bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necrotizing Skin and Soft Tissue Infection after Gluteal Augmentation in a Perioperatively Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patient—Complications of the Post-Lockdown Era? A Case Report
Authors: Stojičić Milan , Jurišić Milana , Marinković Milana , Jovanović Milan , Igić Aleksa , Nikolić Živanović Maja
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Aesthetic surgery procedures are generally done in a relatively healthy population and carry a rather low risk compared to other surgical specialties. The incidence of complications in aesthetic surgery varies greatly depending on the type, wound cleanliness regarding the anatomical site, complexity of the surgery, patient’s age, and comorbidities but is generally considered low. The overall incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in all aesthetic surgical procedures is around 1% in most of the literature while cases of necrotizing soft tissue infections are mostly found as individual reports. In contrast, treating COVID-19 patients is still challenging with many diverse outcomes. Surgical stress and general anesthesia are known mediators of cellular immunity impairment while studies regarding COVID-19 infection unquestionably have shown the deterioration of adaptive immunity by SARS-CoV-2. Adding COVID-19 to the modern surgical equation raises the question of immunocompetence in surgical patients. The main question of the modern post-lockdown world is: what could be expected in the postoperative period of perioperatively asymptomatic COVID-19 patients after aesthetic surgery? Case report: Here, we present a purulent, complicated, necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection (NSTI) after gluteal augmentation most likely triggered by SARS-CoV-2-induced immunosuppression followed by progressive COVID-19 pneumonia in an otherwise healthy, young patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such adverse events in aesthetic surgery related to COVID-19. Conclusion: Aesthetic surgery in patients during the incubation period of COVID-19 or in asymptomatic patients could pose a significant risk for surgical complications, including severe systemic infections and implant loss as well as severe pulmonary and other COVID-19-associated complications.
New Insights into the Mechanical Properties, Functional Fatigue, and Structural Fatigue of Ni-Ti Alloy Porous Structures
Authors: Tang Dianyu , Hu Yong , Yang Lei
Published: May 2023

Ni-Ti shape memory alloys (SMAs) are widely noticed and have captured great interest due to their unique shape memory effect and super elasticity. Porous Ni-Ti SMAs have the typical characteristics of both porous metals as well as shape memory alloys. Because of the uneven stress distribution, cyclic loading has a more significant effect on the phase transformation and plastic deformation of Ni-Ti porous compared with Ni-Ti bulk. This paper overviews the structural and functional fatigue experiments and numerical simulation progress of Ni-Ti porous. The factors affecting the fatigue performance of the Ni-Ti lattice structure and the methods for enhancing its fatigue performance are elaborated. More importantly, the point of the coupling analysis of structural fatigue performance and functional fatigue performance is proposed for the study of porous Ni-Ti shape memory alloys.
Study on Growth Mechanism and Characteristics of Zirconium Alloy Micro-Arc Oxidation Film
Authors: Wang Mingli , Lv Kai , Du Zhaoxin , Chen Weidong , Ji Pengfei , Wang Wei , Pang Zhi
Published: May 2023

Ceramic coatings on R60705 zirconium alloy were prepared on the surface by the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technique in electrolytes containing Na2SiO3, NaOH, and Na2EDTA. The growth behavior of the MAO ceramic coatings at different stages, including growth rate, microstructure, and phase composition, was investigated using the method of direct observation of the boundary area. The results showed that the growth of the MAO coatings on R60705 zirconium alloy occurred in both inward and outward directions. At an oxidation time of 5 min, the thickness of the oxidation layer increased fastest, reaching 103.43 μm, with a growth rate of 0.345 μm/s. After 5 min, the growth rate decreased and tended to level off around 15 min, with a thickness and growth rate of 162.7 μm and 0.181 μm/s, respectively. The total thickness of the coatings continuously increased throughout the process, with the outward growth thickness always higher than the inward growth thickness. The composition of the zirconium alloy micro-arc oxidation coatings mainly consisted of monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO2), tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2), and a small amount of SiO2. The main elements in the coatings were Zr, O, and Si. The corrosion resistance of the zirconium alloy micro-arc oxidation coatings increased first and then decreased with increasing oxidation time, with a corrosion current density of 8.876 × 10−9 A·cm−2 at 15 min, indicating the best corrosion resistance.
Metagenomic Analysis of Bacterial, Archaeal and Fungal Diversity in Two-Stage Anaerobic Biodegradation for Production of Hydrogen and Methane from Corn Steep Liquor
Authors: Stoyancheva Galina , Kabaivanova Lyudmila , Hubenov Venelin , Chorukova Elena
Published: May 2023

