bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing the Intrinsic Mode of Weakly Coupled Resonators for Temperature Compensation
Authors: Wang Kunfeng , Xiong Xingyin , Wang Zheng , Cai Pengcheng , Ma Liangbo , Zou Xudong
Published: September 2022

Accelerometers based on outputting amplitude ratios in weakly coupled resonators (WCRs) are attractive because their parametric sensitivity is higher by two or three orders of magnitudes than those based on outputting frequency. However, the impact of temperature on the coupler is a key factor in accelerometer applications. This paper proposed a novel mode-localized WCR accelerometer with a temperature compensation mechanism, with sensitive elements incorporating a double-ended tuning fork (DETF) resonator, clamped–clamped (CC) resonator, and a micro-lever coupler. The DETF out-of-phase mode is utilized, which is only sensitive to temperature, to measure the temperature change of WCRs and complete the temperature compensation using the compensation algorithm. This proposed method has no time delay in measuring the temperature of sensitive elements and no temperature difference caused by the uneven temperature field. The parametric sensitivity in amplitude ratio (AR) to acceleration drifting with temperature was theoretically analyzed, and the novel device was designed and fabricated by a silicon-on-glass process. Both simulation and experiment results demonstrated that the coupling stiffness drifted with temperature, which resulted in the drifts of its sensitivity to acceleration and zero-bias stability. Using the intrinsic mode of WCRs, in terms of the DETF out-of-phase mode, as an in situ thermometer and carrying out the temperature compensation algorithm, the drift of zero bias could be suppressed from 102 mg to 4.5 mg (g is the gravity acceleration), and the drift of the parameter sensitivity in AR was suppressed from 0.74 AR/g to 0.02 AR/g with the temperature range from 330 K to 370 K and acceleration range from 0 g to 0.2 g.
Effects of Group-I Elements on Output Voltage Generation of ZnO Nanowires Based Nanogenerator; Degradation of Screening Effects by Oxidation of Nanowires
Authors: Ahmad Mansoor , Ahmad M. K. , Mamat M. H. , Mohamed A. , Suriani A. B. , Ismail N. M. A. N. , Soon C. F. , Nafarizal N.
Published: September 2022

Here, we report the successful incorporation of group I elements (K, Na, Li) to ZnO nanowires. Three distinct (2, 4, and 6 wt.%) doping concentrations of group I elements have been used to generate high piezoelectric voltage by employing a vertically integrated nanowire generator (VING) structure. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) indicated the seepage of dopants in ZnO nanowires by substitution of Zn. Shallow acceptor levels (LiZn, NaZn, KZn) worked as electron trapping centers for intrinsically n-type ZnO nanowires. Free moving electrons caused a leakage current through the nanowires and depleted their piezoelectric potential. Reverse leakage current is a negative factor for piezoelectric nanogenerators. A reduction in reverse leakage current signifies the rise in output voltage. A gradual rise in output voltage has been witnessed which was in accordance with various doping concentrations. K-doped ZnO nanowires have generated voltages of 0.85 V, 1.48 V, and 1.95 V. For Na-doped ZnO nanowires, the voltages were 1.23 V, 1.73 V, and 2.34 V and the voltages yeilded for Li-doped ZnO nanowires were 1.87 V, 2.63 V, and 3.54 V, respectively. Maximum voltage range has been further enhanced by the surface enrichment (oxidized with O2 molecules) of ZnO nanowires. Technique has been opted to mitigate the screening effect during an external stress. After 5 h of oxidation in a sealed chamber at 100 ppm, maximum voltage peaks were pronounced to 2.48 V, 3.19 V, and 4.57 V for K, Na, and Li, respectively. A low-cost, high performance mechanical transducer is proposed for self-powered devices.
Fluid Viscosity Measurement by Means of Secondary Flow in a Curved Channel
Authors: Pryazhnikov Maxim I. , Yakimov Anton S. , Denisov Ivan A. , Pryazhnikov Andrey I. , Minakov Andrey V. , Belobrov Peter I.
Published: September 2022

This article presents a new approach to determining the viscosity of Newtonian fluid. The approach is based on the analysis of the secondary Dean flow in a curved channel. The study of the flow patterns of water and aqueous solutions of glycerin in a microfluidic chip with a U-microchannel was carried out. The advantages of a microfluidic viscometer based on a secondary Dean flow are its simplicity, quickness, and high accuracy in determining the viscosity coefficient of a liquid. A viscosity image in a short movie represents fluid properties. It is revealed that the viscosity coefficient can be determined by the dependence of the recirculation angle of the secondary Dean flow. The article provides a correlation between the Dean number and the flow recirculation angle. The results of the field experiment, presented in the article, correlate with the data obtained using computational fluid dynamics and allow for selecting parameters to create microfluidic viscometers with a U-shaped microchannel.
Hyalomma spp. in Austria—The Tick, the Climate, the Diseases and the Risk for Humans and Animals
Authors: Duscher Georg Gerhard , Kienberger Stefan , Haslinger Klaus , Holzer Barbara , Zimpernik Irene , Fuchs Reinhard , Schwarz Michael , Hufnagl Peter , Schiefer Peter , Schmoll Friedrich
Published: September 2022

