bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Photocatalytic Pretreatment on the Membrane Performance in Nanofiltration of Textile Wastewater
Authors: Korkut Sevde , Ormanci-Acar Türkan , Keskin Basak , Ağtaş Meltem , Karahan Özlem , Demir Tuğba U. , Unal Serkan , Menceloglu Yusuf Z. , Koyuncu Ismail 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTraditional methods like biological treatment, flocculation-coagulation, adsorption, and advanced oxidation are commonly employed for textile wastewater treatment, but their sustainability is hindered by issues such as the adverse impact of textile wastewater on microorganisms and the requirement for substantial chemical usage. In response to increasingly stringent legal discharge standards, membrane technologies are emerging as prominent alternatives for effective textile wastewater treatment. The application of photocatalysis as a pretreatment to improve effluent quality and treatment performance has shown effective results in the treatment of textile wastewater by nanofiltration (NF). However, innovative solutions are needed to improve the efficiency of UV photocatalytic reactors. Here, the TiO2/halloysite nanotube (HNT) photocatalyst was shown to completely remove dyes under UV illumination. Two wastewater samples from photocatalytic (PC) pretreatment were treated using innovative NF membranes with different contents. The study examined the impact of PC pretreatment on the flux of wastewater from a textile factory heat recovery tank, which increased from 18.32 to 27.63 L/m2.h. The membranes achieved > 98% removal in COD, while bare membrane achieved 95% removal in conductivity. The addition of s-DADPS as monomer and HNT as nanoparticles to the membranes with different compositions affected the cross-linking in the TFC layer. During the tests conducted on the water extracted from the dyeing tank, the color was completely eliminated without any loss of flux. Additionally, improvements in COD removal were observed.
Green alternatives to petroleum-based plastics: production of bioplastic from Pseudomonas neustonica strain NGB15 using waste carbon source
Authors: Baltacı Nurdan Gönül , Baltacı Mustafa Özkan , Görmez Arzu , Örtücü Serkan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPolyhydroxyalkanoates have attracted great interest as a suitable alternative to petrochemical based plastics due to their outstanding properties such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, the biggest problem in the production of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates is low cost-effectiveness. In this study, polyhydroxyalkanoate production was carried out using waste substrates with local isolates. Culture conditions were optimized to increase the polyhydroxyalkanoate production potential. The produced polyhydroxyalkanoate was characterized by FTIR analyses, and its metabolic pathway was determined by real-time PCR. According to the results, the best polyhydroxyalkanoate producer bacteria was characterized as Pseudomonas neustonica NGB15. The optimal culture conditions were detected as 30 g/L banana peel powder, 25 °C temperature, pH 8, and 4-day incubation time. Under the optimized conditions, 3.34 g/L PHA production was achieved. As a result of FTIR analyses, major peaks were obtained at 1723, 1277, 1261, 1097, 1054, and 993 cm−1. These peaks represent that the type of produced polyhydroxyalkanoate was poly-β-hydroxybutyrate. According to gene expression profile of NGB15, it was determined that Pseudomonas neustonica NGB15 produces PHA using the de novo fatty acid synthesis metabolic pathway. In conclusion, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate production by Pseudomonas neustonica NGB15 using a low-cost fermentation medium has been shown to be biotechnologically promising.