The main purpose of this study was to identify the microbial communities (bacterial, archaeal and fungal) in a two-stage system of anaerobic bioreactors for the production of hydrogen and methane from the waste substrate—corn steep liquor. Wastes from the food industry are valuable resources with potential in biotechnological production because of their high organic matter contents. In addition, the production of hydrogen and methane, volatile fatty acids, reducing sugars and cellulose content was monitored. Two-stage anaerobic biodegradation processes were performed by microbial populations in the first hydrogen generating bioreactor (working volume of 3 dm3) and in the second methane-generating reactor (working volume of 15 dm3). Cumulative hydrogen yield reached 2000 cm3 or 670 cm3/L a day, while the methane production reached a maximum quantity of 3300 cm3 or 220 cm3/L a day. Microbial consortia in anaerobic digestion systems play an essential role for process optimization and biofuel production enhancement. The obtained results showed the possibility of conducting two separate processes—the hydrogenic (hydrolysis and acidogenesis) and methanogenic (acetogenesis and methanogenesis)—as two stages of anaerobic digestion to favor energy production under controlled conditions with corn steep liquor. The diversity of microorganisms as main participants in the processes in the bioreactors of the two-stage system was followed using metagenome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The obtained metagenomic data showed that the most abundant phylum in both bacterial communities was Firmicutes—58.61% and 36.49% in bioreactors 1 and 2, respectively. Phylum Actinobacteria were found in significant quantities (22.91%) in the microbial community in Bioreactor 1, whereas in Bioreactor 2, they were 2.1%. Bacteroidetes are present in both bioreactors. Phylum Euryarchaeota made up 0.4% of the contents in the first bioreactor and 11.4% in the second. As the dominant genera among methanogenic archaea are Methanothrix (8.03%) and Methanosarcina (3.39%), the main fungal representatives were Saccharomyces cerevisiae. New knowledge of anaerobic digestion mediated by novel microbial consortia could be widely used to convert different wastes to green energy.
Probiotic Properties and Antioxidant Activity In Vitro of Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Vougiouklaki Despina , Tsironi Theofania , Tsantes Andreas G. , Tsakali Efstathia , Van Impe Jan F. M. , Houhoula Dimitra
Published: May 2023

The properties of probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been widely studied over the last decades. In the present study, four different LAB species, namely Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103, Levilactobacillus brevis ATCC 8287, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917, were investigated in order to determine their ability to survive in the human gut. They were evaluated based on their tolerance to acids, resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, antibiotic resistance, and the identification of genes encoding bacteriocin production. All four tested strains demonstrated high resistance to simulated gastric juice after 3 h, and the viable counts revealed declines in cell concentrations of less than 1 log cycle. L. plantarum showed the highest level of survival in the human gut, with counts of 7.09 log CFU/mL. For the species L. rhamnosus and L. brevis, the values were 6.97 and 6.52, respectively. L. gasseri, after 12 h, showed a 3.96 log cycle drop in viable counts. None of the evaluated strains inhibited resistance to ampicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol. With regard to bacteriocin genes, the Pediocin PA gene was identified in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103, and Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323. The PlnEF gene was detected in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103. The Brevicin 174A and PlnA genes were not detected in any bacteria. Moreover, the potential antioxidant activity of LAB’s metabolites was evaluated. At the same time, the possible antioxidant activity of metabolites of LAB was first tested using the free radical DDPH• (a, a-Diphenyl-β-Picrylhydrazyl) and then evaluated with regard to their radical scavenging activity and inhibition against peroxyl radical induced DNA scission. All strains showed antioxidant activity; however, the best antioxidant activity was achieved by L. brevis (94.47%) and L. gasseri (91.29%) at 210 min. This study provides a comprehensive approach to the action of these LAB and their use in the food industry.
Application of Alumina Nanofibers as Adsorbents for the Removal of Mercury (II) and Lead (II) from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Houston Rebecca L. , Waclawik Eric R. , Sarina Sarina
Published: May 2023

This study aims to design novel amine-functionalized alumina nanofibers for the removal of lead (II) and mercury (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The γ-Al2O3 nanofibers were prepared by calcination of boehmite, and then functionalization with 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyl trimethoxy silane. The characterization of the nanofibers was carried out using TEM, EDS, elemental mapping, XRD, and XPS. The effects of initial concentration, pH, contact time, and selectivity were studied. The results revealed that the nanofibers can remove 98% of Hg2+ ions and 90% of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution at concentrations of 40 mg/L and 35 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, the optimal pH conditions for mercury and lead ion adsorption were established to be 6. It was also observed that for concentrations of 100 mg/L and 250 mg/L, the majority of ion contaminants were removed by the nanofibers within the first hour. The adsorption capacities were found to be 129 mg/g and 165 mg/g for Hg2+ and 72.3 mg/g and 111 mg/g for Pb2+ at 100 mg/L and 250 mg/L concentrations, respectively. The ion-adsorption kinetic data was best fitted to a pseudo-second-order model. High sorption capacities were also demonstrated when employed to selectively adsorb mercury (II) and lead (II) ions from aqueous solutions containing Zn2+, Mg2+, Cu4+, Sn4+, and Ni4+. Desorption tests were performed to explore the stability of the heavy metals on the nanofiber.
Hardness, Modulus, and Refractive Index of Plasma-Assisted Atomic-Layer-Deposited Hafnium Oxide Thin Films Doped with Aluminum Oxide
Authors: Kull Mikk , Piirsoo Helle-Mai , Tarre Aivar , Mändar Hugo , Tamm Aile , Jõgiaas Taivo
Published: May 2023

