bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of hypertension on the prognosis of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Wang Ziqiong , Zheng Yi , Ruan Haiyan , Li Liying , Zhang Muxin , Duan Linjia , He Sen
Published: January 2023

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertension coexist fairly frequently in clinical practice. However, the evidence about the impact of hypertension on the prognosis of HCM is limited. The present study aims to investigate the impact of hypertension on the prognosis of HCM patients.

Methods

A total of 468 HCM patients were enrolled, and patients were divided into hypertension group (31.8%) and non-hypertension group (68.2%). The primary study endpoint was HCM-related death, consisting of heart failure (HF)-related death, stroke-related death and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Associations between hypertension and HCM-related death were analyzed by Cox regression models with the use of propensity score matching (PSM) as primary analysis.

Results

There were 55 HCM-related death during a median follow-up time of 4.6 years, and the mortality rate was 2.53 per 100 person years. Kaplan-Meier analysis based on the crude cohort or PSM cohort revealed no significant difference regarding the HCM-related death between the two groups. In the crude cohort, both univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that hypertension was not significantly associated with HCM-related death with hazard ratios (HR) at 0.74 (95% CI [0.40–1.36], p value: 0.329) and 0.77 (95% CI [0.35–1.71], p value: 0.521), respectively. Similarly, no strong evidence for an association was observed between hypertension and HCM-related death in the PSM cohort with unadjusted HR at 0.90 (95% CI [0.34–2.41]; p value: 0.838) and adjusted HR at 0.77 (95% CI [0.35–1.71]; p value: 0.521), respectively. Other propensity score methods, including overlap weighting and inverse probability treatment weighting demonstrated similar results. Sensitivity analysis also indicated that the concomitant hypertension did not significantly increase the risk of HF-related death, stroke-related death or SCD in HCM patients.

Conclusion

HCM-related death did not significantly differ between hypertension and non-hypertension groups, suggesting a negative impact of hypertension on the clinical prognosis of HCM patients.
Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Implicated in Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Nomeh Onyinye Lovette , Federica Obodoechi Ijeoma , Joseph Ofonmbuk Victor , Moneth Ezeh Chinonyelum , Ogba Rebecca Chinenye , Nkechi Ohadoma Angela , Peter Ikemesit Udeme , Akpu Peace Oluchi , Edemekong Christiana Inuaesiet , Iroha Ifeanyichukwu Romanus
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Carbapenemase-producing bacteria are super bugs that make Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) difficult to treat with drug of last resort such as carbapenem and other antibiotic thus limiting the treatment options. Carbapenemase production is increasing in clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, their potential to spread widely among patients necessitates molecular detection of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae implicated in Urinary Tract Infection.

Methodology: A total of twelve (12) non-repeated clinical isolate of Escherichia coli (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K8, K9, K10, K11, K12) were selected based on their in vitro phenotypic resistant to carbapenem antibiotics from patients diagnosed with urinary tract infection at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FEUTHA) Ebonyi Sate Nigeria. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were further confirmed using standard routine microbiological technique for isolation and identification of bacteria. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were further screen for carbapenemase-producing gene by PCR specific primer.

Result: PCR analysis with specific primer for carbapenemase gene revealed the presence and predominant of blaKPC in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae 12(100 %) followed by blaNDM 11(91.7 %), blaIMP 7(58.3 %) and blaVIM 2(16.7) as the least carbapenemase-producing gene in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. blaKPC was predominant in Escherichia coli 7(58.3 %) followed by blaNDM 6(50.0 %) and blaIMP 5(41.7 %) while both blaOXA and blaVIM (16.7 %) were the least detected carbapenemase gene. Klebsiella pneumoniae harbor high proportion of blaNDM and blaKPC both recording 5(41.7 %) followed by blaOXA and blaIMP both recording 2(16.7 %) but blaVIM gene was not identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Conclusion: The current findings highlight the occurrence of carbapenemase-producing gene in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae implicated in UTI. Since these genes are carried on the bacteria plasmid there is a tendency of cross-species dissemination over time. The detection of carbapenemase-producing gene call for prompt epidemiological surveillance and preventive strategies to limit the spread of these carbapenemase resistant genetic determinant and the need for antibiotic susceptibility testing of available antibiotic agent.
A Retrospective Study on the Health Problems of Falcons in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Abdullah Al Hemeiri Maryam , Mohteshamuddin Khaja , Arias de la Torre Abraham , Adenew Degafa Berhanu , Ameni Gobena
Published: January 2023

