bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Lipids and Type of Amino Acid in Protein in Microalgae on Nitrogen Reaction Pathways during Hydrothermal Liquefaction
Authors: Bao Tianyi , Zhu Jesse , Zhang Nianze , Shao Yuanyuan
Published: October 2023

It is meaningful to understand the conversion pathways of nitrogen during the hydrothermal liquefaction process of microalgae to reveal the related reaction mechanisms and develop effective methods to prevent N from ending in biocrude, which eventually increases the quality of biocrude. Extending from our previous works that mainly focused on two high-protein (>50 wt%) microalgae (Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp.), Nannochloropsis sp., which has a high lipid content (>70 wt%), was used as the feedstock for this project using the same methodology. The high lipid content in Na. induced less nitrogen during the oil phase and as a result, reduced the heteroatom content while also improving the quality of biocrude. It is worth noting that another investigation was conducted on the model compounds with different types of amino acids to specify the effects of the types of amino acids in the proteins in microalgae on the N pathway and their distribution in the products (aqueous phase, oil, solid, and gas). It was found that the basic amino acid in microalgae caused the formation of more N-heterocyclic compounds in the biocrude. The mass flow based on the mass balance was demonstrated to further refine the map showing the predicted reaction pathway of nitrogen from the previous version.
Large-Scale Identification and Characterization Analysis of VQ Family Genes in Plants, Especially Gymnosperms
Authors: Tian Jinfu , Zhang Jiahui , Francis Frédéric
Published: October 2023

VQ motif-containing (VQ) proteins are a class of transcription regulatory cofactors widely present in plants, playing crucial roles in growth and development, stress response, and defense. Although there have been some reports on the member identification and functional research of VQ genes in some plants, there is still a lack of large-scale identification and clear graphical presentation of their basic characterization information to help us to better understand this family. Especially in gymnosperms, the VQ family genes and their evolutionary relationships have not yet been reported. In this study, we systematically identified 2469 VQ genes from 56 plant species, including bryophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, and analyzed their molecular and evolutionary features. We found that amino acids are only highly conserved in the VQ domain, while other positions are relatively variable; most VQ genes encode relatively small proteins and do not have introns. The GC content in Poaceae plants is the highest (up to 70%); these VQ proteins can be divided into nine subgroups. In particular, we analyzed the molecular characteristics, chromosome distribution, duplication events, and expression levels of VQ genes in three gymnosperms: Ginkgo biloba, Taxus chinensis, and Pinus tabuliformis. In gymnosperms, VQ genes are classified into 11 groups, with highly similar motifs in each group; most VQ proteins have less than 300 amino acids and are predicted to be located in nucleus. Tandem duplication is an important driving force for the expansion of the VQ gene family, and the evolutionary processes of most VQ genes and duplication events are relatively independent; some candidate VQ genes are preliminarily screened, and they are likely to be involved in plant growth and stress and defense responses. These results provide detailed information and powerful references for further understanding and utilizing the VQ family genes in various plants.
Interleukin-13 Mediates Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory-Drug-Induced Small Intestinal Mucosal Injury with Ulceration
Authors: Kawashima Rei , Tamaki Shun , Hara Yusuke , Maekawa Tatsunori , Kawakami Fumitaka , Ichikawa Takafumi
Published: October 2023

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are antipyretics and analgesics, cause gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammation and ulcers. To prescribe NSAIDs more safely, it is important to clarify the mechanism of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal mucosal injury. However, there is a paucity of studies on small intestinal mucosal damage by NSAIDs, and it is currently unknown whether inflammation and ulceration also occur in the small intestine, and whether mediators are involved in the mechanism of injury. Therefore, in this study, we created an animal model in which small intestinal mucosal injury was induced using NSAIDs (indomethacin; IDM). Focusing on the dynamics of immune regulatory factors related to the injury, we aimed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanism involved. We analyzed the pathological changes in the small intestine, the expression of immunoregulatory factors (cytokines), and identified cytokine secretion and expression cells from isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs). Ulcers were formed in the small intestine by administering IDM. Although the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα were decreased on day 7 after IDM administration, IL-13 mRNA levels increased from day 3 after IDM administration and remained high even on day 7. The IL-13 mRNA expression and the secretion of IL-13 were increased in small intestinal LPMCs isolated from the IDM-treated group. In addition, we confirmed that IL-13 was expressed in CD4-positive T cells. These results provided new evidence that IL-13 production from CD4-positive T cells in the lamina propria of the small intestine contributes to NSAID-induced mucosal injury.
Prenatal Metal Exposure Alters the Placental Proteome in a Sex-Dependent Manner in Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns: Links to Gestational Age
Authors: Freedman Anastasia N. , Roell Kyle , Engwall Eiona , Bulka Catherine , Kuban Karl C. K. , Herring Laura , Mills Christina A. , Parsons Patrick J. , Galusha Aubrey , O’Shea Thomas Michael , Fry Rebecca C.
Published: October 2023