Coatings with tunable refractive index and high mechanical resilience are useful in optical systems. In this work, thin films of HfO2 doped with Al2O3 were deposited on silicon at 300 °C by using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD). The mainly amorphous 60–80 nm thick films consisted Al in the range of 2 to 26 at. %. The refractive indexes varied from 1.69 to 2.08 at the wavelength of 632 nm, and they consistently depended on the composition. The differences were higher in the UV spectral region. At the same time, the hardness of the films was from 12–15 GPa; the modulus was in the range of 160–180 GPa; and the mechanical properties did not have a good correlation with the deposited compositions. The deposition conditions, element contents, and refractive indexes at respective wavelengths were correlated. The results indicated that it is possible to tune optical properties and retain mechanical properties of atomic layer-deposited thin films of HfO2 with Al2O3 as doping oxide. Such films could be used as mechanically resilient and optically tunable coatings in, for instance, micro- or nano-electromechanical systems or transparent displays.
The Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in the Progression of Renal Cell Carcinoma and Their Potential for Future Clinical Application
Authors: Takeda Masashi , Akamatsu Shusuke , Kita Yuki , Goto Takayuki , Kobayashi Takashi
Published: May 2023

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer and is thought to originate from renal tubular epithelial cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized lipid bilayer vesicles that are secreted into extracellular spaces by nearly all cell types, including cancer cells and non-cancerous cells. EVs are involved in multiple steps of RCC progression, such as local invasion, host immune modulation, drug resistance, and metastasis. Therefore, EVs secreted from RCC are attracting rapidly increasing attention from researchers. In this review, we highlight the mechanism by which RCC-derived EVs lead to disease progression as well as the potential and challenges related to the clinical implications of EV-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
p53 at the Crossroads between Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity and Resistance: A Nutritional Balancing Act
Authors: Guo Yuanfang , Tang Yufeng , Lu Guangping , Gu Junlian
Published: May 2023

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic drug, but its long-term use can cause cardiotoxicity and drug resistance. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that p53 is directly involved in DOX toxicity and resistance. One of the primary causes for DOX resistance is the mutation or inactivation of p53. Moreover, because the non-specific activation of p53 caused by DOX can kill non-cancerous cells, p53 is a popular target for reducing toxicity. However, the reduction in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) via p53 suppression is often at odds with the antitumor advantages of p53 reactivation. Therefore, in order to increase the effectiveness of DOX, there is an urgent need to explore p53-targeted anticancer strategies owing to the complex regulatory network and polymorphisms of the p53 gene. In this review, we summarize the role and potential mechanisms of p53 in DIC and resistance. Furthermore, we focus on the advances and challenges in applying dietary nutrients, natural products, and other pharmacological strategies to overcome DOX-induced chemoresistance and cardiotoxicity. Lastly, we present potential therapeutic strategies to address key issues in order to provide new ideas for increasing the clinical use of DOX and improving its anticancer benefits.
Breast Milk Constituents and the Development of Breast Milk Jaundice in Neonates: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gao Chang , Guo Yixin , Huang Mingxi , He Jianrong , Qiu Xiu
Published: May 2023

Breast milk is tailored for optimal growth in all infants; however, in some infants, it is related to a unique phenomenon referred to as breast milk jaundice (BMJ). BMJ is a type of prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia that is often late onset in otherwise healthy-appearing newborns, and its occurrence might be related to breast milk itself. This review aims to systematically evaluate evidence regarding breast milk composition and the development of BMJ in healthy neonates. PubMed, Scopus and Embase were searched up to 13 February 2023 with key search terms, including neonates, hyperbilirubinemia, and breastfeeding. A total of 678 unique studies were identified and 12 were ultimately included in the systematic review with narrative synthesis. These included studies covered both nutritional compositions (e.g., fats and proteins) and bioactive factors (e.g., enzymes and growth factors) of breast milk and formally assessed the difference in the concentration (or presence) of various endogenous components of breast milk collected from mothers of BMJ infants and healthy infants. The results were inconsistent and inconclusive for most of the substances of interest, and there was only a single study available (e.g., total energy and mineral content, bile salts and cytokines); conflicting or even contradictory results arose when there were two or more studies on the subject matter (e.g., fats and free fatty acids contents and epidermal growth factor). The etiology of BMJ is likely multifactorial, and no single constituent of breast milk could explain all the BMJ cases observed. Further well-designed studies are warranted to investigate the complex interaction between maternal physiology, the breast milk system and infant physiology before this field could be progressed to uncover the etiology of BMJ.
Carotenoids Diet: Digestion, Gut Microbiota Modulation, and Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Rocha Helena R. , Coelho Marta C. , Gomes Ana M. , Pintado Manuela E.
Published: May 2023