Tumor endothelial cell-derived Sfrp1 supports the maintenance of cancer stem cells via Wnt signaling
Authors: Hayashi Yumiko , Hashimoto Masakazu , Takaoka Katsuyoshi , Takemoto Tatsuya , Takakura Nobuyuki , Kidoya Hiroyasu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs), which are critical targets for cancer therapy as they are involved in drug resistance to anticancer drugs, and metastasis, are maintained by angiocrine factors produced by particular niches that form within tumor tissue. Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (Sfrp1) is an extracellular protein that modulates Wnt signaling. However, the cells that produce Sfrp1 in the tumor environment and its function remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate angiocrine factors related to CSC maintenance, focusing on Sfrp1. Although Sfrp1 is a Wnt pathway-related factor, its impact on tumor tissues remains unknown. We investigated the localization of Sfrp1 in tumors and found that it is expressed in some tumor vessels. Analysis of mice lacking Sfrp1 showed that tumor growth was suppressed in Sfrp1-deficient tumor tissues. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that CSCs were maintained in the early tumor growth phase in the Sfrp1 knockout (KO) mouse model of tumor-bearing cancer. However, tumor growth was inhibited in the late tumor growth phase because of the inability to maintain CSCs. Real-time PCR results from tumors of Sfrp1 KO mice showed that the expression of Wnt signaling target genes significantly decreased in the late stage of tumor growth. This suggests that Sfrp1, an angiocrine factor produced by the tumor vascular niche, is involved in Wnt signaling-mediated mechanisms in tumor tissues.
Imprecise evidence in social learning
Authors: Liu Zixuan , Crosscombe Michael , Lawry Jonathan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Social learning is a collective approach to decentralised decision-making and is comprised of two processes; evidence updating and belief fusion. In this paper we propose a social learning model in which agents’ beliefs are represented by a set of possible states, and where the evidence collected can vary in its level of imprecision. We investigate this model using multi-agent and multi-robot simulations and demonstrate that it is robust to imprecise evidence. Our results also show that certain kinds of imprecise evidence can enhance the efficacy of the learning process in the presence of sensor errors.
Coronabedingte psychische und gesundheitliche Folgen bei Gefangenen im Justizvollzug: vom „Job-demands-resources“-Modell zum „Prison-demands-resources“-Modell?
Authors: Dahle Klaus-Peter , Neumann Merten , Klebe Laura , Meixner-Dahle Sabine 
Published: April 2024

ZusammenfassungDie Coronapandemie brachte für die Bevölkerung erhebliche Belastungen und Einschränkungen mit sich. Auch im Justizvollzug hatten pandemiebedingte Maßnahmen, wie die Einschränkung von Sozialkontakten und Vollzugslockerungen, negative Auswirkungen auf das Wohlbefinden der Häftlinge. Auf der Grundlage dieser außergewöhnlichen Belastungssituation untersucht die vorliegende Studie die Übertragbarkeit des aus der Arbeits- und Gesundheitspsychologie bekannten „Job-demands-resources“(JD-R)-Modells von Bakker und Demerouti (2007) auf den Haftkontext, um dessen Potenziale bei der Aufhellung der Zusammenhänge zwischen Belastung und Folgen zu erkunden. In einer Fragebogenstudie wurden n = 956 Gefangene zu coronabedingten Belastungen durch Einschränkungen, dem therapeutischen Halt, ihrer psychischen Gesundheit, dem wahrgenommenen Lebenssinn, Suizidgedanken, ihrer Lebenszufriedenheit und dem Gesundheitserleben befragt.Entsprechend den Annahmen des JD-R-Modells zeigte sich, dass der Zusammenhang zwischen Belastungen durch Einschränkungen und Suizidgedanken, der Lebenszufriedenheit und dem Gesundheitserleben über die psychische Gesundheit der Gefangenen vermittelt wird. Des Weiteren zeigte sich, dass der therapeutische Halt als bedeutende Ressource für die Gefangenen fungiert und über den dadurch vermittelten Lebenssinn mit Suizidgedanken, der Lebenszufriedenheit und dem Gesundheitserleben im Zusammenhang steht. Postulierte Interaktionseffekte des Modells zwischen Belastungen und Ressourcen konnten in dieser Studie nicht repliziert werden. Dennoch zeigte sich tendenziell ein mildernder Einfluss des therapeutischen Halts auf die Negativeffekte von Belastungen durch Einschränkungen auf die psychische Gesundheit der Gefangenen.Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass sich Belastungssituationen im Haftkontext über die psychische Gesundheit negativ auf die Einstellungen und das Erleben der Gefangenen auswirken, während sich Ressourcen über den Lebenssinn positiv auf die Gefangenen auswirken. Insgesamt erscheinen eine Übertragung des JD-R-Modells auf den Haftkontext sowie die Überprüfung der Auswirkungen anderer haftrelevanter Belastungen und Ressourcen anhand eines „Prison-demands-resources-Modells“ in künftigen Studien sinnvoll.
