bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of microalgal-based carbon encapsulated iron nanoparticles (ME-nFe) to remove heavy metals in wastewater
Authors: Mantovani Marco , Collina Elena , Lasagni Marina , Marazzi Francesca , Mezzanotte Valeria 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The integration of microalgae-bacteria consortia within existing wastewater treatment plants as alternative biological treatment could be an interesting option to improve the sustainability of these facilities. However, the fate of the produced biomass is decisive to make that option economically attractive. The present study aimed to valorize the microalgae grown at a pilot scale and used for the treatment of the centrate from municipal sewage sludge, producing microalgal-based iron nanoparticles (ME-nFe), by hydrothermal carbonization. The final product had high carbon content, strong sorbent power, and reducing properties, due to the presence of zerovalent iron. Different synthesis conditions were tested, comparing iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate (Fe (NO 3 ) 3 ·9H 2 O) and ammonium iron (III) sulfate dodecahydrate (NH 4 Fe (SO 4 ) 2 ·12 H 2 O) as iron sources, four different Fe/C molar ratios (0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) and three process temperatures (180, 200, 225 °C). Based on the characterization of all the prototypes, the best one (having a specific area of 110 m 2 g -1 ) was chosen and tested for the removal of selected heavy metals by Jar tests. The removal of copper, zinc, cadmium, and nickel from the treated effluent from the wastewater treatment plant was 99.6%, 97.8%, 96.4%, 80.3%, respectively, also for very low starting concentrations (1 mg L -1 ). The removal of total chromium, on the contrary, was only 12.4%. Thanks to the magnetic properties the same batch of ME-nFE was recovered and used effectively for three consecutive Jar tests.
Facile synthesis of hydrous zirconia-impregnated chitosan beads as a filter medium for efficient removal of phosphate from water
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Liu Tang , Wu Deyi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The removal and recovery of phosphate from water using adsorption technology require that the adsorbent material is easily separable from treated water. Continuous efforts are still awaited to develop additional efficient phosphate adsorbents that are economical to fabricate. In this study, hydrous zirconia-impregnated chitosan beads (HZCB) containing different Zr/chitosan ratios were synthesized using a facile scheme. We found that HZCB with a Zr/amine molar ratio of ~ 1 (HZCB-1) possessed excellent stability and phosphate removal performance. This optimized material was characterized with XRD, SEM, FTIR, XPS, specific surface area and point of zero charge measurements. The maximum adsorption capacity was 42.02 mg/g (at pH ~ 6.7). The adsorption kinetics were best described by a pseudosecond-order model, and the rate constant of HZCB-1 was much lower than that of its powder but was similar to the commercial bead product Ferrolox. The removal of phosphate depended substantially upon pH and was enhanced by lowering the pH. Good selectivity of HZCB-1 for phosphate was observed, although the coexistence of sulfate produced a significant negative effect. Direct coordination of phosphate to Zr atoms by replacing hydroxyls was the dominant adsorption mechanism (~ 85%), while chitosan also contributed to phosphate removal (~ 15%). Adsorbed phosphate was successfully eluted by an NaOH solution, and the material obtained after desorption and regeneration was able to be repeatedly used. The results of column studies indicated that this material could be implemented in long-term application.
Diagnostic value of circN4BP2L2 in type I and type II epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Ning Li , Lang Jinghe , Long Bo , Wu Lingying 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: CircN4BP2L2 was previously identified to be significantly decreased in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and was associated with disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma circN4BP2L2 using the unifying model of type I and type II EOC.Methods: A total of 540 plasma samples were obtained from 180 EOC patients, 180 benign ovarian cyst patients, and 180 healthy volunteers. CircN4BP2L2 was assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating curve (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were estimated.Results: Low level of circN4BP2L2 was associated with advanced tumor stage (p < 0.01) in type I EOC. Decreased circN4BP2L2 was associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (p = 0.04) in type II EOC. The expression level of circN4BP2L2 in type I was similar to that in type II. CircN4BP2L2 could significantly separate type I or type II from benign or normal cohort (p < 0.01). Early-stage type I or type II EOC vs benign or normal cohort could also be distinguished by circN4BP2L2 (p < 0.01).Conclusions: CircN4BP2L2 might serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker for both type I and type II EOC. The diagnostic safety for circN4BP2L2 in early-stage type I or type II EOC is also acceptable. Further large-scale well-designed studies are warranted to investigate whether circN4BP2L2 is specific for all histologic subgroups.
