Se Values Research Articles

​Efficacy of Resveratrol and Ursolic Acid on Biofilm Inhibition and Antimicrobial Resistance of Streptococcus uberis

Background: Bovine mastitis is a multifactorial and is one of the most challenging disease. It can be caused by many different bacterial species, the most common of which are Staphylococcus species and Streptococcus species. The prevalence of different species varies temporally, geographically and also due to control measures adopted in herds. The present study is on the biofilm forming Streptococcus uberis causing mastitis and the effect of antibiofilm agents on the antimicrobial resistance of the microorganisms. Methods: The isolates were identified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two antibiofilm agents, resveratrol and ursolic acid (UA) each at two concentrations (30 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml) were used for the study. Biofilm formation and rate of biofilm inhibition was detected using quantitative microtiter plate (MTP) assay and biofilm gene (lux S) was detected using PCR. The isolates treated with antibiofilm agents were subjected to standard disc diffusion test with 7 antibiotics and the change in antibiotic resistance was studied. Result: The mean±SE values of inhibition rates of 29 S. uberis isolates by 30 μg/ml UA, 100 μg/ml UA, 30 μg/ml resveratrol, 100 μg/ml resveratrol were 33.96±3.17%, 57.40±2.8%, 31.35±3.12% and 46.28±3.47%, respectively. Biofilm inhibiting agents along with all antibiotics had reduced antimicrobial resistance by 1.5-2 times on in vitro antibiotic resistance testing by disc diffusion at 100 μg/ml concentration. The antibiofilm agents were found to be very effective to control antibiotic resistance of S. uberis from mastitic milk samples in vitro.

Evaluation of Agricultural Bare Soil Properties Retrieval from Landsat 8, Sentinel-2 and PRISMA Satellite Data

The PRISMA satellite is equipped with an advanced hyperspectral Earth observation technology capable of improving the accuracy of quantitative estimation of bio-geophysical variables in various Earth Science Applications and in particular for soil science. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the ability of the PRISMA hyperspectral imager to estimate topsoil properties (i.e., organic carbon, clay, sand, silt), in comparison with current satellite multispectral sensors. To investigate this expectation, a test was carried out using topsoil data collected in Italy following two approaches. Firstly, PRISMA, Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 spectral simulated datasets were obtained from the spectral resampling of a laboratory soil library. Subsequently, bare soil reflectance data were obtained from two experimental areas in Italy, using real satellites images, at dates close to each other. The estimation models of soil properties were calibrated employing both Partial Least Square Regression and Cubist Regression algorithms. The results of the study revealed that the best accuracies in retrieving topsoil properties were obtained by PRISMA data, using both laboratory and real datasets. Indeed, the resampled spectra of the hyperspectral imager provided the best Ratio of Performance to Inter-Quartile distance (RPIQ) for clay (4.87), sand (3.80), and organic carbon (2.59) estimation, for the spectral soil library datasets. For the bare soil reflectance obtained from real satellite imagery, a higher level of prediction accuracy was obtained from PRISMA data, with RPIQ ± SE values of 2.32 ± 0.07 for clay, 3.85 ± 0.19 for silt, and 3.51 ± 0.16 for soil organic carbon. The results for the PRISMA hyperspectral satellite imagery with the Cubist Regression provided the best performance in the prediction of silt, sand, clay and SOC. The same variables were better estimated using PLSR models in the case of the resampled hyperspectral data. The statistical accuracy in the retrieval of SOC from real and resampled PRISMA data revealed the potential of the actual hyperspectral satellite. The results supported the expected good ability of the PRISMA imager to estimate topsoil properties.

A Facile Fabrication of PA12/CNTs Nanocomposites with Enhanced Three-Dimensional Segregated Conductive Networks and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Property through Selective Laser Sintering.

