bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moringa oleifera seed pod‐based adsorbent for the removal of paracetamol from aqueous solution: A novel approach toward diversification
Authors: Ogunmodede John , Akanji Samuel Babarinde , Bello Olugbenga Solomon 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe removal of paracetamol (PCM) from aqueous solution using chemically modified Moringa seed pod activated carbon (MOSPAC) was investigated. MOSPAC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. EDX results show that carbon in MOSP is 61.69% by weight and 61.18% by atom, while MOSPAC is 78.44% by weight and 88.80% by atom. The effects of operational parameters such as adsorbent dosage, initial PCM concentration, contact time, pH, and temperature were investigated. Langmuir model described the adsorption process mostly with adsorption capacity, qo of 20.284 mg g−1. The Dubinin–Radushkevich (D‐R) isotherm showed that the mean free energy, ED‐R, ranged from 100 to 408 kJ mol−1, suggesting that the mechanism of adsorption of PCM was chemisorption in nature. Similarly, the adsorption kinetic study was adequately described by the pseudo‐second order with R2 values ranging from 0.95 to 0.9998. Thermodynamic parameters, ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG gave (+493.79 kJ mol−1 K−1, +134.8679 kJ mol−1, and −35.3681 kJ mol−1, respectively) revealed that the adsorption process is endothermic, feasible, and spontaneous. The value of Ea (>80 kJ mol−1) shows the mechanism of adsorption follows chemisorption. The cost analysis provides a simple proof that MOSPAC (40.17 USD per kg) is approximately 10 times cheaper than commercial activated carbon (398.70 USD per kg) providing a saving of 358.53 USD per kg. MOSPAC proved to be an effective adsorbent in the removal of PCM from aqueous solution. The use of functionalized Moringa seed pod in removing paracetamol drug even at very low concentration was demonstrated in this study to be efficient and cost effective.Statement of novelty
The adsorption of paracetamol (PCM) on Moringa oleifera seed pod activated carbon (MOSPAC) was investigated.
MOSPAC adsorbent gave a higher qo value for PCM removal from aqueous solution than other similar ones.
MOSPAC is 78.44% by weight and 88.80% by atom, suggesting a promising adsorbent for PCM removal from aqueous solution
Chronic Toxicity of Cobalt to Marine Organisms: Application of a Species Sensitivity Distribution Approach to Develop International Water Quality Standards
Authors: Saili Katerine S. , Cardwell Allison S. , Stubblefield William A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Water quality standards for cobalt (Co) have yet to be developed for the European Union or the United States. The primary objective of the present study was to produce a data set comprising marine Co toxicity data that could be used by both the European Union and the United States to determine a predicted-no-effect concentration and ambient water quality criteria, respectively. Ten marine species, ranging from algae to fish, were subjected to chronic Co toxicity tests that were designed to meet international water quality testing standards. Chronic 10% effect concentration values ranged from a low of 1.23 µg dissolved Co/L for red algae (Champia parvula) to a high of 31 800 µg dissolved Co/L for sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). The species sensitivity ranking for chronic marine Co exposure was as follows (from most to least sensitive): C. parvula &gt; Neanthes arenaceodentata (polychaete) &gt; Americamysis bahia (mysid shrimp) &gt; Skeletonema costatum (marine diatom) &gt; Dendraster excentricus (sand dollar) &gt; Mytilus galloprovincialis (mussel) &gt; Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (purple sea urchin) &gt; Crassostrea gigas (oyster) &gt; Dunaliella tertiolecta (marine flagellate) &gt; C. variegatus. Chronic test results indicated that invertebrate and plant species were substantially more sensitive to Co exposure than fish. The chronic toxicity data were used to calculate a species sensitivity distribution, from which a hazardous concentration 5th percentile of 7.09 µg dissolved Co/L (95% CI 0.025–47.3 µg Co/L) was derived. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1405–1418. © 2021 SETAC
Concentration Addition, Independent Action, and Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships for Chemical Mixture Toxicities of the Disinfection By products of Haloacetic Acids on the Green Alga Raphidocelis subcapitata