Several epidemiologic studies have found that consuming fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of getting a variety of chronic illnesses, including several types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and bowel diseases. Although there is still debate over the bioactive components, various secondary plant metabolites have been linked to these positive health benefits. Many of these features have recently been connected to carotenoids and their metabolites’ effects on intracellular signalling cascades, which influence gene expression and protein translation. Carotenoids are the most prevalent lipid-soluble phytochemicals in the human diet, are found in micromolar amounts in human serum, and are very susceptible to multiple oxidation and isomerisation reactions. The gastrointestinal delivery system, digestion processes, stability, and functionality of carotenoids, as well as their impact on the gut microbiota and how carotenoids may be effective modulators of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, are still lacking research advances. Although several pathways involved in carotenoids’ bioactivity have been identified, future studies should focus on the carotenoids’ relationships, related metabolites, and their effects on transcription factors and metabolism.
Ultra-Processed Food Intake Is Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Henney Alex E. , Gillespie Conor S. , Alam Uazman , Hydes Theresa J. , Cuthbertson Daniel J.
Published: May 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D) due to chronic caloric excess and physical inactivity. Previous meta-analyses have confirmed associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and obesity and T2D. We aim to ascertain the contribution of UPF consumption to the risk of developing NAFLD. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO (CRD42022368763)). All records registered on Ovid Medline and Web of Science were searched from inception until December 2022. Studies that assessed UPF consumption in adults, determined according to the NOVA food classification system, and that reported NAFLD determined by surrogate (steatosis) scores, imaging or liver biopsy were included. The association between UPF consumption and NAFLD was assessed using random-effects meta-analysis methods. Study quality was assessed, and evidence credibility evaluated, using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and NutriGrade systems, respectively. A total of 5454 records were screened, and 112 records underwent full text review. From these, 9 studies (3 cross-sectional, 3 case-control and 3 cohort), analysing 60,961 individuals, were included in the current review. Both moderate (vs. low) (pooled relative risk 1.03 (1.00–1.07) (p = 0.04) (I2 = 0%)) and high (vs. low) (1.42 (1.16–1.75) (<0.01) (I2 = 89%)) intake of UPF significantly increased the risk of NAFLD. Funnel plots demonstrate low risk of publication bias. Consumption of UPF is associated with NAFLD with a dose–response effect. Public health measures to reduce overconsumption of UPF are imperative to reduce the burden of NAFLD, and the related conditions, obesity and T2D.
Urinary Phosphorus Excretion and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: The KNOW-CKD Study
Authors: Suh Sang Heon , Oh Tae Ryom , Choi Hong Sang , Kim Chang Seong , Bae Eun Hui , Ma Seong Kwon , Oh Kook-Hwan , Hyun Young Youl , Sung Suah , Kim Soo Wan
Published: May 2023

The relationship between 24-h urinary phosphorus excretion (24 h UPE) and cardiovascular disease in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) has rarely been studied, despite the fact that the relationship between serum phosphorus level and the risk of a cardiovascular event is well established. A total of 1701 patients with pre-dialysis CKD were finally included for the analyses and were divided into tertiles by 24 h UPE (first tertile (T1, 349.557 (mean) ± 88.413 (standard deviation)), second tertile (T2, 557.530 ± 50.738), and third tertile (T3, 851.695 ± 171.593). The study outcome was a six-point major adverse cardiac event (MACE). The median follow-up duration was 7.992 years. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis visualized that the cumulative incidences of a six-point MACE (p = 0.029) significantly differed from 24 h UPE levels, as the incidence rate of the study outcomes was highest in T1 and lowest in T3. Cox proportional hazard models unveiled that, compared to T1, the risk of a six-point MACE was significantly decreased in T3 (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.376, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.207 to 0.683). The restricted cubic spline curve analysis visualized an inverted S-shaped association between 24 h UPE level and the risk of a six-point MACE, indicating a significantly increased risk of a six-point MACE in patients with a low 24 h UPE level. In conclusion, low 24 h UPE is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD. Our finding emphasizes that low 24 h UPE should not be a reliable marker for dietary restriction of phosphorus that essentially leads to better outcomes in patients with CKD.
Obesity Risk of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wilson Rebekah L. , Soja Jacqueline , Yunker Alexandra G. , Uno Hajime , Gordon Erin , Cooney Tabitha , Dieli-Conwright Christina M.
Published: May 2023

