bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biosorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution by Chemically Modified Syzygium cumini Leaves and its Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies
Authors: Salman Syed Muhammad , Muhammad Sardar , Iqbal Mahmood , Aijaz Muhammad , Siddique Muhammad , Ali Asad , Nawaz Saleem , Kamran Abdul Waheed 
Published: May 2021

The removal of Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions from aqueous solution by a novel low-cost biosorbent; chemically modified Syzygium cumini leaves (CMSCL) was studied. The effects of biomass dosage, pH, concentration, temperature and contact time were investigated. Characterization of CMSCL was carried out by FT-IR spectroscopy, pore size, and surface area analyzer. The maximum biosorption capability of CMSCL for Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions was 104 and 50 mg/g at optimum conditions of pH 6 and 7, biomass dosage of 5 g/L, contact time of 120 and 90 min and temperature of 50 and 40 0C, respectively. The experimental data was analyzed using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetics models. The biosorption of Pb (II) and Cd (II) followed pseudo-second order model. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models were applied to explain the removal of heavy metal ions by CMSCL biosorbent. Langmuir isotherm model fitted better than other isotherm models. Thermodynamics parameters such as
�H0, �G0 and �S0 showed that the biosorption of Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions onto CMSCL was spontaneous, exothermic and feasible under examined conditions. The occurrence of various functional groups and change in the absorption frequency after metal uptake indicates that complexation was the main mechanism involved in the process of biosorption. Based on the present investigation, it was proved that CMSCL is an effective, alternative and economical biosorbent for the removal of Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions.
Keywords:
Source of Organic Matter and Paleo-Environmental Reconstruction 13 Using 8 C Isotope from Mid-Siwalik Sediments of a Late Miocene Himalayan Foreland Basin, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Abbas , Jiayong Pan , Jie Yan , Nabi Ahmad 
Published: May 2021

This study examined the stable carbon isotope13 (8 C) and characterization of sources of organic matter from core samples of sandstones of mid-Siwalik group Dhok Pathan Formation from Surghar- Shingar Range of NW Himalayan foreland Fold-and-Thrust-Belt. These sediments have recorded valuable information regarding the palaeo-vegetation type and paleo-environment/depositional environments. The analytical results of stable carbon isotope range from -24.50 to -28.43% with an average value of -26.56%. These values correspond to C3 vegetation of cool growing season and support the hypothesis of the dominance of C3 biomass in the ecosystem during the late-Miocene in this area. The phytoclasts are characterized as huminite/vitrinite, derived from terrestrial plants and referred to as type-III kerogen. The fungal attack, scaring and pitting of bacterial activity, biochemical degradation, replacement/diagenetic development of pyrite suggest that these sandstones of Dhok Pathan Formation were deposited under dyoxic conditions and thus these sandstones are primary reduced sandstones.
State of the Art of Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Pitto Rocco 
Published: May 2021

For centuries, mankind has been trying to find a way to restore the function of compromised limbs. Initially, only external devices were used to split and support. The dramatic advancements achieved in metallurgical, pharmacological, and surgical sciences during the 1950s allowed to safely replace damaged portions of the human body. At this time, which we could refer as the dawn of arthroplasty, several types of joint replacements were developed. The surgical pioneers had to face a number of obstacles during the development of medical devices designed for replacement of the human body. The novel biomaterials needed to be well integrated by the host with a minimal negative response. Examples for adverse tissue responses are bone resorption observed using polyethylene, and inflammatory reactions to metal debris with cobalt chrome alloys. Bioceramics were found to cause minimal tissue reactions, and thus showed excellent biocompatibility; Alumina ceramics in particular have offered a safe solution for bearing surfaces applications in arthroplasty surgery. However, the path to the development of ceramic biotechnology has been a long one. It took three decades to achieve the safety and quality of the current bioceramic composites, which consist of an alumina matrix with finely dispersed zirconia-reinforcing particles. The latest generation of this material, and the principal representative of this category, is the zirconia platelet-toughened alumina (ZPTA) composite. This novel bioceramic, used as a bearing couple for total hip arthroplasty, has shown excellent outcomes in the 20+ years of clinical use due to its high resistance to wear with minimal production of tribological debris, and minimal immune response, which are the prerequisites for long-term survival of joint replacement components.In this seminar, I will review the development history and analyse the current state-of-the-art of basic science and related clinical research of the contemporary ceramic total hip arthroplasty.
