bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitosan-Coated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as an Efficient Avenue for Boosted Biological Activities of Aloe perryi: Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Potential
Authors: Aldayel Tahany Saleh , M. Badran Mohamed , H. Alomrani Abdullah , AlFaris Nora A. , Z. Altamimi Jozaa , S. Alqahtani Ali , A. Nasr Fahd , Ghaffar Safina , Orfali Raha
Published: April 2023

Aloe perryi (ALP) is an herb that has several biological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor effects and is frequently used to treat a wide range of illnesses. The activity of many compounds is augmented by loading them in nanocarriers. In this study, ALP-loaded nanosystems were developed to improve their biological activity. Among different nanocarriers, solid lipid nanoparticles (ALP-SLNs), chitosan nanoparticles (ALP-CSNPs), and CS-coated SLNs (C-ALP-SLNs) were explored. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and release profile were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to see the nanoparticles’ morphology. Moreover, the possible biological properties of ALP were assessed and evaluated. ALP extract contained 187 mg GAE/g extract and 33 mg QE/g extract in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid content, respectively. The ALP-SLNs-F1 and ALP-SLNs-F2 showed particle sizes of 168.7 ± 3.1 and 138.4 ± 9.5 nm and the zeta potential values of −12.4 ± 0.6, and −15.8 ± 2.4 mV, respectively. However, C-ALP-SLNs-F1 and C-ALP-SLNs-F2 had particle sizes of 185.3 ± 5.5 and 173.6 ± 11.3 nm with zeta potential values of 11.3 ± 1.4 and 13.6 ± 1.1 mV, respectively. The particle size and zeta potential of ALP-CSNPs were 214.8 ± 6.6 nm and 27.8 ± 3.4 mV, respectively. All nanoparticles exhibited PDI < 0.3, indicating homogenous dispersions. The obtained formulations had EE% and DL% in the ranges of 65–82% and 2.8–5.2%, respectively. After 48 h, the in vitro ALP release rates from ALP-SLNs-F1, ALP-SLNs-F2, C-ALP-SLNs-F1, C-ALP-SLNs-F2, and ALP-CSNPs were 86%, 91%, 78%, 84%, and 74%, respectively. They were relatively stable with a minor particle size increase after one month of storage. C-ALP-SLNs-F2 exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals at 73.27%. C-ALP-SLNs-F2 demonstrated higher antibacterial activity based on MIC values of 25, 50, and 50 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli, respectively. In addition, C-ALP-SLNs-F2 showed potential anticancer activity against A549, LoVo, and MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 values of 11.42 ± 1.16, 16.97 ± 1.93, and 8.25 ± 0.44, respectively. The results indicate that C-ALP-SLNs-F2 may be promising nanocarriers for enhancing ALP-based medicines.
Solvatochromism as a Novel Tool to Enumerate the Optical and Luminescence Properties of Plastic Waste Derived Carbon Nanodots and Their Activated Counterparts
Authors: Chaudhary Savita , Kumari Manisha , Chauhan Pooja , Chaudhary Ganga Ram , Umar Ahmad , Akbar Sheikh , Baskoutas Sotirios
Published: April 2023

Herein, we have developed a one-pot methodology to synthesise three types of C-dots and their activated counterparts from three different types of waste plastic precursors such as poly-bags, cups and bottles. The optical studies have shown the significant change in the absorption edge in case of C-dots in comparison to their activated counterparts. The respective variation in the sizes is correlated with the change in electronic band gap values of formed particles. The changes in the luminescence behaviour are also correlated with transitions from the edge of the core of formed particles. The obtained variations in the Stokes shift values of C-dots, and their ACs were used to explore the types of surface states and their related transitions in particles. The mode of interaction between C-dots and their ACs was also determined using solvent-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy. This detailed investigation could provide significant insight on the emission behaviour and the potential usage of formed particles as an effective fluorescent probe in sensing applications.
Constructing 3D Skeleton on Commercial Copper Foil via Electrophoretic Deposition of Lithiophilic Building Blocks for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Jiang Yun , Zhang Wenqi , Qi Yuyang , Wang Yuan , Hu Tianle , Li Pengzhang , Tian Chuanjin , Sun Weiwei , Liu Yumin
Published: April 2023

Lithium (Li) metal has been regarded as the "Holy Grail" of Li battery anodes thanks to its high theoretic specific capacity and low reduction potential, but uneven formation of Li dendrites and uncontrollable Li volume changes hinder the practical applications of Li metal anodes. A three-dimensional (3D) current collector is one of the promising strategies to address the above issues if it can be compatible with current industrialized process. Here, Au-decorated carbon nanotubes (Au@CNTs) are electrophoretically deposited on commercial Cu foil as a 3D lithiophilic skeleton to regulate Li deposition. The thickness of the as-prepared 3D skeleton can be accurately controlled by adjusting the deposition time. Benefitting from the reduced localized current density and improved Li affinity, the Au@CNTs-deposited Cu foil (Au@CNTs@Cu foil) achieves uniform Li nucleation and dendrite-free Li deposition. Compared with bare Cu foil and CNTs deposited Cu foil (CNTs@Cu foil), the Au@CNTs@Cu foil exhibits enhanced Coulombic efficiency and better cycling stability. In the full-cell configuration, the Au@CNTs@Cu foil with predeposited Li shows superior stability and rate performance. This work provides a facial strategy to directly construct a 3D skeleton on commercial Cu foils with lithiophilic building blocks for stable and practical Li metal anodes.
Investigation of TiO2 Deposit on SiO2 Films: Synthesis, Characterization, and Efficiency for the Photocatalytic Discoloration of Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Acosta-Silva Yuliana de Jesús , Toledano-Ayala Manuel , Gallardo-Hernández Salvador , Godínez Luis A. , Méndez-López Arturo
Published: April 2023