Authors: Qin Li-Tang , Liu Min , Zhang Xin , Mo Ling-Yun , Zeng Hong-Hu , Liang Yan-Peng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The potential toxicity of haloacetic acids (HAAs), common disinfection by products (DBPs), has been widely studied; but their combined effects on freshwater green algae remain poorly understood. The present study was conducted to investigate the toxicological interactions of HAA mixtures in the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata and predict the DBP mixture toxicities based on concentration addition, independent action, and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models. The acute toxicities of 6 HAAs (iodoacetic acid [IAA], bromoacetic acid [BAA], chloroacetic acid [CAA], dichloroacetic acid [DCAA], trichloroacetic acid [TCAA], and tribromoacetic acid [TBAA]) and their 68 binary mixtures to the green algae were analyzed in 96-well microplates. Results reveal that the rank order of the toxicity of individual HAAs is CAA &gt; IAA ≈ BAA &gt; TCAA &gt; DCAA &gt; TBAA. With concentration addition as the reference additive model, the mixture effects are synergetic in 47.1% and antagonistic in 25%, whereas the additive effects are only observed in 27.9% of the experiments. The main components that induce synergism are DCAA, IAA, and BAA; and CAA is the main component that causes antagonism. Prediction by concentration addition and independent action indicates that the 2 models fail to accurately predict 72% mixture toxicity at an effective concentration level of 50%. Modeling the mixtures by QSAR was established by statistically analyzing descriptors for the determination of the relationship between their chemical structures and the negative logarithm of the 50% effective concentration. The additive mixture toxicities are accurately predicted by the QSAR model based on 2 parameters, the octanol–water partition coefficient and the acid dissociation constant (pKa). The toxicities of synergetic mixtures can be interpreted with the total energy (ET) and pKa of the mixtures. Dipole moment and ET are the quantum descriptors that influence the antagonistic mixture toxicity. Therefore, in silico modeling may be a useful tool in predicting disinfection by-product mixture toxicities. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1431–1442. © 2021 SETAC
Abstract
The toxicological interactions of disinfection by-product mixtures on green algae. BAA = bromoacetic acid; CAA = chloroacetic acid; DBP = disinfection by-product; DCAA = dichloroacetic acid; IAA = iodoacetic acid; pEC50 = predicted median effect concentration; QSAR = quantitative structure–activity relationship; TBAA = tribromoacetic acid; TCAA = trichloroacetic acid.
Addition of inulin to probiotic yogurt: Viability of probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum) and sensory characteristics
Authors: Kamel Dalia G. , Hammam Ahmed R.A. , Alsaleem Khalid A. , Osman Dina M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe objective of this work was to study the effect of different concentrations of inulin (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%) on the viability of probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum) and sensory characteristics of probiotic yogurt. The yogurt was manufactured with Lactobacillus delbruckii ssp. bulgaricus (Lb), Streptococcus thermophilus (St), and Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bb). Raw milk was received, heated to 90°C, and divided into 4 aliquots portions. All portions were inoculated with 5.11 log cfu of Lb and St combined and 5 log cfu of Bb per kg of milk. The first portion was utilized as control (T1) while 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of inulin were added to the second (T2), third (T3), and fourth (T4) portions, respectively. All treatments were incubated at 40°C until a pH of 4.6 was reached. Subsequently, the yogurt was cooled and stored at 4°C for 16 days. Titratable acidity, total bacterial count (TBC), Bb count, yeast count, mold count, and sensory evaluation were determined during the storage. The results showed that the addition of inulin and the storage period have significant effects (p < .05) on the titratable acidity of the yogurt. The storage of control was ended after 8 days at 4°C due to the growth of molds on the surface of the samples. The TBC decreased (p < .05) over time in control from 8.28 to 7.97 log cfu/g. It was also decreased (p < .05) with increasing the concentration of inulin. However, the addition of inulin increased (p < .05) the viability of Bb during the storage, as well as, acted as an antimicrobial against molds in T2, T3, and T4. Additionally, there were no significant differences (p > .05) in the sensory evaluation of all treatments. We conclude that inulin can be utilized in the manufacturing of probiotic yogurt as a prebiotic, which, inturn, enhances the growth of Bb and increase the shelf‐life.