Falcons are important animals in sociocultural events of the society of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Like any other birds, falcons can be affected by different health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the major health problems of falcons presented to the City Vet Clinic in Al Ain during 2019
The role of Turkey in the world hazelnut production and exporting
Authors: Semih Uzundumlu Ahmet , Kurtoğlu Seval , Şerefoğlu Coşkun
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study is to estimate the future of the global hazelnut sector for 2019-2025 using the data of 1961-2018. ARIMA model was used to forecast hazelnut production and export quantity. Hirschman Herfindahl Index (HHI) and Concentration Ratios (CR) have been used to determine market status. According to HHI and CR, the world hazelnut market was oligopoly in 1961-2018 and the biggest player in this market was Turkey. Because Turkey was the largest manufacturer and marketer of hazelnut in the industry, 64% of the production and 67% of the exports of world hazelnut were provided by Turkey as the average in the period 2011-2018. Turkey thus determines the world price in hazelnut. According to the concentration ratio, CR1 will be 0.63 and 0.67 in the export and production; this means that about 63-67% of the world hazelnut production and export will have been provided by Turkey from 2019 to 2025. The number of countries producing, and exporting hazelnuts has risen from 13 to 32, and 9 to 58, respectively in the past fifty-eight years in the world. According to the findings of this study, it was forecasted that the competition degree of Turkey’s hazelnut export market will decrease during the period from 2019 to 2025. The results obtained from this study will help policymakers to monitor the way for hazelnut marketing in Turkey
Mixed pulp formulations of jambolan and acerola for the foam-mat drying process
Authors: PAZ MATOS JOANA , FIGUEIRÊDO ROSSANA MARIA FEITOSA DE
Published: January 2023

Jambolan is a fruit with a sweet taste, slightly bitter and astringent, with a purple color. Acerola is a popular fruit in Brazil, rich in vitamin C. Both stand out for the high content of antioxidant compounds, whose importance has generated growing interest. In view of this, the present work was carried out with the objective of elaborating formulations with the mixed pulp of jambolan and acerola, incorporating foam promoting additives for drying by the foam-mat drying method and evaluating them for the beat time, density, volumetric expansion (overrun) and foam stability according to the beat time and physicochemical characteristics. Three formulations were made with the mixed pulp, all containing 1% albumin combined with 0.5% xanthan gum, 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.5% guar gum. The formulations were analyzed for stability, density, volumetric expansion, beating time, between 5 and 30 minutes, layer thickness, water content and volume drained at temperatures of 50 to 80 ºC. All the elaborated foams were suitable for drying by the foam-mat process; the best results of density, beating time, overrun, stability (volume drained), drying time and yield were obtained with the albumin/guar gum combination, followed by albumin/CMC; the incorporation of additives and the foaming mixture changed the composition of the formulations in relation to the mixed pulp (control), increasing the TSS/TTA ratio, the protein content and reducing the levels of ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids and carotenoids, yield, shorter drying time, water content in dry base and wet base.
Nutritional and Mineral Composition Analysis of Desert Plants: A case study
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Shaheen Aqeela , Awais Ghan Muhammad , Iqbal Qumer , Azam Muhammad , Ali Basharat , Noor Anam , Anwar Adeel , Bibi Muhammadi , Iqbal Rashid , Anwar Iqra , Aslam Muhammad , Mahmood Imran
Published: January 2023

The wild arid and semi-arid plants of desert are used as food and medicine by the people of Desert. In this case study, selected plants were characterized physico-chemically for their nutritional and mineral importance by different analytical methods. Analysis showed that crude fibers and protein dominated in plant samples among all nutrients with an average concentration of 38% and 21% respectively. The edible parts of plants generally showed higher concentration of Ca and Mg as compared to Na and K. Calligonum polygonoides found comparatively rich in total sugars and ash contents. Similarly, crude fibers (45%), crude lipids (16%) and phosphorous (32 ppm) were observed higher in Leptadenia pyrotechnica. However, Prosopis cineraria contained higher contents of moisture and protein (24%) among other plants. The statistical presentation by discrimination analysis showed that arid plant found rich in most of the nutrients and minerals except phosphorous and proteins as compared to semi-arid plants with relatively higher moisture contents
Exploring agro-morphological diversity of Algerian hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) accessions using multivariate statistics
Authors: Bedjaoui Hanane , Boulelouah Nadia , Seghir Mehaoua Mohamed , Baississe Salima
Published: January 2023

Pepper is an inevitable constituent in the diets of Algerian population. Unfortunately, the local landraces are endangered by both genetic erosion and pollution. This study aimed to perform agro-morphological characterization of hot peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) accessions. Twenty one accessions collected from the east and south of Algeria were evaluated for 24 quantitative and 38 qualitative morphological characters under green-house conditions. The trial was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with four replicates at the experimental station of the Department of agronomical sciences of Biskra University in Southeast Algeria. Signiﬁcant variations in most of the traits were strikingly demonstrated using variance analysis and coefficients of variation and the number of modalities, frequencies and Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H′) values for the quantitative and qualitative characters respectively indicating the heterogeneity of the studied accessions. The correlations between the studied quantitative variables showed that the yield parameters were correlated with the variables related to the vegetative part of the plant. The first five PCs explained 76.877 % of the total variation and identified the most discriminant variables related particularly to yield and fruit characteristics contributing to PC1: fruit width; fruit index; fruit weight, number of locules; placenta length, pedicel length, anther length, leaf width and plant height /stem length ratio. For several qualitative traits, an important degree of variability was observed. The ﬁrst factorial dimension explained 42.5% of the variance and was mostly associated with: plant height; growth habit; flower position; corolla shape; number of flower per axil and fruit shape at pedicel attachment and at blossom end; calyx margin. Cluster analysis of the combined data grouped the pepper landraces into four clusters regardless of the localities and the closest accessions belonged to different localities and/or provinces. This study notably confirms the presence of considerable genetic diversity within and between accessions of hot pepper in Algeria and provides a basis for its active conservation and future selection to develop improved local pepper populations
The effect of ripeness phases on seed and fruit quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
Authors: Popović Vukašin , Lekić Slavoljub , Kiprovski Biljana , Takač Adam
Published: January 2023