Adult survivors of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are at the highest risk for morbidity and late mortality among all childhood cancers due to a high burden of chronic conditions, and environmental and lifestyle factors. This study aims to epidemiologically characterize young adult survivors of pediatric CNS tumors using body mass index (BMI) to assess risk factors for obesity. Using a cross-sectional design, young adults (18–39 years) previously treated for pediatric CNS tumors and followed in a survivorship clinic during 2016–2021 were examined. Demographic, BMI, and diagnosis information were extracted from medical records of the most recent clinic visit. Data were assessed using a two-sample t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and multivariable logistical regression. 198 survivors (53% female, 84.3% White) with a BMI status of underweight (4.0%), healthy weight (40.9%), overweight (26.8%), obesity (20.2%), and severe obesity (8.1%) were examined. Male sex (OR, 2.414; 95% CI, 1.321 to 4.414), older age at follow-up (OR, 1.103; 95% CI, 1.037 to 1.173), and craniopharyngioma diagnosis (OR, 5.764; 95% CI, 1.197 to 27.751) were identified as significant (p < 0.05) obesity-related (≥25.0 kg/m2) risk factors. The majority of patients were overweight or obese. As such, universal screening efforts with more precise determinants of body composition than BMI, risk stratification, and targeted lifestyle interventions are warranted during survivorship care.
Exploratory Analysis of Social Networks Linked to the Provision of Beverages in Costa Rican Schools
Authors: Monge-Rojas Rafael , Vargas-Quesada Rulamán , Moore Travis , Economos Christina D. , Colón-Ramos Uriyoán
Published: May 2023

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are implicated in weight gain and adverse cardiometabolic heath. Social networks of stakeholders involved in providing potable water and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in high schools in Costa Rica were studied using social analysis network. In public and private schools, the interactions between the stakeholders in charge of providing beverages are fragmented and their role in preventing the availability of SSBs is weak. School canteen owners ultimately decide what beverages are available at school, which may cause students to choose beverages that increase the risk of overweight/obesity. It is therefore urgently necessary to improve the capacity for two-way interactions between the stakeholders to enhance their roles in the provision of beverages. Hence, it is essential to reinforce the stakeholders’ leadership, and set up innovative ways to exert it in order to develop a shared vision of the types of drinks that should be available in the school environment.
Cerebral Circulation and Brain Temperature during an Ultra-Short Session of Dry Immersion in Young Subjects
Authors: Gerasimova-Meigal Liudmila , Meigal Alexander , Gerasimova Maria , Sklyarova Anna , Sirotinina Ekaterina
Published: May 2023

The primary aim of the study was to assess cerebral circulation in healthy young subjects during an ultra-short (45 min) session of ground-based microgravity modeled by “dry” immersion (DI), with the help of a multifunctional Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) analyzer. In addition, we tested a hypothesis that cerebral temperature would grow during a DI session. The supraorbital area of the forehead and forearm area were tested before, within, and after a DI session. Average perfusion, five oscillation ranges of the LDF spectrum, and brain temperature were assessed. Within a DI session, in the supraorbital area most of LDF parameters remained unchanged except for a 30% increase in respiratory associated (venular) rhythm. The temperature of the supraorbital area increased by up to 38.5 °C within the DI session. In the forearm area, the average value of perfusion and its nutritive component increased, presumably due to thermoregulation. In conclusion, the results suggest that a 45 min DI session does not exert a substantial effect on cerebral blood perfusion and systemic hemodynamics in young healthy subjects. Moderate signs of venous stasis were observed, and brain temperature increased during a DI session. These findings must be thoroughly validated in future studies because elevated brain temperature during a DI session can contribute to some reactions to DI.
An In Silico Approach toward the Appropriate Absorption Rate Metric in Bioequivalence
Authors: Karalis Vangelis D.
Published: May 2023

In bioequivalence, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) is traditionally used as a metric for the absorption rate, despite the fact that there are several concerns. The idea of “average slope” (AS) was recently introduced as an alternative metric to reflect absorption rate. This study aims to further extend the previous findings and apply an in silico approach to investigate the kinetic sensitivity of AS and Cmax. This computational analysis was applied to the C-t data of hydrochlorothiazide, donepezil, and amlodipine, which exhibit different absorption kinetics. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to uncover the relationships between all bioequivalence metrics. Monte Carlo simulations of bioequivalence trials were performed to investigate sensitivity. The appropriate programming codes were written in Python for the PCA and in MATLAB® for the simulations. The PCA verified the desired properties of AS and the unsuitability of Cmax to reflect absorption rate. The Monte Carlo simulations showed that AS is quite sensitive to detecting differences in absorption rate, while Cmax has almost negligible sensitivity. Cmax fails to reflect absorption rate, and its use in bioequivalence gives only a false impression. AS has the appropriate units, is easily calculated, exhibits high sensitivity, and has the desired properties of absorption rate.
Lipid-Based Inhalable Micro- and Nanocarriers of Active Agents for Treating Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Gandhi Sona , Roy Indrajit
Published: May 2023

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) afflicts about 2 million people worldwide, with both genetic (familial) and environmental factors contributing to its development and spread. The inadequacy of currently available therapeutic techniques, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, in addressing NSCLC is reflected in the very low survival rate of this disease. Therefore, newer approaches and combination therapy regimens are required to reverse this dismal scenario. Direct administration of inhalable nanotherapeutic agents to the cancer sites can potentially lead to optimal drug use, negligible side effects, and high therapeutic gain. Lipid-based nanoparticles are ideal agents for inhalable delivery owing to their high drug loading, ideal physical traits, sustained drug release, and biocompatibility. Drugs loaded within several lipid-based nanoformulations, such as liposomes, solid-lipid nanoparticles, lipid-based micelles, etc., have been developed as both aqueous dispersed formulations as well as dry-powder formulations for inhalable delivery in NSCLC models in vitro and in vivo. This review chronicles such developments and charts the future prospects of such nanoformulations in the treatment of NSCLC.
Optical Engine Design for a Compact, High-Luminance DLP Projector Using Four-Channel LEDs and a Total Internal Reflection Prism
Authors: Peng Shuihai , Zhang Zhiyao , Liu Yong
Published: May 2023