Prenatal exposure to toxic metals is associated with altered placental function and adverse infant and child health outcomes. Adverse outcomes include those that are observed at the time of birth, such as low birthweight, as well as those that arise later in life, such as neurological impairment. It is often the case that these adverse outcomes show sex-specific responses in relation to toxicant exposures. While the precise molecular mechanisms linking in utero toxic metal exposures with later-in-life health are unknown, placental inflammation is posited to play a critical role. Here, we sought to understand whether in utero metal exposure is associated with alterations in the expression of the placental proteome by identifying metal associated proteins (MAPs). Within the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) cohort (n = 230), placental and umbilical cord tissue samples were collected at birth. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) concentrations were measured in umbilical cord tissue samples via ICP-MS/MS. Protein expression was examined in placental samples using an LC-MS/MS-based, global, untargeted proteomics analysis measuring more than 3400 proteins. MAPs were then evaluated for associations with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, including placental weight and gestational age. We hypothesized that metal levels would be positively associated with the altered expression of inflammation/immune-associated pathways and that sex-specific patterns of metal-associated placental protein expression would be observed. Sex-specific analyses identified 89 unique MAPs expressed in female placentas and 41 unique MAPs expressed in male placentas. Notably, many of the female-associated MAPs are known to be involved in immune-related processes, while the male-associated MAPs are associated with intracellular transport and cell localization. Further, several MAPs were significantly associated with gestational age in males and females and placental weight in males. These data highlight the linkage between prenatal metal exposure and an altered placental proteome, with implications for altering the trajectory of fetal development.
Sleeping Beauty Transposon Insertions into Nucleolar DNA by an Engineered Transposase Localized in the Nucleolus
Authors: Kovač Adrian , Miskey Csaba , Ivics Zoltán
Published: October 2023

Transposons are nature’s gene delivery vehicles that can be harnessed for experimental and therapeutic purposes. The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon shows efficient transposition and long-term transgene expression in human cells, and is currently under clinical development for gene therapy. SB transposition occurs into the human genome in a random manner, which carries a risk of potential genotoxic effects associated with transposon integration. Here, we evaluated an experimental strategy to manipulate SB’s target site distribution by preferentially compartmentalizing the SB transposase to the nucleolus, which contains repetitive ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. We generated a fusion protein composed of the nucleolar protein nucleophosmin (B23) and the SB100X transposase, which was found to retain almost full transposition activity as compared to unfused transposase and to be predominantly localized to nucleoli in transfected human cells. Analysis of transposon integration sites generated by B23-SB100X revealed a significant enrichment into the p-arms of chromosomes containing nucleolus organizing regions (NORs), with preferential integration into the p13 and p11.2 cytobands directly neighboring the NORs. This bias in the integration pattern was accompanied by an enrichment of insertions into nucleolus-associated chromatin domains (NADs) at the periphery of nucleolar DNA and into lamina-associated domains (LADs). Finally, sub-nuclear targeting of the transposase resulted in preferential integration into chromosomal domains associated with the Upstream Binding Transcription Factor (UBTF) that plays a critical role in the transcription of 47S rDNA gene repeats of the NORs by RNA Pol I. Future modifications of this technology may allow the development of methods for specific gene insertion for precision genetic engineering.
Dynamic Properties of Di(cyclopentadienecarboxylic Acid) Dimethyl Esters
Authors: Anžlovar Alojz , Pavlica Damjan Jan , Pahovnik David , Žagar Ema
Published: October 2023