A three-year experiment was conducted to determine the influence of ripening, variety and the production year (2017-2019) on seed and fruit quality of eggplant. The 1000 seed weight, germination capacity, the total protein and oil content of seeds as well as the total protein and sugar content of fruits were determined in three ripeness phases across three production years. All examined varieties exhibited significant differences in the weight of 1000 seeds during ripening, which varied from 1.44 to 4.42 g. Seeds extracted from fruits that reached commercial ripeness did not germinate. As the fruit ripens, its total sugar and protein content decreases, while the reverse is detected in the case of total protein and oil content of seeds. The full ripeness phase was the optimal time for harvesting fruits to obtain high germinating seeds.
Date-derived industries: A review of common products, manufacturing methods, and leading countries
Authors: Abdullah AlFaris Nora , Zaidan AlTamim Jozaa , Abdulaziz AlMousa Lujain , Ali AlGhamidi Fatima , Abdullah Albarid Najla
Published: January 2023

The date fruit, a nourishing food appreciated worldwide, plays an important role in producing countries’ economic and political aspects. Date palms provide numerous products, including date syrup, alcohol, vinegar, date powder, and sugar. This review was undertaken to summarize information about the common date-derived products, the manufacturing methods used, and the leading countries in the date-derived industry. Additionally, the review highlights the future challenges in developing the date industry. The difficulties that accompanied the preparation of this review included the scarcity of modern and reliable information, especially the statistics related to date-derived products from leading countries involved in this industry. This may be due to the incompleteness of such information or the lack of interest in publishing them in reliable scientific sources.
Ultrasonic extraction increases the extraction of antioxidant and citrulline in damaged watermelons in the Comarca Lagunera, México
Authors: Jared Borroel García Victoria , Antonio Alvarado Arroyo Raúl , Moncayo Luján María del Rosario , Ortiz Escobar Tania Breshkovskaya , Lizzeth Guzmán Silos Tania , García Hernández José Luis , Ramírez Aragón Mercedes Georgina
Published: January 2023

n this study, the content of lycopene, total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity and citrulline in watermelon from different localities of the Comarca Lagunera were determined. In the Comarca Lagunera, watermelon is the second most important crop, representing 9% of the cultivated area at the national level, with a production value of $9,000,000. Watermelon is known to contain high contents of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; these compounds include metabolites such as lycopene and citrulline. The determination of these components may vary according to the method of cultivation, fertilization, irrigation, and location, as well as the extraction method used. A completely randomized experimental design was used, analyzing three repetitions for each sample obtained. The data obtained in the present study varied according to the method of extraction, for lycopene (41.22 - 8.48 mg g-1 FW), citrulline (161.44 - 71.11 mg g-1 FW), flavonoids (5.05 - 0.17 mg g-1 FW) and phenolics (10.3 - 0.89 mg g-1 FW). The results indicated that there were no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for the effect of the variables degree of damage and locality, but there were significant differences for the extraction methods. Therefore, the ultrasound extraction method could be an alternative for the industry due to the increase of active biocompounds that can be obtained, reducing the time of obtaining, the low process costs and the contribution to a sustainable development
The effect of supply chain orientation on supply chain risk and uncertainty: An application on members of dairy products supply chain in erzurum city in Turkey
Authors: Tüzemen Abdullah , Şükrü Yapraklı Tevfik
Published: January 2023

Identifying risk and uncertainty is paramount and there are methods and tools deployed to alleviate risk and uncertainty for a supply network to be resilient (Kumar, Mangla, Kumar and Song, 2021). And supply chain orientation (SCO) is one of tools to mitigate supply chain risk and uncertainty (SCRU). The goal of the study is to identify the impact of SCO on SCRU in the dairy supply chain. And the other purpose of the study is to investigate perception differences among supply chain members (dairy farmers, dairy plants and dairy retailers) of SCO and SCRU. And scope of the study is dairy farmers, dairy plants and dairy retailers that are doing business in Erzurum dairy supply chain. And Erzurum city is chosen for the study because economic events taking place in Erzurum has wider consequences for the whole region. According to the study it is determined that there is a perception difference among dairy supply network partners of SCO and SCRU. And finally, it is determined that SCO affects dairy SCRU negatively. This means as SCO among members increases SCRU decreases in the dairy products supply network. So, SCO can be an effective tool for mitigating SCRU in the dairy products supply chain.
Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) for Decentralized Grey Water Treatment: Technical, Ecological and Cost Efficiency Comparison for Domestic Applications
Authors: Al Hosani Naeema , Fathelrahman Eihab , Ahmed Hamza , Rikab Elfatih
Published: January 2023