TiO2-SiO2 thin films were created on Corning glass substrates using a simple method. Nine layers of SiO2 were deposited; later, several layers of TiO2 were deposited, and their influence was studied. Raman spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron spectroscopy (HRTEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to describe the sample’s shape, size, composition, and optical characteristics. Photocatalysis was realized through an experiment involving the deterioration of methylene blue (MB) solution exposed to UV-Vis radiation. With the increase of TiO2 layers, the photocatalytic activity (PA) of the thin films showed an increasing trend, and the maximum degradation efficiency of MB by TiO2-SiO2 was 98%, which was significantly higher than that obtained by SiO2 thin films. It was found that an anatase structure was formed at a calcination temperature of 550 °C; phases of brookite or rutile were not observed. Each nanoparticle’s size was 13–18 nm. Due to photo-excitation occurring in both the SiO2 and the TiO2, deep UV light (λ = 232 nm) had to be used as a light source to increase photocatalytic activity.
Micro- and Nanoplastics Breach the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB): Biomolecular Corona’s Role Revealed
Authors: Kopatz Verena , Wen Kevin , Kovács Tibor , Keimowitz Alison S. , Pichler Verena , Widder Joachim , Vethaak A. Dick , Hollóczki Oldamur , Kenner Lukas
Published: April 2023

Humans are continuously exposed to polymeric materials such as in textiles, car tires and packaging. Unfortunately, their break down products pollute our environment, leading to widespread contamination with micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is an important biological barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances. In our study we performed short term uptake studies in mice with orally administered polystyrene micro-/nanoparticles (9.55 µm, 1.14 µm, 0.293 µm). We show that nanometer sized particles—but not bigger particles—reach the brain within only 2 h after gavage. To understand the transport mechanism, we performed coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations on the interaction of DOPC bilayers with a polystyrene nanoparticle in the presence and absence of various coronae. We found that the composition of the biomolecular corona surrounding the plastic particles was critical for passage through the BBB. Cholesterol molecules enhanced the uptake of these contaminants into the membrane of the BBB, whereas the protein model inhibited it. These opposing effects could explain the passive transport of the particles into the brain.
A Monte Carlo Study of Hyperon Production with the MPD and BM@N Experiments at NICA
Authors: Zinchenko Alexander , Kapishin Mikhail , Kireyeu Viktar , Kolesnikov Vadim , Mudrokh Alexander , Suvarieva Dilyana , Vasendina Veronika , Zinchenko Dmitry
Published: April 2023

Study of the strangeness production in heavy-ion collisions is one of the most important parts of the physics program of the BM@N and MPD experiments at the NICA accelerator complex. With collision energies sNN of 2.3–3.3 GeV in the fixed target mode at BM@N and 4–11 GeV in the collider mode at MPD, the experiments will cover the region of the maximum net baryon density and provide high-statistics complementary data on different physics probes. In this paper, some results of Monte Carlo studies of hyperon production with the BM@N and MPD experiments are presented, demonstrating their performance for investigation of the objects with strangeness.
Endocrine Regulation of Microvascular Receptor—Mediated Transcytosis and Its Therapeutic Opportunities: Insights by PCSK9—Mediated Regulation
Authors: Mazura Alexander D. , Pietrzik Claus U.
Published: April 2023

Currently, many neurological disorders lack effective treatment options due to biological barriers that effectively separate the central nervous system (CNS) from the periphery. CNS homeostasis is maintained by a highly selective exchange of molecules, with tightly controlled ligand-specific transport systems at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) playing a key role. Exploiting or modifying these endogenous transport systems could provide a valuable tool for targeting insufficient drug delivery into the CNS or pathological changes in the microvasculature. However, little is known about how BBB transcytosis is continuously regulated to respond to temporal or chronic changes in the environment. The aim of this mini-review is to draw attention to the sensitivity of the BBB to circulating molecules derived from peripheral tissues, which may indicate a fundamental endocrine-operating regulatory system of receptor-mediated transcytosis at the BBB. We present our thoughts in the context of the recent observation that low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1)-mediated clearance of brain amyloid-β (Aβ) across the BBB is negatively regulated by peripheral proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). We hope that our conclusions will inspire future investigations of the BBB as dynamic communication interface between the CNS and periphery, whose peripheral regulatory mechanisms could be easily exploited for therapeutic purposes.
Biomimetic Boron Nitride Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery and Enhanced Antitumor Activity
Authors: Li Hui , Qiao Wei , Shen Yizhe , Xu Huashan , Fan Yuan , Liu Yuxiang , Lan Yadi , Gong Yan , Chen Fuxue , Feng Shini
Published: April 2023

