Potential Entry Research Articles

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (<i>Diaphorina citri</i>) in Africa: using MaxEnt to predict current and future climatic suitability, with a focus on potential invasion routes

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a major citrus pest. The species has been introduced to West and East Africa, but has not yet spread to southern Africa, where it could have a devastating impact on citrus farming and livelihoods. A proactive response is key to mitigating the species’ impacts, particularly the ongoing monitoring of potential invasion routes and entry points into South Africa. Species distribution models (SDMs) were developed under current and future climates for ACP in Africa, and these models were used to (1) determine where the species likely poses a threat, (2) identify potential invasion routes into South Africa, and (3) assess how these factors will be affected under climate change. The SDMs indicated that there is an almost contiguous band of suitable climate along the east coast of Africa that joins the species’ current range in East Africa to South Africa, and under aggressive climate change a potential route of invasion through Namibia and Botswana. Much of South Africa is climatically suitable for the species, but under climate change, climatically suitable areas are likely to shift further inland. The spread of ACP into South Africa is unlikely to be prevented, but the outputs of the present models will inform monitoring activities and assist with preparations to respond to this predicted biological invasion.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (<i>Diaphorina citri</i>) in Africa: using MaxEnt to predict current and future climatic suitability, with a focus on potential invasion routes

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a major citrus pest. The species has been introduced to West and East Africa, but has not yet spread to southern Africa, where it could have a devastating impact on citrus farming and livelihoods. A proactive response is key to mitigating the species’ impacts, particularly the ongoing monitoring of potential invasion routes and entry points into South Africa. Species distribution models (SDMs) were developed under current and future climates for ACP in Africa, and these models were used to (1) determine where the species likely poses a threat, (2) identify potential invasion routes into South Africa, and (3) assess how these factors will be affected under climate change. The SDMs indicated that there is an almost contiguous band of suitable climate along the east coast of Africa that joins the species’ current range in East Africa to South Africa, and under aggressive climate change a potential route of invasion through Namibia and Botswana. Much of South Africa is climatically suitable for the species, but under climate change, climatically suitable areas are likely to shift further inland. The spread of ACP into South Africa is unlikely to be prevented, but the outputs of the present models will inform monitoring activities and assist with preparations to respond to this predicted biological invasion.

Process standardization and characterization of Mies: Ethiopian honey wine

Mies is a delicious honey wine traditionally processed in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This study aimed to investigate the standardization and characterization of high-quality Mies. The ingredients for Mies preparation were collected, and three formulations were created by varying the amounts of Gesho and honey. First, Birzi was made by dissolving honey in a 1:5 ratio (honey to water) and fermenting it at 22 °C for five days. Next, coarsely ground Gesho was added to the Birzi in plastic tanks, where it fermented for 14 days. The fermented mixture was then filtered through a clean white cotton cloth into a new plastic tank. The filtrate (Mies) was seasoned and fermented for an additional two days, after which its physicochemical, nutritional, sensory, and microbial properties were analyzed using standard methods. As fermentation time increased, the pH values of the three Mies formulations decreased from the first to the twenty-first day. The study revealed that as fermentation time increased, so did the temperature and alcohol levels in all three formulations. Formulation three (F3) was selected by the panelists as the highest quality Mies, with a temperature of 22.50 °C after 21 days. The alcohol content of F3 rose from 2.93 % on the first day to 5.72 % by the twenty-first day. The titratable acidity and total soluble solids of F3 were measured at 3.50 g/L and 26.24 °Brix, respectively. The nutritional contents of F3 included lipid (0.13 %), protein (0.10 %), and carbohydrates (3.02 %). The total energy of F3 was found to be 73.91 %. The study revealed that potassium (K) was the most abundant element in F3 and its ingredients, followed by phosphorus (P), while manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were detected in the lowest amounts. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were identified as the predominant microbes in F3. Standardizing production procedures for Ethiopian honey wine can enhance commercialization and scalability, while its distinct flavors and fragrances can boost demand, profitability, and potential market entry. To improve the consistency and quality of honey wine production, further research is required to identify species-specific microbial profiles using molecular tools, optimize production parameters, and address concerns related to preparation.

