bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First-Principles Investigation on Phase Stability, Mechanical Properties, Bonding Characteristic and Slip Properties of Ti-Co Binary Intermetallic Compounds
Authors: Zeng Fanlin , Chen Mengjie , Wang Hongbo , Peng Hexiang , Li Bei , Huang Jian
Published: March 2023

Ti-Co binary intermetallic compounds have attracted lots of attention due to their excellent toughness and interesting anomalous ductility. However, systematic theoretical calculations of alloy properties of different Ti-Co compounds have not been properly investigated yet. In this work, first-principles calculations were performed to study the phase stability, mechanical properties bonding characteristic and slip properties of five Ti-Co binary compounds. The negative enthalpy of formation and cohesive energy showed that all the Ti-Co binary compounds were thermodynamically stable, and TiCo is the most mechanically stable one. According to the elastic stability criterion, these compounds are also mechanically stable. In addition, the mechanical anisotropy of Ti-Co compounds was analyzed by the anisotropy index and the three-dimensional surface of Young’s modulus, where Ti2Co shows the strongest anisotropy, and TiCo2(h) has weakest anisotropy. The phonon calculations of these compounds also show that all five Ti-Co compounds are thermodynamically stable. The density of states (DOS) and differential charge density distributions were analyzed to identify the chemical bonding characteristics of the Ti-Co binary compounds, which exhibit metal and covalent-like bonding and different magnetic properties. Finally, the plastic deformation mechanism of Ti-Co compounds was understood by calculating the generalized stacking fault energy (GSFE) of different slip systems. The anomalous ductility of TiCo and TiCo3 mainly arises from the complex slip system and the lower slip energy barrier of the compounds.
Metabolic and Transcriptomic Signatures of the Acute Psychological Stress Response in the Mouse Brain
Authors: Lee Haein , Park Jina , Kim Seyun
Published: March 2023

Acute stress response triggers various physiological responses such as energy mobilization to meet metabolic demands. However, the underlying molecular changes in the brain remain largely obscure. Here, we used a brief water avoidance stress (WAS) to elicit an acute stress response in mice. By employing RNA-sequencing and metabolomics profiling, we investigated the acute stress-induced molecular changes in the mouse whole brain. The aberrant expression of 60 genes was detected in the brain tissues of WAS-exposed mice. Functional analyses showed that the aberrantly expressed genes were enriched in various processes such as superoxide metabolism. In our global metabolomic profiling, a total of 43 brain metabolites were significantly altered by acute WAS. Metabolic pathways upregulated from WAS-exposed brain tissues relative to control samples included lipolysis, eicosanoid biosynthesis, and endocannabinoid synthesis. Acute WAS also elevated the levels of branched-chain amino acids, 5-aminovalerates, 4-hydroxy-nonenal-glutathione as well as mannose, suggesting complex metabolic changes in the brain. The observed molecular events in the present study provide a valuable resource that can help us better understand how acute psychological stress impacts neural functions.
Data Science and Plant Metabolomics
Authors: Kisiel Anna , Krzemińska Adrianna , Cembrowska-Lech Danuta , Miller Tymoteusz
Published: March 2023

The study of plant metabolism is one of the most complex tasks, mainly due to the huge amount and structural diversity of metabolites, as well as the fact that they react to changes in the environment and ultimately influence each other. Metabolic profiling is most often carried out using tools that include mass spectrometry (MS), which is one of the most powerful analytical methods. All this means that even when analyzing a single sample, we can obtain thousands of data. Data science has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of plant metabolism. This review demonstrates that machine learning, network analysis, and statistical modeling are some techniques being used to analyze large quantities of complex data that provide insights into plant development, growth, and how they interact with their environment. These findings could be key to improving crop yields, developing new forms of plant biotechnology, and understanding the relationship between plants and microbes. It is also necessary to consider the constraints that come with data science such as quality and availability of data, model complexity, and the need for deep knowledge of the subject in order to achieve reliable outcomes.
The Dynamic Changes in the Main Substances in Codonopsis pilosula Root Provide Insights into the Carbon Flux between Primary and Secondary Metabolism during Different Growth Stages
Authors: Wang Sheng-Song , Zhang Tong , Wang Long , Dong Shuai , Wang Dong-Hao , Li Bin , Cao Xiao-Yan
Published: March 2023

The dried root of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., referred to as Dangshen in Chinese, is a famous traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides, lobetyolin, and atractylenolide III are the major bioactive components contributing to its medicinal properties. Here, we investigated the dynamic changes of the main substances in annual Dangshen harvested at 12 time points from 20 May to 20 November 2020 (from early summer to early winter). Although the root biomass increased continuously, the crude polysaccharides content increased and then declined as the temperature fell, and so did the content of soluble proteins. However, the content of total phenolics and flavonoids showed an opposite trend, indicating that the carbon flux was changed between primary metabolism and secondary metabolism as the temperature and growth stages changed. The changes in the contents of lobetyolin and atractylenolide III indicated that autumn might be a suitable harvest time for Dangshen. The antioxidant capacity in Dangshen might be correlated with vitamin C. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression profiles of a few enzyme genes involved in the polysaccharide biosynthesis pathways at different growth stages, showing that CpUGpase and CPPs exhibited a highly positive correlation. These results might lay a foundation for choosing cultivars using gene expression levels as markers.
Atherosclerosis Calcification: Focus on Lipoproteins
Authors: Neels Jaap G. , Leftheriotis Georges , Chinetti Giulia
Published: March 2023