Boron nitride nanomaterials are being increasingly recognized as vehicles for cancer drug delivery that increase drug loading and control drug release because of their excellent physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. However, these nanoparticles are often cleared rapidly by the immune system and have poor tumor targeting effects. As a result, biomimetic nanotechnology has emerged to address these challenges in recent times. Cell-derived biomimetic carriers have the characteristics of good biocompatibility, long circulation time, and strong targeting ability. Here, we report a biomimetic nanoplatform (CM@BN/DOX) prepared by encapsulating boron nitride nanoparticles (BN) and doxorubicin (DOX) together using cancer cell membrane (CCM) for targeted drug delivery and tumor therapy. The CM@BN/DOX nanoparticles (NPs) were able to target cancer cells of the same type on its own initiative through homologous targeting of cancer cell membranes. This led to a remarkable increase in cellular uptake. In vitro simulation of an acidic tumor microenvironment could effectively promote drug release from CM@BN/DOX. Furthermore, the CM@BN/DOX complex exhibited an excellent inhibitory effect against homotypic cancer cells. These findings suggest that CM@BN/DOX are promising in targeted drug delivery and potentially personalized therapy against their homologous tumor.
An Aptamer against MNK1 for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
Authors: Carrión-Marchante Rebeca , Pinto-Díez Celia , Klett-Mingo José Ignacio , Palacios Esther , Barragán-Usero Miriam , Pérez-Morgado M. Isabel , Pascual-Mellado Manuel , Alcalá Sonia , Ruiz-Cañas Laura , Sainz Bruno , González Víctor M. , Martín M. Elena
Published: April 2023

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Its late diagnosis and consequently poor survival make necessary the search for new therapeutic targets. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting kinase 1 (MNK1) is overexpressed in lung cancer and correlates with poor overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The previously identified and optimized aptamer from our laboratory against MNK1, apMNKQ2, showed promising results as an antitumor drug in breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the present study shows the antitumor potential of apMNKQ2 in another type of cancer where MNK1 plays a significant role, such as NSCLC. The effect of apMNKQ2 in lung cancer was studied with viability, toxicity, clonogenic, migration, invasion, and in vivo efficacy assays. Our results show that apMNKQ2 arrests the cell cycle and reduces viability, colony formation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes in NSCLC cells. In addition, apMNKQ2 reduces tumor growth in an A549-cell line NSCLC xenograft model. In summary, targeting MNK1 with a specific aptamer may provide an innovative strategy for lung cancer treatment.
The Influence of Shape Parameters on Unidirectional Drug Release from 3D Printed Implants and Prediction of Release from Implants with Individualized Shapes
Authors: Domsta Vanessa , Hänsch Christin , Lenz Stine , Gao Ziwen , Matin-Mann Farnaz , Scheper Verena , Lenarz Thomas , Seidlitz Anne
Published: April 2023

The local treatment of diseases by drug-eluting implants is a promising tool to enable successful therapy under potentially reduced systemic side effects. Especially, the highly flexible manufacturing technique of 3D printing provides the opportunity for the individualization of implant shapes adapted to the patient-specific anatomy. It can be assumed that variations in shape can strongly affect the released amounts of drug per time. This influence was investigated by performing drug release studies with model implants of different dimensions. For this purpose, bilayered model implants in a simplified geometrical shape in form of bilayered hollow cylinders were developed. The drug-loaded abluminal part consisted of a suitable polymer ratio of Eudragit® RS and RL, while the drug-free luminal part composed of polylactic acid served as a diffusion barrier. Implants with different heights and wall thicknesses were produced using an optimized 3D printing process, and drug release was determined in vitro. The area-to-volume ratio was identified as an important parameter influencing the fractional drug release from the implants. Based on the obtained results drug release from 3D printed implants with individual shapes exemplarily adapted to the frontal neo-ostial anatomy of three different patients was predicted and also tested in an independent set of experiments. The similarity of predicted and tested release profiles indicates the predictability of drug release from individualized implants for this particular drug-eluting system and could possibly facilitate the estimation of the performance of customized implants independent of individual in vitro testing of each implant geometry.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Characteristics of Pelubiprofen Tromethamine vs. Pelubiprofen in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Son Yu-Jeong , Park Min-Kyu , Park Hyeon-Jeong , Kim Ha-Yeon , Jang Ye-Lim , Choi Young-Sim , Hwang Jun-Gi , Seo Ji-Hyung , Kim Yu-Kyong
Published: April 2023