Research on the driving factors of NPP changes in the Southwest Karst area of China
Authors: Ma Bingxin , Jing Juanli , Liu Bing , Xu Yong , Dou Shiqing , He Hongchang 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Net Primary Production (NPP) is an essential component of the terrestrial carbon cycle and an essential factor of ecological processes. In global change research, it was the core content to study the driving forces of NPP change. In this paper, we focused on the Southwest Karst area of China and analyzed the response mechanisms of NPP to topography, land-use types, climatic change and human activities. Our results showed that: (1) Changes in elevation and slope lead to significant differences in the spatial distribution of NPP. With the increase of elevation and slope, NPP first increased and then decreased, their critical values were 2000m and 15°, respectively. (2) NPP varied significantly among different land-use types. The average NPP of the forest was the highest, and the average NPP of cultivated land increased fastest. (3) Temperature and precipitation had the most substantial influence on NPP, both of them promoted the increase of NPP, and the effect of temperature was more obvious in the Southwest Karst area. (4) Ecological engineering significantly promoted the change of NPP, while animal husbandry significantly inhibited the change of NPP. (5) There were significant spatial differences in the driving effects and corresponding contributions of climatic change and human activities; both of them promoted the increase of NPP in the Southwest Karst area of China. Under climatic change and human activities, NPP increased by 1.24 gC·m− 2·yr− 1 and 2.29 gC·m− 2·yr− 1, respectively. The contributions rates of climatic change and human activities separately accounted for 35% and 65%. The contribution of human activities on NPP was much higher than that of climatic change in the Southwest Karst area, the results suggested that we should focus on the role of human activities on NPP change.
Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the air quality and surface urban heat island effect within the main urban area of Urumqi, China
Authors: Ahmed Gulbakram , Mei Zan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 posed a serious threat to humanity worldwide. However, the reduction in man-made pollutants during COVID-19 restrictions improved the ecological environment of cities to a certain extent. Using multi-source remote sensing data, this study explored the spatiotemporal variations in air pollutant concentrations during the epidemic prevention and control period in Urumqi, and quantitatively analyzed the impact of different air pollutants on the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) within the study area. The results of this study showed that during COVID-19 restrictions, concentrations of air pollutants decreased in the main urban area of Urumqi and the air quality improved. The most obvious decrease in the NO2 concentration, by 77% and 15%, occurred in the middle of the first (January 25 to March 20, 2020) and second (July 21 to September 1, 2020) COVID-19 restriction periods, respectively, compared with the corresponding period in 2019. Air pollutant concentrations and the SUHII were significantly and positively correlated, and NO2 had the strongest correlation with the SUHII. This study revealed that variations in the air quality characteristics and the thermal environment were observed in the study area during the COVID-19 restrictions, and the quantitative relationship between them provides a theoretical basis and reference value for improving the air and ecological environment quality within the study area.