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids in the vessel wall, leading to the formation of an atheroma and eventually to the development of vascular calcification (VC). Lipoproteins play a central role in the development of atherosclerosis and VC. Both low- and very low-density lipoproteins (LDL and VLDL) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) stimulate, while high-density lipoproteins (HDL) reduce VC. Apolipoproteins, the protein component of lipoproteins, influence the development of VC in multiple ways. Apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), the main protein component of HDL, has anti-calcific properties, while apoB and apoCIII, the main protein components of LDL and VLDL, respectively, promote VC. The role of lipoproteins in VC is also related to their metabolism and modifications. Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) are more pro-calcific than native LDL. Oxidation also converts HDL from anti- to pro-calcific. Additionally, enzymes such as autotaxin (ATX) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), involved in lipoprotein metabolism, have a stimulatory role in VC. In summary, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which lipoproteins and apolipoproteins contribute to VC will be crucial in the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for VC and its associated cardiovascular disease.
Fabrication of a Disposable Amperometric Sensor for the Determination of Nitrite in Food
Authors: Liu Chao , Chen Daoming , Zhu Chunnan , Liu Xiaojun , Wang Yu , Lu Yuepeng , Zheng Dongyun , Fu Baorong
Published: March 2023

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized through an environmentally friendly method with tea extract as a reduction agent. By immobilizing them on the surface of a low-cost pencil graphite electrode (PGE) with the aid of a simple and well-controlled in-situ electropolymerization method, a novel nanosensing interface for nitrite was constructed. The film-modified PGE showed good electrocatalytic effects on the oxidation of nitrite and was characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. Characterization results clearly show that the successful modification of AgNPs improved the surface area and conductivity of PGEs, which is beneficial to the high sensitivity and short response time of the nitrite sensor. Under the optimal detection conditions, the oxidation peak current of nitrite had a good linear relationship with its concentration in the range of 0.02–1160 μmol/L with a detection limit of 4 nmol/L and a response time of 2 s. Moreover, the sensor had high sensitivity, a wide linear range, a good anti-interference capability, and stability and reproducibility. Additionally, it can be used for the determination of nitrite in food.
A Pressure and Temperature Dual-Parameter Sensor Based on a Composite Material for Electronic Wearable Devices
Authors: Zhang Zhidong , Zhang Huinan , Zhang Qingchao , Zhao Xiaolong , Li Bo , Zang Junbin , Zhao Xuefeng , Zhang Tiansheng
Published: March 2023

Wearable sensors integrating multiple functionalities are highly desirable in artificial wearable devices, which are of great significance in the field of biomedical research and for human–computer interactions. However, it is still a great challenge to simultaneously perceive multiple external stimuli such as pressure and temperature with one single sensor. Combining the piezoresistive effect with the negative temperature coefficient of resistance, in this paper, we report on a pressure–temperature dual-parameter sensor composed of a polydimethylsiloxane film, carbon nanotube sponge, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate). The proposed multifunctional sensor can stably monitor pressure signals with a high sensitivity of 16 kPa−1, has a range of up to 2.5 kPa, and also has a fast response time. Meanwhile, the sensor can also respond to temperature changes with an ultrahigh sensitivity rate of 0.84% °C−1 in the range of 20 °C to 80 °C. To validate the applicability of our sensor in practical environments, we conducted real-scene tests, which revealed its capability for monitoring = human motion signals while simultaneously sensing external temperature stimuli, reflecting its great application prospects for electronic wearable devices.
Multilayer Smart Holographic Label with Integrated RFID for Product Security and Monitoring
Authors: Pârvulescu Cătălin , Anăstăsoaie Veronica , Tomescu Roxana , Aldrigo Martino , Cristea Dana
Published: March 2023

Counterfeiting presents a major economic problem and an important risk for the public health and safety of individuals and countries. To make the counterfeiting process more difficult, and to ensure efficient authentication, a solution would be to attach anti-counterfeit labels that include a radio frequency identification (RFID) element to the products. This can allow real-time quality check along the entire supply chain. In this paper we present the technology optimized to obtain a multilayer holographic label with a high degree of security, patterned on a thin zinc sulfide film of a semi-transparent holographic foil rather than on the standard substrate for diffractive optical elements (metallized foil). The label is applied onto the product surface or packaging for anti-counterfeit protection. The developed multilayer structure contains various elements such as: a holographic background, nanotext-type elements, holographic elements, and an RFID antenna. The employed semi-transparent holographic foil offers the RFID antenna the possibility to transmit the electromagnetic signal through the label and thus to maximize the antenna footprint, achieving up to 10 m reading distance, with a 6 cm × 6 cm label, much smaller than the commercial standard (minimum 10 cm × 10 cm).
Research on IMU Calibration Model Based on Polar Decomposition
Authors: Zhao Guiling , Tan Maolin , Wang Xu , Liang Weidong , Gao Shuai , Chen Zhijian
Published: March 2023