Highly Efficient Adsorption of Bilirubin by Ti3C2Tx MXene
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Yang Jian , Su Dawei , Wang Chengyin , Wang Guoxiu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe discovered that the 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene sheet displays an ultra‐high removal capability for bilirubin (BR). In particular, MXene shows 47.6 times higher removal efficiency over traditional activated carbon absorbents. The effect of MXene on the removal rate of BR in BR solution containing different concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied. The adsorption capacity of BSA for BR at high concentration of 5 g L−1 was about 85% of the best adsorption capacity. The MXene before and after adsorption was characterized by SEM, FT‐IR and XPS. Furthermore, MXene beads were prepared, and the hemoperfusion simulation experiment was carried out. The results show that the adsorption capacity of MXene for bilirubin can reach 1192.9 mg g−1. This study suggests that MXene may be promising in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia.
High‐Spin Iron(VI), Low‐Spin Ruthenium(VI), and Magnetically Bistable Osmium(VI) in Molecular Group 8 Nitrido Trifluorides NMF3
Authors: Stüker Tony , Xia Xiya , Beckers Helmut , Riedel Sebastian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPseudo‐tetrahedral nitrido trifluorides N≡MF3 (M=Fe, Ru, Os) and square pyramidal nitrido tetrafluorides N≡MF4 (M=Ru, Os) were formed by free‐metal‐atom reactions with NF3 and subsequently isolated in solid neon at 5 K. Their IR spectra were recorded and analyzed aided by quantum‐chemical calculations. For a d2 electron configuration of the N≡MF3 compounds in C3v symmetry, Hund's rule predict a high‐spin 3A2 ground state with two parallel spin electrons and two degenerate metal d(δ)‐orbitals. The corresponding high‐spin 3A2 ground state was, however, only found for N≡FeF3, the first experimentally verified neutral nitrido FeVI species. The valence‐isoelectronic N≡RuF3 and N≡OsF3 adopt different angular distorted singlet structures. For N≡RuF3, the triplet 3A2 state is only 5 kJ mol−1 higher in energy than the singlet 1A′ ground state, and the magnetically bistable molecular N≡OsF3 with two distorted near degenerate 1A′ and 3A“ electronic states were experimentally detected at 5 K in solid neon.
Characteristic Dihydroagarofuran Sesquiterpenoids with Neuroprotective Effects from the Celastraceae Plant Tripterygium wilfordii
Authors: Chen Fangyou , Wang Jing , Luo Yongming , Li Chuangjun , Huang Jiwu , Ma Jie , Zhang Dongming 
Published: May 2021

Main observation and conclusionTen new characteristic dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpenoids and three known ones were acquired from the Celastraceae plant Tripterygium wilfordii. Their structure characterizations were done through spectroscopic data, while compounds 10—12 were further confirmed by single crystal diffractions. Several dihydroagarofurans protected PC12 cells against H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity as detected by CCK8 assay. Compounds 5—7 and 13 significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, compounds 5—7 and 13 activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and increased Nrf2, NQO1, and HO1 expression levels in PC12 cells after H2O2 treatment.