The reuse of greywater has several advantages, including reduced freshwater extraction from rivers, aquifers, and groundwater; reduced need for desalination; less environmental impact from septic tanks and water treatment plants; decreased energy consumption; and reduced chemical pollution. The main objectives of this review study are to assess the technical attributes, ecological impacts, and cost-efficiency of Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) water treatment technology compared to similar available technology for small to medium-sized, decentralized applications in residential and commercial settings such as home gardening, sanitation, and landfills. Previous studies indicate that hybrid technologies such as MBBR are the most promising methods for the total removal of contaminants in wastewater in a decentralized setting. However, the initial capital cost of this technology for small and medium-scale domestic applications worldwide is high and so is a limiting factor in the expansion of its utilization. Expansion of domestic use of such Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWTS) could increase the economies of scale and therefore reduce the initial capital costs for this useful water treatment. For the MBBR system, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiency was found to be 70%, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal was found to be 97%, and turbidity removal was 98%
Physical and physicochemical characteristics of tomato fruits grown under different irrigation water levels and phosphorus sources and rates
Authors: Lopes Sobrinho Oswaldo Palma , Silva dos Santos Leonardo Nazário , Loureiro Soares Frederico Antonio
Published: January 2023

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting nutrients for growth and development of crops, and is important for soil fertility managements, since it affects the quality of fruits. With the hypothesis that different levels of irrigation and phosphorus fertilization interfere in the physical and physicochemical properties of tomatoes, the objective of this experiment was to verify this hypothesis and analyze the behavior of the fruits’ responses. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Hydraulic and Irrigation Laboratory of the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of the State of Goiás, in Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, with a 4×2×4 split-plot arrangement and three replications, totaling 96 experimental plots. The treatments consisted of four P2O5 rates: 25%, 50%, 100%, and 200% of the recommended rate; two P sources: monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and organo-mineral (OM); and four IWL: 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of the field capacity. The fruits were evaluated for longitudinal (FLD) and transversal (FTD) diameters, potential hydrogen (pH), titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solid (TSS) contents, and TSS to TA ratio (TSS/TA). The effect of the interactions between the factors IWL and P rate, IWL and P source, and P rate and source were significant for FLD and FTD, TSS, TA, and TSS/TA. The effects of the interactions between IWL and P rate, and IWL and P source were significant for pH. The MAP source combined with the rate of 25% and IWL of 125% resulted in tomato fruits with larger FLD and FTD. The rate of 25% combined with IWL of 77% and 100% resulted in tomato fruits with higher TSS and pH. The OM source resulted in tomato fruits with higher TA when combined with IWL of 50%, and larger FLD when combined with IWL of 105% and 125%.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Agricultural Water Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions)
Irrigation water demand management to address water scarcity
Authors: Abdelhafid Hassen , Gharb Ines , Maarouf Ahlem
Published: January 2023

Improving irrigation water productivity is one of the most important ways to deal with water scarcity. Water pricing is considered a crucial tool for water demand management. This research aims atestimating the price elasticity of irrigation water demand in public and private areas of Nadhour using an Ordinary Least Squares regression (OLS). The paper assesses the economic performance of farming system and compares the value of marginal productivity (VMP) of irrigation water to the prices of water. A structured questionnaire and field visits were used to collect data from 140 farmers. Results show that irrigation water demand is less responsive to water price variation. Estimated elasticities are-0.69 and -0.44 respectively in the public and private schemes. The total irrigated area and farmers’ status are the most significant determinants of water demand. Results showed that water productivity in private farming systems is higher than recorded in public farming systemsand the VMP of irrigation water exceeds the prices paid for water
Magnetic treatment of irrigation water: Its effect on water properties and characteristics of eggplant (Solanum melongena
Authors: Kishore Gottam , Saxena Chandrakant , Rajwade Yogesh
Published: January 2023

Poor quality water is a potential source for demand management in irrigated agriculture after essential treatment. Magnetic water treatment (MWT) is one of the emerging technologies among water treatment methods for the above-cited problems without harming the environment. The optimum configuration of the 7000 gauss magnetic treatment device and the effect of magnetized water on the yield parameters of the eggplant in a pot culture experiment were examined in this study. The maximum significant (P< 0.05) changes in physicochemical properties (pH, EC, total hardness, Langelier Saturation Index, Na, etc.) of water occurred at an optimized velocity of 0.8 m/s and less. The mean plant height was maximum under magnetized bore water treatment compared to all other treatments (P< 0.05). In particular, the average yield per plant was increased by 17 per cent in magnetized bore water treatment compared to the control. Overall, the results have shown that an optimum configuration of the water treatment device is needed before the start of the experiment based on magnetic strength. Moreover, magnetically treated irrigation water positively impacted plant growth parameters and the yield of the eggplant.

