S. aureus to biocides is a threat to disinfection in the cheese production environment, while antibiotic resistance and enterotoxin production are additional health concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of S. aureus isolated from Minas artisanal cheeses to the biocides benzalkonium chloride, hexadecylpyridinium chloride, cetrimide, triclosan, hexachlorophene, and chlorhexidine, and the simultaneous occurrence of genes coding for antibiotic resistance (mecA, aacA-aphD, and tetK), efflux pumps [qacA/B and smr (qacC/D)], and enterotoxins (sea, seb, sec, sed, see, seg, seh, sei, and sej). Among the tested isolates, 38.2% were resistant to at least one biocide, and 73.1% were positive for one or more antibiotic resistance gene. Most of the biocide-tolerant and antibiotic-resistant isolates harbored efflux pump genes, and were positive for at least one staphylococcal enterotoxin gene. The study highlights the need for correct hygiene monitoring programs to ensure the safety of these products.
Augmented Reality in Professional Training: A Review of the Literature from 2001 to 2020
Authors: Han Xu , Chen Ying , Feng Qinna , Luo Heng
Published: January 2022

This study presents a systematic review of literature on the application of augmented reality (AR) in professional training contexts published between 2001 and 2020. A total of 49 articles were selected after a two-stage screening process, and key research findings were analyzed and synthesized using a coding scheme comprising five inter-related aspects: basic information, instructional contexts, technology features, instructional design, and research results. The review results depict the trend patterns in AR-supported professional training in terms of publication, research paradigm, and technological affordances, and report the contextual differences in AR pedagogies and instructional functions over time. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was conducted in the present study to examine the overall effectiveness of AR application in professional training, with the results indicating an overall small effect size (g = 0.268) and nine significant moderating factors. Informed by the review and meta-analysis results, a set of implications for facilitating and investigating AR-supported professional training are proposed and discussed.
Eye-Tracking in Interactive Virtual Environments: Implementation and Evaluation
Authors: Ugwitz Pavel , Kvarda Ondřej , Juříková Zuzana , Šašinka Čeněk , Tamm Sascha
Published: January 2022

Not all eye-tracking methodology and data processing are equal. While the use of eye-tracking is intricate because of its grounding in visual physiology, traditional 2D eye-tracking methods are supported by software, tools, and reference studies. This is not so true for eye-tracking methods applied in virtual reality (imaginary 3D environments). Previous research regarded the domain of eye-tracking in 3D virtual reality as an untamed realm with unaddressed issues. The present paper explores these issues, discusses possible solutions at a theoretical level, and offers example implementations. The paper also proposes a workflow and software architecture that encompasses an entire experimental scenario, including virtual scene preparation and operationalization of visual stimuli, experimental data collection and considerations for ambiguous visual stimuli, post-hoc data correction, data aggregation, and visualization. The paper is accompanied by examples of eye-tracking data collection and evaluation based on ongoing research of indoor evacuation behavior.
Ultrasonography, Microcomputed Tomography, and Macroscopic Preparation in an Anatomical Study of the Thoracic Limb of the Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)
Authors: Zdun Maciej , Szczepańska Katarzyna , Grzeczka Arkadiusz , Frąckowiak Hieronim , Gapiński Bartosz , Wieczorowski Michał
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal anatomy of the forearm of the golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and ultrasonography (US) and then compare the results with the results of a gross anatomy dissection of the forearm. The results of the US examination of the musculoskeletal system of the tamarin forearm were not satisfactory. US imaging enabled observation of the shape of the soft tissue and the size of muscle groups; however, we distinguished more muscles by traditional methods. In addition, in the dissection study, the assessment of the muscles was easier. Examination of the forearm bones using micro-CT provided a complete picture of the bones in this part of the body and was less time-consuming than traditional methods. Imaging allows the anatomy to be represented as a 3D image. However, some methods are not accurate; as in our study, US did not allow a complete assessment of the forearm musculature.
How to Find the Right RNA-Sensing CRISPR-Cas System for an In Vitro Application
Authors: Díaz-Galicia Escarlet , Grünberg Raik , Arold Stefan T.
Published: January 2022