As an important deterministic error of the inertial measurement unit (IMU), the installation error has a serious impact on the navigation accuracy of the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS). The impact becomes more severe in a highly dynamic application environment. This paper proposes a new IMU calibration model based on polar decomposition. Using the new model, the installation error is decomposed into a nonorthogonal error and a misalignment error. The compensation of the IMU calibration model is decomposed into two steps. First, the nonorthogonal error is compensated, and then the misalignment error is compensated. Based on the proposed IMU calibration model, we used a three-axis turntable to calibrate three sets of strapdown inertial navigation systems (SINS). The experimental results show that the misalignment errors are larger than the nonorthogonal errors. Based on the experimental results, this paper proposes a new method to simplify the installation error. This simplified method defines the installation error matrix as an antisymmetric matrix composed of three misalignment errors. The navigation errors caused by the proposed simplified calibration model are compared with the navigation errors caused by the traditional simplified calibration model. The 48-h navigation experiment results show that the proposed simplified calibration model is superior to the traditional simplified calibration model in attitude accuracy, velocity accuracy, and position accuracy.
Reconstruction of the Magma Transport Patterns in the Permian-Triassic Siberian Traps from the Northwestern Siberian Platform on the Basis of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility Data
Authors: Latyshev Anton , Radko Victor , Veselovskiy Roman , Fetisova Anna , Krivolutskaya Nadezhda , Fursova Sofia
Published: March 2023

Patterns of magma transport during the emplacement of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are extremely important for the understanding of their formation. The Permian-Triassic Siberian Traps LIP is considered to be one of the largest in the Phanerozoic; however, mechanisms of magma transfer within and under the crust are still poorly studied. This problem is vital for the reconstruction of the dynamics of magmatic activity and eruption styles, ascertaining the position of magmatic centers and feeding zones, and conception of ore deposits genesis. Here, we present the detailed results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility measurements for lava flows and intrusions from the Noril’sk and Kulumbe regions (the northwestern Siberian platform). We reconstructed patterns of magma flow based on the magnetic fabric analysis of more than 100 sites. Distribution of the magnetic lineation in the studied intrusions and flows points out that the lateral magma flow of NW-SE directions was predominant. Our results support the idea of a magma-controlling role of Noril’sk-Kharaelakh and Imangda-Letninskiy regional fault zones. Furthermore, the reconstructed geometry of magma transport in intrusions is contrasting with that in the Angara-Taseeva depression (the southern part of the LIP) due to the presence of the long-lived mobile zones in the northwestern Siberian platform.
Preparation and Characterization of Nano-Fe3O4 and Its Application for C18-Functionalized Magnetic Nanomaterials Used as Chromatographic Packing Materials
Authors: Liu Wen-Xin , Zhou Wei-Na , Song Shuang , Zhao Yong-Gang , Lu Yin
Published: March 2023

A new type of magnetic nanomaterial with Fe3O4 as the core and organic polymer as the shell was synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization. This material not only overcomes the problem of insufficient mechanical strength of the organic polymer, it also solves the problem that Fe3O4 is prone to oxidation and agglomeration. In order to make the particle size of Fe3O4 meet the requirement of the seed, the solvothermal method was used to prepare Fe3O4. The effects of the reaction time, amount of solvent, pH value, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the particle size of Fe3O4 were investigated. In addition, in order to accelerate the reaction rate, the feasibility of preparing Fe3O4 by microwave was studied. The results showed that under the optimum conditions, the particle size of Fe3O4 could reach 400 nm and had good magnetic properties. After three stages of oleic acid coating, seed emulsion polymerization, and C18 modification, the obtained C18-functionalized magnetic nanomaterials were used for the preparation of the chromatographic column. Under optimal conditions, stepwise elution significantly shortened the elution time of sulfamethyldiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, and sulfamethoxazole while still achieving a baseline separation.
Great Potential of Si-Te Ovonic Threshold Selector in Electrical Performance and Scalability
Authors: Wu Renjie , Sun Yuting , Zhang Shuhao , Zhao Zihao , Song Zhitang
Published: March 2023

The selector is an indispensable section of the phase change memory (PCM) chip, where it not only suppresses the crosstalk, but also provides high on-current to melt the incorporated phase change material. In fact, the ovonic threshold switching (OTS) selector is utilized in 3D stacking PCM chips by virtue of its high scalability and driving capability. In this paper, the influence of Si concentration on the electrical properties of Si-Te OTS materials is studied; the threshold voltage and leakage current remain basically unchanged with the decrease in electrode diameter. Meanwhile, the on-current density (Jon) increases significantly as the device is scaling down, and 25 MA/cm2 on-current density is achieved in the 60-nm SiTe device. In addition, we also determine the state of the Si-Te OTS layer and preliminarily obtain the approximate band structure, from which we infer that the conduction mechanism conforms to the Poole-Frenkel (PF) model.
The Application of Nanofibrous Resonant Membranes for Room Acoustics
Authors: Kalinova Klara
Published: March 2023