Porous Silica Microspheres with Immobilized Titania Nanoparticles for In‐Flow Solar‐Driven Purification of Wastewater
Authors: Marques Ana C. , Vale Mário , Vicente Daniel , Schreck Murielle , Tervoort Elena , Niederberger Markus 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this paper, inorganic silica microspheres with interconnected macroporosity are tested as a platform for designing robust and efficient photocatalytic systems for a continuous flow reactor, enabling a low cost and straightforward purification of wastewater through solar‐driven photocatalysis. The photocatalytically active microspheres are prepared by wet impregnation of porous silica scaffolds with Trizma‐functionalized anatase titania (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). NPs loading of 22 wt% is obtained in the form of a thin and well‐attached layer, covering the external surface of the microspheres as well as the internal surface of the pores. The TiO2 loading leads to an increase of the specific surface area by 26%, without impacting the typically interconnected macroporosity (≈60%) of the microspheres, which is essential for an efficient flow of the pollutant solution during the photocatalytic tests. These are carried out in a liquid medium for the decomposition of methyl orange and paracetamol. In addition to photocatalytic activity under continuous flow, the microspheres offer the advantage that they can be easily removed from the reaction medium, which is an appealing aspect for industrial applications. In this work, the typical issues of TiO2 NPs photocatalysts are circumvented, without the need for elaborate chemistries, and for low availability and expensive raw materials.
Hydromagnetic boundary layer flow with heat transfer past a rotating disc embedded in a porous medium
Authors: Sharma Kushal , Vijay Neha , Kumar Sanjay , Makinde Oluwole Daniel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this study, the effect of Coriolis force along with the Darcy parameter has been analyzed on time‐dependent forced convective boundary layer flow of conducting fluids over a rotating disc embedded in a porous medium. The modeled system is solved by power series approximations in the Mathematica environment shooted values. The significant impact of the rheological properties, such as Darcy parameter and Prandtl number , of water, hydrocarbon, and kerosene‐based conducting fluids for the deviation of parameter (Karman) has been noted and then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively with graphs and tables.
Forecasting spot prices of agricultural commodities in India: Application of deep‐learning models
Authors: R L Manogna , Mishra Aswini Kumar 
Published: January 2021

SummaryFood price fluctuations can impact both producers and consumers. Forecasting the prices of the agricultural commodities is of prime concern not only to the government but also to farmers and agribusiness firms. In developing countries like India, management of food security needs competent and efficient forecasting of food prices. With the availability of data, recent innovation in deep‐learning models provides a feasible solution to accurately forecast the prices. In this study, we examine the superiority of these models using the daily spot prices of five major commodities traded on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange: cotton seed, castor seed, rape mustard seed, soybean seed, and guar seed. The results were obtained from the application of the traditional univariate autoregressive integrated moving average model and deep‐learning techniques like the time‐delay neural network (TDNN) and long short‐term memory (LSTM) network. The empirical results indicate that the LSTM model is indeed suitable for the financial domain and captures the directional movement of the spot price changes with high accuracy compared with the TDNN and other linear models. Accuracy of the performance of these models has been compared using out‐of‐sample performance measure. The overall objective of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of spot price forecasting for farmers and traders in offering them the best predictions of the price movements. Our results provide a possibility of developing pricing models that can help in fairly regulating agricultural commodity prices.