Compared to pelubiprofen, a cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitor, pelubiprofen tromethamine has been reported to exhibit improved solubility and absorption. Pelubiprofen tromethamine combines the anti-inflammatory effect of pelubiprofen with the gastric protective function of tromethamine salt, making it a relatively safe class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with low levels of gastrointestinal side effects in addition to its original analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. This study assessed the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of pelubiprofen and pelubiprofen tromethamine in healthy subjects. Two independent clinical trials were performed in healthy subjects using a randomized, open-label, oral, single-dose, two-sequence, four-period, crossover design. In Study I and Study II, subjects received 25 mg of pelubiprofen tromethamine and 30 mg of pelubiprofen tromethamine, respectively, with 30 mg of pelubiprofen being the reference. Study I fell within the bioequivalence study criteria. A trend of increased absorption and exposure for 30 mg of pelubiprofen tromethamine vs. the reference in Study II was observed. The maximum cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory effect of 25 mg of pelubiprofen tromethamine was approximately 98% compared to the reference, showing no significant pharmacodynamic variation. It is thus predicted that 25 mg of pelubiprofen tromethamine would show no clinically significant discrepancies in clinical analgesic and antipyretic effects from 30 mg of pelubiprofen.
Multi-Material Metamaterial Topology Optimization to Minimize the Compliance and the Constraint of Weight: Application of Non-Pneumatic Tire Additive-Manufactured with PLA/TPU Polymers
Authors: Dezianian Shokouh , Azadi Mohammad
Published: April 2023

In non-pneumatic tires, metamaterial cells could replace the pneumatic part of the tire. In this research, to achieve a metamaterial cell suitable for a non-pneumatic tire with the objective function of increasing compressive strength and bending fatigue lifetime, an optimization was carried out for three types of geometries: a square plane, a rectangular plane, and the entire circumference of the tire, as well as three types of materials: polylactic acid (PLA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and void. The topology optimization was implemented by the MATLAB code in 2D mode. Finally, to check the quality of cell 3D printing and how the cells were connected, the optimal cell fabricated by the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method was evaluated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results showed that in the optimization of the square plane, the sample with the minimum remaining weight constraint equal to 40% was selected as the optimal case, while in the optimization of the rectangular plane and the entire circumference of tire, the sample with the minimum remaining weight constraint equal to 60% was selected as the optimal case. From checking the quality of 3D printing of multi-materials, it was concluded that the PLA and TPU materials were completely connected.
Defending Many Worlds via Case Discrimination: An Attempt to Showcase the Conceptual Incoherence of Anti-Realist Interpretations and Relational Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Huber Michael
Published: April 2023

In this work, an alternative attempt to motivate the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) is undertaken. The usual way of arguing for MWI mostly revolves around how it might solve the measurement problem in a more straightforward and concise manner than rival interpretations. However, here an effort is made to defend MWI in an indirect manner, namely via repeated case discrimination and a process of ‘conceptual elimination’. That is, it will be argued that its major rivals, with QBism and Relational Quantum-Mechanics being among the most noteworthy ones, either face conceptual incoherence or conceptually collapse into a variant of MWI. Finally, it is argued that hidden-variable theories face severe challenges when being applied to Quantum Field Theory such that appropriate modifications may lead back to MWI, thereby purportedly leaving MWI as the only viable option.
A Critical Assessment of Shafer-Landau’s Ethical Non-Naturalism
Authors: Moreland J. P.
Published: April 2023

I focus on the ethical non-naturalism of Russ Shafer-Landau. First, I spend a good bit of time specifying the nature of two versions of naturalism and arguing that one is embraced ubiquitously—more importantly, should be embraced—by contemporary naturalists. I do so because if I am right about this, before we investigate the details of Shafer-Landau’s ethical non-naturalism, there will be a significant burden of proof for him to meet. In my view, that burden is strong enough to justify the claim that a critic’s epistemic task is merely to provide undercutting defeaters for Shafer-Landau’s position, and not to proffer rebutting defeaters, though I will attempt to supply both. After presenting a crucial characterization of contemporary naturalism followed by a critique of naturalist emergent properties, I state and critique Shafer-Landau’s ontology followed by the same for his epistemology. Both will be evaluated with a particular focus on their plausibility to support his ethical non-naturalism.
“A Fun and Funky Disco Pastiche”: David Crowder Confronts Evangelical Performance Anxiety
Authors: Busman Joshua Kalin
Published: April 2023

Within evangelical communities, “worship” and “performance” are often diametrically opposed, with the latter instantly evoking damning connotations of pretense or artifice. This leads many artists to utilize a strategy of disavowal to legitimize their music-making as worship—erasing the “performance” category in order to highlight the ultimate worshipful aim of their actions. David Crowder, especially during his lengthy tenure with the David Crowder*Band (DC*B), places performative elements front and center through calculated uses of sound in live performances and on recordings. My analysis in this essay will focus on the ways that David Crowder legitimates “performance” as its own distinct musical space, using a dialectical move to navigate the performance/worship problem by emphasizing its divide rather than simply trying to erase it.
A Design of Differential-Low Earth Orbit Opportunistically Enhanced GNSS (D-LoeGNSS) Navigation Framework
Authors: Jiang Muyuan , Qin Honglei , Su Yu , Li Fangchi , Mao Jianwu
Published: April 2023