Solitary sound absorbing elements exist; however, their construction is massive and heavy, which largely limits their use. These elements are generally made of porous materials that serve to reduce the amplitude of the reflected sound waves. Materials based on the resonance principle (oscillating membranes, plates, and Helmholtz’s resonators) can also be used for sound absorption. A limitation of these elements is the absorption of a very narrow sound band to which these elements are “tuned”. For other frequencies, the absorption is very low. The aim of the solution is to achieve a high sound absorption efficiency at a very low weight. A nanofibrous membrane was used to create high sound absorption in synergy with special grids working as a cavity resonator. Prototypes of the nanofibrous resonant membrane on a grid with a thickness of 2 mm and an air gap of 50 mm already showed a high level of sound absorption (0.6–0.8) at a frequency of 300 Hz, which is a very unique result. Since acoustic elements, i.e., lighting, tiles, and ceilings, are designed for interiors, an essential part of the research is also the achievement of the lighting function and the emphasis on aesthetic design.
A DFT Study of Ruthenium fcc Nano-Dots: Size-Dependent Induced Magnetic Moments
Authors: Ungerer Marietjie J. , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: March 2023

Many areas of electronics, engineering and manufacturing rely on ferromagnetic materials, including iron, nickel and cobalt. Very few other materials have an innate magnetic moment rather than induced magnetic properties, which are more common. However, in a previous study of ruthenium nanoparticles, the smallest nano-dots showed significant magnetic moments. Furthermore, ruthenium nanoparticles with a face-centred cubic (fcc) packing structure exhibit high catalytic activity towards several reactions and such catalysts are of special interest for the electrocatalytic production of hydrogen. Previous calculations have shown that the energy per atom resembles that of the bulk energy per atom when the surface-to-bulk ratio < 1, but in its smallest form, nano-dots exhibit a range of other properties. Therefore, in this study, we have carried out calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) with long-range dispersion corrections DFT-D3 and DFT-D3-(BJ) to systematically investigate the magnetic moments of two different morphologies and various sizes of Ru nano-dots in the fcc phase. To confirm the results obtained by the plane-wave DFT methodologies, additional atom-centred DFT calculations were carried out on the smallest nano-dots to establish accurate spin-splitting energetics. Surprisingly, we found that in most cases, the high spin electronic structures had the most favourable energies and were hence the most stable.
Low Threshold Current and Polarization-Stabilized 795 nm Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers
Authors: Fu Qiuxue , Sun Yurun , Yu Suzhen , Wang Ancheng , Yin Jiajing , Zhao Yongming , Dong Jianrong
Published: March 2023

Low threshold current and polarization-stabilized 795 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are fabricated by integrating a surface grating of high polarization selectivity and high reflectivity. The rigorous coupled-wave analysis method is used to design the surface grating. For the devices with a grating period of 500 nm, a grating depth of ~150 nm, and a diameter of the surface grating region of 5 μm, a threshold current of 0.4 mA and an orthogonal polarization suppression ratio (OPSR) of 19.56 dB are obtained. The emission wavelength of 795 nm of a single transverse mode VCSEL is achieved at a temperature of 85 °C under an injection current of 0.9 mA. In addition, experiments demonstrate that the threshold and output power also depended on the size of the grating region.
Covalent Triazine Framework C6N6 as an Electrochemical Sensor for Hydrogen-Containing Industrial Pollutants. A DFT Study
Authors: Hammud Hassan H. , Yar Muhammad , Bayach Imene , Ayub Khurshid
Published: March 2023

Industrial pollutants pose a serious threat to ecosystems. Hence, there is a need to search for new efficient sensor materials for the detection of pollutants. In the current study, we explored the electrochemical sensing potential of a C6N6 sheet for H-containing industrial pollutants (HCN, H2S, NH3 and PH3) through DFT simulations. The adsorption of industrial pollutants over C6N6 occurs through physisorption, with adsorption energies ranging from −9.36 kcal/mol to −16.46 kcal/mol. The non-covalent interactions of analyte@C6N6 complexes are quantified by symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and non-covalent interaction (NCI) analyses. SAPT0 analyses show that electrostatic and dispersion forces play a dominant role in the stabilization of analytes over C6N6 sheets. Similarly, NCI and QTAIM analyses also verified the results of SAPT0 and interaction energy analyses. The electronic properties of analyte@C6N6 complexes are investigated by electron density difference (EDD), natural bond orbital analyses (NBO) and frontier molecular orbital analyses (FMO). Charge is transferred from the C6N6 sheet to HCN, H2S, NH3 and PH3. The highest exchange of charge is noted for H2S (−0.026 e−). The results of FMO analyses show that the interaction of all analytes results in changes in the EH-L gap of the C6N6 sheet. However, the highest decrease in the EH-L gap (2.58 eV) is observed for the NH3@C6N6 complex among all studied analyte@C6N6 complexes. The orbital density pattern shows that the HOMO density is completely concentrated on NH3, while the LUMO density is centred on the C6N6 surface. Such a type of electronic transition results in a significant change in the EH-L gap. Thus, it is concluded that C6N6 is highly selective towards NH3 compared to the other studied analytes.
The Impact of Sociodemographic Factors on the Rationing of Nursing Care in Urology Wards
Authors: Jarosz Katarzyna , Młynarska Agnieszka
Published: March 2023