The material design could be very critical in the preparation of conductive polymer composites for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. In this work, two methods were proposed to prepare PA12 composite powders coated with CNTs, including ball-milling (BM) and ultrasonic dispersion-liquid phase deposition strategies. Then, by applying selective laser sintering printing (SLS) 3D printing, the segregated network structures were successfully constructed. Various characterization techniques were employed to validate the presence of the formed segregated network structure in the SLS 3D printed parts. The BM SLS 3D printed part at a loading of 5.66 wt % CNTs exhibited an optimum electrical conductivity of 3.0 S/m and an electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI SE) of 23.9 dB (2.0 mm thickness), while its electrical percolation threshold was found to be at 0.347 wt %. However, the EMI SE values of homogenous PA12/CNTs composites prepared by the melt compounding-cryogenic pulverization (MP) method and melt compounding-compression molding were only 9.8 and 15.6 dB, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of CNTs decreased the mechanical performance of the PA12/CNTs printed part due to their negative effect on the sintering. However, such a decrease could be inhibited by increasing the laser energy density. The related investigation could offer a solution to the preparation of the conductive polymer composite and the EMI shielded material through SLS 3D printing processing.

Bragg's additivity rule and core and bond model studied by real-time TDDFT electronic stopping simulations: The case of water vapor

The electronic stopping power (Se) of water vapor (H2O), hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases for protons in a broad range of energies, centered in the Bragg peak, was calculated using real-time time-dependent density functional theory (rt-TDDFT) simulations with Gaussian basis sets. This was done for a kinetic energy of incident protons (Ek) ranging from 1.56 keV/amu to 1.6 MeV/amu. Se was calculated as the average over geometrically pre-sampled short ion trajectories. The average Se(Ek) values were found to rapidly converge with 25–30 pre-sampled, 2 nm-long ion trajectories. The rt-TDDFT Se(Ek) curves were compared to experimental and SRIM data, and used to validate the Bragg's Additivity Rule (BAR). Discrepancies were analyzed in terms of basis set effects and omitted nuclear stopping at low energies. At variance with SRIM, we found that BAR is applicable to our rt-TDDFT simulations of 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O without scaling for Ek > 40 keV/amu. The hydrogen and oxygen Core and Bond (CAB) contributions to electronic stopping were calculated and found to be slightly smaller than SRIM values as a result of a red-shift in our rt-TDDFT Se(Ek) curves and a re-distribution of weights due to some bond contributions being neglected in SRIM.

The value of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity in distinguishing between spinal meningiomas and schwannomas.

Background: Prior studies have suggested a number of the subjective visual characteristics that help distinguish between spinal meningiomas and schwannomas on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography; however, objective quantification of the signal intensity can be useful information. This study assessed whether quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity (SI) measurements could distinguish intradural-extramedullary schwannomas from meningiomas.Methods: From July 2019 to September 2021, 54 patients with intradural-extramedullary tumors (37 meningiomas and 17 schwannomas) underwent surgery, and tumors were verified pathologically. Defined regions of interest were used to quantify SI values on T1- (T1W) and T2-weighted images (T2W). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to obtain cutoff values and calculate the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).Results: Both Maximum (T2max) and mean (T2mean) T2W SI values demonstrated outstanding (AUC: 0.91) abilities to differentiate meningiomas from schwannomas with Se, Sp, PPV, and NPV values of 94.6%, 70.6%, 87.5%, and 85.7%, respectively, for T2max and 81.1%, 88.2%, 93.8%, and 68.2% for T2mean. The maximum SI value on contrast-enhanced T1W (T1CEmax) and the T2W tumor: fat SI ratio (rTF) demonstrated acceptable abilities (AUC: 0.73 and 0.79, respectively) to differentiate meningiomas from schwannomas with Se, Sp, PPV, and NPV values of 94.6%, 70.6%, 87.5%, and 85.7%, respectively, for T1CEmax and 81.1%, 88.2%, 93.8%, and 68.2% for rTF.Conclusions: Quantitative SI values (T2max, T2mean, T2min, T1CEmax, rTF) can be used to differentiate intradural-extramedullary schwannomas from meningiomas.

