bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of active packaging films from Lepidium sativum gum/polyvinyl alcohol composites and their application in preserving cheddar cheese
Authors: Rehim Mona Abdel , Zahran Hamdy A. , Al-Moghazy Marwa 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe interest in active packaging for extending food shelf life has increased lately. Moreover, the negative impact of synthetic plastic wastes on the environmental motivated the researchers to seek for bio-based alternatives. In this context, active packaging film made of a composite composed of Lepidium sativum extract (LSE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and a fixed amount of hyperbranched polyamide amine (PAMAM) were prepared. The chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the film were investigated. Moreover, we examined the extract’s constituents and antioxidant properties. Cheddar cheese samples were coated with films of different compositions. The samples coated with active packaging films showed a longer preservation time of up to 4 weeks compared to other samples, which noticeably deteriorated. The films showed potent antimicrobial activity against five food-borne bacteria: three gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli O157.H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella Typhimurium, and two gram-positive bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Applying PVA films containing LSE improved the microbiological quality and delayed the visible decay of cheddar cheese. The oxidizability of the fat extracted from different cheese samples was 0.40–0.98, confirming oxidation resistance. Finally, cheese samples coated with treated films were protected from forming trans fats compared to other samples, demonstrating the effectiveness of modified films as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and food-preserving packaging.
Understanding the electronic pi-system of 2D covalent organic frameworks with Wannier functions
Authors: Merkel Konrad , Greiner Johannes , Ortmann Frank 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe investigate a family of hexagonal 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with phenyl and biphenyl spacer units and different chemical linker species. Chemical trends are elucidated and attributed to microscopic properties of the $$\pi$$
π
-electron-system spanned by atomic $$p_z$$

p
z

-orbitals. We systematically investigate the electronic structure, delocalization of electronic states, effects of disorder, bond torsion, and doping, and correlate these with variable $$\pi$$
π
-conjugation and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) aromaticity. Molecular orbitals are obtained from maximally localized Wannier functions that have $$\sigma$$
σ
- and $$\pi$$
π
-character, forming distinct $$\sigma$$
σ
- and $$\pi$$
π
-bands for all valence states. The Wannier-orbital description goes beyond simple tight-binding models and enables a detailed understanding of the electronic topology, effective electronic coupling and delocalization. It is shown that a meaningful comparison between COFs with different chemical elements can only be made by examining the entire $$\pi$$
π
-electron system, while a comparison of individual bands (e.g., bands near the Fermi energy) can be a insufficient to derive general design rules for linker and spacer monomer selection. We further identify delocalized states that are spread across tens or hundreds of pores of the 2D COFs and analyze their robustness against structural and energetic disorders like out-of-plane rotations of molecular fragments, different strength of energetic disorder and energetic shifts due to chemical doping.
Intercorrelated variability in blood and hemodynamic biomarkers reveals physiological network in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nakazato Yuichi , Shimoyama Masahiro , Cohen Alan A. , Watanabe Akihisa , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Shimoyama Hirofumi , Shimoyama Hiromi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIncreased intra-individual variability of a variety of biomarkers is generally associated with poor health and reflects physiological dysregulation. Correlations among these biomarker variabilities should then represent interactions among heterogeneous biomarker regulatory systems. Herein, in an attempt to elucidate the network structure of physiological systems, we probed the inter-variability correlations of 22 biomarkers. Time series data on 19 blood-based and 3 hemodynamic biomarkers were collected over a one-year period for 334 hemodialysis patients, and their variabilities were evaluated by coefficients of variation. The network diagram exhibited six clusters in the physiological systems, corresponding to the regulatory domains for metabolism, inflammation, circulation, liver, salt, and protein. These domains were captured as latent factors in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The 6-factor CFA model indicates that dysregulation in each of the domains manifests itself as increased variability in a specific set of biomarkers. Comparison of a diabetic and non-diabetic group within the cohort by multi-group CFA revealed that the diabetic cohort showed reduced capacities in the metabolism and salt domains and higher variabilities of the biomarkers belonging to these domains. The variability-based network analysis visualizes the concept of homeostasis and could be a valuable tool for exploring both healthy and pathological conditions.
Epidemiology of GII.4 and GII.2 norovirus outbreaks in closed and semi-closed institutions in 2017 and 2018
Authors: Cornejo-Sánchez Thais , Soldevila Núria , Coronas Lorena , Alsedà Miquel , Godoy Pere , Razquín Efrén , Sabaté Sara , Guix Susana , Rodríguez Garrido Virginia , Bartolomé Rosa , Domínguez Angela ,   the Working Group for the Study of Outbreaks of Acute Gastroenteritis in Catalonia, Álvarez Josep , Belver Anna Isabel , Camps Neus , Minguell Sofia , Carol Monica , Izquierdo Conchita , Parrón Ignacio , Pérez Cristina , Rovira Ariadna , Sabaté Maria , Sala Maria Rosa , Vileu Rosa Maria , Barrabeig Irene , Jané Mireia , Martínez Ana , Torner Núria , de Benito Javier , Moreno-Martínez Antonio , Rius Cristina , de Andres Anna , Camprubí Esteve , Cunillé Montse , Forns Maria Lluïsa , de Simón Mercé 
Published: January 2023