Considering the problem of GNSS service interruption caused by the insufficient number of available satellites in complex environments, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites can supplement GNSS effectively. To eliminate the unknown satellite clock error and the atmospheric delay error with spatial correlation in LEO observations, a Differential-Low Earth Orbit opportunistically enhancing GNSS (D-LoeGNSS) navigation framework is proposed. Firstly, because of the uncertainty of the LEO orbit, we derive the effect of the LEO orbit error on the differential measurement model. Secondly, aiming at the noise amplification and correlation in double-difference (DD), we propose a Householder-Based D-LoeGNSS (HB-DLG) algorithm, which suppresses noise by introducing an orthogonal matrix. Thirdly, in D-LoeGNSS, the typical measurement of LEO is Doppler, which is heterogeneous with the GNSS pseudorange, rendering the Dilution of Precision (DOP) evaluation method unsuitable. Given the unbiasedness of differential measurements, the Cramer Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) is derived as a metric to characterize the positioning accuracy and satellite spatial distribution. Finally, a field experiment using Orbcomm (ORB) and GPS is conducted. The experimental results show that the performance of the HB-DLG algorithm is superior to DD. Especially when the number of satellites is insufficient or the measurement redundancy is poor; the D-LoeGNSS framework has advantages of rapid convergence and high accuracy compared with a single constellation.
Analyzing Factors Influencing Situation Awareness in Autonomous Vehicles—A Survey
Authors: Ignatious Henry Alexander , El-Sayed Hesham , Khan Manzoor Ahmed , Mokhtar Bassem Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

Autonomous driving of higher automation levels asks for optimal execution of critical maneuvers in all environments. A crucial prerequisite for such optimal decision-making instances is accurate situation awareness of automated and connected vehicles. For this, vehicles rely on the sensory data captured from onboard sensors and information collected through V2X communication. The classical onboard sensors exhibit different capabilities and hence a heterogeneous set of sensors is required to create better situation awareness. Fusion of the sensory data from such a set of heterogeneous sensors poses critical challenges when it comes to creating an accurate environment context for effective decision-making in AVs. Hence this exclusive survey analyses the influence of mandatory factors like data pre-processing preferably data fusion along with situation awareness toward effective decision-making in the AVs. A wide range of recent and related articles are analyzed from various perceptive, to pick the major hiccups, which can be further addressed to focus on the goals of higher automation levels. A section of the solution sketch is provided that directs the readers to the potential research directions for achieving accurate contextual awareness. To the best of our knowledge, this survey is uniquely positioned for its scope, taxonomy, and future directions.
Brain Connectivity Signature Extractions from TMS Invoked EEGs
Authors: Gupta Deepa , Du Xiaoming , Summerfelt Ann , Hong L. Elliot , Choa Fow-Sen
Published: April 2023

(1) Background: The correlations between brain connectivity abnormality and psychiatric disorders have been continuously investigated and progressively recognized. Brain connectivity signatures are becoming exceedingly useful for identifying patients, monitoring mental health disorders, and treatment. By using electroencephalography (EEG)-based cortical source localization along with energy landscape analysis techniques, we can statistically analyze transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-invoked EEG signals, for obtaining connectivity among different brain regions at a high spatiotemporal resolution. (2) Methods: In this study, we analyze EEG-based source localized alpha wave activity in response to TMS administered to three locations, namely, the left motor cortex (49 subjects), left prefrontal cortex (27 subjects), and the posterior cerebellum, or vermis (27 subjects) by using energy landscape analysis techniques to uncover connectivity signatures. We then perform two sample t-tests and use the (5 × 10−5) Bonferroni corrected p-valued cases for reporting six reliably stable signatures. (3) Results: Vermis stimulation invoked the highest number of connectivity signatures and the left motor cortex stimulation invoked a sensorimotor network state. In total, six out of 29 reliable, stable connectivity signatures are found and discussed. (4) Conclusions: We extend previous findings to localized cortical connectivity signatures for medical applications that serve as a baseline for future dense electrode studies.
Reconfigurable Laser-Stimulated Lock-In Thermography for Surface Micro-Crack Detection
Authors: Ding Lu , Gorelik Sergey , Wang Pei , Sadovoy Anton Valentinovich , Zhu Qiang , Ngo Andrew Chun Yong , Teng Jinghua
Published: April 2023

Surface crack detection and sizing is essential for the manufacturing and maintenance of engines, run parts, and other metal elements of aircrafts. Among various non-destructive detection methods, the fully non-contact and non-intrusive technique based on laser-stimulated lock-in thermography (LLT) has recently attracted a lot of attention from the aerospace industry. We propose and demonstrate a system of reconfigurable LLT for three-dimensional surface crack detection in metal alloys. For large area inspection, the multi-spot LLT can speed up the inspection time by a factor of the number of spots. The minimum resolved size of micro-holes is ~50 µm in diameter limited by the magnification of the camera lens. We also study the crack length ranging from 0.8 to 3.4 mm by varying the modulation frequency of LLT. An empirical parameter related to the thermal diffusion length is found to show the linear dependence with the crack length. With the proper calibration, this parameter can be used to predict the sizing of the surface fatigue cracks. Reconfigurable LLT allows us to quickly locate the crack position and accurately measure its dimensions. This method is also applicable to the non-destructive detection of surface or sub-surface defect in other materials used in various industries.
Sensors for Human Physical Behaviour Monitoring
Authors: Granat Malcolm , Holtermann Andreas , Lyden Kate
Published: April 2023