Prevention of carcinogen-induced oral cancers by Polymeric back tea polyphenols via modulation of EGFR-Akt-mTOR pathway
Authors: Nimbalkar Vaishnavi K. , Gangar Jeet , Shai Saptarsi , Rane Pallavi , Mohanta Subham , Kannan Sadhana , Ingle Arvind , Mittal Neha , Rane Swapnil , Mahimkar Manoj B. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The overexpression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and dysregulation of its downstream effector pathways are important molecular hallmarks of oral cancers. Present study investigates the chemopreventive potential of polymeric black tea polyphenols (PBPs)/thearubigins (TRs) in the hamster model of oral carcinogenesis as well as determine the effect of PBPs on EGFR and the molecular players in the EGFR pathway. In dose-dependent manner, pre and concurrent treatment with PBPs (1.5%, 5%, 10%) decreased the number and volume of macroscopic tumors as well as the number and area of microscopic lesions. Interestingly, at 10% dose of PBPs, no macroscopic or microscopic tumors were observed. We observed PBPs mediated dose-dependent decrease in oxidative DNA damage (8OHdG); inflammation (COX-2); proliferation (PCNA, Cyclin D1); expression of EGFR, and its downstream signaling kinases (pAkt, Akt, and mTOR); hypoxia (HIF1α) and angiogenesis (VEGF). There was also a PBPs mediated dose-dependent increase in apoptosis (Bax). Thus, our data clearly indicate that the observed chemopreventive potential of PBPs was due to modulation in the EGFR pathway associated with cell proliferation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate preclinical chemopreventive efficacy of PBPs and give an insight into its mechanistic role in the chemoprevention of experimental oral cancer.
Behavioral activation / inhibition systems and lifestyle as predictors of mental disorders in Adolescent Athletes during Covid19 pandemic
Authors: Homayouni Alireza , Firoozjah Morteza Homayounnia , Shahrbanian Shahnaz , Shahriari Shaghayegh , Janinejad Diana 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: The following study investigates the correlational relationship between behavioral activation/inhibition systems, lifestyle and mental disorders in Adolescent Athletes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Research methods are descriptive and correlational; 130 Adolescent Athletes subjects were selected to respond to Carver & White's Behavioral activation/inhibition systems Scale (BIS/BAS), Mille's Lifestyle Questionnaire and Goldberg & Williams's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Data was analyzed using linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Findings showed a positive correlation of statistical significance between behavioral inhibition systems (BIS) and mental disorders Adolescent Athletes at the 0.01 level and a negative correlation of statistical significance between scaling components of the behavioral activation systems (BAS), lifestyle and mental disorders Adolescent Athletes at the 0.05 level. Conclusions: Analyzing the data, it can thus be concluded that whilst behavioral inhibition and activation systems seem to work together to significantly predict mental disorders in Adolescent Athletes, lifestyle cannot.
Collaborative Robots’ Assembly System in the Manufacturing Area Considering the Safety Issue, Assembly System 4.0
Authors: Almasarwah Najat , Suer Gursel , Abdelall Esraa , Pagan Jesus , You Yuqiu 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
This paper aims to study allocating tasks problem in a single-station collaborative robot assembly system 4.0 considering the ISO standard. Two products with identical demands are run in a system simultaneously in mixed mode to reduce the idle time and improve the system utilization. The idle time occurs due to balancing difficulties and particularly in this case restrictions in the task vs. robot-worker feasibility matrix. It is not allowed for the resources to assemble a same product simultaneously to avoid any direct contact between resources. Thus, the products are swapped between resources as needed to complete the assembly tasks. Two approaches, a novel mathematical model and the shortest processing time (SPT) rule, are propounded in this study to reduce the cycle and idle times, and enhance the production rate of an assembly system. The two proposed methods rely on dividing the timeline of a station into unknown stages with unknown lengths. The performance of the proposed mathematical model and SPT rule are evaluated by two performance measures: the total number of stations and the % average station utilization. The obtained results are compared to the results of the modified COMSOAL heuristic. The findings revealed that the novel mathematical model dominated results. It guaranteed minimizing the cycle time and maximizing the production rate compared to the SPT rule and modified COMSOAL heuristic. However, many companies value a one-second reduction in cycle time as valuable. This directly relates to the reduction of direct resources costs and the total number of stations.