AbstractNorovirus infections are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, with genotypes GII.2 and GII.4 being the most prevalent. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of GII.2 and GII.4 norovirus outbreaks reported in Catalonia in closed or semi-closed institutions in 2017 and 2018. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of GII.2 and GII.4 outbreaks were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. 61 outbreaks were reported: GII.4 was the causative agent in 12 outbreaks (30%) and GII.2 in 9 outbreaks (22.5%). GII.2 outbreaks were detected more frequently in schools or summer camps (66.7%) and GII.4 outbreaks in nursing homes (91.7%) (p = 0.01). Ninety-three people were affected in GII.2 outbreaks and 94 in GII.4 outbreaks. The median age was 15 years (range: 1–95 years) in GII.2 outbreaks and 86 years (range: 0–100 years) in GII.4 outbreaks (p < 0.001). Nausea, abdominal pain, and headache were observed more frequently in persons affected by GII.2 outbreaks (p < 0.05). Symptomatic cases presented a higher viral load suggestive of greater transmission capacity, although asymptomatic patients presented relevant loads indicative of transmission capacity.
Chemical evidence for milk, meat, and marine resource processing in Later Stone Age pots from Namaqualand, South Africa
Authors: Hopper Courtneay , Dunne Julie , Dewar Genevieve , Evershed Richard P. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe subsistence practices of Later Stone Age (LSA) foragers and herders living in Namaqualand South Africa are often difficult to differentiate based on their archaeological signatures but characterizing their dietary choices is vital to understand the economic importance of domesticates. However, ethnohistoric accounts have provided information on the cooking/boiling of marine mammal fat, mutton, plants, and milk by early herders and foragers across the Western Cape. To further investigate these reports, we use lipid residue analysis to characterize 106 potsherds from four open-air LSA sites, spanning in time from the early first millennium to the late second millennium AD. Two sites (SK2005/057A, SK2006/026) are located on the Atlantic coast whereas sites Jakkalsberg K and Jakkalsberg M are located further inland on the southern bank of the Orange River. Notably, at the coastal sites, the presence of marine biomarkers suggests the intensive and/or specialized processing of marine products in many vessels. The dominance of ruminant carcass products at inland sites and probable sheep remains confirms the importance of stockkeeping. Furthermore, and in good agreement with ethnohistoric accounts for its use, our results provide the first direct chemical evidence for the use of dairy products in LSA western South Africa.
Low field slice-selective ZTE imaging of ultra-short $$T_2$$ tissues based on spin-locking
Authors: Borreguero Jose , Galve Fernando , Algarín José M. , Benlloch José M. , Alonso Joseba 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMagnetic Resonance Imaging of hard biological tissues is very challenging due to small proton abundance and ultra-short $$T_2$$