The understanding and measurement of physical behaviours that occur in everyday life are essential not only for determining their relationship with health, but also for interventions, physical activity monitoring/surveillance of the population and specific groups, drug development, and developing public health guidelines and messages [...]
Mass Transfer and Droplet Behaviors in Liquid-Liquid Extraction Process Based on Multi-Scale Perspective: A Review
Authors: Yu Sicen , Zhang Jiyizhe , Li Shaowei , Chen Zhuo , Wang Yundong
Published: April 2023

Liquid-liquid extraction is an important separation technology in the chemical industry, and its separation efficiency depends on thermodynamics (two-phase equilibrium), hydrodynamics (two-phase mixing and contact), and mass transfer (molecular diffusion). For hydrodynamics, the dispersion size of droplets reflects the mixing of two phases and determines the mass transfer contact area of the two phases. Therefore, a deep understanding of the droplet dispersion mechanism can help guide process intensification. The mass transfer and droplet behaviors in the liquid-liquid extraction process are reviewed based on three scales: equipment, droplets, and the interface between two liquids. Studies on the interaction between mass transfer and other performance parameters in extraction equipment as well as liquid-liquid two-phase flow models are reviewed at the equipment scale. The behaviors of droplet breakage and coalescence and the kernel function of the population balance equation are reviewed at the droplet scale. Studies on dynamic interfacial tension and interaction between interfaces are reviewed at the interface scale. Finally, the connection among each scale is summarized, the existing problems are analyzed, and some future research directions are proposed in the last section.
Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome Manifesting as an Early Complication after Lower Bilobectomy
Authors: Zirafa Carmelina C. , Lenzini Alessandra , Spontoni Paolo , Cariello Claudia , Doroni Luca , Pieroni Adrea , Petronio Anna S. , Melfi Franca
Published: April 2023

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is an uncommon clinical condition characterized by orthostatic dyspnea and hypoxemia. The case of a female patient who manifested postoperative episodes of sudden oxygen desaturation, dyspnea, and systemic arterial hypotension following lower bilobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma was reported. After meticulous clinical investigations, the patient proved to be affected by a rare form of postural dyspnea: platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, a clinical disorder described in the middle of the last century. The pathophysiology was found in an intracardiac mechanism of right-to-left blood shunt, combined with lung and chest wall modification. Atrial septal defect, such as patent foramen ovale (PFO), is a common cause of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome; the rescue closure of PFO usually allows for an immediate and consistent improvement of the symptoms.
Feng-Liu’s Approach to Fixed Point Results of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set-Valued Maps
Authors: Shagari Mohammed Shehu , Alotaibi Trad , Tabassum Rehana , Bakery Awad A. , Mohamed OM Kalthum S. K. , Mustafa Arafa O.
Published: April 2023

The applications of non-zero self distance function have recently been discovered in both symmetric and asymmetric spaces. With respect to invariant point results, the available literature reveals that the idea has only been examined for crisp mappings in either symmetric or asymmetric spaces. Hence, the aim of this paper is to introduce the notion of invariant points for non-crisp set-valued mappings in metric-like spaces. To this effect, the technique of κ-contraction and Feng-Liu’s approach are combined to establish new versions of intuitionistic fuzzy functional equations. One of the distinguishing ideas of this article is the study of fixed point theorems of intuitionistic fuzzy set-valued mappings without using the conventional Pompeiu–Hausdorff metric. Some of our obtained results are applied to examine their analogues in ordered metric-like spaces endowed with an order and binary relation as well as invariant point results of crisp set-valued mappings. By using a comparative example, it is observed that a few important corresponding notions in the existing literature are complemented, unified and generalized.
Noether and Space-Time Symmetries in Physics
Authors: Camci Ugur , Ahmedov Bobomurat , Bokhari Ashfaque H.
Published: April 2023

Symmetry is the most common and important principle of those which guide efforts to construct realistic theories in science [...]
Application of Magnetic Resonance Strain Analysis Using Feature Tracking in a Myocardial Infarction Model
Authors: Onishi Ryutaro , Ueda Junpei , Ide Seiko , Koseki Masahiro , Sakata Yasushi , Saito Shigeyoshi
Published: April 2023

This study validates the usefulness of myocardial strain analysis with cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by evaluating the changes in the cardiac function and myocardial strain values longitudinally in a myocardial disease model. Six eight-week-old male Wistar rats were used as a model of myocardial infarction (MI). Cine images were taken in the short axis, two-chamber view longitudinal axis, and four-chamber view longitudinal axis directions in rats 3 and 9 days after MI and in control rats, with preclinical 7-T MRI. The control images and the images on days 3 and 9 were evaluated by measuring the ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and the strain values in the circumferential (CS), radial (RS), and longitudinal directions (LS). The CS decreased significantly 3 days after MI, but there was no difference between the images on days 3 and 9. The two-chamber view LS was −9.7 ± 2.1% at 3 days and −13.9 ± 1.4% at 9 days after MI. The four-chamber view LS was −9.9 ± 1.5% at 3 days and −11.9 ± 1.3% at 9 days after MI. Both the two- and four-chamber LS values were significantly decreased 3 days after MI. Myocardial strain analysis is, therefore, useful for assessing the pathophysiology of MI.
Events That Inspired Change: The Importance of Sharing What Happened to Stop It From Happening Again
Authors: Myers Eugene , Allen Caitlyn
Published: April 2023