Recently, ticks of Hyalomma spp. have been found more often in areas previously lacking this tick species. Due to their important role as a vector of different diseases, such as Crimean-Congo-hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), the occurrence and potential spread of this tick species is of major concern. So far, eight Hyalomma sp. ticks were found between 2018 and 2021 in Austria. A serological investigation on antibodies against the CCHF virus in 897 cattle as indicator animals displayed no positive case. During observation of climatic factors, especially in the period from April to September, the year 2018 displayed an extraordinary event in terms of higher temperature and dryness. To estimate the risk for humans to come in contact with Hyalomma sp. in Austria, many parameters have to be considered, such as the resting place of birds, availability of large livestock hosts, climate, density of human population, etc.
Long-Term Serological Investigations of Influenza A Virus in Free-Living Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Northern Italy (2007–2014)
Authors: De Marco Maria Alessandra , Cotti Claudia , Raffini Elisabetta , Frasnelli Matteo , Prosperi Alice , Zanni Irene , Romanini Chiara , Castrucci Maria Rita , Chiapponi Chiara , Delogu Mauro
Published: September 2022

Influenza A viruses (IAV) have been repeatedly demonstrated to circulate in wild suid populations. In this study, serum samples were collected from 2618 free-ranging wild boars in a protected area of Northern Italy between 2007 and 2014, and firstly screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of antibodies against IAV. The ELISA-positive samples were further tested by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays performed using antigen strains representative of the four major swine IAV (sIAV) lineages circulating in Italy: avian-like swine H1N1, pandemic-like swine H1N1, human-like swine H1N2 and human-like swine H3N2. An overall seroprevalence of 5.5% (145/2618) was detected by ELISA, with 56.7% (80/141) of screened sera tests positive by HI assay. Antibodies against H1N1 subtypes were the most prevalent beginning in 2009—with the highest detection in the first quarter of the year—until 2013, although at a low level. In addition, antibodies to H3N2 subtype were found during six years (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014) whereas H1N2 antibodies were detected in 2012 only. Of the HI-positive samples, 30% showed reactivity to both H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. These results provide additional insight into the circulation dynamics of IAV in wild suid populations, suggesting the occurrence of sIAV spillover events from pigs to wild boars.
A Chloroplast-Localised Fluorescent Protein Enhances the Photosynthetic Action Spectrum in Green Algae
Authors: Suarez Julio V. , Mudd Elisabeth A. , Day Anil
Published: September 2022

Green microalgae are important sources of natural products and are attractive cell factories for manufacturing high-value products such as recombinant proteins. Increasing scales of production must address the bottleneck of providing sufficient light energy for photosynthesis. Enhancing the photosynthetic action spectrum of green algae to improve the utilisation of yellow light would provide additional light energy for photosynthesis. Here, we evaluated the Katushka fluorescent protein, which converts yellow photons to red photons, to drive photosynthesis and growth when expressed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplasts. Transplastomic algae expressing a codon-optimised Katushka gene accumulated the active Katushka protein, which was detected by excitation with yellow light. Removal of chlorophyll from cells, which captures red photons, led to increased Katushka fluorescence. In yellow light, emission of red photons by fluorescent Katushka increased oxygen evolution and photosynthetic growth. Utilisation of yellow photons increased photosynthetic growth of transplastomic cells expressing Katushka in light deficient in red photons. These results showed that Katushka was a simple and effective yellow light-capturing device that enhanced the photosynthetic action spectrum of C. reinhardtii.
Paleoenvironment of Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang and Wumishan Formations, North China: New Insights from Geochemistry and Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes of Dolostones
Authors: Ma Feng , Li Tingxin , Zhou Yun , Cai Jin , Cai Yongfeng
Published: September 2022

The Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang and Wumishan Formations are major geothermal reservoirs in the Hebei Province, North China. Compared to the exploration of geothermal resources and heat-controlling structures, carbon and oxygen isotopic records of the two formations are limited. Here, we present integrated field, petrological, geochemical, carbon, and oxygen isotopic data of carbonate rocks from the Gaoyuzhuang and Wumishan Formations. The Wumishan Formation is characterized by higher CaO and MgO contents and lower SiO2 contents than the Gaoyuzhuang Formation, indicating that the source of the Wumishan Formation likely contains less terrigenous clastic materials. The two formations have low total rare earth element contents, similar to marine carbonate rocks. They show different Eu and Ce anomalies, Al/(Al + Fe + Mn) and Fe/Ti ratios, and (Co + Ni + Cu) contents. They generally show similar carbon isotopic compositions, whereas the carbonate rocks of the middle-upper Gaoyuzhuang Formation show lower δ18O values than the samples from the Wumishan and lower Gaoyuzhuang Formations. These data suggest that the two formations have experienced different transgressive–regressive cycles and that their sedimentary environments varied and were unstable in different sedimentary periods. The middle-upper Gaoyuzhuang Formation was likely affected by hydrothermal fluids, whereas the Wumishan Formation is composed of normal seawater deposits. Integrated evidence reveals that both of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang and Wumishan Formations were deposited in rift environments caused by the breakup of the Columbia/Nuna supercontinent.
A Study of Respirable Silica in Underground Coal Mines: Sources
Authors: Keles Cigdem , Pokhrel Nishan , Sarver Emily
Published: September 2022

