bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural from glucose over carbon‐based acid–base bifunctional catalyst
Authors: Wang Chun , He Qiao , Chen Wenhai , Cheng Qunpeng , Song Guangsen , Fan Guozhi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCarbon‐based acid–base bifunctional catalyst was synthesized by the functionalization of activated carbon (AC) with 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane, 3‐aminopropyl trimethoxysilane, and H2SO4 via sulfhydrylation, ammonifiation, and sulfonation successively. The as‐prepared catalyst of NH2‐AC‐SO3H was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller specific area analysis, and it was further used for producing fuel precursor 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) from glucose. The influences of the catalyst type, ratio of acid–base groups, catalyst amount, reaction temperature, and reaction time were investigated. It was found that NH2‐AC‐SO3H revealed excellent activity, and the yield of 5‐HMF reached 71.8% under the optimized reaction conditions with a 1.3:1 mass ratio of NH2‐AC‐SO3H to glucose at 140°C for 6 h in γ‐valerolactone. The reusability of NH2‐AC‐SO3H was also performed, and only slight decreases in the conversion of glucose and the yield of 5‐HMF were observed, still giving 65.3% yield of 5‐HMF after 4 runs.
The effect of chitosan coating combined with cold plasma on the quality and safety of pistachio during storage
Authors: Akhavan‐Mahdavi Sahar , Mirzazadeh Mehdi , Alam Zahra , Solaimanimehr Somaye 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPistachios are one of the most important agricultural and export products of Iran. Fresh pistachio fruit has soft skin, is highly perishable, and therefore has a short life after harvesting, which has made traders and consumers have a great desire to increase the shelf life of this product. For this purpose, in this study, the effect of different concentrations of chitosan as an edible coating (0.5 and 1.5% w/v) and the duration of cold plasma treatment (60 and 120 s) were investigated during 180 days of pistachio storage. The effect of treatments on the shelf life of pistachio fruit was evaluated by determining moisture content, color components, peroxide value, total mold and yeast, hardness, aflatoxin content, and sensory evaluations. The results showed that the treatment with 1.5% chitosan coating and 120 s of cold plasma treatment preserved the hardness of the pistachio and the color indices in the best way (p < .05). Also, this treatment had the minimum number of peroxide, aflatoxin, and mold and yeast counts during the storage time. The treatments with chitosan coating and under plasma application did not cause any unpleasant odor or taste during the storage time. In conclusion, according to the results of this research, it was determined that the simultaneous use of chitosan coating and cold plasma treatment can potentially be used as a new approach for commercial applications and the export of fresh pistachios.
Combustion characteristics of CI engine fueled with WCO biodiesel/diesel blends at different compression ratios and EGR
Authors: Ali Noor , Maki Duraid F. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe present study investigated the effect of compression ratio (CR) with the use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology on the performance of combustion characteristics at different CRs and engine loads; the brake thermal efficiency (BTE), specific fuel consumption (SFC), volumetric efficiency (VOL.EFF), exhaust gas temperature, carbon dioxide emission (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and oxygen content (O2). The single‐cylinder, four‐stroke compression ignition engine was run on a mixture of diesel and biodiesel prepared from Iraqi waste cooking oil at (B0, B10, B20, and B30). A comparison has been achieved for these combustion characteristics at different blends, load, and CRs (14.5, 15.5, and 16.5) at 1500 rpm constant engine speed. The transesterification process is used to produce biodiesel and ASTM standards have been used to determine the physical and chemical properties of biodiesel and compare them to net diesel fuel. The preliminary conducting tests indicated that engine performance and emissions improved with the B20 mixture. Experimental test results showed an increase in BTE when CR increased by 17% and SFC increased by 23%. It also found a higher VOL.EFF by 6% at higher pressure ratios. A continuous decrease in BTE values and an increase in SFC were sustained when the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture was increased. Emissions of carbon dioxide, HC, and NOx increased by 12%, 50%, and 40%, respectively, as CR reached high values. NOx increased with the addition of biodiesel to 35%, which necessitated the use of EGR technology at rates of 5% and 10%. The results indicated that the best results were obtained in the case of running the engine with a mixing ratio of B20 with the addition of 10% EGR, NOx decreased by 47% against a slight increase in other emissions.