CRISPR-Cas systems have a great and still largely untapped potential for in vitro applications, in particular, for RNA biosensing. However, there is currently no systematic guide on selecting the most appropriate RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas system for a given application among thousands of potential candidates. We provide an overview of the currently described Cas effector systems and review existing Cas-based RNA detection methods. We then propose a set of systematic selection criteria for selecting CRISPR-Cas candidates for new applications. Using this approach, we identify four candidates for in vitro RNA.
Low-Cost 3D Printer Drawn Optical Microfibers for Smartphone Colorimetric Detection
Authors: Hossain Md Arafat , Biswas Protik Chandra , Rani Saptami , Binte Eskender Shinthia , Islam Md Foyez-ul , Chakma Arbil , Canning John
Published: January 2022

A fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer extruder was utilized as a micro-furnace draw tower for the direct fabrication of low-cost optical fibers. An air-clad multimode microfiber was drawn from optically transparent polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) filament. A custom-made spooling collection allows for an automatic variation of fiber diameter between ϕ ∼ 72 to 397 μm by tuning the drawing speed. Microstructure imaging as well as the 3D beam profiling of the transmitted beam in the orthogonal axes was used to show good quality, functioning microfiber fabrication with uniform diameter and identical beam profiles for orthogonal axes. The drawn microfiber was used to demonstrate budget smartphone colorimetric-based absorption measurement to detect the degree of adulteration of olive oils with soybean oil.
Identification of Active Species in Photodegradation of Aqueous Imidacloprid over g-C3N4/TiO2 Nanocomposites
Authors: Kobkeatthawin Thawanrat , Trakulmututa Jirawat , Amornsakchai Taweechai , Kajitvichyanukul Puangrat , Smith Siwaporn Meejoo
Published: January 2022

In this work, g-C3N4/TiO2 composites were fabricated through a hydrothermal method for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid (IMI) pesticide. The composites were fabricated at varying loading of sonochemically exfoliated g-C3N4 (denoted as CNS). Complementary characterization results indicate that the heterojunction between the CNS and TiO2 formed. Among the composites, the 0.5CNS/TiO2 material gave the highest photocatalytic activity (93% IMI removal efficiency) under UV-Vis light irradiation, which was 2.2 times over the pristine g-C3N4. The high photocatalytic activity of the g-C3N4/TiO2 composites could be ascribed to the band gap energy reduction and suppression of photo-induced charge carrier recombination on both TiO2 and CNS surfaces. In addition, it was found that the active species involved in the photodegradation process are OH• and holes, and a possible mechanism was proposed. The g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited stable photocatalytic performance after regeneration, which shows that g-C3N4/TiO2 is a promising material for the photodegradation of imidacloprid pesticide in wastewater.
Self-Organizing Maps to Evaluate Multidimensional Trajectories of Shrinkage in Spain
Authors: Ruiz-Varona Ana , Lacasta Javier , Nogueras-Iso Javier
Published: January 2022

The analysis of factors influencing urban shrinkage is of great interest to spatial planners and policy makers. Population loss is usually the most relevant indicator of this shrinkage, but many other factors interact in complex ways over time. This paper proposes a multidimensional and spatio-temporal analysis of the shrinkage process in Spanish municipalities between 1991 and 2020. The method is based on the potentiality provided by self-organizing maps. The generated maps group municipalities according to hidden partial correlations among the data behind the variables characterizing the municipalities at different dates. In addition, as the number of map nodes is too big to allow for the detection of distinct types of municipalities, a Ward clustering algorithm is applied to identify homogeneous areas with a higher probability of shrinkage occurring over time. The results indicate that the municipalities with the lowest shrinkage are more stable and have a geographical concentration: they correspond to areas where peripheralization may occur (creation of surrounding districts close to main urban centers) and constitute the hinterland of large functional areas. The results also report a path of decline, with an important increase in the number of municipalities with higher shrinkage values. This approach has important implications for policy making since local governments may profit from shrinkage predictions.
Response of Arabidopsis thaliana and Mizuna Mustard Seeds to Simulated Space Radiation Exposures
Authors: Zhang Ye , Richards Jeffrey T. , Feiveson Alan H. , Richards Stephanie E. , Neelam Srujana , Dreschel Thomas W. , Plante Ianik , Hada Megumi , Wu Honglu , Massa Gioia D. , Douglas Grace L. , Levine Howard G.
Published: January 2022