Development of Hip Bone Geometry During Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Transgender Adolescents Resembles That of the Experienced Gender When Pubertal Suspension Is Started in Early Puberty
Authors: van der Loos Maria ATC , Hellinga Ilse , Vlot Mariska C , Klink Daniel T , den Heijer Martin , Wiepjes Chantal M 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Bone geometry can be described in terms of periosteal and endocortical growth and is partly determined by sex steroids. Periosteal and endocortical apposition are thought to be regulated by testosterone and estrogen, respectively. Gender-affirming hormone (GAH) treatment with sex steroids in transgender people might affect bone geometry. However, in adult transgender people, no change in bone geometry during GAH was observed. In this study, we investigated changes in bone geometry among transgender adolescents using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and GAH before achieving peak bone mass. Transgender adolescents treated with GnRHa and subsequent GAH before the age of 18 years were eligible for inclusion. Participants were grouped based on their Tanner stage at the start of GnRHa treatment and divided into early, mid, and late puberty groups. Hip structure analysis software calculating subperiosteal width (SPW) and endocortical diameter (ED) was applied to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans performed at the start of GnRHa and GAH treatments, and after ≥2 years of GAH treatment. Mixed-model analyses were performed to study differences over time. Data were visually compared with reference values of the general population. A total of 322 participants were included, of whom 106 were trans women and 216 trans men. In both trans women and trans men, participants resembled the reference curve for SPW and ED of the experienced gender but only when GnRHa was started during early puberty. Those who started during mid and late puberty remained within the reference curve of the gender assigned at birth. A possible explanation might be sought in the phenomenon of programming, which conceptualizes that stimuli during critical windows of development can have major consequences throughout one's life span. Therefore, this study adds insights into sex-specific bone geometry development during puberty of transgender adolescents treated with GnRHa, as well as the general population. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Correlation between the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and diabetic foot ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Kuanxin , Ding Sheng , Lyu Xiaoyu , Tan Qin , Wang Zhongjing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodFrom January 2018 to August 2019, 206 patients with T2DM admitted to the Central Hospital of Wuhan, China, were enrolled in this study, including 104 patients with DFU (DFU group) and 102 patients without DFU (T2DM group). During the same period, 90 healthy subjects were randomly screened as normal controls (NC group). The correlation between PLR and DFU in patients with T2DM was explored by comparing the PLR of the subjects in the three groups.ResultsThe PLRs of the DFU and T2DM groups were higher than that of the NC group, whereas the PLR of the DFU group was higher than that of the T2DM group (p < 0.05). PLR was positively correlated with the Wagner DFU grade (p < 0.001). Based on logistic regression analysis, PLR was found to be an independent risk factor for DFU (OR =1.029, 95% CI: 1.019 ~ 1.039, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the PLR showed that the area under the curve of the PLR for predicting diabetic foot ulcer was 0.776 (p < 0.001), and the analysis determined that the optimal critical value of the PLR for predicting DFU was 147.6.ConclusionThe PLR is significantly elevated in patients with DFU and positively correlated with the Wagner DFU grade, which might be a valuable marker for early diagnosis and assessment of severity of DFU.
A parsimonious approach for recognizing SARS‐CoV‐2 and host interactions
Authors: Ganguly Bhaskar 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEffective countermeasures against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) demand a better understanding of the pathogen‐host interactions. However, such information about the targets, responses, and effects in the host due to the virus is limited, especially so in the case of newly emerged pathogens. The peptide domains that form the interfaces of host and pathogen interacting proteins being evolutionarily conserved, it may be hypothesized that such interactions can be inferred from the similarities in the nucleotide sequences between the host and the pathogen. This communication reports the results of a study based on a parsimonious approach for the identification of the host‐virus interactions, where sequence complementarity between the human and SARS‐Cov‐2 genomes was used to predict several interactions between the host and SARS‐CoV‐2 at different levels of biological organization. In particular, the findings are suggestive of a direct effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 on cardiac health. The existing literature on host responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 and other viruses attest to many of these predicted interactions, supporting the utility of the proposed approach for the identification of host interactions with other novel pathogens.