Reporting events that caused harm or could have caused harm to patients is not just a law in Pennsylvania, it’s also one of the best ways to improve patient safety. Event reports can be the first indication of underlying problems, regardless of whether harm occurs. They also are essential tools for triggering widespread change throughout a facility—and beyond.
Online Supplement to “Assessing Equipment, Supplies, and Devices for Patient Safety Issues”
Authors: Ratwani Raj , Adams Katharine , Kim Tracy , Busog Deanna-Nicole , Howe Jessica , Jones Rebecca , Krevat Seth
Published: April 2023

This supplementary material has been provided by the authors to give readers additional information about their work.
Online Supplement to “Reduction of Patient Harm Through Decreasing Urine Culture Contamination in an Emergency Department Using Multiple Process Improvement Interventions”
Authors: Cowen Clare , Frinsco Shelley , Nosal Rebecca , Colen Faith
Published: April 2023

This supplementary material has been provided by the authors to give readers additional information about their work.
Exceeding Quotidian Kindness: A Christian Response to Lateral Violence in the Workplace
Authors: Pon Gordon , Phillips Doret
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a Christian view of kindness to address lateral violence in academe and social service settings among racialized proponents of conflict perspectives in social work such as anti-racism and anti-Black racism. Two examples of extraordinary kindness involving the Asian and African diaspora are presented to highlight the axiological and spiritual relevance of kindness as it relates to anti-racism and anti-Black racism, on one hand, and as a helpful intervention for addressing lateral violence in academe and social service settings, on the other.
Exploring the Applied Heart of the Church: The Retributive vs. Restorative Justice Perspectives on Punishment and Incarceration
Authors: Jacob Anupama , Asbill Michelle , Tauati Amy
Published: April 2023

Mass incarceration is one of the key societal issues facing the US today. While numerous factors have contributed to this problem, a major one is the punitive approach of our criminal justice system.  This paper examines the underlying justifications for our criminal justice system’s emphasis on punishment using Christian and dominant cultural frameworks. The primary objectives of this paper are: (1) to compare and contrast the core tenets and values of two distinct philosophical approaches to punishment - retribution and restoration -  both of which are active within the US criminal justice system; (2) to explore how these two approaches align with biblical values of justice, grace, mercy, and atonement; and (3) to discuss practical implications for how Christian social work educators, scholars, and practitioners can advocate for criminal justice reform based on clear Christian convictions.
The Culture of Compassion in Social Service and Academic Settings:My Personal Experience
Authors: Joshua Englefield
Published: April 2023

This article uses the Scholarly Personal Narrative method to explore the author’s own experience of compassion in social service agencies and academic settings. The idea of building a culture of compassion was born from this author’s experience of “agency culture,” the culture of different academic settings and the promotion of self-care and productivity. Lessons learned from this inquiry showed that self-care, as a concept in human services institutions, is an individualistic approach that does not solve the systemic/cultural problems in an agency. Further revealed is the fact that productivity is a utilitarian approach applied to human issues that dehumanizes the interaction between social workers, their colleagues, and clients. The author thus contends that creating a culture of compassion is an essential element that agencies and academic settings need to include if they wish to decrease social worker burnout and the negative impact of vicarious trauma and increase longevity.
Le proverbe, unité de traduction ? Les traductions de História do cerco de Lisboa, de José Saramago, en France et aux États-Unis
Authors: Faria Dominique
Published: April 2023

Dans le but de saisir l’utilité de la notion d’unité de traduction pour la traduction de proverbes surgissant au sein de textes fictionnels, cet article analyse les traductions du roman História do cerco de Lisboa, de l’écrivain portugais José Saramago, publiées en France (Histoire du siège de Lisbonne) et aux États-Unis (History of the siege of Lisbon), en 1992 et 1989 respectivement. Saramago y a très souvent recours à des proverbes, qu’il soumet à des usages qui posent de complexes problèmes de traduction. Envisager le proverbe en tant qu’unité de traduction s’avère essentiel pour que sa présence dans le texte soit répliquée dans la version traduite et pour que ce trait du style de l’auteur soit transmis au lecteur cible. Pourtant, lorsque le romancier portugais modifie, développe et reprend des proverbes à différents endroits de ses textes, il demande du traducteur que celui-ci élargisse et rétrécisse successivement ce qu’il envisage comme une unité de traduction. Ces usages ludiques du proverbe, ainsi que le rôle crucial que Saramago leur attribue, exigent du traducteur une créativité supplémentaire, puisque pour traduire un proverbe il faut maintenir et le sens et la forme, ce qui s’avère parfois problématique, de par les limitations imposées par le système culturel et linguistique cible.
Update on the drug treatment of hypertension: perspectives in clinical pharmacology
Authors: Le Chuyen , Nguyen Thi Lan Nhi , Do Thi Hong Diep , Nguyen Thanh Tin , Nguyen Le Hong Van
Published: April 2023

Drug therapy to achieve the recommended target blood pressure remains the cornerstone of the management of hypertension. Today, there are strong evidences from randomized controlled trials that antihypertensive drugs are more effective than placebo at reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. According to more recent guidelines, there are three main classes of drugs that have been used for initial monotherapy: inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system, calcium channel antagonists, and diuretics. The use of beta blockers has been restricted for initial monotherapy in the absence of a specific indication associated with adverse effects on some outcomes, particularly in older patients. Many studies have demonstrated that antihypertensive agent classes can be combined effectively and nowadays, it is strongly recommended to use single-pill combinations containing two or three antihypertensive agents. Combination therapy provides greater antihypertensive potential, reduced risks for side effects, lower medical cost, increase compliance, and promotes long-term adherence, this latter being the major challenge of drug therapy for hypertension.