Geochemical characteristics and ecological effects of Se and Zn in topsoil in Western Fuling of Chongqing

A large area of soil in China is deficient in selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn)，meanwhile, Se and Zn are essential trace elements for human body, so it is of great significance to find Se and Zn rich soil to cultivate crops. Based on the data of Se and Zn in topsoil, crops and root soil obtained from 1:50000 land quality geochemical survey, this paper taking the western area of Fuling in Chongqing as the research area, studies the content and spatial distribution characteristics of Se and Zn in soil and crops, and analyzes the enrichment law of Se and Zn in agricultural crops. The results show that the average values of Se and Zn in the topsoil of the study area are 0.265mg/kg and 77.56mg/kg respectively. There are some differences in the contents of Se and Zn in different geological backgrounds, soil parent materials and soil types. The high value areas of Se and Zn are mainly distributed in the exposed areas of Triassic carbonate; in the study area, the average contents of Se and Zn in maize seeds are 0.029mg/kg and 20.752mg/kg respectively, and the enrichment rates are 96% and 82% respectively. The average contents of Se and Zn in rice seeds are 0.032mg/kg and 11.463mg/kg respectively, and the enrichment rates are 13.3% and 5% respectively. The bioaccumulation coefficients of Se and Zn in maize are higher than that in rice, and the availability of Se and Zn elements in maize root soil is higher.The results can provide geochemical basis for developing characteristic land resources, functional agriculture and promoting rural revitalization in Fuling District.

Repair of long bone fractures in dogs using locking compression plates

Seven dogs of different breeds, age, sex and body weight (19–30 kg) were treated for unstable long bone fractures (tibia- 2, radius-ulna- 3, humerus- 1 and femur- 1) using locking compression plates (LCP). The efficacy of treatment was evaluated on the basis of clinical examination, haemato-biochemical evaluation and radiographic findings. The mean±SE values of swelling, lameness and pain score were minimum on 15th, 45th and 30th postoperative day, respectively; while the mean value of weight bearing score was highest on 60th postoperative day. The serum alkaline phosphatase showed irregular variation during the study period, while the mean±SE value of serum calcium was above the normal value till 15th postoperative day. Radiographic study revealed primary healing in three cases, secondary healing in two cases and remaining two cases were subjected to revised surgery due to dislodgement of fixation device. The radiographic union was achieved on an average of 54 days. Fixation failure in two cases and wound dehiscence followed by osteomyelitis in one case were the complications observed. On the basis of the findings of the study, it can be concluded LCP provides rigid fixation of long bone fractures in majority of cases.

Assessment of Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in Different Environmental Media Impacted by a Former Chlor-Alkali Plant

Former industrially contaminated sites are a burden from the past that still pose environmental risks. During the second half of the 20th century, the Pavlodar region in North Kazakhstan had been a part of Soviet Union’s industrial system that operated a chlor-alkali plant (CAP). The former CAP discharged approximately 135 t Hg into nearby Lake Balkyldak with total losses to water, soil, and air estimated around 1000 t. Pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to former and currently active industrial enterprises is an under-investigated concern in the Pavlodar region. The present study aims to provide a much-needed update on the situation around the CAP area by evaluating the contamination by Hg and other selected PTEs (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn) on the surrounding environment of the CAP and in the nearby urban zone. Soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater samples have been collected in several sampling campaigns carried out in 2018 and 2019. Several samples had Hg concentrations exceeding maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), for soils and sediments (in mg/kg; range: 0.0006 to 24, average: 0.56) and for surface water and groundwater (in µg/L; range: 0.004 to 1340, average: 93). Critically high concentrations were mostly measured in the vicinity of Lake Balkyldak, where the majority of Hg had been discharged by the former CAP, indicating persisting Hg pollution in the studied zone. A comparison of the PTEs concentrations in soil and sediments showed less severe pollution but still some elevated values for As, Ba, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Se. The inter-elemental relationship between Hg and assessed PTEs was weak, indicating the presence of sources independent from Hg emitting sources. Further research on Hg contamination on the exact territory of the former CAP is needed, and a detailed human health risk characterization to identify potential unacceptable risks is strongly recommended.