An ongoing resurgence of occupational lung disease among coal miners in the United States has been linked to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). To better protect miners, a deeper understanding of key exposure factors is needed. As part of a larger investigation of RCS in 15 coal mines, this paper describes analysis of silica mass content in two types of samples: (1) respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) collected in standardized locations in each mine; and (2) respirable dust generated in the laboratory from primary source materials, including coal and rock strata being mined at the production face, material obtained from the dust collection system on roof bolter machines, and rock dust products being applied by the mine. As expected, results indicate that rock strata drilled for roof bolting or being extracted along with the coal are a major source of RCS in many coal mines—although the coal seam itself can contain significant silica in some mines. While silica content of rock strata encountered in central Appalachian mines is not necessarily higher than in other regions, the sheer abundance of rock being extracted in thin-seam central Appalachian mines can explain the relatively higher silica content typically observed in RCMD from this region.
Development and Characterization of Na2CO3-Activated Mozambican Bentonite: Prediction of Optimal Activation Conditions Using Statistical Design Modeling
Authors: Macheca Afonso D. , Mapossa António B. , Cumbane António J. , Sulemane Asmina E. , Tichapondwa Shepherd M.
Published: September 2022

A calcium bentonite clay from Boane region (Mozambique) was subjected to an Na2CO3 activation process. The methylene blue test together with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis indicated the successful ion exchange of Ca2+ by Na+ ions since the cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased from 67.5 to 74 meq/100 g and the Na/Ca ratio from 2.91 up to 15.8, as the concentration of Na2CO3, activation temperature, and activation time were varied from 2 to 6 wt.%, from 25 to 65 °C, and from 2 to 4 h, respectively. However, the increase in the CEC did not follow the same trend as the increase in the Na/Ca ratio, and for the case of Na2CO3 concentration, the increase in the CEC was limited. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns also confirmed that Ca-rich bentonite was effectively modified into Na-bentonite since after the activation, the d(001) decreased from 1.52 nm to 1.30 nm. The statistical design of the experiments showed that as well as the time and the temperature × time linear interactive effect, all the other independent factors and their interactive effects had a significant influence on the CEC. The response surface methodology (RSM) indicated that higher values of the CEC can be obtained under the optimal activation conditions of 4 wt.% Na2CO3, at a temperature of 45 °C, and with an activation time of 3 h. A statistical model was used to predict the CEC, and the R2 value was 0.99529, which denotes a satisfactory result in predicting the CEC.
Structural Elucidation of Alkali Degradation Impurities of Favipiravir from the Oral Suspension: UPLC-TQ-ESI-MS/MS and NMR
Authors: Patel Ravi , Dube Abhishek , Solanki Ravisinh , Khunt Dignesh , Parikh Shalin , Junnuthula Vijayabhaskarreddy , Dyawanapelly Sathish
Published: September 2022

A novel stability-indicating, reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for the determination of favipiravir in an oral suspension. The effective separation of favipiravir and its degradation products was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (5 μm particle size, 150 mm length × 4.6 mm diameter). The mobile phase was prepared by mixing 5 mM of phosphate buffer (pH 3.5) and methanol in a 75:25 v/v ratio delivered at a 1.0 mL/min flow rate. The eluents were monitored using a photodiode array detector at a wavelength of 322 nm. The stability-indicating nature of this method was evaluated by performing force degradation studies under various stress conditions, such as acidic, alkali, oxidative, thermal, and photolytic degradation. Significant degradation was observed during the alkali stress degradation condition. The degradation products generated during various stress conditions were well separated from the favipiravir peak. In addition, the major degradation product formed under alkali stress conditions was identified using UPLC-ESI-TQ-MS/MS and NMR. Method validation was performed according to the ICH Q2 (R1) guideline requirements. The developed method is simple, accurate, robust, and reliable for routine quality control analysis of favipiravir oral suspensions.
Recent Advances in Design and Synthesis of Diselenafulvenes, Tetraselenafulvalenes, and Their Tellurium Analogs and Application for Materials Sciences
Authors: Makhaeva Nataliya A. , Amosova Svetlana V. , Potapov Vladimir A.
Published: September 2022

The first organic metals were obtained based on tetrathiafulvalene. The most significant advance in the field of organic metals was the discovery of superconductivity. The first organic superconductors were obtained based on tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene. These facts demonstrate great importance of tetraselenafulvalenes and their precursors, diselenafulvenes, for materials sciences. Derivatives of 1,4-diselenafulvene and 1,4,5,8-tetraselenafulvalene are useful building blocks for organic synthesis and donor units for the preparation of charge-transfer complexes and radical ion salts, the construction of organic metals, superconductors, organic Dirac materials, semiconductors, ferromagnets, and other conductive materials. This review covers the literature on the design, synthesis, and application of 1,4,5,8-tetraselenafulvalenes and 1,4-diselenafulvenes and their tellurium analogs over the past 15–20 years. These two classes of compounds are interconnected, since the main part of methods for the synthesis of tetraselenafulvalenes is based on the diselenafulvene derivatives as starting compounds. Special attention is paid to the development of novel efficient synthetic approaches to these classes of compounds. Conducting properties and distinguishing features of materials based on tetraselenafulvalenes and their tellurium analogs as well as examples of materials with high conductivity are discussed.
Polyaniline Modified CNTs and Graphene Nanocomposite for Removal of Lead and Zinc Metal Ions: Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Desorption Studies
Authors: Ali Imran , Kuznetsova Tatiana S. , Burakov Alexander E. , Burakova Irina V. , Pasko Tatiana V. , Dyachkova Tatiana P. , Mkrtchyan Elina S. , Babkin Alexander V. , Tkachev Alexey G. , Albishri Hassan M. , Hamad Alshitari Wael , Hameed Ahmed M. , Alharbi Ahmed
Published: September 2022