Regulatory Effect of Osteocytes on Extramedullary and Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue Development and Function
Authors: Lecka-Czernik Beata , Khan Mohd Parvez , Letson Joshua , Baroi Sudipta , Chougule Amit 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review summarizes evidence on osteocyte support of extramedullary and bone marrow adipocyte development and discusses the role of endogenous osteocyte activities of nuclear receptors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and alpha (PPARA) in this support.

Recent Findings
PPARG and PPARA proteins, key regulators of glucose and fatty acid metabolism, are highly expressed in osteocytes. They play significant roles in the regulation of osteocyte secretome and osteocyte bioenergetics; both activities contributing to the levels of systemic energy metabolism in part through an effect on metabolic function of extramedullary and bone marrow adipocytes. The PPARs-controlled osteocyte endocrine/paracrine activities, including sclerostin expression, directly regulate adipocyte function, while the PPARs-controlled osteocyte fuel utilization and oxidative phosphorylation contribute to the skeletal demands for glucose and fatty acids, whose availability is under the control of adipocytes.

Summary
Bone is an inherent element of systemic energy metabolism with PPAR nuclear receptors regulating osteocyte-adipocyte metabolic axes.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12-Derived Postbiotic Powders Enhance Antioxidant and Physicochemical Properties of Low-Fat Yoghurt
Authors: Yousefvand Amin , Pham Quang-Hieu , Ho Thao M. , Amiri Saber , Mäkelä-Salmi Noora , Saris Per E. J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFortifying conventional foods with postbiotic powders (PP) is an effective approach for the production of functional products. Preserving both functional properties of PP and the physical characteristics of fortified products is essential during this process. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and consumer testing of low-fat yoghurt fortified with PP and changes in their physical properties, including rheology, water holding capacity, and microstructure over a 21-day storage period. PP, derived from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12 grown in cheese whey (CW) and skim milk (SM), was added to the product at 1% individually (B12-CW and B12-SM) and in a mixture (BB12-CW-SM). The results indicated that the antioxidant activity of the samples fortified with PP was 4.6 − 6.3%, almost double the values in samples without PP, despite their similar viability of starters (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) (> 8.5 log cfu/g). Adding BB12-CW significantly reduced mouthfeel, flavor, and overall acceptability of the product, while adding BB12-SM and BB12-CW-SM did not alter any consumer acceptability. Similarly, regardless of PP types, their fortification had negligible effects on viscosity, viscoelastic properties, shear-thinning behaviors, water-holding capacity, and microstructure formation, which remained nearly unchanged during storage. Overall, the addition of PP, particularly BB12-SM and BB12-CW-SM, significantly increased antioxidant activity while preserving important physical and consumer acceptance of yoghurt. These findings underscore the potential of postbiotics as functional ingredients, enhancing both the nutritional values and consumer appeal of yoghurt, thereby promoting its health benefits.
Reappraising the role of thyroid scintigraphy in the era of TIRADS: A clinically-oriented viewpoint
Authors: Trimboli Pierpaolo , Bojunga Joerg , Deandrea Maurilio , Frasca Francesco , Imperiale Alessio , Leoncini Andrea , Paone Gaetano , Pitoia Fabian , Rotondi Mario , Sadeghi Ramin , Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Treglia Giorgio , Piccardo Arnoldo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThyroid nodules (TNs) are a common entity, with the majority being benign. Therefore, employing an accurate rule-out strategy in clinical practice is essential. In the thyroid field, the current era is significantly marked by the worldwide diffusion of ultrasound (US)-based malignancy risk stratification systems of TN, usually reported as Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data System (TIRADS). With the advent of US (and later TIRADS), the role of thyroid scintigraphy (TS) in clinical practice has gradually diminished. The authors of the present paper believe that the role of TS should be reappraised, also considering its essential role in detecting autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and its limited contribution to detecting thyroid cancers. Thus, this document aims to furnish endocrinologists, radiologists, surgeons, and nuclear medicine physicians with practical information to appropriately use TS.