Identification of nitrile-containing isoquinoline-related natural product derivatives as coronavirus entry inhibitors in silico and in vitro

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused millions of infections and deaths worldwide since its emergence in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Natural product inhibitors targeting the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), crucial for viral attachment and cellular entry, are of significant interest as potential antiviral agents. In this study a library of nitrile- and sulfur-containing natural product derived compounds were used for virtual drug screening against the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The top 18 compounds from docking were tested for their efficacy to inhibit virus entry. In vitro experiments revealed that compounds 9, 14, and 15 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and live virus entry in HEK-ACE2 and Vero E6 host cells at low micromolar IC50 values. Cell viability assays showed these compounds exerted low cytotoxicity towards MRC5, Vero E6, and HEK-ACE2 cell lines. Microscale thermophoresis revealed all three compounds strongly bound to the RBDs of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 XBB, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and HCoV-HKU1, with their Kd values increasing as RBD sequence similarity decreased. Molecular docking studies indicated compounds 9, 14, and 15 bound to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD and interacted with hotspot amino acid residues required for the RBD-ACE2 interaction and cellular infection. These three nitrile-containing candidates, particularly compound 15, should be considered for further development as potential pan-coronavirus entry inhibitors.

Efficacy of the H7N9 vaccine as a candidate for the Korean avian influenza antigen bank

The avian influenza A virus (H7N9), first detected in China in 2013, is a zoonotic virus that remains persistent in bird populations despite a decline in human cases owing to control measures. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a vaccine as one preventive strategy in anticipation of the potential entry of H7N9 into Korea. Using the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase consensus sequences of H7N9 from 2018–2019, a recombinant H7N9 vaccine, rgAPQAH7N9, was developed, and its protective efficacy in specific pathogen-free chickens was evaluated. The rgAPQAH7N9 vaccine exhibited proliferation in eggs and demonstrated high immunogenicity, with a hemagglutination inhibition titer of 9.3 log2. Furthermore, the vaccine provided complete protection, as vaccinated chickens did not exhibit clinical signs or viral shedding. Moreover, when the rgAPQAH7N9 vaccine was boosted, the resulting immunity was long-lasting, with hemagglutination inhibition titers > 7 log2 persisting after 6 months. Therefore, the rgAPQAH7N9 vaccine virus may be considered a potential candidate for inclusion in the avian influenza antigen bank to ensure preparedness for emergency vaccination in poultry.

Organotypic brain slices as a model to study the neurotropism of the highly pathogenic Nipah and Ebola viruses.

Nipah virus (NiV) and Ebola virus (EBOV) are highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses with case fatality rates of up to 90%. While the brain is a known target organ following NiV infection, involvement of the central nervous system in EBOV-infected patients only became more evident after the West African epidemic in 2013-2016. To gain a deeper comprehension of the neurotropism of NiV and EBOV with respect to target cells, affected brain regions and local inflammatory responses, murine organotypic brain slices (BS) were established and infected. Both NiV and EBOV demonstrated the capacity to infect BS from adult wt mice and mice lacking the receptor for type I IFNs (IFNAR-/-) and targeted various cell types. NiV was observed to replicate in BS derived from both mouse strains, yet no release of infectious particles was detected. In contrast, EBOV replication was limited in both BS models. The release of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including eotaxin, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-9, IL-17a and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), was observed in both virus-infected models, suggesting a potential role of the inflammatory response in NiV- or EBOV-induced neuropathology. It is noteworthy that the choroid plexus was identified as a highly susceptible target for EBOV and NiV infection, suggesting that the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier may serve as a potential entry point for these viruses.

Seven-tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the nervus terminalis, olfactory tracts, and olfactory bulbs in COVID-19 patients with anosmia and hypogeusia.