Di(cyclopentadienecarboxylic acid) dimethyl ester (DCPDME) is a potential dynamic covalent system. When such molecules are used as dynamic crosslinkers in polymers, understanding the reversibility of cyclopentadiene dimerization is crucial to determine optimal melt processing conditions. To this end, we synthesized DCPDME, which consists of three regioisomers with different physicochemical properties, which were investigated by isolating them and further characterizing them using 1H NMR, FTIR and DSC. There have been many attempts to improve the synthesis process to increase the reaction yield and purity of isomer 3, and this goal remains a challenge today. In this work, we show that pure isomers 1 and 2 irreversibly convert to the more stable DCPDME isomer 3 at temperatures between 120 and 140 °C in N2. This shows that isolation of the pure isomer 3 from the DCPDME isomer mixture is not necessary. The DCPDME isomer 3 is reversibly cleaved to the monomeric cyclopentadienecarboxylic acid methyl ester (CPME), as confirmed with GC–MS and the resulting mass spectrum. The conversion of DCPDME isomers 1 and 2 to isomer 3 was confirmed by heating the synthesized mixture of DCPDME isomers at 135 °C for 5 min in N2, producing an almost pure isomer 3 which increased its synthesis yield by 35%.
Integrated Analyses of Single-Cell Transcriptome and Mendelian Randomization Reveal the Protective Role of Resistin in Sepsis Survival in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Chen Hanghang , Luo Haihua , Tian Tian , Li Shan , Jiang Yong
Published: October 2023

The high morbidity and mortality rates associated with sepsis highlight the challenges of finding specific remedies for this condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to cell types in sepsis and investigate the role of resistin in the survival of sepsis patients through Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. We used single-cell and bulk transcriptome data to identify cell type-specific DEGs between sepsis and healthy controls. MR analyses were then conducted to investigate the causal relationships between resistin (one of the identified DEGs) levels and the survival of sepsis patients. Additionally, we utilized meQTL (methylation quantitative trait loci) to identify cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites that may directly affect sepsis. We identified 560 cell type-specific DEGs between sepsis and healthy controls. Notably, we observed the upregulation of resistin levels in macrophages during sepsis. In bulk transcriptome, RETN is also upregulated in sepsis samples compared with healthy controls. MR analyses revealed a negative association existed between the expression of resistin, at both gene and protein levels, and the mortality or severity of sepsis patients in ICU. Moreover, there were no associations observed between resistin levels and death or organ failure due to other causes. We also identified three methylation CpG sites, located in RETN or its promoter region—cg06633066, cg22322184, and cg02346997—that directly affected both resistin protein levels and sepsis death in the ICU. Our findings suggest that resistin may provide feasible protection for sepsis patients, particularly those with severe cases, without serious side effects. Therefore, resistin could be a potential drug candidate for sepsis treatment. Additionally, we identified two CpG sites, cg06633066 and cg22322184, that were associated with RETN protein levels and sepsis death, providing novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of sepsis.
Characteristics of Microparticles Based on Resorbable Polyhydroxyalkanoates Loaded with Antibacterial and Cytostatic Drugs
Authors: Murueva Anastasiya V. , Shershneva Anna M. , Shishatskaya Ekaterina I. , Volova Tatiana G.
Published: October 2023