Quadriceps muscle volume positively contributes to ACL volume
Authors: Shultz Sandra J. , Schmitz Randy J. , Kulas Anthony S. , Labban Jeffrey D. , Wang Hsin‐Min 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFemales have smaller anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) than males and smaller ACLs have been associated with a greater risk of ACL injury. Overall body dimensions do not adequately explain these sex differences. This study examined the extent to which quadriceps muscle volume (VOLQUAD) positively predicts ACL volume (VOLACL) once sex and other body dimensions were accounted for. Physically active males (N = 10) and females (N = 10) were measured for height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Three‐Tesla magnetic resonance images of their dominant and nondominant thigh and knee were then obtained to measure VOLACL, quadriceps, and hamstring muscle volumes, femoral notch width, and femoral notch width index. Separate three‐step regressions estimated associations between VOLQUADand VOLACL(third step), after controlling for sex (first step) and one body dimension (second step). When controlling for sex and sex plus BMI, VOLHAM, notch width, or notch width index, VOLQUADconsistently exhibited a positive association with VOLACLin the dominant leg, nondominant leg, and leg‐averaged models (p < 0.05). Findings were inconsistent when controlling for sex and height (p = 0.038–0.102). Once VOLQUADwas included, only notch width and notch width index retained a statistically significant individual association with VOLACL(p < 0.01).Statement of Clinical Significance: The positive association between VOLQUADand VOLACLsuggests ACL size may in part be modifiable. Future studies are needed to determine the extent to which an appropriate training stimulus (focused on optimizing overall lower extremity muscle mass development) can positively impact ACL size and structure in young females.
Molecule Recognition and Release Behavior of Naphthalenediimide Derivative via Supramolecular Interactions
Authors: Ma Yudong , Luo Lixing , Yang Canglei , Wang Wei , Liu Xitong , Zhang Jing , Huang Wei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSelf‐assembled charge‐transfer complexes based on supramolecular interactions have attracted immense research interest due to their unique packing and (opto)electronic applications. Herein, two new binary cocrystals with a similar 1:1 mixed‐stack arrangement are synthesized by solvent evaporation or grinding method using N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene tetracarboxylic diimide (Me‐NDI) as the receptor. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the successful molecular‐level recognition and various weak interaction networks. Upon thermal treatment of 1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐6,13‐triethylsilylethynyl pentacene (TMTES‐P)/Me‐NDI complex, in situ cocrystal‐to‐crystal conversion is observed, and the receptor is gradually released, while the perylene/Me‐NDI cocrystal disassembles in the same manner as a single‐component compound. The aligned short‐contact network, good stability of TMTES‐P, and anisotropic attachment energies of the TMTES‐P/Me‐NDI cocrystal disassemble in a manner same to that of a single‐component compound. The aligned short‐contact network, good stability of TMTES‐P, and anisotropic attachment complexes are believed to promote the release of specific molecules. These structure–property relationship results provide new insights into the design of a supramolecular class with desired functionalities in terms of self‐assembled recognition, release, or crystal conversion.
Stochastic preemptive goal programming to balance goal achievements under uncertainty
Authors: Ledwith Matthew C. , Hufstetler Brandon J. , Gallagher Mark A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStructured decision‐making in the presence of conflicting goals is difficult, and even more so when accounting for uncertainties in the goals or constraints. In this article, we propose a new approach to multi‐criteria decision‐making that extends the deterministic preemptive goal programming approach to account for such uncertainties. The uncertainties may be characterized in various ways including a Bayesian network or extensive Monte Carlo multi‐variate output. We contend the proposed stochastic preemptive goal programming approach is particularly applicable when better goal achievement increases uncertainty or induces risk to other goals. Resulting solutions tend to be a balance of the goals' achievements and robust to minor changes to the goals or constraints. We demonstrate the approach using three illustrative examples: a univariate example, a bivariate example, and a stock portfolio optimization example along with an application to determine military requests for absence. Our preliminary results suggest that a stochastic preemptive goal programming approach represents an effective means of analysing multi‐criteria decision‐making problems under uncertainty.