Linking olfactory epithelium to the central nervous system are cranial nerve 1, the olfactory nerve, and cranial nerve "0," and the nervus terminalis (NT). Since there is minimal expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) in the olfactory nerve, it is unclear how SARS-CoV-2 causes anosmia (loss of smell) and hypogeusia (reduction of taste). In animal models, NT expresses ACE-2 receptors, suggesting a possible SARS-CoV-2 viral entry site in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ultra-high-field 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could visualize the NT, olfactory bulbs (OB), and olfactory tract (OT) in healthy controls and COVID-19 anosmia or hypogeusia and to qualitatively assess for volume loss and T2 alterations. In this study, 7 T MRI was used to evaluate the brain and olfactory regions in 45 COVID-19 patients and 29 healthy controls. Neuroimaging was qualitatively assessed by four board-certified neuroradiologists who were blinded to outcome assignments: for the presence or absence of NT; for OB, OT, and brain volume loss; and altered T2 signal, white matter T2 hyperintensities, microhemorrhages, enlarged perivascular spaces, and brainstem involvement. NT was identifiable in all COVID-19 patients and controls. T2 hyperintensity in the NT, OB, and OT in COVID-19 patients with anosmia or hypogeusia was statistically significant compared to controls and COVID-19 patients without anosmia or hypogeusia. On 7 T MRI, NT was radiographically identifiable, adjacent to OB and OT. In COVID-19 anosmia and hypogeusia, T2 hyperintensity of NT, OB, and OT was statistically significant compared to COVID-19 patients without anosmia or hypogeusia and controls. The NT may be a potential entry site for SARs-CoV-2 and may play a role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 anosmia.

Adaptation of the REINVENT neural network architecture to generate potential HIV-1 entry inhibitors

Objectives. The main purpose of this work is to adapt the architecture of the REINVENT neural network to generate potential inhibitors of the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 using in the learning process with reinforcement of molecular docking on GPUs.Methods. To modify the initial network model, molecular docking on GPUs implemented in the learning process with reinforcement was used, and an algorithm was developed that allows converting the representations of connections generated by the SMILES network into the PDBQT format necessary for docking. To accelerate the learning of the neural network in the modified version of the REINVENT model, the AutoDock-Vina-GPU-2.1 docking program was used, and to clarify the results of its work, the procedure for revaluing the affinity of compounds to the target using the RFScore-4 evaluation function was used.Results. Using a modified version of the REINVENT model, more than 60,000 compounds were obtained, of which about 52,000 molecules have a binding energy value to the HIV-1 gp120 protein comparable to the value calculated for the HIV-1 inhibitor NBD-14204, used in calculations as a positive control. Of the 52,000 compounds selected, about 34,000 molecules satisfy the restrictions imposed on a potential drug to ensure its bioavailability when taken orally.Conclusion. The results obtained allow us to demonstrate the effectiveness of an adapted neural network by the example of designing new potential inhibitors of the gp120 HIV-1 protein capable of blocking the CD4- binding site of the gp120 virus envelope protein and preventing its penetration into host cells.

Позиции Республики Корея и Японии по институционализации военно-политического сотрудничества в Азиатско-Тихоокеанском регионе

The article analyzes the current stance of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan on the institutionalization of defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, provides the assessment of the prospects for the US-ROK-Japan triangle institutionalization, as well as the assessment of the prospects for the possible accession of Japan and South Korea to the AUKUS agreement. Drawing from the strategic documents of Tokyo and Seoul in the field of security, as well as joint statements and other official information materials of the United States and its partners in the Asia-Pacific region, the author comes to the conclusion that the announced "Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework" of the United States – South Korea – Japan will be poorly formalized, and the main area of cooperation within this framework will be the exchange of intelligence data and monitoring of the military activity of the DPRK. The Memorandum of Cooperation concluded in July 2024 has primarily an ideological significance and is intended to create a precedent for formalizing military cooperation in a trilateral format. The potential entry of the ROK and Japan into AUKUS also has its problems. Through the license-free AUKUS arms trade ecosystem, Japan potentially can be able to develop its own defense industry and gain a foothold as an arms exporter. On the contrary, for South Korea, which is already an established exporter of military equipment and weapons, this would be a potential risk and the possibility of losing its acquired positions in Australia and other markets. Nevertheless, the prospect for both parties joining AUKUS is real, and cooperation within this multilateral format can also be of a weakly formalized nature, reduced to work on a number of joint projects, mainly in high-tech areas with the ultimate goal of developing common technological and legal standards.

Nurses' health promotion practices in rural primary health care in Nigeria. A qualitative study.