T
2

decay times, especially at low magnetic fields, where sample magnetization is weak. While several pulse sequences, such as Ultra-short Echo Time (UTE), Zero Echo Time (ZTE) and SWeep Imaging with Fourier Transformation (SWIFT), have been developed to cope with ultra-short lived MR signals, only the latter two hold promise of imaging tissues with sub-millisecond $$T_2$$

T
2

times at low fields. All these sequences are intrinsically volumetric, thus 3D, because standard slice selection using a long soft radio-frequency pulse is incompatible with ultra-short lived signals. The exception is UTE, where double half pulses can perform slice selection, although at the cost of doubling the acquisition time. Here we demonstrate that spin-locking is a versatile and robust method for slice selection for ultra-short lived signals, and present three ways of combining this pulse sequence with ZTE imaging of the selected slice. With these tools, we demonstrate slice-selected 2D ex vivo imaging of the hardest tissues in the body at low field (260 mT) within clinically acceptable times.
Pre-diabetes is associated with attenuation rather than volume of epicardial adipose tissue on computed tomography
Authors: Molnar David , Björnson Elias , Larsson Måns , Adiels Martin , Gummesson Anders , Bäckhed Fredrik , Hjelmgren Ola , Bergström Göran 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EATV) is increased in type-2 diabetes (T2D), while its attenuation (EATA) appears to be decreased. Similar patterns have been suggested in pre-diabetes, but data is scarce. In both pre-diabetes and T2D, any independent role of EATV and EATA in disease development remains to be proven, a task complicated by their substantial co-variation with other anthropometrics, e.g. BMI, waist circumference, and abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT). EATV and EATA was quantified in computed tomography (CT) images in a population study (n = 1948) using an automatic technique. Data was available on BMI, waist circumference, abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, insulin resistance (IR) and glucose tolerance, the latter ranging from normal (NGT), over pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose [IFG, n = 414] impaired glucose tolerance [IGT, n = 321] and their combination [CGI, n = 128]), to T2D. EATV was increased in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR in univariable analyses and when adjusting for BMI, however not when adjusting for waist or VAT. EATA was reduced in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR in univariable analyses and when adjusting for BMI and waist, however not when adjusting for VAT. Adjustment for other co-variates had little influence on the results. In conclusion, EATV is increased and EATA reduced in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR, however, significant co-variation with other anthropometrics, especially VAT, obscures their function in disease development. The current results do not exclude a pathophysiological role of epicardial fat, but future studies need to adjust for anthropometrics, or focus on the microenvironment within the pericardial sac.
Geochemical characteristics and provenance of the detrital sediments in the junction area of Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins, South China Sea
Authors: Meng Fulin , Gan Huajun , Wang Hua , Chen Si , Gong Yin , Zhang Qiyang 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTogether, the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins have received a large amount of terrigenous sediments, but the provenance evolution of Cenozoic sediments in the two basins remains disputable. Combined with previous studies in the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins, the elemental geochemistry of Oligocene to Pliocene sediment samples in the junction area of the two basins were analyzed to explore the tectonic implications, parent rock characteristics, and provenance evolution of the two basins during the Cenozoic. The results reveal that all the sediment samples were derived from continental island arc to passive continental margin settings. The light REE enrichment and stable content of heavy REE with large negative Eu anomalies indicate that they were probably derived from Hainan Island. The reconstructed provenance evolution model showed that the Red River Source (RRS) provided sedimentary materials for the Central Depression of Yinggehai Basin from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, and Hainan Island Source (HIS) was also one of the sources for sediments deposited in the Central Depression of Yinggehai Basin during the Miocene. However, most of the sediments preserved in the Yingdong Slope and Qiongdongnan Basin were derived from the HIS from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, and sediments deposited in the Yingdong Slope were also derived from the RRS during the Miocene. Furthermore, the junction area of the two basins had a mixed source of the RRS and HIS during the Cenozoic.
A study to examine the ageing behaviour of cold plasma-treated agricultural seeds
Authors: Ahmed Naeem , Siow Kim S. , Wee M. F. Mohd Razip , Patra Anuttam 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCold plasma (low pressure) technology has been effectively used to boost the germination and growth of various crops in recent decades. The durability of these plasma-treated seeds is essential because of the need to store and distribute the seeds at different locations. However, these ageing effects are often not ascertained and reported because germination and related tests are carried out within a short time after the plasma-treatment. This research aims to fill that knowledge gap by subjecting three different types of seeds (and precursors): Bambara groundnuts (water), chilli (oxygen), and papaya (oxygen) to cold plasma-treatment. Common mechanisms found for these diverse seed types and treatment conditions were the physical and chemical changes induced by the physical etching and the cold plasma on the seeds and subsequent oxidation, which promoted germination and growth. The high glass transition temperature of the lignin-cellulose prevented any physical restructuring of the surfaces while maintaining the chemical changes to continue to promote the seeds germination and growth. These changes were monitored over 60 days of ageing using water contact angle (WCA), water uptake, electrical conductivity, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The vacuum effect was also investigated to separate its effect from cold plasma (low pressure). This finding offers a framework for determining how long agricultural seeds that have received plasma treatment can be used. Additionally, there is a need to transfer this research from the lab to the field. Once the impact of plasma treatment on seeds has been estimated, it will be simple to do so.
Severe gestational diabetes mellitus in lean dams is associated with low IL-1α levels and affects the growth of the juvenile mouse offspring
Authors: Mihalovičová Lucia , Kunšteková Veronika , Miláček Dávid , Janko Jakub , Pastorek Michal , Konečná Barbora , Gurecká Radana , Rausová Zuzana , Uličná Oľga , Celec Peter , Šebeková Katarína 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe investigated how maternal gestational diabetes (GDM) impacts the metabolic status of offspring. GDM was induced in CD1 mice consuming a fast-food diet (FFD) by repeated low-dose streptozotocin injections before mating. Offspring of normoglycemic standard chow or the FFD consuming dams served as controls. In 4-week-old offspring weaned to standard chow, plasma concentrations of extracellular DNA, inflammatory markers, and parameters of the cardiometabolic status (glycemia, liver lipid content; body, organ, and fat weight) were determined. Two-factor analysis of variance indicated that the male offspring of GDM dams manifest postnatal growth retardation and lower relative kidney weight. Regardless of sex, GDM offspring manifest the lowest IL-1α levels, and other inflammatory markers showed mild and inconsistent alterations. Offspring of dams consuming the FFD displayed higher liver triacylglycerols content. The three groups of offspring showed no significant differences in glycemia and extracellular DNA. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis indicated that male GDM offspring present lower kidney, body, and brown adipose tissue weights; lower IL-1α levels, and higher concentrations of GM-CSF and IL-10 compared with their FFD counterparts. The model failed to select discriminative variables in females. In conclusion, in mice, maternal GDM in the absence of obesity adversely affects the early growth of juvenile male offspring.
The importance of time and other determinants in the assessment of heavy metals release during solid waste management
Authors: Mizerna Kamila , Król Anna 
Published: January 2023