One of the major concerns for long-term exploration missions beyond the Earth’s magnetosphere is consequences from exposures to solar particle event (SPE) protons and galactic cosmic rays (GCR). For long-term crewed Lunar and Mars explorations, the production of fresh food in space will provide both nutritional supplements and psychological benefits to the astronauts. However, the effects of space radiation on plants and plant propagules have not been sufficiently investigated and characterized. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two different compositions of charged particles-simulated GCR, and simulated SPE protons on dry and hydrated seeds of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the crop plant Mizuna mustard [Brassica rapa var. japonica]. Exposures to charged particles, simulated GCRs (up to 80 cGy) or SPEs (up to 200 cGy), were performed either acutely or at a low dose rate using the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) facility at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL). Control and irradiated seeds were planted in a solid phytogel and grown in a controlled environment. Five to seven days after planting, morphological parameters were measured to evaluate radiation-induced damage in the seedlings. After exposure to single types of charged particles, as well as to simulated GCR, the hydrated Arabidopsis seeds showed dose- and quality-dependent responses, with heavier ions causing more severe defects. Seeds exposed to simulated GCR (dry seeds) and SPE (hydrated seeds) had significant, although much less damage than seeds exposed to heavier and higher linear energy transfer (LET) particles. In general, the extent of damage depends on the seed type.
Microstructural and Texture Evolution in Pure Niobium during Severe Plastic Deformation by Differential Speed Rolling
Authors: Park Sang Yong , Kim Woo Jin
Published: January 2022

The evolution of the microstructure and texture in body-centered cubic (BCC) niobium (Nb) during conventional rolling and high-ratio differential rolling (HRDSR) at room temperature were compared. More effective grain refinement of the initial microstructure through continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) occurred in the samples processed by HRDSR, but the overall degree of grain refinement was small, despite having undergone severe plastic deformation due to the low rate of CDRX. CDRX more preferentially proceeded on {111} γ-fiber grains than on {001}<110> α-fiber grains. The HRDSR-processed samples exhibited weaker α-fiber and stronger γ-fiber than the conventionally processed samples, which indicates that the high shear deformation induced by HRDSR discourages the development of α-fiber while promoting the development of γ-fiber. The HRDSR processed Nb showed a high tensile strength of 450 MPa, and the major strengthening mechanism for the HRDSR-processed Nb was dislocation-density strengthening at large thickness reductions.
Synthesis and Hydrophilicity Analysis of bis(propane-1,2-diol) Terminated Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs)
Authors: Yang Lan-Hee , Park Kyeong Eun , Yoon Sungho
Published: January 2022

Among silicone oligomers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used industrially and has the advantage of improving the properties of other compounds, such as flame-retardant polyurethane (PU). However, as there are barriers to the synthesis of PU-grafted siloxane, owing to the polarity difference between isocyanate and PDMS, numerous research efforts are being aimed at improving the hydrophilicity of PDMS. To improve the hydrophilicity and reactivity of hydroxyl PDMS, bis(propane-1,2-diol)-terminated PDMS (G-PDMS-G) with four hydroxy (-OH) groups was synthesized through ring-opening addition to replace both ends of linear α,ω-hydroxyl PDMS (HO-PDMS-OH) with glycidol, resulting in hydrophilic PDMS rather than dihydroxy PDMS. In all cases of G-PDMS-G, the contact angle and viscosity both decreased by more than 20%, confirming the improved hydrophilicity. In particular, G-PDMS-G-3, which has the largest molecular weight, demonstrated the greatest decrease in viscosity and contact angle (33%).
Impact of Power Converter Current Ripple on the Degradation of PEM Electrolyzer Performances
Authors: Parache François , Schneider Henri , Turpin Christophe , Richet Nicolas , Debellemanière Olivier , Bru Éric , Thieu Anh Thao , Bertail Caroline , Marot Christine
Published: January 2022