Nurses play a vital role in providing high-quality primary healthcare and health promotion services. The state of research highlights their often complex operational realities and shows the need for an evidence-based understanding of nurses' perspectives on health promotion practices, especially in low-resource settings. This study focuses on how community health nurses in rural primary healthcare centers in Nigeria perceive their health promotion role and the opportunities and challenges of, and potential entry points for strengthening, their practice. A sample of 10 nurses from eight rural primary healthcare centers in eight local government areas of Anambra state, Nigeria, was purposively selected. Data were collected via semistructured telephone and written interviews and analyzed by qualitative content analysis using a deductive-inductive approach. Nurses emphasized their commitment to supporting patients and communities to develop skills and take control of their own lives. Nurses described their role as facilitators of behavioral and environmental change, individual and community empowerment facilitators as well as social activists. Factors that enhance the health promotion practice of nurses include adequate skills, sufficient human and material resources and community support and participation. Inhibiting factors included insufficient funding, poor working conditions, staff shortages, high workload, lack of training opportunities and low participation of community members. Overcoming challenges and facilitating health promotion activities in rural communities require bolstering nurses by providing further training opportunities for enhancing their health promotion competencies and creating supportive environments. Future research should focus on how to strengthen nurses' health promotion efforts through interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration.

Latent profiles and predictors of barriers to care in Swiss children and adolescents with rare diseases.

Children and adolescents with rare diseases face significant barriers when accessing healthcare. We aimed to assess and predict these barriers and investigate associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Swiss parents (N = 189) of children with rare diseases including the Barriers to Care Questionnaire (BCQ), containing six barriers and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to uncover distinct classes, which were compared using chi-square tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. Relevant medical and sociodemographic class predictors were identified using Elastic Net regression, followed by regression analysis to investigate their role in predicting barriers to care and examine the effects of these classes on HRQoL. Two distinct groups were identified, a higher barriers class (59%) and a lower barriers class (41%). In the higher barriers class, participants showed elevated scores across all subscales and specifically on pragmatics and expectations. More barriers to care were linked to a nonstable disease course (OR = 2.27, p = .002) and a diagnosis after the age of 3months (OR = 2.17, p = .006). Individuals in the higher barriers class exhibited more psychological comorbidities (p = .044), congenital malformations/deformations/chromosomal abnormalities (p=.042), and medical misdiagnoses (p = .006). Children in the higher barriers class had significantly lower PedsQL scores compared to the lower barriers class (p<.05). This study highlights the need for comprehensive assessment of barriers to pediatric care in rare diseases, offering potential entry points for targeted interventions.

Fluorimetric Tool to Discriminate Glomerular and Tubular Injuries In Vivo.

The etiology and pathological complexity of acute kidney injury (AKI) pose great challenges for early diagnosis, typing, and personalized treatment. It is an important reason for poor prognosis and high mortality of AKI. In order to provide a relatively noninvasive diagnostic and typing method for AKI, we proposed the pathological changes of albumin permeability after glomerular injury and reabsorption efficiency after tubular injury as potential entry points. Thus, a renal tubule labeling fluorescent dye which features albumin concentration-related fluorescence intensity was used to fit these pathological changes. Utilizing this fluorescence assay, we realized urinary tract obstruction imaging as early as 12 h after morbidity. For glomerular and tubular injury discrimination, compared to a healthy control, membranous nephropathy as a representative glomerular injury resulted in enhanced fluorescence intensity of the kidney due to increased albumin penetration, while renal tubular injury caused insufficient dye reabsorption to exhibit weakened fluorescence intensity. The significant differences demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for fluorescence imaging-based AKI typing in vivo.

Coopetition in Platform-Based Retailing: On the Platform’s Entry

We study the dynamic incentive interactions between a platform and a third-party seller over two stages, where the seller exerts product-value-enhancement effort in the first stage in anticipation of the platform’s potential entry in the second stage. Upon entry, the platform can exert effort to boost the value of the product sold by the platform, with positive spillovers to the value of the product sold by the platform. We show the existence of both the protective and the receptive regimes, characterizing the necessary and sufficient conditions for each regime. These conditions are of thresholds type with respect to the parameters including the degree of spillover, the referral rate, and the competition intensity. In the protective (receptive) regime, the seller is worse (better) off with the platform’s entry than without, thereby distorting effort downward (upward) from the first best to deter (induce) the platform’s entry to the products of intermediate value. Notably, if the spillover effect is negative, only the protective regime will arise. We also provide the necessary and sufficient conditions under which the platform’s nonentry commitment strictly improves the platform’s profits by restoring the seller’s effort to the first best, achieving the win-win outcome for both the platform and the seller. This paper was accepted by Jeannette Song, operations management. Funding: H. Song is partially supported by the Key International Cooperation and Exchange Projects of the NSFC [Grant W2411062] and the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the NSFC [Grant 71821002]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.00260 .