The development of controlled drug delivery systems, in the form of microparticles, is an important area of experimental pharmacology. The success of the design and the quality of the obtained microparticles are determined by the method of manufacture and the properties of the material used as a carrier. The goal is to obtain and characterize microparticles depending on their method of preparation, the chemical composition of the polymer and the load of the drugs. To obtain microparticles, four types of degradable PHAs, differing in their chemical compositions, degrees of crystallinity, molecular weights and temperature characteristics, were used (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers 3-hydroxybutyric-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric-co-4-hydroxybutyric acid, and 3-hydroxybutyric-co-3-hydroxyhexanoic acid). The characteristics of microparticles from PHAs were studied. Good-quality particles with an average particle diameter from 0.8 to 65.0 μm, having satisfactory ζ potential values (from −18 to −50 mV), were obtained. The drug loading content, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release were characterized. Composite microparticles based on PHAs with additives of polyethylene glycol and polylactide-co-glycolide, and loaded with ceftriaxone and 5-fluorouracil, showed antibacterial and antitumor effects in E. coli and HeLa cultures. The results indicate the high potential of PHAs for the design of modern and efficient drug delivery systems.
Two Different Isocitrate Dehydrogenases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Enzymology and Coenzyme-Evolutionary Implications
Authors: Chen Xuefei , Wei Wei , Xiong Wei , Wu Shen , Wu Quanchao , Wang Peng , Zhu Guoping
Published: October 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, as an experimental model for Gram-negative bacteria, harbors two NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases (NADP-IDHs) that were evolved from its ancient counterpart NAD-IDHs. For a better understanding of PaIDH1 and PaIDH2, we cloned the genes, overexpressed them in Escherichia coli and purified them to homogeneity. PaIDH1 displayed higher affinity to NADP+ and isocitrate, with lower Km values when compared to PaIDH2. Moreover, PaIDH1 possessed higher temperature tolerance (50 °C) and wider pH range tolerance (7.2–8.5) and could be phosphorylated. After treatment with the bifunctional PaIDH kinase/phosphatase (PaIDH K/P), PaIDH1 lost 80% of its enzymatic activity in one hour due to the phosphorylation of Ser115. Small-molecule compounds like glyoxylic acid and oxaloacetate can effectively inhibit the activity of PaIDHs. The mutant PaIDH1-D346I347A353K393 exhibited enhanced affinity for NAD+ while it lost activity towards NADP+, and the Km value (7770.67 μM) of the mutant PaIDH2-L589 I600 for NADP+ was higher than that observed for NAD+ (5824.33 μM), indicating a shift in coenzyme specificity from NADP+ to NAD+ for both PaIDHs. The experiments demonstrated that the mutation did not alter the oligomeric state of either protein. This study provides a foundation for the elucidation of the evolution and function of two NADP-IDHs in the pathogenic bacterium P. aeruginosa.
Inertial Sensors and Pressure Pain Threshold to Evaluate People with Primary Adhesive Capsulitis: Comparison with Healthy Controls and Effects of a Physiotherapy Protocol
Authors: Deodato Manuela , Martini Miriam , Buoite Stella Alex , Citroni Giulia , Ajčević Miloš , Accardo Agostino , Murena Luigi
Published: October 2023

Inertial sensors (IMUs) have been recently widely used in exercise and rehabilitation science as they can provide reliable quantitative measures of range of motion (RoM). Moreover, the pressure pain threshold (PPT) evaluation provides an objective measure of pain sensation in different body areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapy treatment in people with adhesive capsulitis in terms of RoM and pain improvement measured by IMUs and the PPT. A combined prospective cohort/cross-sectional study was conducted. Nineteen individuals with adhesive capsulitis (10/19 females, 54 ± 8 years) and nineteen healthy controls (10/19 females, 51 ± 6 years) were evaluated for active glenohumeral joint RoM and PPT on shoulder body areas. Then, individuals with adhesive capsulitis were invited to 20 sessions of a physiotherapy protocol, and the assessments were repeated within 1 week from the last session. The range of motion in the flexion (p = 0.001) and abduction (p < 0.001) of the shoulder increased significantly after the physiotherapy protocol. Similarly, the PPT was found to increase significantly in all the assessed shoulder body areas, leading to no significant differences compared to the healthy controls. IMU and PPT assessments could be used to evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy in people with adhesive capsulitis.
A Novel Metric “Exercise Cardiac Load” Proposed to Track and Predict the Deterioration of the Autonomic Nervous System in Division I Football Athletes
Authors: Wittels S. Howard , Renaghan Eric , Wishon Michael Joseph , Wittels Harrison L. , Chong Stephanie , Wittels Eva Danielle , Hendricks Stephanie , Hecocks Dustin , Bellamy Kyle , Girardi Joe , Lee Stephen , Vo Tri , McDonald Samantha M. , Feigenbaum Luis A.
Published: October 2023