A novel polyaniline-modified CNT and graphene-based nanocomposite (2.32–7.34 nm) was prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The specific surface area was 176 m2/g with 0.232 cm3/g as the specific pore volume. The nanocomposite was used to remove zinc and lead metal ions from water; showing a high removal capacity of 346 and 581 mg/g at pH 6.5. The data followed pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion and Elovich models. Besides this, the experimental values obeyed Langmuir and Temkin isotherms. The results confirmed that the removal of lead and zinc ions occurred in a mixed mode, that is, diffusion absorption and ion exchange between the heterogeneous surface of the sorbent containing active adsorption centers and the solution containing metal ions. The enthalpy values were 149.9 and 158.6 J.mol−1K−1 for zinc and lead metal ions. The negative values of free energies were in the range of −4.97 to −26.3 kJ/mol. These values indicated an endothermic spontaneous removal of metal ions from water. The reported method is useful to remove the zinc and lead metal ions in any water body due to the high removal capacity of nanocomposite at natural pH of 6.5. Moreover, a low dose of 0.005 g per 30 mL made this method economical. Furthermore, a low contact time of 15 min made this method applicable to the removal of the reported metal ions from water in a short time. Briefly, the reported method is highly economical, nature-friendly and fast and can be used to remove the reported metal ions from any water resource.
Robust Superhydrophobic Brass Mesh with Electrodeposited Hydroxyapatite Coating for Versatile Applications
Authors: Zhang Yu-Ping , Zhang Shi-Ming , Liu Peng-Fei , Chen De-Liang , Chen Yuan , Chen Meng-Jun , Zhao Chang-Hua
Published: September 2022

A robust superhydrophobic brass mesh was fabricated based on a low-energy surface and a roughness on the nano/micro-meter scale. It was carried out by the forming of hydroxyapatite (HP) coatings on its surface through a constant current electro-deposition process, followed by immersion in fluoroalkylsilane solution. Surface morphology, composition and wetting behavior were investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high speed camera, and contact angle goniometer. Under optimal conditions, the resulting brass mesh exhibited superhydrophobicity, excellent anti-corrosion (η = 91.2%), and anti-scaling properties. While the surfactant liquid droplets of tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB) with different concentration were dropped on the superhydrophobic surface, maximum droplet rebounding heights and different contact angles (CAs) were observed and measured from side-view imaging. The plots of surfactant-concentration−maximum bounding height/CA were constructed to determine its critical-micelle-concentration (CMC) value. Close CMC results of 1.91 and 2.32 mM based on the determination of maximum rebounding height and CAs were obtained. Compared with its theoretical value of 2.1 mM, the relative errors are 9% and 10%, respectively. This indicated that the novel application based on the maximum rebounding height could be an alternative approach for the CMC determination of other surfactants.
Synthesis, Leishmanicidal, Trypanocidal, Antiproliferative Assay and Apoptotic Induction of (2-Phenoxypyridin-3-yl)naphthalene-1(2H)-one Derivatives
Authors: Blanco Zuleima , Fernandez-Moreira Esteban , Mijares Michael R. , Celis Carmen , Martínez Gricelis , De Sanctis Juan B. , Gurská Soňa , Džubák Petr , Hajdůch Marián , Mijoba Ali , García Yael , Serrano Xenón , Herrera Nahum , Correa-Abril Jhonny , Parra Yonathan , Ángel Jorge , Ramírez Hegira , Charris Jaime E.
Published: September 2022

The coexistence of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and neoplasia in endemic areas has been extensively documented. The use of common drugs in the treatment of these pathologies invites us to search for new molecules with these characteristics. In this research, we report 16 synthetic chalcone derivatives that were investigated for leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities as well as for antiproliferative potential on eight human cancers and two nontumor cell lines. The final compounds 8–23 were obtained using the classical base-catalyzed Claisen–Schmidt condensation. The most potent compounds as parasiticidal were found to be 22 and 23, while compounds 18 and 22 showed the best antiproliferative activity and therapeutic index against CCRF-CEM, K562, A549, and U2OS cancer cell lines and non-toxic VERO, BMDM, MRC-5, and BJ cells. In the case of K562 and the corresponding drug-resistant K562-TAX cell lines, the antiproliferative activity has shown a more significant difference for compound 19 having 10.3 times higher activity against the K562-TAX than K562 cell line. Flow cytometry analysis using K562 and A549 cell lines cultured with compounds 18 and 22 confirmed the induction of apoptosis in treated cells after 24 h. Based on the structural analysis, these chalcones represent new compounds potentially useful for Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, and some cancer treatments.
The Possibility of Using Waste Phosphates from the Production of Polyols for Fertilizing Purposes
Authors: Bogusz Paulina
Published: September 2022