Background: The problem of care rationing is widespread all over the world and results from many factors affecting nurses. These factors may result from the environment in which the nurses work, e.g., the atmosphere at work, or may not be related to work, e.g., place of residence. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of sociodemographic factors (place of residence, satisfaction with the financial situation, number of forms of postgraduate education, work system, number of patients per nurse, number of diseases) on care rationing, job satisfaction and quality of nursing care. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study which includes 130 nurses from all over Poland who work in urology wards. The criteria for inclusion were consent to the examination, practicing the profession of a nurse, work in the urology department and work experience of at least 6 months, regardless of the number of hours worked (full-time/part-time). The study was conducted using the standardized PIRNCA (Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care) questionnaire. Results: The average rationing nursing care was 1.11/3 points which means nursing care was rarely rationed. The average job satisfaction was 5.95/10 points, and the assessment of the quality of patient care was 6.88/10 points, which means a medium level of the job satisfaction and the quality of patient care. The rationing of care was affected by the number of nurse illnesses; job satisfaction was influenced by the place of residence and satisfaction with the financial situation, while the quality of care was not influenced by any of the analyzed factors. Conclusions: The result of care rationing is at a similar level as the results in Poland and abroad. Despite the rare rationing of care, employers should take corrective action, especially in terms of increasing the staff and health prevention of nurses.
Attenuation of In Vitro and In Vivo Virulence Is Associated with Repression of Gene Expression of AIG1 Gene in Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Lozano-Mendoza Janeth , Ramírez-Montiel Fátima , Rangel-Serrano Ángeles , Páramo-Pérez Itzel , Mendoza-Macías Claudia Leticia , Saavedra-Salazar Faridi , Franco Bernardo , Vargas-Maya Naurú , Jeelani Ghulam , Saito-Nakano Yumiko , Anaya-Velázquez Fernando , Nozaki Tomoyoshi , Padilla-Vaca Felipe
Published: March 2023

Entamoeba histolytica virulence results from complex host–parasite interactions implicating multiple amoebic components (e.g., Gal/GalNAc lectin, cysteine proteinases, and amoebapores) and host factors (microbiota and immune response). UG10 is a strain derived from E. histolytica virulent HM-1:IMSS strain that has lost its virulence in vitro and in vivo as determined by a decrease of hemolytic, cytopathic, and cytotoxic activities, increased susceptibility to human complement, and its inability to form liver abscesses in hamsters. We compared the transcriptome of nonvirulent UG10 and its parental HM-1:IMSS strain. No differences in gene expression of the classical virulence factors were observed. Genes downregulated in the UG10 trophozoites encode for proteins that belong to small GTPases, such as Rab and AIG1. Several protein-coding genes, including iron-sulfur flavoproteins and heat shock protein 70, were also upregulated in UG10. Overexpression of the EhAIG1 gene (EHI_180390) in nonvirulent UG10 trophozoites resulted in augmented virulence in vitro and in vivo. Cocultivation of HM-1:IMSS with E. coli O55 bacteria cells reduced virulence in vitro, and the EhAIG1 gene expression was downregulated. In contrast, virulence was increased in the monoxenic strain UG10, and the EhAIG1 gene expression was upregulated. Therefore, the EhAIG1 gene (EHI_180390) represents a novel virulence determinant in E. histolytica.
Monitoring the Status of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases in Non-Endemic Implementation Units: A Case Study of Borgu in Northcentral Nigeria
Authors: Adewale Babatunde , Mogaji Hammed , Balogun Joshua , Balogun Emmanuel , Olamiju Francisca , Herbert De’Broski
Published: March 2023

Nigeria remains the most endemic country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH). In line with ongoing monitoring plans, we present findings from a recent analysis of STH epidemiological data in Borgu, one of the non-endemic implementation units for STH in the northcentral region of Nigeria. An overall prevalence of 8.8% was recorded for STH infection, which corresponds to a 51.9% decline from the 18.3% reported in 2013. All the infected participants (36 out of 410) had a low intensity of infection. However, more than two-thirds (69%) of the children do not have access to latrine facilities, and 45% of them walk barefoot. Prevalence was significantly associated with community, age, and parental occupation. About 21–25% reduced odds were reported in some of the study communities, and children whose parents were traders had 20 times lower odds of infection compared to those whose parents were farmers. The ongoing preventive chemotherapy program for lymphatic filariasis in the area could be responsible for the huge reduction in prevalence and intensity estimates for STH. It is therefore important to invest in monitoring transmission dynamics in other non-endemic areas to arrest emerging threats through the provision of complementary interventions including WASH facilities and other health educational tools.
Model-Informed Target Morning 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone Concentrations in Dried Blood Spots for Pediatric Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patients
Authors: Stachanow Viktoria , Neumann Uta , Blankenstein Oliver , Alder-Baerens Nele , Bindellini Davide , Hindmarsh Peter , Ross Richard J. , Whitaker Martin J. , Melin Johanna , Huisinga Wilhelm , Michelet Robin , Kloft Charlotte
Published: March 2023