Keywords: Irrigation, Magnetic water, Total hardness, Langelier Saturation Index, yield per plant
Outcomes and Complications of Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Tractional Retinal Detachment in People With Diabetes
Authors: McCullough Philip , Mohite Ajay , Virgili Gianni , Lois Noemi
Published: January 2023

Importance

Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) occurs in approximately 5% of people with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and poses a threat to vision. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is the treatment of choice for TRD.

Objective

To determine anatomic and functional outcomes of PPV for the treatment of TRD in people with diabetes (dTRD).

Data Sources

MEDLINE and Embase were searched systematically from January 1, 2000, to February 20, 2022. In addition, a reference list of eligible studies were screened.

Study Selection

Eligible studies were those published in English, those reporting outcomes of PPV for dTRD, and those that included more than 25 eyes and with a minimum follow-up of 3 months.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for data extraction/synthesis were followed, and the National Institute for Health quality assessment tool was used to assess risk of bias. Study eligibility was determined independently by 2 reviewers; data extraction was conducted by 1 reviewer and entries checked for accuracy by another. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Main outcomes included rate of failure of retinal reattachment following 1 surgery and final visual acuity (VA). The association of baseline patient characteristics and surgical maneuvers with postoperative surgical outcomes was investigated.

Results

Of the 406 studies identified, 38 (3839 eyes) were eligible and included for analysis. Patients had a median (IQR) age of 52.2 (49.6-55.7) years. In the studies reporting patient sex (31 of 38 studies), 1441 were female individuals (50.1%). The overall failure rate of retinal reattachment after 1 surgery was 5.9% (95% CI, 1.4%-8.3%), and the mean final VA was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.82-1.05) logMAR (approximate Snellen equivalent, 6/53; 95% CI, 6/39-6/71). People with higher preoperative VA achieved higher postoperative vision (0.66 logMAR worse final vision; 95% CI, 0.39-0.84 per 1.0 logMAR worse at baseline; P <.001). On multivariable analysis, no other patient characteristics or surgical variables had a statistically significant association with outcomes.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that PPV was an effective strategy to achieve retinal reattachment in people with dTRD. Given that higher preoperative VA was the only factor associated with higher postoperative vision, early intervention should be considered and discussed in detail with patients. Overall, final postoperative VA remains low, and patients should be counseled on the guarded prognosis of dTRD.
Mo‐Mediated Transition of the Lattice to Long‐Range Disorder Enables Ultra‐High Current Density Hydrogen Production at Low Potentials
Authors: Cheng Yu , Guo Haoran , Zhang Lifang , Wang Mengfan , Zhou Jinqiu , Qian Tao , Yan Chenglin
Published: January 2023

High‐current hydrogen production at low potential toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a fatal factor restricting the large‐scale production of green hydrogen. Here, a Mo‐mediated nickel‐based chalcogenides electrocatalyst (U‐MoNiS) with long‐range disordering through heterogeneous atom‐mediated strategies, is proposed. The optimal U‐MoNiS is scalable to meet the urgent application needs and it requires an extermely low overpotential (305 mV) to achieve ultra‐high current density of 2243 mA cm‐2, which is 16.6‐fold higher than the noble Pt/C (135 mA cm‐2). Strikingly, the U‐MoNiS can function well under an ultra‐high current up to ~5 A. Operando experiments and calculations reveal the Mo‐mediated transition of lattice model to a long‐range disordering and regulate the microenvironment of dominant crystal plane, and the surface energy of (110) and (211) drops from 0.180 and 0.165 to 0.077 and 0.100 eV Å‐2, respectively. Which exceedingly minimizes the free energy barrier and then accelerates the H* adsorption, and fundamentally contributes to the achievement of efficient hydrogen production at high current density. The proposed strategy to produce hydrogen at ultra‐high current would fulfill the dream to create ‘a high effiective catalyst designed as simply as possible'.
Piezocatalytic Medicine: An Emerging Frontier using Piezoelectric Materials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Chen Si , Zhu Piao , Mao Lijie , Wu Wencheng , Lin Han , Xu Deliang , Lu Xiangyu , Shi Jianlin
Published: January 2023