How to obtain higher brightness with a small volume projection engine for 4K resolution digital light processing (DLP) is of great significance. In this paper, we first use the fourth channel serving as a blue pump leading to a 52% gain of green brightness. Secondly, a new inline total internal reflection prism glued with a spherical mirror is constructed to notably reduce the length of the relay illumination system by more than 10 mm, resulting in a more compact optical engine with a volume of 210 × 140 × 36 mm3. Thirdly, a projection lens is optimized with a modulation transfer function higher than 0.6 at 93 lines for a distance of 2125 mm with distortion lower than 1%. As a result, the efficiencies of RGB lights are higher than 60%, and the luminance and uniformity on the screen reach 1412 lm and 94.5% measured by the prototype. Our proposed projection system is significantly helpful for designing a compact and high-luminance 4K DLP projection.
Biomass Fuel Production through Fermentation of Lysinibacillus sp. LC 556247 in Various Ratios of Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Empty Fruit Bunch
Authors: Dominic Debbie , Baidurah Siti
Published: May 2023

Biomass wastes originating from palm oil milling activities can be characterized by their high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS), and oil and grease content. The utilization of oil palm wastes such as palm oil mill effluent (POME) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) has great potential for a sustainable energy biomass pellet as it reduces the reliance on conventional materials for energy production. A mixture of POME and EFB in various ratios ranging between 7:3, 8:2, 9:1, and 10:0 was fermented in the presence of Lysinibacillus sp. LC 556247 for 120 h at 37 ± 2 °C and 180 rpm with the aim of elucidating the biodegradation of complex organic material in terms of BOD, COD, TSS, total organic carbon, inorganic carbon, and total carbon content. After fermentation, the mixtures were oven dried at 105 °C overnight and then subjected to calorific energy value (CEV) determination. The highest CEV of 20.26 MJ/kg was achieved for a ratio of 10:0 (slightly higher than the control experiment with the value of 18.67 MJ/kg), with maximum removal efficiencies of COD (12.19%), BOD (11.72%), TSS (93.94%), and oil reduction of 17.43%. The addition of EFB did not positively increase the CEV.
The Fundamental Mechanisms of Laser Cleaning Technology and Its Typical Applications in Industry
Authors: Zhou Zhihu , Sun Weipeng , Wu Jiajun , Chen Hongwei , Zhang Fei , Wang Shuangxi
Published: May 2023

Laser cleaning is an advanced surface-cleaning technology that can lead to the instant evaporation and stripping of the attachments found on a substrate’s surface, such as contaminants, rust, and coatings; it uses a high-energy laser beam to irradiate the components’ surface. Compared with common surface-cleaning technologies, laser cleaning has the advantages of precision, efficiency, and controllability. In this paper, the fundamental mechanisms of laser cleaning technology are summarized in detail; these include the laser thermal ablation mechanism, the laser thermal stress mechanism, and the plasma shock wave mechanism. The operational principles, characteristics, and application range of each mechanism are discussed. Their typical applications in industry are outlined according to the differences in the substrate materials used, including metallic materials, nonmetallic materials, and semiconductor elements. This study provides a significant reference and guiding basis for researchers to further explore the fundamental mechanisms of laser cleaning, as well as various aspects of the typical industrial applications of laser cleaning.
Indoor Space Disinfection Effect and Bioactive Components of Chamaecyparis obtusa Essential Oil
Authors: Song Seung-Yub , Park Dae-Hun , Lee Sung-Ho , Choi Chul-Yung , Shim Jung-Hyun , Yoon Goo , Park Jin-Woo , Bae Min-Suk , Cho Seung-Sik
Published: May 2023

Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. (Cupressaceae) is known to produce a variety of antimicrobial substances. In the present study, components of three lots of essential oil from C. obtusa were analyzed by GCMS. It was confirmed that thujopsene and pinene were common markers. In addition, we report indoor space disinfectant effects of products containing C. obtusa essential oil (PO100, PO500, PO1000). It was confirmed that PO100 and PO500 could effectively remove airborne microorganisms in indoor spaces. Results of our study suggest that C. obtusa essential oil is effective in reducing contamination by infectious microorganisms in confined spaces.
Numerical Simulation of CO2 Extraction from the Cement Pre-Calciner Kiln System
Authors: Wang Jiaying , Wang Guangya , Wang Jie , Zuo Xu , Kao Hongtao
Published: May 2023