Phosphorus‐Directed Rhodium‐Catalyzed C−H Arylation of 1‐Pyrenylphosphines Selective at the K‐Region

AbstractC−H arylation of 1‐pyrenylphosphine derivatives catalyzed by rhodium and directed by a diphenylphosphino group is selectively achieved at the K‐region, i. e. 4‐, 5‐, 9‐, or 10‐position of the pyrene moiety. This peri C−H activation/arylation of pyrenes using (hetero)aryl bromide coupling partners tolerates both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups on the arene, and provides isolated yields of products between 25% to 90%, including from bulky polyaromatic bromoarene substrates. We achieved investigations directed at the formation and reactivity of pertinent intermediate species in this C−H arylation reaction. The P‐ligand coordination at rhodium was established using 31P NMR and XRD analysis, and we isolated five‐membered rhodacycles as intermediates to the directed C−H functionalization. The data obtained overall supported the occurrence of a cationic rhodium catalytic process. We further described the access to a large class of pyrenylphosphine ligands and their selenated derivatives. Phosphine selenation allows to rapidly estimate from 1JP=Se values the basic character of the ligand in the perspective of their use for coordination. Accordingly, linear P‐coordinated Au(I) gold complexes were isolated, in addition to the variously coordinated Rh(III) complexes. The present methodology significantly extends the scope of polyaromatics that are functionalizable at the K‐Region by direct C−H activation, beyond smaller‐sized naphtalenes and aminopyrenes.magnified image

Lightweight and flexible silicone rubber foam with dopamine grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles using supercritical foaming technology: Its preparation and electromagnetic interference shielding performance

Herein, dopamine is grafted onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and then grafted dopamine is used as a chemical activation point to initiate the in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The foam technology with supercritical N2 (Sc-N2) gas was used to prepare a lightweight and flexible silicone rubber foam material with efficient electromagnetic shielding performance. The prepared material has uniform cells and a density of only 0.3 g/cm3. The electrical conductivity can be achieved as high as 5.69 S/m. At the same time, the optimal modified conductive filler MWCNTs conditions are determined: DOPA concentration is 2 g/L, deposition time is 18 h, formaldehyde concentration is 5 g/L and AgNO3 concentration is 16 g/L. From the perspective of electromagnetic interference shielding performance (EMI SE), the value of prepared silicone rubber foam with 15 parts of MWCNT-PDA-Ag (VMPA15) can reach 36 dB, far exceeding the commercial requirement (20 dB). The EMI shielding performance is also improved with the increased thickness of the sample. When the sample thickness is 10 mm, the EMI SE value can be as high as 52 dB; more importantly, this type of VMPA foam has a shielding mechanism based on absorption, which is the most effective for solving the problem of secondary magnetic pollution caused by electromagnetic wave reflection.

Steroid hormones, selenium, and zinc in the gonads – gametes – larvae biological system of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.

Assessment of the interaction of marine farms with the environment in the industrial cultivation of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is very important. In the mussel farm – environment system, biotic fluxes of chemical compounds through gonads, gametes (sperm and eggs), and larvae make a considerable contribution to this interaction. Since gonads play a key role in the mussel reproduction, it is interesting to study the budget of materials, that are directly involved in this process. Out of these materials, testosterone, estradiol, fatty acids, and some trace minerals, such as Se and Zn, are known to affect spawning, growth, and development. The molluscs absorb these materials from food and water. These materials are partly metabolically assimilated by mussels and partly excreted into the environment with gametes. The aim of this study was to estimate the components of the budget of steroid hormones, fatty acids, and two essential trace elements (Zn and Se) in mussel gonads, gametes, and larvae. The total testosterone and estradiol in gonads and gametes were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The contents of the trace elements were found using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The fatty acid composition was determined by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The contents of Se and Zn in mussel gonads and gametes were found to depend on the stage of the reproductive cycle. In female gonads, Se and Zn concentrations were higher than in male ones. The highest concentration of Se was recorded in eggs: (14.7 ± 2.9) μg·g−1 dry weight (d. w.). In sperm, it was (14.4 ± 1.8) μg·g−1 d. w. Zn content in gonads before spawning was higher than in gametes. In male gonads and in sperm, its values were (27.5 ± 3.7) and (19.3 ± 6.4) μg·g−1 d. w., respectively. In female gonads and eggs, the contents of zinc were (53.6 ± 10.9) and (49.3 ± 8.2) μg·g−1 d. w., respectively. In spring, the mean values of Se and Zn assimilation degree (q) in gonads of the mussel were within 0.1–0.6. The limit values of the alimentary accumulation coefficient (Klim) of Se and Zn ranged 0.6 to 1.4. While spawning, mussels excrete polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are probably used by other marine organisms. Up to 56.2 % of PUFA are excreted with sperm, and 48.1 %, with eggs, whereas in larvae this fraction does not exceed 10.2 %. The data obtained indicate that the molluscs assimilate sex hormones, fatty acids, selenium, and zinc to maintain vital processes: prostaglandins are synthesized from PUFA in the body, and testosterone esters are formed from testosterone. Se and Zn, when coupled with proteins, play a key role in the reproduction and formation of larval shells.