The limited resources of phosphorus raw materials, which are located outside of Europe, make it necessary to obtain phosphorus from the waste stream. This is reflected in the new EU Regulation 2019/1009, which concerns making fertilizing products available on the market. Its main goal is to harmonize the standards for fertilizers obtained from organic or secondary raw materials in the EU and to create new opportunities for their production and sale. The fertilizer sector uses almost 90% of the phosphorus raw material, for which there is no substitute, and the demand for fertilizers is constantly growing, stimulated by the growing number of people. A substitute for expensive imported raw materials can be waste sodium–potassium phosphate from the production of polyols. This study analyzes the composition and form of waste from PCC Rokita S. A. from Brzeg Dolny in Poland, in terms of the possibility of using it in the production of fertilizers according to the new EU regulations. Research shows that it contains nearly 19% phosphorus, as well as potassium and sodium. Low-level impurities and low organic matter content classify it as a raw material for the production of inorganic fertilizers. Due to the high water content, the most advantageous form of its use is the production of fertilizers in the form of a suspension. A certain difficulty in the production of this type of fertilizer may be the layers of crystals of different sizes precipitating in the waste.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Using Psidium guajava Leaves Extracts and Their Photocatalytic and Biological Activities
Authors: Govindasamy Rajakumar , Raja Vaishnavi , Singh Sonalika , Govindarasu Mydhili , Sabura Sulthana , Rekha Kaliaperumal , Rajeswari V. Devi , Alharthi Salman S. , Vaiyapuri Manju , Sudarmani Rajagopal , Jesurani S. , Venkidasamy Baskar , Thiruvengadam Muthu
Published: September 2022

The advanced technology for synthesizing nanoparticles utilizes natural resources in an environmentally friendly manner. Additionally, green synthesis is preferred to chemical and physical synthesis because it takes less time and effort. The green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles has recently risen due to its physico-chemical properties. In this study, many functional groups present in Psidium guajava leaf extracts are used to stabilize the synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles. The biosynthesized cobalt oxide nanoparticles were investigated using UV-visible spectroscopic analysis. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of carboxylic acids, hydroxyl groups, aromatic amines, alcohols and phenolic groups. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed various peaks ranging from 32.35 to 67.35°, and the highest intensity showed at 36.69°. The particle size ranged from 26 to 40 nm and confirmed the average particle size is 30.9 nm. The green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles contain cobalt as the major abundant element, with 42.26 wt% and 18.75 at% confirmed by the EDAX techniques. SEM images of green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles showed agglomerated and non-uniform spherical particles. The anti-bacterial activity of green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles was evaluated against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli with a 7 to 18 mm inhibitory zone. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated using green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles and observed 79% of dye degradation. The MTT assay of P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles showed an excellent cytotoxic effect against MCF 7 and HCT 116 cells compared to normal cells. The percentage of cell viability of P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles was observed as 90, 83, 77, 68, 61, 58 and 52% for MCF-7 cells and 82, 70, 63, 51, 43, 40, and 37% for HCT 116 cells at the concentration of 1.53, 3.06, 6.12, 12.24, 24.48, 50, and 100 μg/mL compared to control cells. These results confirmed that green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles have a potential photocatalytic and anti-bacterial activity and also reduced cell viability against MCF-7 breast cancer and HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells.
Shifting Design Perspectives: Touch, Co-Location, and Sharing Objects during the Pandemic
Authors: Ryokai Kimiko , Bulalacao Nicole Marie , Jacobo Sandra , Boradkar Prasad , Dobson Kelly
Published: September 2022

HCI research has explored a variety of technologies to support human-to-human touch by simulating or mediating the feeling of touch over distance. Restrictions in activities involving touch, close contact, and physical proximity due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made it more pertinent to understand and investigate the goals, opportunities, and limitations of technologically mediated touch. We conducted an exploratory interview study with 18 participants across the United States in April and June of 2021 to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s attitudes towards engaging in touch, being co-located, and sharing physical objects. We observed four themes: new efforts to evaluate safety, new preferences for physically co-locating without touch, technology solutions amplifying separation, and a newfound appreciation for human touch and touch-adjacent activities. These results suggest that future touch technologies may need to shift focus from simulating human touch convincingly to allowing for interactions that incorporate these emergent sensitivities to safety and preferences for physical co-location.
The Generation Process, Impurity Removal and High-Value Utilization of Phosphogypsum Material
Authors: Lv Xinfeng , Xiang Lan
Published: September 2022