Powered Stapling System with Gripping Surface Technology for Pulmonary Resection of Lung Cancer: Real-World Clinical Effectiveness
Authors: Gan Chongzhi , Zeng Fuchun , Cong Wei , Tang Tiange , Feng Gang 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Objectives Surgical lung resection involves a critical task of stapled ligation and transection of major vascular structures and tissue, which may lead to bleeding and complications. A newer powered stapling system with Gripping Surface Technology (GST) was introduced to account for tissue movements. This study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness of GST system on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of pulmonary resection.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the electronic medical records of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between July 2020 and March 2021 in China. Patients who underwent their first procedures of single-port lobectomy or multi-port segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were identified and grouped as GST group or manual stapler group (manual group) by the stapler types. The intraoperative outcomes such as bleeding rate, blood loss volume, and intervention rate at the staple line (including intraoperative pressure, suture, and electrocoagulation) were documented by trained nurses during the surgery. Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups, controlling forage, BMI, smoking history, history of surgery, complications, and level of complexity of pneumonectomy.Results: A total of 108 matched patients were included in the analysis (54 in the GST group and 54 in the manual group). GST group had lower risks for intraoperative bleeding (22.8% vs 51.9%; p = 0.003) and intraoperative interventions (31.5% vs 55.6%; p = 0.02), compared to the manual group. A decrease in the intraoperative blood loss was observed in the GST group, but not statistically significant (134.39 ± 52.82 ml vs 158.11 ± 73.14 ml, p = 0.102). The use of NEOVEIL (reinforcement material to prevent air leakage from the staple line) intraoperatively during surgery was significantly lower in the GST group (24.1%) than in the manual group (50%, p = 0.01).Conclusion: The GST system was associated with better intraoperative outcomes in clinical practice in China.
Isolation, molecular identification, and in vitro control of endogenous bacteria of Campomanesia rufa (O. Berg) Nied.
Authors: Mosqueira Judith Georgette Alcalde , Paiva Renato , Rivas Eliana Borges , Harakava Ricardo , Reis Michele Valquíria Dos , de Souza Lucas Batista , Souza-Dias Maria Aparecida Gomes 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Campomanesia rufa (O. Berg) Nied. (Myrtaceae) is a species native to the Cerrado. In vitro conservation is an option for endangered species such as C. rufa. The lack of effective protocols for the disinfection of endophytic microorganisms naturally present in the plant hinders the success of micropropagation. Within this context, the objective of this study was the molecular identification and in vitro control of contamination using antibiotics. Purified PCR products of the bacterial isolates were sequenced by the Sanger method. The sequences obtained were aligned with homologous sequences using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. The sequences obtained in this study and the homologous sequences listed in GenBank were aligned using MEGA7 software to draw phylogenetic trees. The survival, shoot height, and efficiency of antibiotics (streptomycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol) at different concentrations (0, 32, 64, 128, 256 mg L− 1) in the culture medium were evaluated at 25 days. The occurrence of Bacillus sp. and of different strains was observed in the plant. When testing the control of Bacillus sp. with antibiotics, ampicillin at 32 mg L− 1 caused a significant reduction in bacterial contamination without affecting the survival of explants. On the other hand, streptomycin caused the greatest reduction in contamination at 256 mg L− 1 but was lethal to more than 90% of explants at this concentration. This study is the first report on the occurrence of endogenous bacteria and their control in the context of the conservation of native species.
Optimization of pre-equalized time reversal security transmission systems assisted with artificial noise
Authors: Lei Weijia , Zou Mengting , Zhang Weihan , Zhang Yue , Lei Hongjiang 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Time reversal (TR) transmission technology can focus the power of a signal in both time and space domains and reduce signal energy leakage to unintended receivers, making it suitable for physical layer security systems. By adding a pre-equalizer to the transmitter and optimizing it, the performance of multi-antenna TR transmission system can be improved obviously with an acceptable optimization complexity. In this paper, the pre-equalizer and artificial noise (AN) are jointly optimized to enhance the security performance of pre-equalized TR (ETR) systems when eavesdropping channel state information (ECSI) is unknown or known. When ECSI is unknown, null-space AN is adopted, and the pre-equalizer is optimized to minimize the signal power under the constraint of the minimum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the legitimate receiver. When ECSI is known, under the minimum SINR constraint of the legitimate receiver, the pre-equalizer and AN's covariance matrix are jointly optimized to minimize the SINR of the eavesdropper. The optimization problem is non-convex and is transformed into a convex problem, which can be solved using the CVX toolbox. Simulation results demonstrate that compared with TR systems, by optimizing the pre-equalizer, the security performance of ETR multi-antenna systems can be significantly improved, and the optimization complexity is acceptable.