Fixed Effect Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM) Estimation Using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM)

The fixed effect meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) model assumes that the population effect is homogeneous across studies. It was first developed analytically using Generalized Least Squares (GLS) and computationally using Weighted Least Square (WLS) methods. The MASEM fixed effect was not estimated analytically using the estimation method based on moment. One of the classic estimation methods based on moment is the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), whereas GMM can possibly estimate the data whose studies has parameter uncertainty problems, it also has a high accuracy on data heterogeneity. Therefore, this study estimates the fixed effect MASEM model using GMM. The symmetry of this research is based on the proof goodness of the estimator and the performance that it is analytical and numerical. The estimation results were proven to be the goodness of the estimator, unbiased and consistent. To show the performance of the obtained estimator, a comparison was carried out on the same data as the MASEM using GLS. The results show that the estimation of MASEM using GMM yields the SE value in each coefficient is smaller than the estimation of MASEM using GLS. Interactive GMM for the determination of the optimal weight on GMM in this study gave better results and therefore needs to be developed in order to obtain a Random Model MASEM estimator using GMM that is much more reliable and accurate in performance.

Plasma Levels and Diagnostic Utility of VEGF in a Three-Year Follow-Up of Patients with Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women globally. The increasing worldwide incidence of this type of cancer illustrates the challenge it represents for healthcare providers. Therefore, new tumor markers are constantly being sought. The aim of this study was to assess plasma concentrations and the diagnostic power of VEGF in 100 patients with early-stage breast cancer, both before and after surgical treatment and during a three-year follow-up. The control groups included 50 subjects with benign breast tumors (fibroadenoma) and 50 healthy women. The VEGF concentration was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the CA 15-3 concentration was determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). We observed significantly higher preoperative plasma concentrations of VEGF and CA 15-3 in patients with breast cancer. VEGF, similar to CA 15-3, demonstrated high diagnostic utility in the assessment of the long-term efficacy of surgical removal of the tumor. Determinations of VEGF had the highest diagnostic usefulness in the detection of breast cancer recurrence (SE 40%, SP 92%, PPV 67%, NPV 79%). Additionally, the highest values of SE, NPV and AUC were observed during the combined analysis with CA 15-3 (60%; 84%; 0.7074, respectively). Our study suggests a promising diagnostic utility of VEGF in the early stages of breast cancer and in the evaluation of the efficacy of the surgical treatment of breast cancer as well as the detection of breast cancer recurrence, particularly in a combined analysis with CA 15-3 as a new diagnostic panel.

Anti-Fogging, Frost-Resistant transparent and flexible silver Nanowire-Ti3C2Tx MXene based composite films for excellent electromagnetic interference shielding ability

The development of electronics proposes higher requirements for flexible, transparent, and conductive materials with high electromagnetic shielding performance in viewing windows. Flexible transparent films have been fabricated by collaborating one-dimensional silver nanowires (AgNWs) and novel two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets on PET films with an external polymeric coating consisting of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS). Especially, the combination of different dimensional nanomaterials effectively establishes a conductive network that exhibits a synergistic effect on excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance, which is superior to that of pure AgNW network or Ti3C2Tx network to some extent. By optimizing the AgNWs content (0.05 mg/cm2) and Ti3C2Tx sheets content (0.01 mg/cm2), the PET/AgNW/Ti3C2Tx/PVA-PSS film exhibits a transmittance of 81% and a desirable EMI SE value of 30.5 dB. In addition, the film shows outstanding anti-fogging and frost-resistant properties due to the remarkable water absorption capacity of PVA and PSS on the external surface. Considering its efficiency and simplicity, this transparent conductive film has promising applications in flexible transparent electronic devices and optical related fields.