In this study, an endurance test of 3000 h was conducted on four equivalent proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers to identify and quantify the impact of an electric ripple current on their durability. Three different typical power converter waveforms and frequencies were explored. Signals were added to the same direct current carrier and also tested for reference. Performance comparison based on polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis revealed that the ripple current favors degradation. Triangular waveform and a frequency of 10 kHz were identified as the most degrading conditions, leading to a sharp increase in high-frequency resistance (HFR) and the emergence of mass transport limitations due to the enhanced degradation of titanium mesh. Moreover, reversible losses were observed and further explorations are needed to decorrelate them from our observations.
Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF) Hollow Fiber Membrane Incorporated with Antibacterial and Anti-Fouling by Zinc Oxide for Water and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Kamaludin Roziana , Abdul Majid Lubna , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Mansur Sumarni , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah , Wong Keng Yinn , Khongnakorn Watsa , Puteh Mohd Hafiz
Published: January 2022

The addition of antibacterial material to hollow fiber membranes improves the membrane anti-biofouling characteristics. Antibacterial membranes were fabricated in this study to improve membrane function while also extending membrane lifetime. Neat polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and PVDF hollow fiber membrane with the incorporation of antibacterial agent zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with various loading (2.5–7.5 wt.%) were fabricated by using dry/wet spinning method. The membrane structure, particle distribution, functional group, hydrophilicity, and pore size of each membrane were all assessed. The result shows that all ZnO/PVDF hollow fiber membranes have the asymmetric structure with even dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles throughout the membranes. The results showed that increased ZnO loadings considerably improved membrane hydrophilicity, and average pore size, in addition to good performance of pure water flux. Antibacterial testing shows that ZnO incorporated in the membrane matrix and membrane surfaces prevents bacteria that cause biofouling from adhering to the membrane. ZnO/PVDF membrane recorded excellent bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection at 93.4% ± 0.4 with flux recovery rate at 70.9% ± 2.1. These results suggest that antibacterial ZnO/PVDF hollow fiber membranes are promising in relation to reducing biofouling for various water and wastewater treatment.
Mineralogical and Chemical Changes after Reduction Roasting of Xinjiang Iron Ore, China
Authors: Mustafa Sayaf , Luo Liqun , Zheng Botao , Wei Chenxi , Christophe Niyonzima
Published: January 2022

The mineralogical and chemical changes in Chinese Xinjiang iron ore containing impurities, lead, and zinc as a result of reduction roasting were studied via chemical analysis, optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Analysis showed that hematite was the main iron-bearing mineral, with small amounts of magnetite and iron silicate; lead impurities were mainly lead oxide and lead–iron alum, while zinc oxide was the main zinc impurity. X-ray fluorescence analysis for raw samples indicated the presence of quartz, hematite, magnetite, chlorite, calcite, and dolomite. The results of the analysis of roasted samples showed an increase in hematite at temperatures of 750 °C and 950 °C, while the elemental iron increased at a temperature of 1200 °C, along with the conversion of galena to lead oxide and sphalerite to zinc oxide, with a stable quartz ratio. The chemical analysis of the raw sample showed that the TFe grade of the sample was 47.04%, while the contents of harmful Pb and Zn impurities were 0.39% and 0.30%, respectively, both of which exceed the index (less than 0.10%) required by the iron industry for raw materials. The content of harmful sulfur impurities was also high, at 1.19%, which needs to be eliminated or reduced. The results of EPMA and EDS analysis of pre-roasting raw samples showed that chemical compositions vary in different locations in the hematite, magnetite, sphalerite, and galena micro-zones. It has also been observed that quartz is mostly diffused with magnetite and hematite, and sulfur appears in small quantities in most regions. The analysis after roasting showed that the percentages of lead, zinc, and sulfur impurities decreased by a large rate. It is clear that the roasting process plays a major role in removing impurities such as sulfur, which appears in a small percentage after the roasting process, and also helps in oxidizing the impurities of lead and zinc, which helps in removing them.
Novel Zr-Rich Alloys of Ternary Ti-Zr-Nb System with Large Superelastic Recovery Strain
Authors: Barilyuk Danil , Bazlov Andrey , Arkharova Natalia , Teplyakova Tatyana , Konopatsky Anton , Prokoshkin Sergey
Published: January 2022