AbstractOne of the parameters affecting the leachability of heavy metals from waste is their contact time with the leachant. In this paper, the leaching behaviour of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni was evaluated in relation to the liquid to solid ratio (L/S), which is a reflection of time after which a certain volume of water permeates the material, e.g. in slag heaps or landfills. A leaching study was carried out by different leaching methods with using three test materials, i.e. hazardous zinc slag, lump copper slag and mineral-organic composite. It was found that the highest amount of metals leached in the long term in the maximum availability test, under the following leaching conditions: L/S = 50 dm3/kg, reduced pH of the leachant, fragmentation of the materials to particle size < 0.125 mm. Comparing the results obtained in the batch test and the percolation test, no strict trend was observed in the release of a given metal from different test materials. The analysis using the tank test showed that processes controlling leachability can result in the release of the highest metal loads immediately after contact between the material and the leachant, but can also contribute to the release of metals only after prolonged contact.
Single-cell T cell receptor sequencing of paired human atherosclerotic plaques and blood reveals autoimmune-like features of expanded effector T cells
Authors: Depuydt Marie A. C. , Schaftenaar Frank H. , Prange Koen H. M. , Boltjes Arjan , Hemme Esmeralda , Delfos Lucie , de Mol Jill , de Jong Maaike J. M. , Bernabé Kleijn Mireia N. A. , Peeters Judith A. H. M. , Goncalves Lauren , Wezel Anouk , Smeets Harm J. , de Borst Gert J. , Foks Amanda C. , Pasterkamp Gerard , de Winther Menno P. J. , Kuiper Johan , Bot Ilze , Slütter Bram 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAtherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease; however, whether it can be classified as an autoimmune disease remains unclear. In this study, we applied single-cell T cell receptor seqencing (scTCR-seq) on human carotid artery plaques and matched peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples to assess the extent of TCR clonality and antigen-specific activation within the various T cell subsets. We observed the highest degree of plaque-specific clonal expansion in effector CD4+T cells, and these clonally expanded T cells expressed genes such asCD69,FOSandFOSB, indicative of recent TCR engagement, suggesting antigen-specific stimulation. CellChat analysis suggested multiple potential interactions of these effector CD4+T cells with foam cells. Finally, we integrated a published scTCR-seq dataset of the autoimmune disease psoriatic arthritis, and we report various commonalities between the two diseases. In conclusion, our data suggest that atherosclerosis has an autoimmune compondent driven by autoreactive CD4+T cells.
Creep in expanded clay concrete at different levels of stress under compression and tension
Authors: Raupov Chorikul , Malikov Ganisher 
Published: January 2023