Mechanical trauma in children and adolescents in Berlin
Authors: Eimer Christine , Buschmann Claas , Deeken Jonas , Kerner Thoralf 
Published: April 2024

AbstractManagement of severe pediatric trauma remains challenging. Injury patterns vary according to patient age and trauma mechanism. This study analyzes trauma mechanisms in deceased pediatric patients. Fatal pediatric trauma cases aged 0–18 years who underwent forensic autopsy in the Federal State of Berlin, Germany, between 2008 until 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Autopsy protocols were analyzed regarding demographic characteristics, trauma mechanisms, injury patterns, resuscitation measures, survival times as well as place, and cause of death. 71 patients (73% male) were included. Traffic accidents (40%) were the leading cause of trauma, followed by falls from height > 3 m (32%), railway accidents (13%), third party violence (11%) and other causes (4%). While children under 14 years of age died mostly due to traumatic brain injury (59%), polytrauma was the leading cause of death in patients > 14 years (55%). Other causes of death were hemorrhage (9%), thoracic trauma (1%) or other (10%). A suicidal background was proven in 24%. In the age group of > 14 years, 40% of all mortalities were suicides. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out in 39% of all patients. 42% of the patients died at the scene. Children between 0 and 14 years of age died most frequently from traumatic brain injury. In adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age, polytrauma was mostly the cause of death with a high coincidence of suicidal deaths. The frequency of fatal traffic accidents and suicides shows the need to improve accident and suicide prevention for children and adolescents.
Why did God let this Happen? Assessing the Spiritual Impacts of Sexual Addiction on Intimate Female Partners: A Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Aghamiri Fakri Seyed , Luetz Johannes M. , Hills Karenne 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRecent years have seen a rise in research on sexual addiction (SA) and compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB). In the literature, these concepts describe an emerging field of study that may encompass a range of interpersonal and communal consequences for concerned individuals, their intimate partners, families, and society. Taboos surrounding SA/CSB often shroud the subject in shame and ignorance. Despite growing scholarly interest in SA/CSB, few studies have analysed intimate partners’ lived experiences in depth, and no other research has investigated the spiritual impacts of SA/CSB on intimate partners. This descriptive phenomenological study addresses this knowledge gap. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with female partners (primary participants; n = 12) and professional counsellors (supplementary participants; n = 15). The analysis reveals that following discovery/disclosure, SA/CSB may affect women via complex and multifaceted spiritual consequences. Significantly, most women did not receive validation or safety from their faith communities. Instead, many reported experiencing a range of spiritual impacts, including changes in their faith, fear of stigmatization, the perception of pastoral pressure to ‘forgive and forget’, ostracism from their faith communities, and/or a sense of anger directed towards God as the perceived silent co-conspirator who permitted the deception to continue undiscovered, sometimes over years or even decades. The study’s findings point to salient opportunities for faith communities to provide more targeted support and assistance during healing and recovery.
Psychometric properties of the motors of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance scale in New Zealand: Insights from confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Adu Peter , Popoola Tosin , Collings Sunny , Aspin Clive , Medvedev Oleg N. , Simpson Colin R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHigh vaccination coverage plays an essential role in curbing epidemics and pandemics, making it important to have a country-specific valid and standardised instruments for assessing vaccination attitudes. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Motors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale (MoVac-COVID19S) in New Zealand. A total of 413 participants completed an online survey in June and July 2022, which included the MoVac-COVID19S questions, demographic factors, and a single-item measure of COVID-19 vaccination willingness. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structures of the scale. Results indicated that the one-factor structure of the 9-item version best fitted the data compared to the one and four factor structures of the 12-item version, which showed acceptable fit indices after model modifications. All estimated fit indices were acceptable: CFI, GFI, and TLI > 0.95, RMSEA and SRMR < 0.08. The full scales of the MoVac-COVID19S demonstrated excellent reliability for both the 12-item (α = 0.91; ω = 0.91) and the 9-item (α = 0.94; ω = 0.95) versions. The bifactor model indicated a strong general factor, explaining 60–90% of the Explained Common Variance (ECV) for most items, surpassing specific factors. The MoVac-COVID19S is a reliable and valid scale to measure COVID-19 vaccination attitudes. The 9-item version appeared as the best choice for a unidimensional assessment. Future vaccination programmes can benefit from an adapted version of the MoVac-COVID19S to assess public attitudes towards new vaccines. Further psychometric assessment, including Rasch analysis, is recommended to strengthen the reliability and validity of the MoVac-COVID19S.