Four novel superelastic alloys, Ti-41Zr-12Nb, Ti-42Zr-11Nb, Ti-43Zr-10Nb, Ti-44Zr-10Nb (at.%), were obtained and studied in terms of their microstructure and mechanical properties. The obtained alloys were subjected to thermomechanical treatment, providing alloys with a pronounced superelastic behavior. Materials phase composition and microstructure were studied using XRD and SEM methods. Based on the XRD results, maximum lattice strains in the 011β direction were calculated as 5.9%, 6.3%, 7.5%, and 7.2% for Ti-41Zr-12Nb, Ti-42Zr-11Nb, Ti-43Zr-10Nb, and Ti-44Zr-10Nb alloys, respectively. Mechanical properties of the thermomechanically-treated alloys were studied by Vickers microhardness testing, static tensile testing, and superelastic mechanical cycling. The maximum superelastic recovery strains attained at room temperature was 3.7%, 1.9%, 3.2%, and 3.0% for the Ti-41Zr-12Nb, Ti-42Zr-11Nb, Ti-43Zr-10Nb, and Ti-44Zr-10Nb alloys, respectively. Ti-41Zr-12Nb alloy demonstrated the highest ductility, with relative elongation to failure of over 20%, combined with the total recovery strain of more than 6%. Obtained results indicate that Ti-41Zr-12Nb is one the most promising alloys of the Ti-Zr-Nb system, with quite perfect superelastic behavior at room temperature.
Prediction of the Transition-Temperature Shift Using Machine Learning Algorithms and the Plotter Database
Authors: Ferreño Diego , Serrano Marta , Kirk Mark , Sainz-Aja José A.
Published: January 2022

The long-term operating strategy of nuclear plants must ensure the integrity of the vessel, which is subjected to neutron irradiation, causing its embrittlement over time. Embrittlement trend curves used to predict the dependence of the Charpy transition-temperature shift, ΔT41J, with neutron fluence, such as the one adopted in ASTM E900-15, are empirical or semi-empirical formulas based on parameters that characterize irradiation conditions (neutron fluence, flux and temperature), the chemical composition of the steel (copper, nickel, phosphorus and manganese), and the product type (plates, forgings, welds, or so-called standard reference materials (SRMs)). The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) E900-15 trend curve was obtained as a combination of physical and phenomenological models with free parameters fitted using the available surveillance data from nuclear power plants. These data, collected to support ASTM’s E900 effort, open the way to an alternative, purely data-driven approach using machine learning algorithms. In this study, the ASTM PLOTTER database that was used to inform the ASTM E900-15 fit has been employed to train and validate a number of machine learning regression models (multilinear, k-nearest neighbors, decision trees, support vector machines, random forest, AdaBoost, gradient boosting, XGB, and multi-layer perceptron). Optimal results were obtained with gradient boosting, which provided a value of R2 = 0.91 and a root mean squared error ≈10.5 °C for the test dataset. These results outperform the prediction ability of existing trend curves, including ASTM E900-15, reducing the prediction uncertainty by ≈20%. In addition, impurity-based and permutation-based feature importance algorithms were used to identify the variables that most influence ΔT41J (copper, fluence, nickel and temperature, in this order), and individual conditional expectation and interaction plots were used to estimate the specific influence of each of the features.
Adrenal, Gonadal and Peripherally Steroid Changes in Response to Extreme Physical Stress for Characterizing Load Capacity in Athletes
Authors: Csöndör Éva , Karvaly Gellért , Ligetvári Roland , Kovács Krisztián , Komka Zsolt , Móra Ákos , Stromájer-Rácz Tímea , Oláh András , Tóth Miklós , Ács Pongrác
Published: January 2022