A new Azo-Schiff base dual-mode chemosensor: Colorimetric detection of cobalt ions and fluorometric detection of aluminum ions in aqueous ethanol solution
Authors: Azadbakht Reza , Chidanb Naemeh , Menatib Saeid , Koolivand Mostafa 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
A new chemosensor H2L has been designed and synthesized based on an Azo-Schiff base ligand for the selective and sensitive sensing of Co2+ and Al3+ ions. The H2L as fluorescence chemosensor exhibits a linear response toward Al3+ ions in the concentration range of 1.91 × 10− 8 M to 4.8 × 10− 6 M with a limit of detection of 1.91 × 10− 8 M. The chemosensor also displayed high colorimetric sensitivity for Co2+. Fluorescence switch based on the control of EDTA and Al3+ proved H2L could act as a reversible chemosensor. The molecular structure of [NiL] complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography.
Synthesis of a Class of I(III)/S(VI) Reagents and Their Reactivity in Photochemical Cycloaddition Reactions with Unsaturated Bonds
Authors: Li Li , Deng Kun , WANG Zhaofeng , Huang Yong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We describe the synthesis of a new class of hypervalent iodine reagents with a transferrable sulfoxonium group. The solid-state structure of representative compounds was characterized as a mixed iodonium-sulfoxonium ylide by X-ray diffraction analysis. These well-defined reagents were examined in visible-light-promoted cyclization reactions with versatile unsaturated bonds including alkenes, alkynes, nitriles and allenes. Two distinct cyclization pathways were identified, which were controlled by the substituent of the unsaturated bond. The cycloaddition protocol featured simple operation, mild reaction conditions, and excellent functional group tolerance, affording a broad range of sulfoxonium-containing cyclic structures in moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, the sufoxonium group in the product would be transformed into diverse functional groups and structural motifs via single electron transfer and transition-metal catalysis.
Cancer Related Venous Thromboembolism for Chinese In-Hospital Cancer Patients: Incidence, Diagnostic Model and Correlation with Driving Genes
Authors: Zhang Xue , Wang Zhe 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background:
VTE of in hospital cancer patients is increasing. However, the incidence of VTE, the diagnostic value of Khorana model and the correlation of driving-gene status with VTE remains unknown.
Methods:
Data of cancer patients was collected. Ultrasonography and radiography were used to detect VTE. VTE incidence was calculated for overall patients, different cancer types, mutant genes, and Khorana model subgroups. The diagnostic value of Khorana model was also evaluated. The correlation of driving gene with VTE was analysed.
Results:
3831 patients were enrolled. The overall VTE rate was 4.7%. In different organs: gynaecology (11.9%) > gastric (5.71%) > others (5.33%) > lung (4.74%) > colorectum (4.51%) > breast (3.77%) > oesophagus (2.4%). In mutant genes: C-Met (6.72%) > EGFR (5.24%) > ALK (4.26%) > Her-2 (4.04%) > KRAS (3.7%) > ROS1 (3.03%) > PD-L1 (1.33%) > PD-1 (0%). The mutation-positive vs mutation-negative VTE incidence for the Khorana model subgroups were 2.03% vs 3.33% (low-risk group, p = 0.773), 4.43% vs 6.52% (middle-risk group, p = 0.237) and 9.84% vs 13.79% (high-risk group, p = 0.842). Meanwhile, the sensitivities of overall, mutation-positive, and negative groups were: 13.33%, 10.00% and 20.00%. The specificities were 92.02%, 92.55% and 90.67%. Areas under the ROC cure were 0.706, 0.719 and 0.681 (P = 0.007, 0.020 and 0.177). The Spearman correlation coefficient for the correlation of mutation status with VTE was − 0.024 (P = 0.690).
Conclusions:
Chinese in-hospital cancer patients VTE incidence was approximately in accordance with international data. Khorana model had a moderate diagnostic value. No correlation of gene mutation with VTE was observed.