The cement industry is one of the primary sources producing anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The significant increase in the demand for cement in years has significantly contributed to the increase in carbon emissions. Among numerous CO2 treatment technologies, calcium looping (CaL) is a practical approach to mitigating CO2 emissions. This paper used calcium looping (CaL) to capture CO2 from flue gas in a cement pre-calciner kiln system. The raw material exiting the lowest stage of the preheater is used as a calcium-based adsorbent, and the carbonation reactor is built between the tertiary and secondary preheaters, using the high-temperature flue gas exiting the tertiary preheater to provide heat for the reaction. The CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation technology was used to evaluate the rationality of the carbonation reactor and the key factors affecting the carbon removal efficiency of the carbonation reactor. The results indicate that the velocity and pressure fields of the carbonation reactor conform to the general operating rules and are reasonable. The optimal operating speed of particles in the carbonation reactor is 15 m/s, with a separation efficiency of particles of 92.5%, ensuring the smooth discharge of reaction products. The factor analysis of the carbonation reactor shows that when the temperature is 911 K, the mass flow rate of CaO is 2.07 kg/s, and the volume fraction of CO2 is 0.28, the carbonation reaction reaches a chemical equilibrium state, and the carbon removal efficiency is 90%. It should be noted that this carbon removal efficiency is the optimal carbon removal efficiency based on a combination of economic factors. In addition, the influencing factors show a precise sequence: CO2 volume fraction > CaO addition amount > temperature. Finally, we investigated the impact of the addition of the carbonation reactor on the preheater system. The results show that adding the carbonation reactor causes an increase in the flue gas velocity at the outlet of the preheater and a decrease in pressure, reducing the separation efficiency. Although the separation efficiency decreases slightly, the impact on the pre-calciner system is minimal.
Integrating Copernicus Satellite Products and Ground-Truthing for Documenting and Monitoring the Impact of the 2022 Extreme Floods in Pakistan on Cultural Heritage
Authors: Khan Muhammad Younis , Zaina Federico , Muhammad Sher , Tapete Deodato
Published: May 2023

The catastrophic floods that hit Pakistan in summer 2022 represent the latest example of climate change-induced extreme events occurring in South Asia. In addition to the dramatic impact on population and infrastructures, this event threatened UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) and properties of national interest. However, while a wealth of national and international mapping initiatives were conducted based on satellite imagery to assess damage to people, buildings and economic goods, the impact caused to archaeological sites and monuments has not been fully unveiled yet. To bridge this gap and provide an integrated approach that can be used by local end-users to assess damage and, in turn, collect evidence to inform and improve risk management plans, the present paper integrates Sentinel-1 and 2 imagery and mapping products derived from them (e.g., Copernicus Emergency Management Service Global Flood Mapping) with ground-truthing and geospatial datasets. Through a multidisciplinary collaboration between geologists, archaeologists, remote sensing and satellite image analysts, the integration methodology was tested on UNESCO and other heritage sites of national relevance located in the two mostly affected regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh that were intentionally selected to represent different typologies of cultural heritage and governance in Pakistan. Finally, the information extracted from the present analysis was assessed in relation to the current national and international legislations, the official state of conservation reports and the activities conducted at each site to protect them against flood events. Given the accessibility to ready-to-use Copernicus products and that the present analysis can be replicated over time and other sites, the proposed methodology provides a feasible means to exploit satellite data in post-disaster mapping situations and contribute to the decision-making process for risk management.
Advancing High-Resolution Land Cover Mapping in Colombia: The Importance of a Locally Appropriate Legend
Authors: Fagua J. Camilo , Rodríguez-Buriticá Susana , Jantz Patrick
Published: May 2023

Improving the remote sensing frameworks related to land cover mapping is necessary to make informed policy, development, planning, and natural resource management decisions. These efforts are especially important in tropical countries where technical capacity is limited. Land cover legend specification is a critical first step when mapping land cover, with consequences for its subsequent use and interpretation of results. We integrated the temporal metrics of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and multispectral data (Sentinel-1 and Sentienel-2) with visual pixel classifications and field surveys using five machine learning algorithms that apply different statistical methods to assess the prediction and mapping of two different land cover legends at a high spatial resolution (10 m) in a tropical region with seasonal flooding. The evaluated legends were CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) and ECOSO, a legend that we defined based on the ecological and socio-economic conditions of the study area. Compared with previous studies, we obtained high accuracies for land cover modeling (kappa = 0.82) and land cover mapping (kappa = 0.76) when using ECOSO. We also found that the CORINE legend generated lower accuracies than the ECOSO legend (kappa = 0.79 for land cover modeling and kappa = 0.61 for the land cover mapping). Although CORINE was developed for European environments, it is the official land cover legend of Colombia, a South American country with tropical ecosystems not found in Europe. Therefore, some of the CORINE classes have ambiguous definitions for the study area, explaining the lower accuracy of its modeling and mapping. We used free and open-access data and software in this research; thus, our methods can be applied in other tropical regions.
Hybrid Cooperative Cache Based on Temporal Convolutional Networks in Vehicular Edge Network
Authors: Wu Honghai , Jin Jichong , Ma Huahong , Xing Ling
Published: May 2023