Athletes are often exposed to extreme physical stress during training or competitions. The consequent activation of the hypothalamus–hypophysis–adrenal (HPA) axis results in intensified steroid hormone production in the adrenal cortex. We determined the impact of an acute extreme physical stress on adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis in healthy male professional athletes (n = 40). The subjects underwent an extreme physical load test until total voluntary fatigue between 14:00 and 18:00 when the hormone levels are relatively stable. Blood was taken before the start (baseline), at the peak load (peak), and 30 min following completion of the exercise (recovery). The vital parameters, lactate levels, and blood levels of the 14 steroid hormones were recorded. The multivariate statistical analysis of the results revealed that all monitored hormone levels increased upon stress. Significant changes in steroid concentrations were detected at peak versus baseline, peak versus recovery, and at baseline versus recovery. The mineralocorticoid (including aldosterone and corticosterone), glucocorticoid (11-deoxycortisol and cortisol), and androgen (androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) pathways, as well as gonadal testosterone synthesis are activated simultaneously under extreme physical load. The profiling of adrenal and gonadal steroid biosynthesis in athletes may help the characterization of their loading capacity.
GaN Heterostructures as Innovative X-ray Imaging Sensors—Change of Paradigm
Authors: Thalhammer Stefan , Hörner Andreas , Küß Matthias , Eberle Stephan , Pantle Florian , Wixforth Achim , Nagel Wolfgang
Published: January 2022

Direct conversion of X-ray irradiation using a semiconductor material is an emerging technology in medical and material sciences. Existing technologies face problems, such as sensitivity or resilience. Here, we describe a novel class of X-ray sensors based on GaN thin film and GaN/AlGaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs), a promising enabling technology in the modern world of GaN devices for high power, high temperature, high frequency, optoelectronic, and military/space applications. The GaN/AlGaN HEMT-based X-ray sensors offer superior performance, as evidenced by higher sensitivity due to intensification of electrons in the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), by ionizing radiation. This increase in detector sensitivity, by a factor of 104 compared to GaN thin film, now offers the opportunity to reduce health risks associated with the steady increase in CT scans in today’s medicine, and the associated increase in exposure to harmful ionizing radiation, by introducing GaN/AlGaN sensors into X-ray imaging devices, for the benefit of the patient.
Editorial for the Special Issue on New Trends and Applications in Femtosecond Laser Micromachining
Authors: Bragheri Francesca , Paiè Petra , Vázquez Rebeca Martínez
Published: January 2022

Femtosecond laser micromachining is becoming an established fabrication technique for transparent material processing in three dimensions [...]
Use of Onion Waste as Fuel for the Generation of Bioelectricity
Authors: Segundo Rojas-Flores , De La Cruz-Noriega Magaly , Milly Otiniano Nélida , Benites Santiago M. , Esparza Mario , Nazario-Naveda Renny
Published: January 2022

The enormous environmental problems that arise from organic waste have increased due to the significant population increase worldwide. Microbial fuel cells provide a novel solution for the use of waste as fuel for electricity generation. In this investigation, onion waste was used, and managed to generate maximum peaks of 4.459 ± 0.0608 mA and 0.991 ± 0.02 V of current and voltage, respectively. The conductivity values increased rapidly to 179,987 ± 2859 mS/cm, while the optimal pH in which the most significant current was generated was 6968 ± 0.286, and the ° Brix values decreased rapidly due to the degradation of organic matter. The microbial fuel cells showed a low internal resistance (154,389 ± 5228 Ω), with a power density of 595.69 ± 15.05 mW/cm2 at a current density of 6.02 A/cm2; these values are higher than those reported by other authors in the literature. The diffractogram spectra of the onion debris from FTIR show a decrease in the most intense peaks, compared to the initial ones with the final ones. It was possible to identify the species Pseudomona eruginosa, Acinetobacter bereziniae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Yarrowia lipolytica adhered to the anode electrode at the end of the monitoring using the molecular technique.