The paper analyzes the results of experimental studies of the creep of light concrete and the influence of various factors on it.
A method for determining the boundary of linear creep of expanded clay concrete has been developed. Experimental studies have been carried out to determine the boundary of linear creep.
Experimental creep data and the kinetics of the change in the creep measure of expanded clay concrete over time under axial compression at different levels of long–term load (0.2 - 0.7)Rb are obtained. The limiting values of the relative creep deformation and shrinkage of expanded clay concrete are determined.
Empirical formulas for determining and describing the relative deformation of the nonlinear creep of expanded clay concrete, measures of the linear creep of expanded clay concrete under axial tension and compression (if there are no direct experimental data), and the nature of the change are proposed λ(t;τ1)═Cbt(t;τ1)/(t;τ1), depending on (t;τ1) according to the linear law at each site, the nature of the influence of previous loading on the strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete, the limit values of the relative creep deformation and shrinkage of expanded clay concrete.
Change in the strength properties of modified concrete over time
Authors: Khasanov Bakhridin , Vatin Nikolai , Choriev Ruzimurat , Akhmedov S , Nazarova Shokhida , Mirzaev Timur 
Published: January 2023

To date, there is no data on the change in the strength of hyper - compacted concrete. The conducted field observations summarize the data of a long-term period and allow us to draw a number of conclusions.
As shown by numerous studies, the nature of the development of the strength of concrete over time depends mainly on the type of cement, the composition of the concrete mixture, the temperature and humidity conditions of hardening, and also on many other factors.
Obtaining highly efficient building materials is possible by modifying the structure of cement stone and concrete. Consequently, the modification of the concrete structure in this direction is intended to improve the technological properties of the material. By modifying it is possible to change the kinetics of the growth of physical properties and the final values of the strength of concrete.
Without considering the physico-analytical mechanism for changing the structure formation of concrete, we note that it is primarily aimed at reducing the amount of water - a mixing agent per unit volume of the material. However, various studies have shown that in the initial period, the structure formation of cement stone develops in the optimal direction only at certain volumetric water content. The limiting reduction in water content complicates the process of hydration of the binder, limiting the final strength properties of the material. At the same time, the final strength properties of the material are improved by reducing the volumetric water content of the mixture in every possible way. In all cases, the modification of concrete assumes its composition to be unchanged from the mixing of the mixture to the final stage of the formation of the concrete structure.