As phosphogypsum constitutes a large amount of solid waste material, its purification treatment and comprehensive utilization have close connection with economic development and ecological environmental protection. For the moment, the storage quantity of phosphogypsum is still rising as a result of the increasing phosphate fertilizer production to meet the food demand in China. This paper summarizes the generation process, impurity removal treatment (physical method, chemical method, heat method), high-value utilization (nanometer calcium sulfate whisker, nanometer calcium carbonate) of phosphogypsum material and some existing problems. It puts forward some views on the challenges in this field and the direction of future development. It is hoped that the investigation and summary in this paper could supply some significant information for the impurity removal and high-value utilization of phosphogypsum material as a contribution to sustainability.
Recent Advances in Ferroelectric Materials-Based Photoelectrochemical Reaction
Authors: Yu Limin , Wang Lijing , Dou Yanmeng , Zhang Yongya , Li Pan , Li Jieqiong , Wei Wei
Published: September 2022

Inorganic perovskite ferroelectric-based nanomaterials as sustainable new energy materials, due to their intrinsic ferroelectricity and environmental compatibility, are intended to play a crucial role in photoelectrochemical field as major functional materials. Because of versatile physical properties and excellent optoelectronic properties, ferroelectric-based nanomaterials attract much attention in the field of photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical water splitting and photovoltaic. The aim of this review is to cover the recent advances by stating the different kinds of ferroelectrics separately in the photoelectrochemical field as well as discussing how ferroelectric polarization will impact functioning of photo-induced carrier separation and transportation in the interface of the compounded semiconductors. In addition, the future prospects of ferroelectric-based nanomaterials are also discussed.
Nanocrystal Suspensions for Enhancing the Oral Absorption of Albendazole
Authors: Liang Zhiwei , Chen Min , Yan Yuanyuan , Chen Dongmei , Xie Shuyu
Published: September 2022

Albendazole (ABZ), an effective benzimidazole antiparasitic drug is limited by its poor solubility and oral bioavailability. In order to overcome its disadvantages, ABZ nanocrystals were prepared using a novel bottom-up method based on acid-base neutralization recrystallization with high-speed mixing and dispersing. The cosolvent, stabilizer and preparation temperature were optimized using single factor tests. The physicochemical properties, solubility and pharmacokinetics of the optimal ABZ nanocrystals were evaluated. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) showed that ABZ had no structural and crystal phase change after nanocrystallization. The saturated solubility of ABZ nanocrystals in different solvents was increased by 2.2–118 fold. The oral bioavailability of the total active ingredients (ABZ and its metabolites of albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO) and albendazole sulfone (ABZSO2)) of the nanocrystals in rats was enhanced by 1.40 times compared to the native ABZ. These results suggest that nanocrystals might be a promising way to enhance the solubility and oral bioavailability of ABZ and other insoluble drugs.
Impedance Analysis of Chitin Nanofibers Integrated Bulk Acoustic Wave Humidity Sensor with Asymmetric Electrode Configuration
Authors: Chen Qiao , Liu Dong , Huang Xian-He , Yao Yao , Mao Kun-Lei
Published: September 2022

This paper fabricated a high-performance chitin nanofibers (ChNFs)-integrated bulk acoustic wave (BAW) humidity sensor with an asymmetric electrode configuration. The ChNFs were successfully prepared from crab shells and used as moisture-sensitive materials to compare the performance of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) humidity sensors with symmetric and asymmetric electrode structures. The QCM humidity sensor with a smaller electrode area exhibited high sensitivity of 58.84 Hz/%RH, competitive response/recovery time of 30/3.5 s, and low humidity hysteresis of 2.5% RH. However, it is necessary to choose a suitable electrode diameter to balance the stability and sensitivity because the impedance analysis result showed that the reduction of the electrode diameter leads to a sharp decrease in the Q value (stability). Next, the possible humidity-sensitive mechanism of the ChNFs-integrated asymmetric n-m electrode QCM humidity sensor was discussed in detail. Finally, the reasons for the highest sensitivity of the asymmetric n-m electrode QCM humidity sensors having a smaller electrode diameter were analyzed in detail in terms of both mass sensitivity and fringing field effect. This work not only demonstrates that the chitin nanofiber is an excellent potential material for moisture detection, but also provides a new perspective for designing high-performance QCM humidity sensors.
Production of H2-Free Carbon Monoxide from Formic Acid Dehydration: The Catalytic Role of Acid Sites in Sulfated Zirconia
Authors: Lee Hyun Ju , Kang Dong-Chang , Kim Eun-Jeong , Suh Young-Woong , Kim Dong-Pyo , Han Haksoo , Min Hyung-Ki
Published: September 2022

The formic acid (CH2O2) decomposition over sulfated zirconia (SZ) catalysts prepared under different synthesis conditions, such as calcination temperature (500–650 °C) and sulfate loading (0–20 wt.%), was investigated. Three sulfate species (tridentate, bridging bidentate, and pyrosulfate) on the SZ catalysts were characterized by using temperature-programmed decomposition (TPDE), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The acidic properties of the SZ catalysts were investigated by the temperature-programmed desorption of iso-propanol (IPA-TPD) and pyridine-adsorbed infrared (Py-IR) spectroscopy and correlated with their catalytic properties in formic acid decomposition. The relative contributions of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites to the formic acid dehydration were compared, and optimal synthetic conditions, such as calcination temperature and sulfate loading, were proposed.
Manufacturing of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle (ZnO NP)-Loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Nanostructured Mats Using Ginger Extract for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Izgis Hursima , Ilhan Elif , Kalkandelen Cevriye , Celen Emrah , Guncu Mehmet Mucahit , Turkoglu Sasmazel Hilal , Gunduz Oguzhan , Ficai Denisa , Ficai Anton , Constantinescu Gabriel
Published: September 2022