Monitoring cortisol replacement therapy in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients is vital to avoid serious adverse events such as adrenal crises due to cortisol underexposure or metabolic consequences due to cortisol overexposure. The less invasive dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is an advantageous alternative to traditional plasma sampling, especially in pediatric patients. However, target concentrations for important disease biomarkers such as 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) are unknown using DBS. Therefore, a modeling and simulation framework, including a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model linking plasma cortisol concentrations to DBS 17-OHP concentrations, was used to derive a target morning DBS 17-OHP concentration range of 2–8 nmol/L in pediatric CAH patients. Since either capillary or venous DBS sampling is becoming more common in the clinics, the clinical applicability of this work was shown by demonstrating the comparability of capillary and venous cortisol and 17-OHP concentrations collected by DBS sampling, using a Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok analysis. The derived target morning DBS 17-OHP concentration range is a first step towards providing improved therapy monitoring using DBS sampling and adjusting hydrocortisone (synthetic cortisol) dosing in children with CAH. In the future, this framework can be used to assess further research questions, e.g., target replacement ranges for the entire day.
Evolutionary Analysis of the Melon (Cucumis melo L.) GH3 Gene Family and Identification of GH3 Genes Related to Fruit Growth and Development
Authors: Chen Sheng , Zhong Kaiqin , Li Yongyu , Bai Changhui , Xue Zhuzheng , Wu Yufen
Published: March 2023

The indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) auxin is an important endogenous hormone that plays a key role in the regulation of plant growth and development. In recent years, with the progression of auxin-related research, the function of the Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) gene has become a prominent research topic. However, studies focusing on the characteristics and functions of melon GH3 family genes are still lacking. This study presents a systematic identification of melon GH3 gene family members based on genomic data. The evolution of melon GH3 family genes was systematically analyzed by means of bioinformatics, and the expression patterns of the GH3 family genes in different melon tissues during different fruit developmental stages and with various levels of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) induction were analyzed with transcriptomics and RT-qPCR. The melon genome contains 10 GH3 genes distributed across seven chromosomes, and most of these genes are expressed in the plasma membrane. According to evolutionary analysis and the number of GH3 family genes, these genes can be divided into three subgroups, and they have been conserved throughout the evolution of melon. The melon GH3 gene has a wide range of expression patterns across distinct tissue types, with expression generally being higher in flowers and fruit. Through promoter analysis, we found that most cis-acting elements contained light- and IAA-responsive elements. Based on the RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses, it can be speculated that CmGH3-5, CmGH3-6 and CmGH3-7 may be involved in the process of melon fruit development. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the GH3 gene family plays an important role in the development of melon fruit. This study provides an important theoretical basis for further research on the function of the GH3 gene family and the molecular mechanism underlying the development of melon fruit.
Conjoining Trees for the Provision of Living Architecture in Future Cities: A Long-Term Inosculation Study
Authors: Mylo Max D. , Ludwig Ferdinand , Rahman Mohammad A. , Shu Qiguan , Fleckenstein Christoph , Speck Thomas , Speck Olga
Published: March 2023

Faced with the environmental challenges posed by climate change, architects are creating nature-based solutions for urban areas, such as transforming living trees into artificial architectural structures. In this study, we have analyzed stem pairs of five tree species conjoined for more than eight years by measuring the stem diameters below and above the resulting inosculation and by calculating the respective diameter ratio. Our statistical analyses reveal that Platanus × hispanica and Salix alba stems do not differ significantly in diameter below inosculation. However, in contrast to P. × hispanica, the diameters of the conjoined stems above inosculation differ significantly in S. alba. We provide a binary decision tree based on diameter comparisons above and below inosculation as a straightforward tool for identifying the likelihood of full inosculation with water exchange. Moreover, we have compared branch junctions and inosculations by means of anatomical analyses, micro-computed tomography, and 3D reconstructions showing similarities in the formation of common annual rings that increase the capacity for water exchange. Due to the highly irregular cell arrangement in the center of the inosculations, cells cannot be assigned clearly to either of the stems. In contrast, cells in the center of branch junctions can always be attributed to one of the branches.
Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging for Early Detection of Drought and Heat Stress in Strawberry Plants
Authors: Arief Muhammad Akbar Andi , Kim Hangi , Kurniawan Hary , Nugroho Andri Prima , Kim Taehyun , Cho Byoung-Kwan
Published: March 2023