Modeling belief‐desire‐intention reasoning agents for situation‐aware formalisms
Authors: Mahfooz Ul Haque Hafiz , Saleem Kiran , Salman Khan Ahmad 
Published: May 2021

SummaryA natural disaster is an inevitable situation that can occur at any time and anywhere along with varied forms such as earthquakes, floods, hurricane, wildfire, and so forth, and different level of occurrences has been recorded from mild to an intense level. Timely disaster response plays an important role in reducing its deteriorate after‐effects and can save countless lives. Over the years, people have been developing guidelines and processes to cope up with such kinds of hazardous situations. In recent years, with the advent of the pervasive computing paradigm, situation‐awareness has been considered to be the most fascinating approach for situation assessment and provides decision support accordingly. Situation‐aware systems observe/perceive dynamic changes in the environment, understand/comprehend the situation, and perform actions according to the environment. Although state‐of‐the‐art formalisms have been developed to handle such kinds of hazardous situations intelligently and rescue the victims. However, belief‐desire‐intention (BDI) reasoning mechanism with the incorporation of situation‐awareness is still the thirsty area of research to manage hazardous situations. In this article, we propose a temporal epistemic situation‐aware formalism for BDI reasoning agents to model the context‐aware decision support system. To demonstrate the work of the proposed formalism, we develop a case study based on a disaster situation, in which BDI agents are modeled and simulated to present the results in terms of agents' reasoning processes. We demonstrate the scalability in temporal aspects of the system using different levels of disasters to monitor the hazardous situations and evaluate the overall behavior of the system.
A novel marble recognition system using extreme learning machine with LBP and histogram features
Authors: Turan Erhan , Ucar Ferhat , Dandil Besir 
Published: May 2021

SummaryMarble classification in production facilities is a sensitive application, which results in light of the subjective decisions of experts. The expert classifies marble manually with its color, homogeneity, and texture in the process. An intelligent marble classifier based on image processing can provide solutions to current problems of the industry. In the proposed study, we introduce an intelligent classifier for marble classification with different classes in real field production. The purpose of the proposed intelligent model for marble facilities is to automate and enhance the manual classification process at present. The real‐world dataset consists of Rosso‐Levanto, Onyx, Keivan, and Black marble images. Local Binary Patterns and Histogram are used for feature extraction and Extreme Learning Machine is designed as an intelligent classifier. Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, and Artificial Neural Network structures are also used for thorough performance analysis. The findings (successful test rate of 97.5%) reveal a high performance comparing to existing studies.
Genetic analysis of resistance to bacterial blight Race 18 and B12‐linked marker analysis in U.S. upland cotton
Authors: Elassbli Hanan , Zhu Yi , Abdelraheem Abdelraheem , Wheeler Terry , Wedegaertner Tom , Zhang Jinfa 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBacterial blight (BB) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is caused by the gram‐negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum (Xcm), and Xcm Race 18 is the most prevalent and virulent bacterium across the U.S. Cotton Belt. The objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic basis of resistance to Xcm Race 18 in U.S. upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) as broadly represented by 34 resistant obsolete U.S. upland accessions and 29 resistant commercial cultivars and elite breeding lines spanning a century of breeding efforts. Segregation in resistance was analyzed in F2 populations from crosses between the resistant parents and one or two susceptible parents (one upland: Acala Ultima or NM 14T1330, and one G. barbadense: NMSI E2032). A total of 111 F1, 95 F2, and 23 F2:3 populations were artificially inoculated with Xcm Race 18 to investigate segregation ratios for BB resistance. All F1 were resistant, and 65 F2 populations derived from 52 resistant parents exhibited the expected 3:1 resistant/susceptible ratio for resistance to Xcm Race 18, indicating a dominant resistance gene conferring the resistance. The analysis of DNA markers that are tightly linked to the B12 gene on chromosome c14 (D02) showed that all the resistant germplasms tested possessed the B12 gene and they were co‐segregating with BB resistance, indicating that the B12 locus is broadly distributed within the U.S. upland cotton. The results point to the need to discern if these resistant lines carry different B12 alleles or different but tightly linked resistance loci including B12.