In this research, as an alternative to chemical and physical methods, environmentally and cost-effective antimicrobial zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) were produced by the green synthesis method. The current study focuses on the production of ZnO NP starting from adequate precursor and Zingiber officinale aqueous root extracts (ginger). The produced ZnO NP was loaded into electrospun nanofibers at different concentrations for various tissue engineering applications such as wound dressings. The produced ZnO NPs and ZnO NP-loaded nanofibers were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphological assessments and Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) for chemical assessments. The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activity of ZnO NP and ZnO NP-loaded nanofibers against three representatives strains, Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria), and Candida albicans (fungi) microorganisms. The strength and stretching of the produced fibers were assessed using tensile tests. Since water absorption and weight loss behaviors are very important in tissue engineering applications, swelling and degradation analyses were applied to the produced nanofibers. Finally, the MTT test was applied to analyze biocompatibility. According to the findings, ZnO NP-loaded nanofibers were successfully synthesized using a green precipitation approach and can be employed in tissue engineering applications such as wound dressing.
Thermal and Rheological Characterization of Aqueous Nanofluids Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) with Manganese Dioxide Nanocomposites (MnO2)
Authors: Lozano-Steinmetz Felipe , Ramírez-Navarro María Paz , Vivas Leonardo , Vasco Diego A. , Singh Dinesh Pratap , Zambra-Sazo Carlos
Published: September 2022

Nanofluids have become of interest in recent years thanks to their improved thermal properties, which make them especially interesting for microchannel heat sink applications. In this study, we prepared two aqueous nanofluids based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated with manganese dioxide (MnO2) at a concentration of 0.1 wt.%. The difference between the two nanofluids was in the preparation of the reduced graphene oxide decorated with MnO2. In the first case, the manganese salt was mixed with ascorbic acid before GO reduction with NaOH, and in the second case, the GO reduction with NaOH occurred under ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid not only plays the role of a non-toxic and ecofriendly reducing agent but also acts as an important parameter to control the reaction kinetics. The structural, microstructural and spectral characterizations of the MnO2/rGO nanocomposite were conducted via X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, TEM, SEM and EDS analyses. Moreover, the synthesized MnO2/rGO nanocomposites were utilized as nanofluids and their stability, thermal conductivity and rheological behaviors were studied. The thermal conductivity of the MnO2/rGO and MnO2AsA/rGO nanofluids was 17% and 14.8% higher than that of water for the average temperature range, respectively, but their viscosity remained statistically equal to that of water. Moreover, both nanofluids presented Newtonian behavior in the analyzed shear rate range. Therefore, both MnO2/rGO and MnO2AsA/rGO nanofluids are promising alternatives for use in applications with micro- and millichannel heat sinks.
Reassessing the Diagnostic Utility of the Split Hand Index in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients—The Divide by Zero Problem
Authors: Antonescu Florian , Butnariu Ioana , Adam Marin , Antonescu-Ghelmez Dana , Tuță Sorin
Published: September 2022

We set out to assess the diagnostic utility of the split hand index (SHI) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and also to see if and how it can be applied to severely atrophied muscles, a frequent finding in this setting. We enrolled 38 patients from our clinic, 19 diagnosed with ALS and 19 controls, matched for age and sex. The SHI was calculated, on both sides, for all the patients. We calculated a SHI of 0 when the abductor pollicis brevis muscle (ABD) or first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDI) compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) were unobtainable, and we allotted a value of 0.1 mV to abductor digiti minimi muscle (ADM) CMAP, for mathematical purposes, when the value would have been 0. The means differences were large between groups, with a significant variance heterogeneity. We performed a ROC analysis and obtained an accuracy of 0.83 for a SHI of 7.2, p-value < 0.0001. In conclusion, we reaffirm the utility of the SHI in the diagnosis of ALS, especially in limb onset cases, and we think that it can be safely extended to severely atrophied muscles with absent or very low CMAP values, without endangering the sensitivity or specificity.
Moving the Needle in Gout Management: The Role of Culture, Diet, Genetics, and Personalized Patient Care Practices
Authors: Roman Youssef M.
Published: September 2022