Spatio‐temporal patterns and quantification of lake–groundwater interaction determined in a large water transfer lake
Authors: Xiong Ling , Aldahan Ala , Qian Ruizhi , Yi Peng , Chen Xuegao , Li Kai , Fang Jinzhu , Wang Lu , He Peng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe exchange rate is often characterized by spatio‐temporal heterogeneity, but the spatio‐temporal patterns of exchange rate have rarely been quantified, especially in water transfer lakes. This study was conducted from March to July 2021. The tracer data of δ2H, δ18O (n = 121),222Rn (n = 522), Cl (n = 151), TDS (n = 155) in lake water, shallow groundwater (7–10 m), deep groundwater (25–40 m), and an improved single‐well radon model were applied in 3 (A, B and C) typical areas (~1 km2) of the Hongze lake. The results show that during the water transfer period (March to May) the rising lake level from normal water level (13 m asl) to the storage level (13.5 m asl), caused the exchange rate to increase from −6.3 × 10−7to 33.2 × 10−7 m/s. All tracers in groundwater of A and C were continuously diluted by lake water, but shown a better mixing of the lake water, shallow and deep groundwater in area B with a water transfer channel/river (~−100 m3/s). In rainstorm season (June and July), the exchange rate changed from 3.4 × 10−7to −44.8 × 10−7 m/s due to the high groundwater table (13–15 m asl) caused by flood and rainstorm. The rainstorm imposed the inflow of both shallow and deep groundwater into lake in river areas (A and B), but only shallow groundwater recharged lake in non‐river area (C). Additionally, the exchange rate of the whole lake was estimated by the water balance equation, which varied between −1011 and 458 m3/s with an average of −26 m3/s. Finally, a conceptual model of exchange rate among lake, shallow and deep groundwater under spatio‐temporal heterogeneity is proposed. The findings offer better understanding of the spatio‐temporal heterogeneity of lake–groundwater interaction and the effects on lake water balance and recharge systems.
Network dynamics for modelling artificial groundwater recharge by a cluster of infiltration basins
Authors: Di Lena Francesco , Berardi Marco , Masciale Rita , Portoghese Ivan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this paper we propose a simple approach for modelling the functioning of a cluster of interconnected infiltration basins: such a modelling is crucial for correctly managing artificial aquifer recharge. We model and dynamically quantify the flow from the bottom of each basin, towards the outer walls of the cluster, and between adjacent basins: as a result of this modelling, saturated hydraulic conductivity parameters are estimated. This goal is accomplished simply by using mass balance arguments and Darcy's law, considering only water levels data and the total water inflow daily bestowed to the trenches; by using a declipping technique, automated recorded data are suitably filtered; then, from these data, an efficient algorithm is implemented for determining which basin is instantaneously fed. This approach can be used for managing the efficiency and performance of such facilities over time, and it can be easily generalized. The model is tested over a real‐life site in Castellana Grotte (Southeastern Italy), where an infiltration basins cluster is used as final receptor of the effluents from a tertiary treatment wastewater plant.Novelty and International Appeal StatementWe propose a simple approach for modelling the functioning of a cluster of interconnected infiltration basins. By a dynamical systems approach, we model the flow from the bottom of each basin, towards outer walls of the cluster, and between adjacent basins: as a result, saturated hydraulic conductivity parameters are estimated.