Current metrics like baseline heart rate (HR) and HR recovery fail in predicting overtraining (OT), a syndrome manifesting from a deteriorating autonomic nervous system (ANS). Preventing OT requires tracking the influence of internal physiological loads induced by exercise training programs on the ANS. Therefore, this study evaluated the predictability of a novel, exercise cardiac load metric on the deterioration of the ANS. Twenty male American football players, with an average age of 21.3 years and body mass indices ranging from 23.7 to 39.2 kg/m2 were included in this study. Subjects participated in 40 strength- and power-focused exercise sessions over 8 weeks and wore armband monitors (Warfighter Monitor, Tiger Tech Solutions) equipped with electrocardiography capabilities. Exercise cardiac load was the product of average training HR and duration. Baseline HR, HR variability (HRV), average HR, and peak HR were also measured. HR recovery was measured on the following day. HRV indices assessed included the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) Linear regression models assessed the relationships between each cardiac metric and HR recovery, with statistical significance set at α < 0.05. Subjects were predominantly non-Hispanic black (70%) and aged 21.3 (±1.4) years. Adjusted models showed that exercise cardiac load elicited the strongest negative association with HR recovery for previous day (β = −0.18 ± 0.03; p < 0.0000), one-week (β = −0.20 ± 0.03; p < 0.0000) and two-week (β = −0.26 ± 0.03; p < 0.0000) training periods compared to average HR (βetas: −0.09 to −0.02; p < 0.0000) and peak HR (βetas: −0.13 to −0.23; p < 0.0000). Statistically significant relationships were also found for baseline HR (p < 0.0000), SDNN (p < 0.0000) and rMSSD (p < 0.0000). Exercise cardiac load appears to best predict ANS deterioration across one- to two-week training periods, showing a capability for tracking an athlete’s physiological tolerance and ANS response. Importantly, this information may increase the effectiveness of exercise training programs, enhance performance, and prevent OT.
Underwater Image Translation via Multi-Scale Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Yang Dongmei , Zhang Tianzi , Li Boquan , Li Menghao , Chen Weijing , Li Xiaoqing , Wang Xingmei
Published: October 2023

The role that underwater image translation plays assists in generating rare images for marine applications. However, such translation tasks are still challenging due to data lacking, insufficient feature extraction ability, and the loss of content details. To address these issues, we propose a novel multi-scale image translation model based on style-independent discriminators and attention modules (SID-AM-MSITM), which learns the mapping relationship between two unpaired images for translation. We introduce Convolution Block Attention Modules (CBAM) to the generators and discriminators of SID-AM-MSITM to improve its feature extraction ability. Moreover, we construct style-independent discriminators that enable the discriminant results of SID-AM-MSITM to be not affected by the style of images and retain content details. Through ablation experiments and comparative experiments, we demonstrate that attention modules and style-independent discriminators are introduced reasonably and SID-AM-MSITM performs better than multiple baseline methods.
Innovative Representation of the Coastal Topo-Bathymetry and Subsurface for Flooding and Erosion Risk Reduction
Authors: Payo Andres
Published: October 2023

Geology is the last bulwark against coastal erosion and flooding [...]
Dynamic Modeling and Robust Trajectory Tracking Control of a Hybrid Propulsion-Based Small Underwater Robot
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Yujie , Li Yaxin , Ren Cheng
Published: October 2023

This paper proposes a hybrid propulsion-based small underwater robot for robust trajectory tracking control in a harsh and complex underwater environment. The robot is equipped with a Coanda-effect jet thruster and a pair of propeller-based reconfigurable magnetic-coupling thrusters, allowing it to traverse safely in confined or cluttered spaces as well as cruise efficiently in the open water. To investigate the robot dynamic modeling, we first formulated its simplified mathematical model and estimated the hydrodynamic coefficients by performing the planar motion mechanism using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation. Then, a double-loop trajectory tracking control architecture was designed considering the model uncertainties and environmental disturbances. Based on Lyapunov theory, the outer-loop kinematic control produces the virtual velocity command, while the inner-loop dynamic control adopts the full-state feedback L1-adaptive control to match the command. The asymptotic convergence of the tracking errors and the stability of the whole closed-loop system are guaranteed. Finally, comparative simulations in the presence of unknown disturbances and the variation of model parameters were carried out to verify the robustness of our proposed trajectory tracking control, which is also suitable for the separated son robots.
Numerical Analysis on Effect of Structural Parameters on Flow Field and Internal Trajectory in Gas–Steam Ejection Systems
Authors: Liu Bing , Li Renfeng , Chen Xiaohan , Gou Jinlan , Li Bangming , Le Guigao
Published: October 2023