Key words: hypertension, drug therapy.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant; psychological effect and influencing factors in elderly patients
Authors: Eslami Jamshid , Setoodeh Giti , Dehghan Sara , Khanchemehr Yaser , Sadeghian Reyhaneh , Asadollahi Hamedani Mahsa , Khaledi Mohamad , Mohammadtabar Mobin , Parsai Najmeh
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant appeared in South Africa for the first time. The high prevalence of its mortality in elderly patients has caused an increase in anxiety triggered by this disease in aged people. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anxiety related-COVID-19 in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its related factors in elderly patients who are candidates for cataract surgery. Patients and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 159 over 65 years old patients who are candidates for cataract surgery. Easy and accessible sampling methods were employed to select samples. Demographic characteristics sheet and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) questionnaire were filled out by them. Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U and binary logistic regression tests were conducted for data analysis. Results: The results showed that out of 159 patients, 57.9% were female, with a mean age of 73.09 ± 9.64 years. The anxiety level of 70.4% of patients was mild or non-anxiety and 29.6% was moderate or severe. The correlation between anxiety related to COVID-19 with age, gender, vaccination status and history of being infected by COVID-19 was significant (P<0.05); however, the correlation with the job, place of residence and marital status were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that older age, female gender, non-vaccinated and having no history of being infected by COVID-19 are the most influential factors that increase anxiety triggered by COVID-19 in elderly patients.
Cassia fistula L. pod shell and leaf extracts induce cell cytotoxicity and suppress cell migration by downregulating EGFR in MCF-7 cells
Authors: Boontha Supavadee , Jaibia Prakaifa , Punyuang Supanuch , Jaiwan Krit , Luangtrakul Thamonwan , Saepang Kamchai , Buranrat Benjaporn , Pitaksuteepong Tasana
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Cassia fistula Linn. (CF) is a well-known Thai medicinal plant and a source of many bioactive compounds. The present work designed to examine the anticancer effects of pod shell and leaf of CF extracts on a human breast cancer cell line via the suppression of tumor development and metastasis. The expression of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression was interested to explore. Methods: The in vitro anticancer activities of the CF pod shell and leaf extracts, including cell cytotoxicity, cell growth, cell migration, cell death, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation were evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB), colony forming, wound healing, and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. The EGFR protein expression was determined by western blot analysis, which is related to increased cancer cell growth and resistance to apoptosis. Results: CF pod shell and leaf extracts showed significant toxicities against MCF-7 cells and inhibited the cancer cells proliferation and migratory ability of breast cancer MCF-7 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Both extracts induced late cell apoptosis and significantly generated ROS formation at a dose of 250 mg/mL. Western blotting data exhibited low levels of EGFR protein expression after treating with the extracts at a dose of 1000 mg/mL. Conclusion: CF pod shell and leaf extracts are able to reduce breast cancer cell proliferation, increase cell apoptosis, and suppress cell migration through the downregulation of EGFR expression indicating anticancer activities.
Chemical composition, anti-fungal and cytotoxic effects of Ferula macrecolea essential oil against Candida albicans resistant and sensitive strains
Authors: Sadeghi Nader , Sadeghi Hoda , Nangaru Mohan Dharshini , Sepahvand Asghar , Alizadeh Arash , Garavand Shirin
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Candidiasis therapy is a complicated concern because of the occurrence of resistance to antifungal agents. We studied the anti-fungal effects of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FME) against Candida albicans resistant and sensitive strains, as well as its cytotoxic effects against normal and cancer cell lines. Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of F. macrecolea essential oil against C. albicans ATCC 5027 and C. albicans ATCC 76616 were studied by broth-microdilution approach. The cytotoxicities of FME on HGF1-PI (normal gingival cell line) and HepG2 (liver cancer cell line) cells were also studied. Results: The main components of essential oil were terpinolene (71.25%), n-nonanal (6.32%), and linalool (3.95%), respectively. The MIC and MFC of FME on C. albicans sensitive to nystatin were 1.6 and 2.0 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of FME on nystatin-resistant strains were 3.3 and 4 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of terpinolene on C. albicans sensitive to nystatin were 0.8 and 1.0 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of terpinolene on nystatin-resistant strains were 2 and 2.4 μg/mL, respectively. The essential oil and terpinolene had no significant cytotoxic effects against normal cells. Conclusion: We revealed the promising antifungal effect of F. macrecolea essential oil and its main component, terpinolene, against C. albicans sensitive and resistant to nystatin with no significant toxicity on normal cells.