Autoclave Design for Microgravity Hydrothermal Synthesis
Authors: Frick Jessica J. , Ormsby Rachel , Li Zhou , Ozbakir Yaprak , Liu Chen , Cox Jasmine M. , Carraro Carlo , Maboudian Roya , Senesky Debbie G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMicrogravity offers an enticing synthetic knob for materials scientists to explore—however, this environment creates major challenges in hardware development that can turn a simple 3-day experiment into a 3-year long nightmare. This paper provides an overview of engineering an autoclave, compatible with NASA’s Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) furnace, to enable microgravity hydrothermal synthesis—an acceleration-sensitive technique that processes aqueous samples above the boiling point of water. Hydrothermal synthesis is a universal chemical transformation technique that is used to produce a range of advanced materials with applications in alternative energy, healthcare, and the food industry. In this work, we use the synthesis of graphene hydrogel as a case study to verify our hardware design on Earth before launching to the International Space Station for microgravity testing. The design addresses pertinent challenges which include enabling thermal expansion while preventing air bubble formation in solution and implementing a pressure fail-safe above the maximum operating temperature. Our goal in presenting this autoclave design is to provide a step forward towards commercial-of-the-shelf microgravity hardware.
Production technique and multi-analytical characterization of a paint-plastered ceiling from the Late Antique villa of Negrar (Verona, Italy)
Authors: Dilaria Simone , Sbrolli Clelia , Mosimann Federica Stella , Favero Anna , Secco Michele , Santello Lisa , Salvadori Monica 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe research focuses on analyzing the production techniques and materials of a Roman paint-plastered ceiling from a Late Antique Roman villa near Negrar (Verona, Italy), recently uncovered. Stylistic features of the decoration, found in reworked collapse debris during the villa’s excavation, date the ceiling to the original construction phase in the 4th century CE. The paper presents the protocol we adopted for recovering and analyzing the painted decoration of the villa, which was in-laboratory recomposed in its original layout after a meticulous and systematic retrieval of fragmented materials. Microsamples of mortar and pigment were then taken to fully reconstruct the execution technique and raw materials used in the paint-plastered ceiling, detailing the application of the tectorium and pigment preparation. Mortar samples were analyzed to define preparatory layer properties, using various analytical techniques including Transmitted-Light Polarized Optical Microscopy (TL-OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDS). Optical reflected-light microscopy detected guide incisions on the preparatory mortar, while Reflected-Light Optical Microscopy (RL-OM) revealed the microstratigraphy of pictorial micro-layers. Micro-samplings of painted decorations were conducted to define pigment palettes, determining their mineralogical composition through X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) analysis coupled with micro-Raman analyses for the determination of carbon-based compounds. The research aims to establish a comprehensive protocol for future endeavors, integrating archaeological reassembly with precise micro-analyses of pigments and mortars, deciphering the intricate layout of ancient, fragmented decorations. This study is the first of its kind in Northern Italy, overcoming challenges posed by fragmented and reworked artifacts in previous research, enabling detailed analytical studies like those conducted here. Moreover, this study of the paint-plastered ceiling of the Late Roman villa of Negrar aims to provide a new impulse for the knowledge of Late Antique painting techniques and materials, which were only marginally considered within Roman painting tradition so far.