With the continuous development of intelligent vehicles, people’s demand for services has also rapidly increased, leading to a sharp increase in wireless network traffic. Edge caching, due to its location advantage, can provide more efficient transmission services and become an effective method to solve the above problems. However, the current mainstream caching solutions only consider content popularity to formulate caching strategies, which can easily lead to cache redundancy between edge nodes and lead to low caching efficiency. To solve these problems, we propose a hybrid content value collaborative caching strategy based on temporal convolutional network (called THCS), which achieves mutual collaboration between different edge nodes under limited cache resources, thereby optimizing cache content and reducing content delivery latency. Specifically, the strategy first obtains accurate content popularity through temporal convolutional network (TCN), then comprehensively considers various factors to measure the hybrid content value (HCV) of cached content, and finally uses a dynamic programming algorithm to maximize the overall HCV and make optimal cache decisions. We have obtained the following conclusion through simulation experiments: compared with the benchmark scheme, THCS has improved the cache hit rate by 12.3% and reduced the content transmission delay by 16.7%.
Detection of Rail Defects Using NDT Methods
Authors: Xiong Longhui , Jing Guoqing , Wang Jingru , Liu Xiubo , Zhang Yuhua
Published: May 2023

The rapid development of high-speed and heavy-haul railways caused rapid rail defects and sudden failure. This requires more advanced rail inspection, i.e., real-time accurate identification and evaluation for rail defects. However, existing applications cannot meet future demand. In this paper, different types of rail defects are introduced. Afterwards, methods that have the potential to achieve rapid accurate detection and evaluation of rail defects are summarized, including ultrasonic testing, electromagnetic testing, visual testing, and some integrated methods in the field. Finally, advice on rail inspection is given, such as synchronously utilizing the ultrasonic testing, magnetic flux leakage, and visual testing for multi-part detection. Specifically, synchronously using the magnetic flux leakage and visual testing technologies can detect and evaluate surface and subsurface defects, and UT is used to detect internal defects in the rail. This will obtain full rail information, to prevent sudden failure, then ensure train ride safety.
Implementation of a Bio-Inspired Neural Architecture for Autonomous Vehicles on a Multi-FPGA Platform
Authors: Elouaret Tarek , Colomer Sylvain , De Melo Frédéric , Cuperlier Nicolas , Romain Olivier , Kessal Lounis , Zuckerman Stéphane
Published: May 2023

Autonomous vehicles require efficient self-localisation mechanisms and cameras are the most common sensors due to their low cost and rich input. However, the computational intensity of visual localisation varies depending on the environment and requires real-time processing and energy-efficient decision-making. FPGAs provide a solution for prototyping and estimating such energy savings. We propose a distributed solution for implementing a large bio-inspired visual localisation model. The workflow includes (1) an image processing IP that provides pixel information for each visual landmark detected in each captured image, (2) an implementation of N-LOC, a bio-inspired neural architecture, on an FPGA board and (3) a distributed version of N-LOC with evaluation on a single FPGA and a design for use on a multi-FPGA platform. Comparisons with a pure software solution demonstrate that our hardware-based IP implementation yields up to 9× lower latency and 7× higher throughput (frames/second) while maintaining energy efficiency. Our system has a power footprint as low as 2.741 W for the whole system, which is up to 5.5–6× less than what Nvidia Jetson TX2 consumes on average. Our proposed solution offers a promising approach for implementing energy-efficient visual localisation models on FPGA platforms.
A New Small-Size Camera with Built-In Specific-Wavelength LED Lighting for Evaluating Chlorophyll Status of Fruit Trees
Authors: Ye Xujun , Kitaya Marin , Abe Shiori , Sheng Fanxing , Zhang Shuhuai
Published: May 2023

To produce high-quality crops, not only excellent cultivation techniques but also accurate nutrient management techniques are important. In recent years, many nondestructive tools such as the chlorophyll meter “SPAD” and the leaf nitrogen meter “Agri Expert CCN” have been developed for measuring crop leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen contents. However, such devices are still relatively expensive for individual farmers. In this research, we developed a low-cost and small-size camera with built-in LEDs of several specific wavelengths for evaluating the nutrient status of fruit trees. A total of 2 camera prototypes were developed by integrating 3 independent LEDs of specific wavelengths (Camera 1: 950 nm, 660 nm and 560 nm; Camera 2: 950 nm, 660 nm and 727 nm) into the device. In addition, a simple software tool was developed to enable the camera to capture leaf images under different LED lighting conditions. Using the prototypes, we acquired images of apple leaves and investigated the possibility of using the images to estimate the leaf nutrient status indicator SPAD (chlorophyll) and CCN (nitrogen) values obtained using the above-mentioned standard tools. The results indicate that the Camera 1 prototype is superior to the Camera 2 prototype and can potentially be applied to the evaluation of nutrient status in apple leaves.