Solar‐Driven Lignocellulose‐to‐H2 Conversion in Water using 2D‐2D MoS2/TiO2 Photocatalysts
Authors: Wang Pei , Yuan Yong‐Jun , Liu Qing‐Yu , Cheng Quan , Shen Zhi‐Kai , Yu Zhen‐Tao , Zou Zhigang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAs an alternative strategy for H2 production under ambient conditions, solar‐driven lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion provides a very attractive approach to store and utilize solar energy sustainably. Exploiting efficient photocatalyst for photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion is of huge significance and remains the key challenge for development of solar H2 generation from lignocellulose. Herein, 2D‐2D MoS2/TiO2 photocatalysts with large 2D nanojunction were constructed for photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion. In this smart structure, the 2D nanojunctions acted as efficient channel for charge transfer from TiO2 to MoS2 to improve charge separation efficiency and thus enhance photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion activity. The 2 % MoS2/TiO2 photocatalyst showed the highest photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion performance with the maximal H2 generation rate of 201 and 21.4 μmol h−1 g−1 in α‐cellulose and poplar wood chip aqueous solution, respectively. The apparent quantum yield at 380 nm reached 1.45 % for 2 % 2D‐2D TiO2/MoS2 photocatalyst in α‐cellulose aqueous solution. This work highlights the importance of optimizing the interface structures of photocatalyst for solar‐driven lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a patient with complete situs inversus viscerum: A case report and literature review
Authors: Emmanuel James , Sriram Nagaraj , Muthukaruppan Raman 
Published: May 2021

AbstractComplete situs inversus viscerum (SIV) is a rare congenital condition, defined by a left‐right transposition of all viscera with dextroposition of the heart. In patients with SIV that requires endoscopic intervention, namely endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the left‐right coordination can be technically demanding even with skilled endoscopist. We report a case of a patient with underlying SIV who presented with septic shock secondary to ascending cholangitis compounded with a malaria infection. Despite the ascertainment of a relatively large Common Bile Duct (CBD) stone, ERCP and stenting were pursued as an initial treatment modality in view of the clinical presentation of cholangitis and COVID‐19‐related delays in surgical intervention at our center. This case is unique as the patient was maintained in a supine position throughout the procedure. The patient underwent a successful ERCP procedure followed by a CBD Exploration and cholecystectomy 2 weeks later. A key factor that contributed to the success of this procedure was the combined utilization of a rotatable sphincterotome and extractor balloon which assisted with cannulation and shortening manoeuvre of the duodenoscope to facilitate biliary stenting.
The role of tectonic activity, topographic gradient and river flood events in the Testina travertine (Acque Albule Basin, Tivoli, Central Italy)
Authors: Scalera Fabio , Mancini Alessandro , Capezzuoli Enrico , Claes Hannes , Swennen Rudy 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe Acque Albule Basin in Tivoli (Rome, Central Italy) represents one of the largest exposures of travertine deposits in the world. A detailed study of the Upper Pleistocene Testina travertine, constituting the poorly lithified top part of the Lapis Tiburtinus travertines, is presented. Fieldwork performed in an area of 10 km2 and petrographic analysis allow the recognition of six geobodies with different geometries, degree of diagenetic alteration and architectural elements, composed of seven lithotypes. The Testina travertine appears in general as a poorly lithified travertine, even if it shows a high degree of cementation. It is mainly characterised by blocky, drusy or bladed microsparite and sparite calcite cements, related to thermal and meteoric phreatic to vadose water circulation, affecting in particular those travertine deposits located in the northern part of the study area. The Testina, neglected until now in the several studies performed in the Acque Albule Basin, shows a progradational trend from the north to the south and is characterised by environments, evidencing deposition on a gentle slope, in an alluvial plain and in a shallow lake, with gradual transitions between low‐energy environments and high‐energy environments. Furthermore, based on correlation between the different geobodies in the overall study area, the Testina travertine depositional system was influenced by tectonic activity in the northern part, by an increasing topographic gradient and water discharge flow in the central part and by flooding events related to the Aniene River in the southern part. This study aims to differentiate such influencing factors facilitating the analysis of other travertine depositional systems and also to aid in the interpretation of subsurface analogues, as in the case of South Atlantic Pre‐Salt reservoirs.