Integrated hierarchical macrostructures of flexible basalt fiber composites with tunable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and rapid electrothermal response

Adjustable and durable EMI shielding fabrics with excellent mechanical performance are urgently required owing to the rapid growing of electronics in industrial, military and aerospace fields. Herein, a highly flexible and durable conductive basalt fabric (BF) composite was firstly fabricated by integrating Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets and conformal natural rubber-Ti 3 C 2 T x layer via a facile spray-drying method. The effects of the natural rubber outlayer with or without Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets on the composite are examined to determine the optimal composition and structure. The Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets form a continuous and compact nacre lamellar coating on the surface of the external BF fibers, resulting in the main EMI shielding function. Especially, the conductive natural rubber-Ti 3 C 2 T x (TNR) outlayer could not only protect the inner Ti 3 C 2 T x coating, but also form conductive connections between conductive BF fibers. The resultant EMI shielding basalt fabrics possess hierarchical macrostructures, which could even obtain an ideal EMI SE value of 41.53 dB. Besides, the TNR outlayer could also fasten the fabric structure and protect the conductive network, which led to negligible decreases after repeatedly bending to 10.0 mm radius for 200 cycles (99.0% retention), sonication for 30 min (98.8% retention) and peeling for 200 cycles (94.4% retention). Moreover, such fabrics also showed outstanding electro-thermal property. Even if applied a low voltage of 4 V, the temperature would immediately reach up to over 70 °C, which also possess excellent cycling stability. Consequently, this work reveals an effective and facial technology for preparing a much more competitive EMI shielding fabric. • EMI shielding basalt fiber composites were developed with hierarchical structure. • Multilayer coating was prepared by the spray-drying technique. • The resultant textile possesses adjustable EMI shielding performance and rapid electrothermal response. • The resultant textile exhibits superior durability under continous external forces.

Spatial distribution and environmental impact factors of soil selenium in Hainan Island, China

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for the human body, given its various health benefits. However, Se deficiency is widespread globally, and dietary adjustment is a feasible way to supplement people's Se daily intake. The Multi-purpose Regional Geochemical Survey (NMPRGS) conducted in Hainan Island found an abundance of Se-rich soil. These Se resources have been utilized to grow naturally Se-rich produce. However, insufficient research has been conducted into the spatial distribution and enrichment of soil Se in Hainan Island. This paper analysed the effect of the environmental impact factors (parent rock, precipitation, etc.) on soil Se, using data from the NMPRGS database. The results showed that, in comparison to the baseline value of Chinese soil, the enrichment degree of Se in the topsoil of Hainan Island was higher, but its distribution was uneven. The parent rock, precipitation, soil type, and soil characteristics all affect the concentration and spatial distribution of regional soil Se. Geographically weighted regression showed that Iodine, pH, SOC, and TFe2O3 have a non-stationarity spatial relationship with Se. There was a significant correlation between soil Se and Chemical alteration index (CIA) in granite areas, while CIA was also related to mean annual precipitation (MAP). The concentration enrichment factor values of Se show that the external input of Se in high MAP areas is significantly higher than that in low MAP areas. Based on these results, three important environmental impact factors on soil Se enrichment at the regional scale in Hainan Island were defined: 1) Se-rich rocks; 2) precipitation; 3) SOC. These results can provide guidance for the planning and layout of Se-rich agriculture.

Fabrication and Characterization of Waste Wood Cellulose Fiber/Graphene Nanoplatelet Carbon Papers for Application as Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Materials.

Waste wood contains large amounts of cellulose fibers that have outstanding mechanical properties. These fibers can be recycled and converted into highly valuable materials of waste wood. In this study, waste wood cellulose fiber/graphene nanoplatelet (WWCF/GnP) papers were prepared according to the WWCF and GnP contents. Subsequently, the WWCF/GnP papers were varyingly carbonized for their application as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials such as state-of-the-art electronic equipment malfunction prevention, chip-level microsystem, and micro intersystem noise suppression/reduction. The increase in the GnP content and carbonization temperature enhanced electrical conductivity, thereby generating a greater EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) in the high-frequency X-band. Additionally, the thickness of the WWCF/GnP carbon papers improved the electrical conductivity and EMI SE values. The electrical conductivity of the WWCF/GnP-15 carbon paper obtained at carbonization temperature of 1300 °C was approximately 5.86 S/m, leading to an EMI SE value of 43 decibels (dB) at 10.5 GHz for one sheet. Furthermore, overlapping of the three sheets increased the electrical conductivity to 7.02 S/m, leading to an EMI SE value of 72.5 dB at 10.5 GHz. Thus, we isolated WWCFs, without completely removing contaminants, for recycling and converting them into highly valuable EMI shielding materials.