The efficiency of photosynthesis in strawberry plants is measured to maintain the quality and quantity of strawberries produced. The latest method used to measure the photosynthetic status of plants is chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (CFI), which has the advantage of obtaining plant spatiotemporal data non-destructively. This study developed a CFI system to measure the maximum quantum efficiency of photochemistry (Fv/Fm). The main components of this system include a chamber for plants to adapt to dark environments, blue LED light sources to excite the chlorophyll in plants, and a monochrome camera with a lens filter attached to capture the emission spectra. In this study, 120 pots of strawberry plants were cultivated for 15 days and divided into four treatment groups: control, drought stress, heat stress, and a combination of drought and heat stress, resulting in Fv/Fm values of 0.802 ± 0.0036, 0.780 ± 0.0026, 0.768 ± 0.0023, and 0.749 ± 0.0099, respectively. A strong correlation was found between the developed system and a chlorophyll meter (r = 0.75). These results prove that the developed CFI system can accurately capture the spatial and temporal dynamics resulting from the response of strawberry plants to abiotic stresses.
Avenanthramides, Distinctive Hydroxycinnamoyl Conjugates of Oat, Avena sativa L.: An Update on the Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Bioactivities
Authors: Pretorius Chanel J. , Dubery Ian A.
Published: March 2023

Avenanthramides are a group of N-cinnamoylanthranilic acids (phenolic alkaloid compounds) that are produced in oat plants as phytoalexins, in response to pathogen attack and elicitation. The enzyme catalysing the cinnamamide-generating reaction is hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA: hydroxyanthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HHT, a member of the super family of BAHD acyltransferases). HHT from oat appears to have a narrow range of substrate usage, with preferred use of 5-hydroxyanthranilic acid (and to a lesser extent, other hydroxylated and methoxylated derivatives) as acceptor molecules, but is able to use both substituted cinnamoyl-CoA and avenalumoyl-CoA thioesters as donor molecules. Avenanthramides thus combine carbon skeletons from both the stress-inducible shikimic acid and phenylpropanoid pathways. These features contribute to the chemical characteristics of avenanthramides as multifunctional plant defence compounds, as antimicrobial agents and anti-oxidants. Although avenanthramides are naturally and uniquely synthesised in oat plants, these molecules also exhibit medicinal and pharmaceutical uses important for human health, prompting research into utilisation of biotechnology to enhance agriculture and value-added production.
Experimental and Simulative Analysis of the Pressure Development in a Closed Injection Pultrusion Process with Multiple Chamber Geometries
Authors: Strauss Sebastian , Wilhelm Frederik , Senz Andreas , Engelen Herbert , Boysen Simon , Rilli Niko , Celik Alptekin , Ratka Marcel , Bonten Christian
Published: March 2023

The use of innovative higher-performance highly reactive resin systems requires an enhancement of the established method of fiber impregnation (open bath) towards closed resin-injection pultrusion (CIP), due to the short pot life of the resin systems. The result is that the open bath is developed into a closed injection and impregnation chamber (“ii-chamber”). In this study, three parameters—resin viscosity, opening angle and opening factor at the injection point on the ii-chamber—are varied, each in three stages. For each set of parameters, a pultrusion trial is conducted and the process pressures in the ii-chamber and pultrusion die measured. This enables direct feedback via the process conditions of the as yet uncured composite. The data obtained are used to validate a newly developed simulation model. The model is based on Darcy’s law, which has been extended to take fiber movement into account and thus represent the resulting pressure increase in the die. The flexible ii-chamber and die concept enhance our understanding of the processes taking place in the die system. The sensitivity of the process pressures can be shown for the three influencing variables. The experiment shows that of the three influencing variables investigated, viscosity has the greatest sensitivity to pressure development. In general, it can be said that over the length of the pultrusion die system, the pressure level increases across the three measuring points.
Core–Shell Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Base Electrospinning Microfibers for Drug Delivery
Authors: Mares-Bou Sofía , Serrano María-Antonia , Gómez-Tejedor José Antonio
Published: March 2023

In this study, electrospun membranes were developed for controlled drug release applications. Both uniaxial Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and coaxial fibers with a PVA core and a poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) coating were produced with different coating structures. The best conditions for the manufacture of the fibers were also studied and their morphology was analyzed as a function of the electrospinning parameters. Special attention was paid to the fiber surface morphology of the coaxial fibers, obtaining both porous and non-porous coatings. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the model protein for the drug release studies and, as expected, the uncoated fibers were determined to have the fastest release kinetics. Different release rates were obtained for the coated fibers, which makes this drug release system suitable for different applications according to the release time required.
Comparative Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS) Study of Ionically and Physically Crosslinked Hydrogels
Authors: Goudoulas Thomas B. , Didonaki Anna , Pan Sharadwata , Fattahi Ehsan , Becker Thomas
Published: March 2023