Emerging piezocatalysts have demonstrated their remarkable application potential in diverse medical fields. In addition to their ultrahigh catalytic activities, their inherent and unique charge‐carrier‐releasing properties can be used to initiate various redox catalytic reactions, displaying bright prospects for future medical applications. Triggered by mechanical energy, piezocatalytic materials can release electrons/holes, catalyze redox reactions of substrates, or intervene in biological processes to promote the production of effector molecules for medical purposes, such as decontamination, sterilization, and therapy. Such a medical application of piezocatalysis is termed as piezocatalytic medicine (PCM) herein. To pioneer novel medical technologies, especially therapeutic modalities, this review provides an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art research progress in piezocatalytic medicine. First, the principle of piezocatalysis and the preparation methodologies of piezoelectric materials are introduced. Then, a comprehensive summary of the medical applications of piezocatalytic materials in tumor treatment, antisepsis, organic degradation, tissue repair and regeneration, and biosensing is provided. Finally, the main challenges and future perspectives in piezocatalytic medicine are discussed and proposed, expecting to fuel the development of this emerging scientific discipline.
Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial, antioxidant activities, density functional theory, and molecular docking studies of new organic metal complexes and links to application of corrosion inhibitors
Authors: Ahmed Yasmin M. , Ashmawy Ashraf M. , Abbas Ashraf A. , Mohamed Gehad G.
Published: January 2023

The condensation reaction between 5‐amino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐thiol and 1,2‐dibromoethane to afford the ligand L was carried out in direct to obtain the desired organic ligand. New [Er(L)ClH2O]Cl2·3H2O, [Yb(L)(H2O)2]Cl3·4H2O, and [Ta(L)Cl2]Cl3·4H2O complexes have been prepared from (L) by reacting one mole from metal ions with one mole from L. In addition to their physical characteristics, they were described using spectroscopic techniques (infrared [IR], nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], and UV–Vis), gas chromatography (GC)‐mass, and X‐ray powder diffraction. Further interpretation of complex structures was supported by measurements of molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, mole ratio, and thermodynamic investigations in addition to theoretical study through the use of density functional theory and characterization techniques. IR spectral data showed the mode of action of the neutral tetradentate L ligand and its coordination via two N‐amine and two S‐thiols. The octahedral geometry surrounding the central lanthanide ions was suggested by the magnetic moments, diffused reflectance, and spectral data. Molar conductivity results exposed that Yb(III) and Ta(V) chelates were 1:3 electrolytes and Er(III) chelate was 1:2 electrolyte. In addition, practically all the complexes demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus species, via inhibition zone diameters in 9–15 mm mg−1 range. However, neither Candida albicans nor Aspergillus flavus species were susceptible to their antifungal effects. Finally, molecular docking (MOE) experiments showed the significant binding affinity of the ligand and its complexes with several 6KOC, 6LU4, and 6LU4 protein receptors. Finally, it is important to emphasize that these complexes may be potential antioxidant agents according to the biochemical results. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PP) methods were accustomed to examine the corrosion inhibition of aluminum silicon alloys (AlSi) in 1 M HCl solution. Experimental measurements indicate that the thiadiazole ligand reduces the corrosion rate.
Concentration‐dependent Cycling of Phenothiazine‐based Electrolytes in Nonaqueous Redox Flow Cells
Authors: Preet Kaur Aman , Neyhouse Bertrand J. , Shkrob Ilya A. , Wang Yilin , Harsha Attanayake N. , Kant Jha Rahul , Wu Qianwen , Zhang Lu , Ewoldt Randy H. , Brushett Fikile R. , Odom Susan A.
Published: January 2023

Increasing redox‐active species concentrations can improve viability for organic redox flow batteries by enabling higher energy densities, but the required concentrated solutions can become viscous and less conductive, leading to inefficient electrochemical cycling and low material utilization at higher current densities. To better understand these tradeoffs in a model system, we study a highly soluble and stable redox‐active couple, N‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl)phenothiazine (MEEPT), and its bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide radical cation salt (MEEPT‐TFSI). We measure the physicochemical properties of electrolytes containing 0.2–1 M active species and connect these to symmetric cell cycling behavior, achieving robust cycling performance. Specifically, for a 1 M electrolyte concentration, we demonstrate 94% materials utilization, 89% capacity retention, and 99.8% average coulombic efficiency over 435 h (100 full cycles). This demonstration helps to establish potential for high‐performing, concentrated nonaqueous electrolytes and highlights possible failure modes in such systems.
Influence of Water on Gel Electrolytes for Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Xiangjie , Li Xin , Yang Xiaotong , Lu Jingqi , Zhang Xuan , Yuan Du , Zhang Yizhou
Published: January 2023

Gel electrolytes are being intensively explored for aqueous rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries, especially towards high performance and multi‐functionalities. Water plays a central role on the fundamental properties, interface reaction/interaction, and performance of the gel‐type zinc electrolyte. In this review, the influence of water on the physiochemical properties of gel electrolytes is focused on. The correlation between water activity and the fundamental properties of zinc electrolytes is presented. Current approaches and challenges in manipulating water activity and the consequent influence on the electrochemical stability, transport, and interface kinetics of gel electrolytes are summarized. An outlook on approaches to tuning and investigating water activity is provided to shed light on the design of advanced gel electrolytes.
Roadmap zur klimaoptimierten Transportbetonherstellung – Quantifizierte Betrachtung von Handlungsoptionen zur Steigerung der Nachhaltigkeit und Ressourceneffizienz
Authors: Schack Tobias , Deiters Macielle , Neubaur Konrad , Oberhoff Tessa , Klemt‐Albert Katharina , Haist Michael
Published: January 2023