Spatial–temporal variations of metals and arsenic in sediments from the Doce River after the Fundão Dam rupture and their bioaccumulation in Corbicula fluminea
Authors: de  Figueiredo Eufrasio Pauly Guacira , Cruz Ana C. F. , Trevizani Tailisi H. , Mi Kim Bianca S. , Perina Fernando C. , Yamamoto Flávia Y. , Figueira Rubens C. L. , de  Souza Abessa Denis M. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The rupture of the Fundão dam in Brazil released tons of mining tailings into the Doce River Basin (DRB). This investigation aimed to determine the bioaccumulation of metals in soft tissues of the bivalve Corbicula fluminea exposed to sediments collected in the DRB in four periods (just after, 1, 3, and 3.5 years after the dam rupture). In the exposure bioassays, the concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sediments and bivalve soft tissues were quantified. The concentration of some elements (As, Cd, Mn, and Al) in sediments exceeded the federal limits or regional backgrounds at some sampling sites, but their concentrations tended to decrease over time. However, higher concentrations of many elements were detected in the winter of 2019. Several elements were detected in C. fluminea soft tissues, but the bioaccumulation factors were generally low or not related to those elements associated with the ore tailings, evidencing that the bioavailability of metals to bivalves, in laboratory conditions, was limited. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:87–98. © 2023 SETAC
Yakima Basin Integrated Plan—A collaborative partner's perspective
Authors: Vickers Sara R. , Eberhart Urban B. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractResilience to climate change is not a process that can be done single‐handedly. Centring the focus around building both a climate‐resilient system and well‐rounded partnerships, the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD), Washington State, USA, as part of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (YBIP), has been successful in mitigating water scarcity in the Kittitas Valley and benefitting the larger Yakima River Basin. By using collaborative governance, a decision‐making process that breaks down barriers and engages people across the boundaries of public agencies, different levels of government and the public, the KRD has modified its long‐term operational goals. The priority is now to establish if a proposed project can provide benefits to other interests and their water needs throughout the Yakima River Basin. We must work together to look at the big picture of a large geographical area in an effort to solve multiple water issues through a single project. As part of YBIP, the goals come to fruition through comprehensive planning for water conservation and the established relationships the partners have with each other. We work together using trust, respect and civility to move towards action and acknowledging that achieving our goals is made possible through collaboration. Opportunities to work together are sought out and taken so that water conservation and other water resiliency projects can be funded and implemented as quickly as possible in an effort to plan for future water scarcity. Protecting the certainty of the water supply for the future of the farms and the ecosystem is of utmost importance.
Exosomal lipid PI4P regulates small extracellular vesicle secretion by modulating intraluminal vesicle formation
Authors: Jin Xue , Xia Tian , Luo Shuchen , Zhang Ying , Xia Yu , Yin Hang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMembrane lipids play vital roles in small extracellular vesicle (sEV) biogenesis. However, the function of various lipids in the biogenesis of sEVs is still poorly understood. Phosphoinositolphosphates (PIPs), a group of the most critical lipids in vesicle transport, can undergo rapid conversion in response to a variety of cell signals, which in turn influence the generation of vesicles. Due to the challenge in detecting the low amount of PIP content in biological samples, the function of PIPs in sEVs has been insufficiently investigated. Here, we employed an LC‐MS/MS method to detect the levels of PIPs in sEVs. We revealed phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PI4P) was the main PI‐monophosphate in macrophage‐derived sEVs. The release of sEVs was regulated in a time‐dependent manner and correlated with the PI4P level during the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. In terms of mechanism, within 10 h of LPS treatment, the LPS‐induced production of type I interferon inhibited the expression of PIP‐5‐kinase‐1‐gamma, which increased the PI4P content on multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and recruited RAB10, member RAS oncogene family, to promote sEV generation. When LPS stimulation was extended to 24 h, the heat shock protein family A member 5 (HSPA5) expression level was elevated. PI4P interacted with HSPA5 on the Golgi or endoplasmic reticulum away from MVBs, which disrupted the continuous fast sEV release. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated an inducible sEV release model response to LPS treatment. The inducible release may be due to PI4P regulating the generation of intraluminal vesicles secreted as sEVs.