This paper aims to study the influence of the structure of spray holes and throats on the flow field and the internal trajectory of the gas–steam ejection device. The compressible Navier–Stokes equations, discrete ordinate methods and RNG k-ε turbulence model are utilized to simulate the two-phase flow of the rocket gas with multispecies and the water sprays. The comparison between numerical results and experimental data confirms the accuracy and effectiveness of this model. The simulation analysis on the cases of the ejection process with multiple spray hole diameters, number of spray holes, total spray area, and throat diameter are conducted. The shock wave structure inside the gas–steam ejection device is examined. The simulation results show that, instead of the spray hole diameter and number, the total spray area and secondary nozzle throat diameter are the key factors that affect the flow field and internal trajectory of the gas–steam ejection device. Under the existing spray structure, the maximum number of spray holes is 300 to achieve the stability of the flow field and internal ballistic trajectory of gas–steam ejection devices. By comparing the throat diameters of multiple secondary nozzles, it was found that the minimum throat diameter of the secondary nozzles should be no less than 100 mm. The results could be valuable for the design of gas–steam ejection devices.
Characterization and Classification of Soils in Agroecosystems in a Moist Enclave in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Farias Phâmella Kalliny Pereira , Portela Jeane Cruz , Batista Rafael Oliveira , da Costa Joseane Dunga , Gondim Joaquim Emanuel Fernandes , de Matos Geisiane Xavier , Mota Paulo Jardel , Silva Eulene Francisco da , Oliveira Francisco de Assis de , Pereira Joaquim Odilon , Bandeira Diego José da Costa , do Nascimento Claudeone Manoel , de Souza Rauny Oliveira , Dantas Matias de Souza , Dantas Moniz Tiago da Costa , Araujo Antonio Genilson Rodrigues
Published: October 2023

Modern times have required studies that take into account the main soil features, aligning the use of land with the protection of more sensitive environments. From this perspective, this study aimed to perform a morphological description and determine the physical and chemical attributes for soil classification in the community of Poção, located in the municipality of Martins/RN, by highlighting the more sensitive attributes in the differentiation of environments through multivariate analysis. Nine soil profiles were identified to perform the morphological description and collect samples for physical and chemical analyses. The study updates the soil classes found in the study area: Acrisols, Planosols, and Cambisols, with the relief being the main factor responsible for the difference between soil attributes. The influence of organic matter on the soil attributes highlights the importance of its maintenance. Aluminum and the clay fraction are responsible for the distinction of the Acrisol class, whereas silt, potassium sodium, total organic carbon, the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract, and the cation exchange capacity allow the differentiation of Fluvisols.
Evaluation of the Effect of Pressure-Controlled Ventilation-Volume Guaranteed Mode vs. Volume-Controlled Ventilation Mode on Atelectasis in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Turan Civraz Ayse Zeynep , Saracoglu Ayten , Saracoglu Kemal Tolga
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic surgery, which results in less bleeding, less postoperative pain, and better cosmetic results, may affect the lung dynamics via the pneumoperitoneum. After laparoscopic surgery, atelectasis develops. The primary aim of the present study is to demonstrate the effects of two different ventilation modes on the development of atelectasis using lung ultrasound, and the secondary outcomes include the plateau pressure, peak inspiratory pressure, and compliance differences between the groups. Materials and Methods: In this study, 62 participants aged 18–75 years undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) group (group V) or the pressure-controlled-volume guaranteed ventilation (PCV-VG) group (group PV). The lung ultrasound score (LUS) was obtained thrice: prior to induction (T1), upon the patient’s initial arrival in the recovery room (T2), and just before departing the recovery unit (T3). The hemodynamic data and mechanical ventilation parameters were recorded at different times intraoperatively. Results: The LUS score was similar between the groups at all the times. The change in the LUS score of the right lower anterior chest was statistically higher in the VCV group than the PCV group. The peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) was found to be statistically higher in the V group than the PV group five minutes after induction (T5) (20.84 ± 4.32 p = 0.021). The plateau pressure was found to be higher in the V group than the PV group at all times (after induction (Tind) 17.29 ± 5.53 p = 0.004, (T5) 17.77 ± 4.89 p = 0.001, after pneumoperitoneum (TPP) 19.71 ± 4.28 p = 0.002). Compliance was found to be statistically higher in the PV group than the V group at all times ((Tind) 48.87 ± 15.37 p = 0.011, (T5) 47.94 ± 13.71 p = 0.043, (TPP) 35.65 ± 6.90 p = 0.004). Before and after the pneumoperitoneum, the compliance was determined to be lower in the V group than the PV group, respectively (40.68 ± 13.91 p = 0.043, 30.77 ± 5.73 p = 0.004). Conclusions: LUS score was similar between groups at all times. The PCV-VG mode was superior to the VCV mode in providing optimal ventilatory pressures and maintaining high dynamic compliance in patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Study on High-Temperature Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of the FGH96 Superalloy Based on Internal Stress Division
Authors: Li Zhengguang , Qin Haiqin , Xu Kejun , Xie Zhenbo , Ji Pengcheng , Jia Mingming
Published: October 2023