Der Bauindustrie und insbesondere der Zement‐ und Betonindustrie kommt sowohl bei der Begrenzung der globalen Erwärmung als auch beim Schutz der natürlichen Ressourcen eine wichtige Rolle zu. Zentral ist dabei die Frage, wie es zum einen gelingt, die bei der Herstellung, Verwendung und dem Recycling von Beton einhergehenden CO2‐Emissionen zu reduzieren und gleichzeitig den Ressourcenkreislauf zu schließen. Dabei sind enorm vielfältige Wege zum klimaoptimierten und ressourceneffizienten Betonbau denkbar und möglich. Die einzelnen Wege unterscheiden sich jedoch relativ stark in den dafür notwendigen technischen Maßnahmen, den normativen Voraussetzungen und nicht zuletzt in den erforderlichen Investitionen. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über den aktuellen Stand zum klimaverträglichen und nachhaltigen Bauen mit Beton und zeigt mögliche Potenziale hin zur Klima‐ und Ressourcenoptimierung bei der Betonherstellung auf. Der Fokus des Beitrags liegt auf dem Transportbetonsektor bzw. dem Ortbetonbau. Das Potenzial verschiedener Verfahren oder Maßnahmen zur CO2‐Minderung und zum Ressourcenschutz wird nicht nur für eine einzelne Betonsorte, sondern anhand eines typischen Transportbetonwerks mit einem angenommenen jährlichen Betonproduktionsvolumen von 21.300 m3 anhand von Literaturangaben quantifiziert, um Anlagenbetreibern eine einfache Einschätzung der Wirksamkeit einzelner oder kombinierter Maßnahmen zu ermöglichen.
Stakeholder pressures and sustainability practices in manufacturing: Consideration of the economic development context
Authors: Bello‐Pintado Alejandro , Machuca José A. D. , Danese Pamela
Published: January 2023

In the context of global concern for the environment and considering the observation that very few manufacturing companies have taken a more proactive position on sustainability, it has been suggested that the stakeholder approach can contribute to the study of sustainability management. Hence, this paper analyzes the relationship between a set of individual stakeholders pressures (STP) from different groups and the adoption and implementation of some specific sets of sustainability practices (SP) in manufacturing: internal and external monitoring and external collaborative. It also contributes to the open debate around the “monolithic” versus differentiated reaction to perceived STP, showing that companies respond selectively to the different stakeholder groups. Finally, this research also considers the possible influence of different country development contexts (developed vs. emerging countries), which may be very informative in the context of the growing globalization of operations. Using a large, worldwide, multicountry, and multi‐informant sample of manufacturing plants from three industry sectors located in 15 emerging and developed countries, this study shows that the different stakeholders play different roles in the adoption and implementation of different sustainability practices, thus contributing to the open debate around a suitable balance of stakeholder pressures. This research further contributes to the debate around the convergence and divergence perspectives by supporting the “universal” adoption of sustainability practices (convergence perspective) as no statistical differences are found in stakeholder pressures in different country development contexts.
Comparison of Three Different Extraction Methods on Osmanthus Volatile Oil: Aroma and Biological Activity
Authors: Yi Fengping , Xu Hejie , Lü Chenyuan , Wu Kaiwen , Hao Linyu , Lin Shifan , Su Chang
Published: January 2023

The osmanthus volatile oil was welcomed by consumers even if the high price since the unique and pleasant odor. Meanwhile, the low yield of osmanthus volatile oil restricts industrial production. In this work, an osmanthus volatile oil was obtained by means of a novel ultrasonic‐assisted flash extraction method and was compared with the oil from hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction on yield, aroma, and biological activities. The volatile oil obtained from the ultrasonic‐assisted flash extraction was obtained with the petroleum ether and got a high yield at 3.51 % within a 40‐min process, an increase of nearly 81 % from the single solvent extraction. This oil also showed a high aroma intensity and aroma compound concentration. Meanwhile, the oil also has the highest antioxidant ability but lower antibacterial activity against oil from hydrodistillation. It was considered that this work was helpful for the optimization of the extraction method of osmanthus volatile oil.
Synthesis of Quercetin‐Acid Esters and Its Reduction of H2O2‐Triggered PC12 Cells Damage by Down‐Regulating ROS
Authors: Li Jian‐Wen , Zhang Wen‐Cheng , Wu Ze‐Yu , Liu Hao , Wang Yun‐Chun , Liu Qing‐Song , Li Sheng‐Nan , Lin Yan‐Ting , Hui Ai‐Ling
Published: January 2023