Homogenization of monthly series of temperature and precipitation: Benchmarking results of the MULTITEST project
Authors: Guijarro José A. , López José A. , Aguilar Enric , Domonkos Peter , Venema Victor K. C. , Sigró Javier , Brunet Manola 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe homogenization of climate observational series is a needed process before undertaking confidently any study of their internal variability, since changes in the observation methods or in the surroundings of the observatories, for instance, can introduce biases in the data of the same order of magnitude than the underlying climate variations and trends. Many methods have been proposed in the past to remove the unwanted perturbations from the climatic series, and some of them have been implemented in software packages freely available on the Internet. The Spanish project MULTITEST was intended to test their performance in an automatic way with synthetic monthly series of air temperature and atmospheric precipitation, to update inter‐comparison results from former projects, especially those of the COST Action ES0601. Several networks representing different climates and station densities were used to test a variety of homogenization packages on hundreds of random samples. Results were evaluated mainly in the form of root mean squared errors and errors in the trend of the series, showing that ACMANT, followed by Climatol, minimized these errors. However, other packages performed also relatively well, even outperforming them when there were simultaneous biases of the same sign in most or all the test series.
Effect of Composition of Lung Biomimetic Niche on the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation toward Alveolar Type II Pneumocytes
Authors: Della Sala Francesca , di Gennaro Mario , Lista Gianluca , Messina Francesco , Valente Teodoro , Borzacchiello Assunta 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPulmonary niche dynamically orchestrates the signals, such as proliferation or differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which allows inducing tissue repair. Lung niche includes extracellular matrix (ECM), comprising hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen (COLL), and several types of MSCs. Impaired ECM, in lung pathologies, makes the promising therapies based on MSCs ineffective, as it results in a reduced attachment and homing of MSCs, precluding their differentiation and viability. To overcome this problem, in this study a pulmonary biomimetic niche based on HA and COLL hydrogel is developed, with the specific aim to elucidate the role of COLL and HA/COLL semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) in directing the differentiation of MSCs into Alveolar Type II (ATII) cells. The effect of low (L), medium (M), and high (H) molecular weight (MW) HA is investigated, both like structural component of the SIPNs hydrogel and like trophic factor in cell culture media solution. HA in the culture media significantly improves surfactant protein (SP)‐C expression (≈2 ng mL−1), without showing difference in the MW tested, compared to control only (≈1 ng mL−1). Furthermore, LMWHA/COLL hydrogel promotes the SPC expression (approximately two times) compared to COLL, MMWHA/COLL, and HMWHA/COLL hydrogels.
Facile Fabrication of Superelastic, Hydrophobic, and Hierarchical Polydimethylsiloxane@nanocelluloses Aerogels for Durable Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Yu Jiangang , Bao Pingnian , Li Jie , Jin Yi , Xu Jianguo , Lv Yanwen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNanocelluloses (NCs)‐based aerogels have gradually attracted attention due to their excellent performance in oil recovery for mitigating environmental pollution caused by oil spillages. However, hydrophobicity due to polyhydroxy groups and fragile in water, as well as a complicated fabricating process, significantly restrict their practical applications. Herein, a facile route is reported to fabricate superelastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)@NCs aerogels through a Pickering emulsion strategy. The hierarchical PDMS@NCs aerogels exhibit function‐dependent porous structures and integrated properties of hydrophobicity and lipophilicity, stemming from the synergistic effect of the hydrophobic skin layer and porous matrix. The resulting aerogels are capable of continuous oil/water filtration by adsorption‐extrusion with a flux up to 4300 L m−2 h−1 and a separation efficiency of 99.9%. Therefore, this provides a new route for the rational design of morphology‐tunable NCs‐based aerogels and affords a reference for its practical application in durable oil/water separation.