Detection of microplastics in human tissues and organs: A scoping review.

Research on microplastics has largely focused on the environment and marine organisms until recently. A growing body of evidence has detected microplastics in human organs and tissues, with their exact entry routes being unclear and their potential health effects remain unknown. This scoping review aimed to characterise microplastics in human tissues and organs, examine their entry routes and addressing gaps in research analytical techniques. Eligibility criteria included English language full text articles, in-vivo human studies only, and searching the databases using pre-defined terms. We based our analysis and reporting on the PRISMA guideline and examined the quality of evidence using the risk of bias assessment tool. Of 3616 articles screened, 223 evaluated and 26 were eventually included in this review. Nine were high risk for bias, three were unclear risk and the rest low risk for bias. Microplastics were detected in 8/12 human organ systems including cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, integumentary, lymphatic, respiratory, reproductive and urinary. Microplastics were also observed in other human biological samples such as breastmilk, meconium, semen, stool, sputum and urine. Microplastics can be characterised based on shape, colours, and polymer type. Potential entry routes into human included atmospheric inhalation and ingestion through food and water. The extraction techniques for analysis of microplastics in human tissues vary significantly, each offering distinct advantages and limitations. Microplastics are commonly detected in human tissues and organs, with distinct characteristics and entry routes, and variable analytical techniques exist.

Strategic interaction between IoT technology openness and adoption considering potential firm entry

Strategic interaction between IoT technology openness and adoption considering potential firm entry

Intermittent Detections of ISAV-HPR0 in a Salmon Recirculating Aquaculture System, and Implications for Sampling

Infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) is an important pathogen in global Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) aquaculture. The existence of both non-pathogenic (ISAV-HPR0) and pathogenic (HPR-deleted ISAV) forms of the virus impacts hatchery management. In November 2016, fish tested positive for ISAV-HPR0 at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Maine. A cohort exposed to the fish testing positive for ISAV were lethally sampled over a 7-month period (February–August 2017). No positive samples were detected during this time. Additional testing aimed to determine the extent of the ISAV infections in the facility’s fish and to investigate the water sources as potential virus entry points. Fish testing was designed to detect 2% pathogen prevalence with 95% confidence (assuming diagnostic sensitivity of 85%). Over a three-year period, ISAV-HPR0 was detected in spawning fish annually and once in smolts. Repeat testing of smolts from the affected tank three weeks later failed to detect ISAV-HPR0. Over a one-year period of weekly or biweekly evaluation of the incoming water sources, ISAV was never detected. These findings suggest that ISAV-HPR0 infections in monitored hatchery populations can evade detection and that episodes of high prevalence of ISAV-HPR0 associated with spawning can be highly transient. In both cases, conventional surveillance based on recurrent testing of healthy populations may provide only a very limited indication of the HPR0 status. Instead, targeting surveillance to periods of physiological stress, such as spawning and smoltification, and adjusting the sample sizes to account for a related surge in prevalence, should enhance the detection capacity in hatchery settings while also reducing testing costs.

How to measure agroecology? A rapid appraisal approach based on focus group discussions

ABSTRACT This study presents an approach to assess agroecology at village level through focus group discussions with village committees and district extension agents. This approach is intended as an alternative to resources-intensive assessment methods, covering larger areas and providing rapid yet empirical evidences for policy and practice. It is based on the translation of the 13 agroecology principles of the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) into 21 contextualized indicators and questions that are relevant for the research area. They are grouped into four entry points for transformative action: land use and governance, farm management, social interactions, and socio-economic situation. This approach was tested in 16 villages and three districts in Xiengkhouang Province in Laos. The results show that villages are at an intermediate agroecological level. Comparable results and conclusions were achieved, regarding potential entry points for transformative action in specific villages, encouraging the reliability of the approach. It also showed to be promising in terms of the capacity to characterize the status of the 13 principles of agroecology, and to capture their changes in time. This approach may be further combined with other assessment methods to complement the aspects that require finer understanding or assessment over large territories.