Coupling of Agricultural Product Marketing and Agricultural Economic Development Based on Big Data Analysis and “Internet+”

In the era of “Internet+,” the increase of agricultural products sales can be achieved by creating and joining e-commerce platforms. Most of the farmers in China are self-employed and cannot form an industrial scale. With the rise of “Internet+” background research, the combination of this technology and the marketing of agricultural products has become a new marketing model under the deep integration of different fields. Based on the marketing of products under the background of “Internet+” and using marketing theories, this paper reviews the development of marketing of agricultural products under the background of “Internet+,” including the Internet infrastructure, the establishment of logistics system, the formation of branding, and the deep processing of agricultural products. The paper reviews the development of agricultural marketing under the background of “Internet+,” including the Internet infrastructure, establishment of logistics system, branding, and deep processing of agricultural products. The marketing mode of agricultural products under the background of “Internet+” is proved, and the development of agricultural products marketing under the background of “Internet+” is discussed from various angles, and insights into how to improve it are proposed from five aspects. After excluding the influence of environmental factors through the improved three-stage SE-DEA model, the mean value of TE of comprehensive efficiency of agricultural information allocation increases from 0.773 to 0.832, the mean value of SE of scale efficiency increases from 0.844 to 0.9219, and the mean value of PTE of pure technical efficiency adjusts from 0.9087 to 0.9058. The mean value of pure technical efficiency (PTE) was adjusted from 0.9087 to 0.9058. Compared with the parametric method, DEA does not require a specific production function to be set in advance, and it is also difficult to select a suitable production function in advance for complex problems.

PVDF based electrospun composite material for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding application

ABSTRACT W type Barium hexaferrite (BaCo2Fe16O27) was synthesized using oxalate precursor-based sol-gel auto-combustion method and was analyzed by SEM, EDS, and XRD for phase confirmation. Further M-H hysteresis loop and ZFC-FC curve were recorded using VSM to investigate magnetic properties. Using the wet chemical method, a hybrid Compound of BaCo2Fe16O27 /RGO was prepared by maintaining a ferrite-to-GO ratio to (m(RGO):m(HF) = 7:100). As synthesized hybrid compound was dispersed in PVDF to fabricate the electrospun thin films with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) of BaCo2Fe16O27 /RGO. These electrospun films were tested on VNA for EMI shielding properties. The film shows an absorption dominant shielding nature with the highest value of SE ~ 3.52 dB @ 8.47 GHz with a film thickness t = 0.9 mm. Thus, this lightweight and flexible film can be used for shielding applications.

Detection of Serum Levels of IL-17 and CCL-5 in a Sample of Iraqi Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Cytokines and chemokines are small-secreted proteins involved in many aspects of cell development, differentiation, and activation functions. A prominent characteristic of these molecules is their effect on the immune system in relation to the development of cell trafficking and immune tissues and organs. Furthermore, they play an important role in initiating and coordinating the organized and sequential recruitment and activation of cells into Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected lungs. We aimed to evaluate the levels of interleukin -17 (IL-17) and the chemotactic chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) in the sera of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. About 90 subjects were included, involving 50 patients with pulmonary TB and 40 apparently healthy individuals who were selected as a control group. Sera were obtained for measuring IL-17 and CCL-5 levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed that serum levels of IL-17 showed no significant differences between each patient's group and control. In contrast, the serum level of CCL-5 was significantly increased in pulmonary tuberculosis patients compared to control (P ≤0.01). The mean ±SE values of IL-17 level in PTB patients and controls were 43.06 ±3.64 and 41.009 ± 0.009 pg/ml, respectively. While, the mean ±SE values of CCL-5 level in PTB patients and controls were 455.40 ±25.35 and 80.86 ± 5.96 ng/L, respectively.
 The results of the current study suggest that high levels of CCL-5 in the sera of PTB patients may indicate an important role in the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Therefore, this chemokine could be considered as a useful biomarker for the severity of PTB infections.