The role of vitamin D receptor and IL‐6 in COVID‐19
Authors: Azmi Ali , Rismani Maziyar , Pourmontaseri Hossein , Mirzaii Ebrahim , Niknia Sedigheh , Miladpour Behnoosh 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D (Vit.D) has an important role in protecting COVID‐19 patients. This study investigated the changes in vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression and interleukin 6 levels in patients with COVID‐19.Materials and methods120 hospitalized patients and 120 healthy people participated in this study, both group adjusted by sex and age. Vit.D was measured with HPLC, the expression of VDR gene was done with Real‐time PCR, and IL‐6 was measured with ELISA assay.ResultsOur findings showed no significant difference in the case of Vit.D (25‐OH‐D3) between the two studied groups, interestingly the expression of VDR was statistically lower in the patients with COVID‐19, p‐value = 0.003. VDR expression was lower in the patient with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, significantly, p‐value = 0.002. The level of IL‐6 was statistically higher in the COVID‐19 group, p‐value = 0.003.ConclusionAlongside the important role of 25‐OH‐D3 in COVID‐19 patients, the quality and quantity of the VDR expression and its role in the level of IL‐6 are the promising risk factors in the future. Further studies are needed to determine the factors increasing the expression level of VDR, especially in the patients with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Effect of Brooder Age and Size on Fry Size Variation in Channel Catfish
Authors: Ott Brian D. , Bosworth Brian G. , Torrans Eugene L. , Waldbieser Geoffrey C. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Variation in harvest size of ictalurid catfishes can be problematic for both catfish producers and processors, ultimately reducing profitability for both. Although harvesting and grading techniques can reduce this variation, the biological underpinnings of these size discrepancies remain unknown. Fry from Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus brooders that were 2–5 years old were measured to determine the amount of naturally occurring variation in body mass among sac fry and swim-up fry. Over two spawning seasons, older brooders consistently produced larger sac fry (38–54% larger) and swim-up fry (42–51% larger) than their younger counterparts. However, within-spawn fry size variation was similar among all brooder ages measured. Regression modeling indicated that broodstock body mass did not influence fry body mass, whereas broodstock age was a significant predictor. These data reveal that brooder age is an important determinant of fry size and that initial fry body mass variation could be relevant to understanding fingerling size variation and may play a role in improving the production of ictalurid catfishes.
Pelvic floor muscle function after grade II tears—Surface electromyography test–retest and differences between nulliparous and primiparous
Authors: Mota Patrícia , Costa Ana , Santos Diana , Santo Susana , Barros Joana G. , Bø Kari 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundVaginal birth is a risk factor for weakening of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and development of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Perineal tears may decrease PFM function. PFM tone can be assessed with surface EMG (sEMG), but reliability studies of sEMG in women with perineal tears are lacking. The aims of this study were to evaluate test–retest and intrarater reliability of sEMG and compare PFM activation between nulliparous and primiparous.MethodsA sEMG test–retest was performed in 21 women (12 nulliparous and 9 primiparous with grade II tears) to assess intra‐rater reliability during rest and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the PFM. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were tested. A comparison between nulliparous' and primiparous' PFM activation during rest and MVC was performed.ResultssEMG demonstrated fair reliability in nulliparous (ICC: 0.239; SEM: 5.2; MDC: 14.5) and moderate reliability in primiparous (ICC: 0.409; SEM: 1.5; MDC: 4.2) during rest. For peak MVC very good intrarater reliability was found in nulliparous (ICC: 0.92; SEM: 8.0; MDC: 22.2) and in primiparous (ICC: 0.823; SEM: 8.0; MDC: 22.2). Statistically significant lower PFM activation was found in primiparous women with perineal tear grade II than in nulliparous at rest (mean difference 9.1 µV, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0–19.0, p = 0.001), and during MVCpeak (mean difference 50.0 µV, 95% CI 10.0–120.0 p = 0.021).ConclusionssEMG is reliable when measuring PFM activation in primiparous women with perineal tears grade II. Women with perineal tears grade II have lower PFM activation both during rest and MVC.