Hydrogels are highly versatile and widely applicable materials within various scientific, technological, and food sectors. Alginate and gelatin hydrogels, along with their crafted variations, are possibly the most common ones. However, the ionic crosslinking of alginate-Ca++ is a different gelation mechanism than the physical crosslinking of gelatin. In this work, we prepare alginate-Ca++ hydrogels using individual layer gelation and experimentally evaluate LAOS rheological behavior. We apply shear-stress decomposition using the MITlaos software and obtain the elastic and viscous contributions within the nonlinear response of the individual alginate-Ca++ layer. We compare these results with the nonlinear responses of the gelatin-alginate ex situ individual layer. The strain-sweep patterns are similar, with loss modulus overshoot. The applied shear can destroy the larger-scale structural units (agglomerate/aggregates), resulting in analogous patterns. However, the critical strain points are different. Based on the shear-thickening ratio T of the LAOS analysis, it can be assumed that the common feature of ex situ preparation, i.e., gelation as individual layers, provides a matching bulk microstructure, as the hydrogels differ significantly at a molecular-binding level.
Recycling of Epoxy/Fiberglass Composite Using Supercritical Ethanol with (2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium)2[CuCl4] Complex
Authors: Protsenko Alexander E. , Protsenko Alexandra N. , Shakirova Olga G. , Petrov Victor V.
Published: March 2023

The widespread use of polymer composite materials (PCM) leads to an increase in non-recyclable waste. This paper discusses the feasibility of recycling fiberglass with an epoxy matrix by solvolysis in ethanol under supercritical conditions. The solvolysis process completes successfully within four hours in an environment of a pure solvent containing 10% water at a temperature of 280 °C when the solvent passes into the supercritical state. The treatment time increases up to 10 h at a process temperature of 250 °C. When using a coordination compound of copper(II) chloride with organic chloride salt having 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium as the counterion, having the composition of (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium)2[CuCl4], the treatment time is reduced. The addition of the complex of 5% by weight makes it possible to completely remove the epoxy matrix at a temperature of 250 °C for two hours. The products separated from the solvolysis liquid were studied by infrared spectroscopy. The resulting fibers were examined by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The residual strength of the recovered fibers is 98%. Thus, the resulting fibers can be reused in the composite industry. Including both for the production of decorative products and for the production of structural products made of polymer composite materials.
Justice System Contact and Health: Do Immigrants Fair Better or Worse than the Native-Born after Arrest, Probation, or Incarceration?
Authors: Harris Casey T. , Nino Michael , Zhang Zhe (Meredith) , Robert Mia
Published: March 2023

Despite decades of both macro- and micro-level studies showing immigration to be unassociated or negatively linked to crime, research examining the consequences of justice system contact among immigrants has been comparatively underdeveloped. The current study examines whether justice system contact (arrest, probation, and incarceration) is linked to poorer health and, in turn, whether there were differences in how justice system contact is related to immigrant versus native-born health. Using data from multiple waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we construct both ordinal and Poisson regression models predicting poor self-rated health and the prevalence of chronic health conditions for both foreign-born and native-born groups, as well as different generations. The findings suggest important differences by nativity, immigrant generation, and type of justice system contact. Despite lower criminality than the native-born, the health of immigrants is deleteriously impacted by some types of justice system contact, especially incarceration, while probation is more strongly linked to poor health among the native-born. Our findings carry implications for the provision of care for individuals with histories of criminal justice involvement, as well as academic research examining the consequences of justice contact and the immigration–crime nexus.
Refugee Students’ Psychosocial Well-Being: The Case of a Refugee Hospitality Centre in Greece
Authors: Palaiologou Nektaria , Prekate Viktoria
Published: March 2023

Education can be important for assisting the psychosocial well-being of marginalized communities such as refugees and contributes to the effective processing of feelings and isolation prevention by mitigating the long-term effects of trauma and developing strategies to manage life changes. A small-scale study was conducted on 21 students from a Refugee Hospitality Center in Greece to investigate their psychosocial well-being through questions about their life, daily activities, former and current school life, family relations, feelings about their past and present, and expectations from their new country of residence. The research was conducted through semi-constructed interviews by a specialist research team and certain sociological factors, such as gender, country of origin, and prior school experience, were examined. The results highlight the presence of severe traumatic histories in the lives of many refugee children, the need to escape from their countries of origin, missed school years, the impact of current schooling on their psychological well-being, and the limitations of camp life. Most children reported school experiences to be among their happiest moments, affirming the importance of schooling in helping children build mental health resilience.
Analysis of Hazardous Waste Management Elements in Oil and Gas Enterprises Based on the Life-Cycle Management Concept
Authors: Wang Rui , Xu Qing , He Chenyu , Liu Xinyi , Feng Zhenyu , Zhang Luxiaohe , Gao Jun
Published: March 2023

By analyzing the China’s hazardous waste management policy and the existing problems in hazardous waste management, the elements of hazardous waste management in oil and gas exploration enterprises were identified. Based on the theory of life-cycle management under the concept of sustainable development, combined with literature research, a three-level comprehensive index system was constructed by using the AHP–entropy weight method to evaluate the hazardous waste management capability of oil and gas enterprises. It was proposed that oil and gas enterprises should further strengthen the life-cycle management of hazardous waste, strengthen the assessment of hazardous waste management capacity, continuously establish a sound hazardous waste supervision system, and actively build a hazardous waste information control platform to realize the whole-process tracking management, as well as other suggestions.