Quercetin is a kind of polyphenolic flavonoid compounds which has perfect antioxidant properties. However, quercetin is not available in many situations due to its poor bioavailability. In this work, the QAEs with better solubility and even stronger antioxidant properties were synthesized, through the esterification between quercetin and the chlorinated cinnamic acid or its derivatives, whose chlorination were achieved by using SOCl2. The protective effects of the QAEs were evaluated by the H2O2‐induced apoptosis experiment in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and its ability to remove ROS generated by oxidative stress. Compared with the original quercetin group, the QAEs groups showed much improved cell viability and capability of removing ROS, which means their higher bioavailability than the parent.
Jet Cleaning of Filter Cloths Used in Solid‐Liquid Separation: A High‐Speed Video Evaluation
Authors: Werner Roman Alejandro , Takacs Ronny , Morsch Patrick , Geier Dominik Ulrich , Nirschl Hermann , Becker Thomas
Published: January 2023

Cleaning avoids cross‐contamination and sustains production safety and efficiency. While there have been discoveries for technical surfaces, data on activities for filter cloth are still in the early stages. In the food industry, there is a lack of knowledge and innovative ideas on how to clean cloths efficiently. This study combined high‐speed recordings with cleaning experiments. Cleaning of eleven filters was captured, enabling time‐resolved analysis of the cleaning degree, the cleaning homogeneity, and insights into the mechanisms. The findings divide cloth cleaning into three phases, each significantly influenced by the properties of the cloth. Exemplarily, close‐mesh cloths have smoother surfaces that facilitate cleaning. Coarse structures with flow channels on the cloth surface can complicate cleaning.
Performance enhancement of latent heat storage unit by the multiple chambers
Authors: Kumar Jayesh , Singh Pushpendra , Kumar Rajesh
Published: January 2023

The thermal conductivity of phase change material (PCM) is one of the essential variables for the fast heat transfer process for latent heat energy storage (LHES) units. The thermal characteristics of a novel LHES rectangular enclosure based on multiple chambers separated by insulating and rigid walls are numerically investigated. The enthalpy‐porosity strategy supported by the finite volume method is implemented to perform the simulation. Simulation results exhibited that thermal charging and discharging performance was enhanced without affecting the system's total heat storage capacity by creating multiple chambers. Liquid fraction, mean temperature, heat flux, contours of liquid fraction and temperature of PCM are demonstrated as a function of the melting time. The thermal charging time of PCM is diminished by increasing the number of chambers. Although, the consequences of the number of chambers on the melting time of PCM are diminished by surging the number of chambers. It was also found that continuously raising the heating temperature is not beneficial for reducing the total time of liquid fraction during melting. Thermal discharging performance is poor than that of the thermal charging process.
Hierarchical multi‐beam training with the presence of the sub‐connected hybrid beamforming architecture
Authors: Li Xinyang , Yang Songjie , Lyu Wanting , Zhang Zhongpei , Ling Xiang
Published: January 2023

Millimeter‐wave techniques have been developed significantly due to their benefits of higher data rate compared with the lower band and more extensive coverage compared to the higher frequency. However, because of the equipment of a large‐scale antenna array, further low‐complexity channel estimation and precoding algorithms in the hybrid beamforming structured wireless system must be researched for real‐world implementation. This study serves that aim, particularly on multi‐beam training, with the output of this work can be regarded as baseband equivalent channel estimation. First, we present a novel ternary‐tree‐based fully‐activated hierarchical codebook based on the sub‐array division technique. The proposed hierarchical codebook surpasses its conventional binary‐tree‐based counterpart designed by using antenna deactivation in charge of the training overhead and synthesis performance of the hierarchical search. Following that, inspired by multi‐beam linear search, we develop two hierarchical linear search methods according to our proposed hierarchical codebook. Finally, simulation results show that they outperform linear search schemes regarding training complexity and the effective achievable rate.
Switchgrass sward establishment selection is consistent across multiple environments and fertilization levels
Authors: Tilhou Neal W. , Casler Michael D.
Published: January 2023

Background

Strong selection can occur during switchgrass sward establishment. Differences in establishment selection due to environment or management could provide information on genotype‐by‐environment variation and could influence strategies for breeding perennial grasses.

Methods

Leaf samples were collected before sward establishment and from 3‐year‐old swards for two breeding groups (lowland and hybrid) at three locations. Within two locations, samples were collected from paired fertilized (112 kg N ha−1) and unfertilized plots. Allele frequencies from pooled DNA samples were studied through multivariate analysis of variance, genomewide trait predictions (heading date and winter survivorship), and genomically estimated breeding values (GEBVs) for individual sward survival within an independent data set.

Results

This study found only minor variations in selection due to location or management. Predicted heading dates of the hybrid population had significant changes due to fertilization and location. There were strong correlations among sward establishment survival GEBVs between growing environments (hybrid r = 0.77; gulf r = 0.97). Interestingly, this study found a small number of genotypes that were over‐represented in established swards across all growing environments.

Conclusions

This study reinforces a prior report of selection during sward establishment and indicates that only a small degree of establishment selection is location‐specific within these diverse growing conditions.