Simultaneous determination of phenothiazine drugs and their metabolites residues in animal derived foods by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Due to their potential entry into the human body via the food chain, phenothiazine drugs and their metabolites pose specific health hazards, making their detection in edible tissues of paramount importance. In this research endeavor, a highly sensitive multi-residue analytical method has been devised for the detection of phenothiazine drugs and their metabolites in animal-derived food products, utilizing high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The preparation of samples involved the use of 1% formic acid in acetonitrile as the extraction solvent following sample weighing, with multiple extraction steps diligently performed to ensure optimal outcomes. The sample, post-extraction, was directly introduced into the purification column, yielding significant time savings and rendering the process more environmentally sustainable. This procedural step effectively eliminated interfering substances from the sample matrix, including proteins, salts, and phospholipids. Analysis of the extracted samples was conducted through HPLC-MS/MS, employing an electrospray ionization (ESI) ion source. A comprehensive panel of 20 phenothiazine drugs and their metabolites was successfully resolved within a mere 10-min chromatographic run. A robust linear correlation (R2 ≥ 0.99) was attained within a judiciously chosen range of concentrations. Method validation was meticulously conducted across multiple animal species, including trout, white shrimp, pork, beef and chicken. The developed analytical method has been effectively deployed for the screening and quantification of phenothiazine drugs in real-world samples sourced from commercial livestock and aquatic products.

Microplastic-induced hepatic adverse effects evaluated in advanced quadruple cell human primary models following three weeks of repeated exposure

Nano and microplastics are defined as particles smaller than 100 nm and 5 mm respectively. The widespread production and use of plastics in everyday life has resulted in significant accumulation of plastic debris in the environment. Over the last two decades there are increased concerns regarding the potential entry and accumulation of plastics in the human body with ingestion being one of the most important routes of exposure. However, the magnitude and nature of potential toxic effects of plastic exposure to human health is not yet fully understood. The liver is the body's principal detoxification organ and critically to this study recognized as the main accumulation site for particulates. In this study as the first of its kind the health impacts of long term low repeated polystyrene microplastics (1 and 5 μm) exposure was investigated in a functionally active 3D liver microtissue model, composed of primary human hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells. The highlight from the data includes microplastic-induced dose (3.125–25 μg/ml) and time dependent (up to 504 h) increase in cell death and inflammation manifested by enhanced release of IL6, IL8 and TNF-α. The exposure to repeated dosing of the plastics also resulted in notable pathology manifested as aberrant tissue architecture, such as dilated bile canaliculi and large lipid droplets inside the hepatic cells. This toxicity matched extremely well to the accumulation of the materials with the cells of microtissue predominately in the organ macrophages. This study highlights the real issue and danger of microplastic exposure with potential for long-term accumulation and adverse effects of non-biodegradable plastics within the liver.

Particle Shadow Velocimetry And Its Potential Applications And Advantages Vis-à-Vis Particle Image Velocimetry

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is an established standard velocimetry technique in experimental fluid mechanics that involves determining a fluid flow velocity field from the motion of tracer particles illuminated by a laser sheet. The necessity of laser illumination poses challenges in certain applications, and is a potential entry barrier due to its complexity and high cost. A laser-free alternative to PIV is particle shadow velocimetry (PSV), which uses images of the shadows cast by the particles on the camera sensor under back-illumination, instead of the Mie scattering signal produced by laser illumination. This study aims to compare various aspects of PSV such as depth of field, seeding density, type of illumination required, particle size, image filtering, cost effectiveness, and limitations with those of PIV. PSV and PIV measurements are conducted in the wake of a flow past a cylinder and in a boundary layer developing over a flat plate. It is found that PSV is capable of achieving equivalent accuracy to PIV and is a viable alternative to PIV in certain applications where light sheet illumination creates experimental challenges.