Association of sarcopenia with a higher risk of infection in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhang Yongze , Weng Suiyan , Huang Lingning , Shen Ximei , Zhao Fengying , Yan Sunjie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to determine whether patients with type 2 diabetes and sarcopenia had a higher risk of infection.Study designsA cross‐sectional study and a follow‐up study were performed.MethodA total of 2562 patients were enrolled and assessed for body composition and infection status. They were classified into four groups according to body fat (BF) and muscle mass index (ASMI): obese, sarcopenic, sarcopenic obese, and normal. Among these, 275 patients were followed for a median follow‐up period of 1.84 years to evaluate the relationship of changes in skeletal muscle with infection status.ResultsThe sarcopenic and sarcopenic obese groups showed a higher risk of infection, an increase by 49.6% (OR = 1.496, 95% CI 1.102–2.031) and 42.4% (OR = 1.424, 95% CI 1.031–1.967) compared with the normal group, and also had a higher risk of respiratory infection, an increase by 56.0% (OR = 1.560, 95% CI 1.084–2.246) and 57.4% (OR = 1.574, 95% CI 1.080–2.293), respectively. Patients with the increased ASMI (OR = 0.079, 95% CI 0.021–0.298) represented a lower risk of infection than those with the decreased ASMI. Even a minor change (OR = 0.125, 95% CI 0.041–0.378) against age was beneficial to lowering the risk of infection. However, no association was found in the changes of body mass index and BF with infection status.ConclusionsSarcopenia, especially in patients with diabetes who are also obese, increases the risk of infection. Maintaining or improving muscle mass is expected to reduce infections.
Common spatial patterns of trees in various tropical forests: Small trees are associated with increased diversity at small spatial scales
Authors: Fibich Pavel , Novotný Vojtěch , Ediriweera Sisira , Gunatilleke Savitri , Gunatilleke Nimal , Molem Kenneth , Weiblen George D. , Lepš Jan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTropical forests are notable for their high species diversity, even on small spatial scales, and right‐skewed species and size abundance distributions. The role of individual species as drivers of the spatial organization of diversity in these forests has been explained by several hypotheses and processes, for example, stochastic dilution, negative density dependence, or gap dynamics. These processes leave a signature in spatial distribution of small trees, particularly in the vicinity of large trees, likely having stronger effects on their neighbors. We are exploring species diversity patterns within the framework of various diversity‐generating hypotheses using individual species–area relationships. We used the data from three tropical forest plots (Wanang—Papua New Guinea, Barro Colorado Island—Panama, and Sinharaja—Sri Lanka) and included also the saplings (DBH ≥ 1 cm). Resulting cross‐size patterns of species richness and evenness reflect the dynamics of saplings affected by the distribution of large trees. When all individuals with DBH ≥1 cm are included, ~50% of all tree species from the 25‐ or 50‐ha plot can be found within 35 m radius of an individual tree. For all trees, 72%–78% of species were identified as species richness accumulators, having more species present in their surroundings than expected by null models. This pattern was driven by small trees as the analysis of DBH >10 cm trees showed much lower proportion of accumulators, 14%–65% of species identified as richness repellers and had low richness of surrounding small trees. Only 11%–26% of species had lower species evenness than was expected by null models. High proportions of species richness accumulators were probably due to gap dynamics and support Janzen–Connell hypothesis driven by competition or top‐down control by pathogens and herbivores. Observed species diversity patterns show the importance of including small tree size classes in analyses of the spatial organization of diversity.
An Introduction to Cite Black Women
Authors: Smith Christen A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this introduction to the special issue on Cite Black Women, Christen Smith describes the conditions of invisibility, exclusion, and silencing of Black women scholars in anthropology. Charting genealogical and biographical confluences, she describes the formation of the Cite Black Women collective, and the interventions imagined by the contributors to this special issue.
Reciprocity and Liability Protections during the Covid‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Koch Valerie Gutmann , Hoffmann Diane E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDuring the Covid‐19 pandemic, as resources dwindled, clinicians, health care institutions, and policymakers have expressed concern about potential legal liability for following crisis standards of care (CSC) plans. Although there is no robust empirical research to demonstrate that liability protections actually influence physician behavior, we argue that limited liability protections for health care professionals who follow established CSC plans may instead be justified by reliance on the principle of reciprocity. Expecting physicians to do something they know will harm their patients causes moral distress and suffering that may leave lasting scars. Limited liability shields are both appropriate and proportionate to the risk physicians are being asked to take in such circumstances. Under certain narrow circumstances, it remains unclear that the standard of care is sufficiently flexible to protect physicians from liability. Given this uncertainty, the likelihood that physicians would be sued for such an act, and their desire for such immunity, this limited protection is morally legitimate.