Gout is a metabolic disorder, and one of the most common inflammatory arthritic conditions, caused by elevated serum urate (SU). Gout is globally rising, partly due to global dietary changes and the growing older adult population. Gout was known to affect people of high socioeconomic status. Currently, gout disproportionately affects specific population subgroups that share distinct racial and ethnic backgrounds. While genetics may predict SU levels, nongenetic factors, including diet, cultural traditions, and social determinants of health (SDOH), need to be evaluated to optimize patient treatment outcomes. This approach would allow clinicians to assess whether certain cultural norms, or some SDOH, could be contributing to their patient’s risk of developing gout or recurrent gout flares. A cultural assessment may inform the development of culturally tailored dietary recommendations for patients with gout. Causal and association studies investigating the interaction between diet, genetics, and gout, should be cautiously interpreted due to the lack of reproducibility in different racial groups. Optimal gout management could benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, involving pharmacists and nurses. While data on the effect of specific dietary recommendations on managing hyperuricemia and gout may be limited, counseling patients with gout on the role of a healthy diet to optimally control their gout flares and other comorbidities should be part of patient education. Future research investigating the role of a gene–diet interaction in the context of hyperuricemia and gout is needed. Optimal care for patients with gout needs to include a holistic assessment for gout and gout-related comorbidities. Additionally, addressing health beliefs and culture-specific lifestyle factors among patients with gout may reduce their risk of gout flare, improve adherence to urate-lowering therapy (ULT), and achieve health equity in gout management.
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Increases Removal of the ATXN3 Polyglutamine Repeat, Reducing Cerebellar Degeneration and Improving Motor Dysfunction in Murine Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3
Authors: Wu Yu-Ling , Chang Jui-Chih , Sun Hai-Lun , Cheng Wen-Ling , Yen Yu-Pei , Lin Yong-Shiou , Chao Yi-Chun , Liu Ko-Hung , Huang Ching-Shan , Liu Kai-Li , Liu Chin-San
Published: September 2022

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a well-known antioxidant, has been explored as a treatment in several neurodegenerative diseases, but its utility in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) has not been explored. Herein, the protective effect of CoQ10 was examined using a transgenic mouse model of SCA3 onset. These results demonstrated that a diet supplemented with CoQ10 significantly improved murine locomotion, revealed by rotarod and open-field tests, compared with untreated controls. Additionally, a histological analysis showed the stratification of cerebellar layers indistinguishable from that of wild-type littermates. The increased survival of Purkinje cells was reflected by the reduced abundance of TUNEL-positive nuclei and apoptosis markers of activated p53, as well as lower levels of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. CoQ10 effects were related to the facilitation of the autophagy-mediated clearance of mutant ataxin-3 protein, as evidenced by the increased expression of heat shock protein 27 and autophagic markers p62, Beclin-1 and LC3II. The expression of antioxidant enzymes heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and 2 (SOD2), but not of glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPx2), were restored in 84Q SCA3 mice treated with CoQ10 to levels even higher than those measured in wild-type control mice. Furthermore, CoQ10 treatment also prevented skeletal muscle weight loss and muscle atrophy in diseased mice, revealed by significantly increased muscle fiber area and upregulated muscle protein synthesis pathways. In summary, our results demonstrated biochemical and pharmacological bases for the possible use of CoQ10 in SCA3 therapy.
Nutrition and Health in Human Evolution–Past to Present
Authors: Alt Kurt W. , Al-Ahmad Ali , Woelber Johan Peter
Published: September 2022

Anyone who wants to understand the biological nature of humans and their special characteristics must look far back into evolutionary history. Today’s way of life is drastically different from that of our ancestors. For almost 99% of human history, gathering and hunting have been the basis of nutrition. It was not until about 12,000 years ago that humans began domesticating plants and animals. Bioarchaeologically and biochemically, this can be traced back to our earliest roots. Modern living conditions and the quality of human life are better today than ever before. However, neither physically nor psychosocially have we made this adjustment and we are paying a high health price for it. The studies presented allow us to reconstruct food supply, lifestyles, and dietary habits: from the earliest primates, through hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic, farming communities since the beginning of the Anthropocene, to the Industrial Age and the present. The comprehensive data pool allows extraction of all findings of medical relevance. Our recent lifestyle and diet are essentially determined by our culture rather than by our millions of years of ancestry. Culture is permanently in a dominant position compared to natural evolution. Thereby culture does not form a contrast to nature but represents its result. There is no doubt that we are biologically adapted to culture, but it is questionable how much culture humans can cope with.
Studies on the Reaction of Dietary Methylglyoxal and Creatine during Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion and in Human Volunteers
Authors: Treibmann Stephanie , Groß Julia , Pätzold Susann , Henle Thomas
Published: September 2022

The reactive 1,2-dicarbonyl compound methylglyoxal (MGO) is consumed with food and its concentrations decrease during digestion. In the present paper, the reaction of MGO with creatine, arginine, and lysine during simulated digestion, and its reaction with creatine during the digestion in human volunteers, was studied. Therefore, simulated digestion experiments with a gastric and an intestinal phase were performed. Additionally, an intervention study with 12 subjects consuming MGO-containing Manuka honey and creatine simultaneously or separately was conducted. Derivatization with o-phenylenediamine and HPLC–UV was used to measure MGO, while creatine and glycated amino compounds were analyzed via HPLC–MS/MS. We show that MGO quickly reacts with creatine and arginine, but not lysine, during simulated digestion. Creatine reacts with 56% of MGO to form the hydroimidazolone MG-HCr, and arginine reacted with 4% of MGO to form the hydroimidazolone MG-H1. In the intervention study, urinary MG-HCr excretion is higher in subjects who consumed MGO and creatine simultaneously compared to subjects who ingested the substances separately. This demonstrates that the 1,2-dicarbonyl compound MGO reacts with amino compounds during human digestion, and glycated adducts are formed. These contribute to dietary glycation products consumed, and should be considered in studies investigating their physiological consequences.