In order to deeply explore the high-temperature cyclic characteristics of the FGH96 superalloy under different strain amplitudes, the high-temperature low-cycle fatigue behavior of the FGH96 superalloy was analyzed from the perspective of internal stress evolution. Four sets of strain amplitude (0.5%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.2%) controlled high-temperature low-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on the FGH96 superalloy at 550 °C, and the internal stress was divided into back stress and effective stress through the cyclic stress-strain curves. The results show that the cyclic softening/hardening characteristics of the FGH96 superalloy under different strain amplitudes are closely related to the evolution of internal stress. The strain amplitude has a significant effect on the back stress of the FGH96 superalloy but has little effect on effective stress. At low strain amplitudes (0.5% and 0.6%), the back stress evolution rate of the FGH96 superalloy is lower than effective stress, and the material mainly exhibits cyclic softening. At high strain amplitudes (0.8% and 1.2%), the back stress evolution rate of the FGH96 superalloy is significantly higher than effective stress, and the material exhibits cyclic hardening. The combined effect of back stress and effective stress is the main reason for the different low-cycle fatigue behaviors of the FGH96 superalloy under different strain amplitudes.
Influence of Overheating on High-Cycle Fatigue Characteristics of the Base Metal and Weld Metal of Low-Carbon Steel Welded Joints
Authors: Nikulin Sergey A. , Rogachev Stanislav O. , Prosvirnin Dmitriy V. , Pivovarchik Svetlana V. , Belov Vladislav A. , Shplis Nikolay V. , Zadorozhnyy Mikhail Y. , Khatkevich Vladimir M.
Published: October 2023

The results of a high-cycle fatigue testing of our samples were obtained, and a comparative assessment of the properties of the base metal and weld metal of 09G2S-type steel (13Mn6 according to the DIN17145-80 standard) before and after overheating (1200 °C, 3.7 h) was performed. The welded joints between the sheets of 09G2S steel were obtained through automatic argon arc welding. The fatigue tests were carried out under repeated tensile loading. The “maximum cycle stress—number of cycles to failure” fatigue curves of the samples were plotted. The fracture surfaces of the samples were studied, and the fatigue failure mechanisms were analyzed. It was shown that, during testing, all samples demonstrated cyclic hardening behavior. The samples of the base metal as delivered had the highest endurance limit, and the smallest endurance limit was found in the samples of the base metal and weld metal after overheating, the endurance limits of which were similar. The fracture mechanism of all samples was quasi-brittle with the presence of very thin fatigue micro-grooves. The final rupture of all samples had a ductile dimple type.
Optimization of Bolted Joints: A Literature Review
Authors: Croccolo Dario , De Agostinis Massimiliano , Fini Stefano , Khan Muhammad Yasir , Mele Mattia , Olmi Giorgio
Published: October 2023

Bolted joints are widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries due to their ease of assembly, disassembly and design flexibility. Optimizing threaded fasteners is essential to achieve uniform load distribution and minimize the number of bolts required, thereby reducing system cost and weight. This review paper aims at summarizing the five optimization techniques available in the literature, including bolt layout, tightening strategies, tightening sequences, bolt size, and stresses. The purpose is to emphasize the importance of optimizing bolted joints via the proper selection of materials, geometry, patterns, and bolt sizes, to obtain efficient joints with low assembly time while maintaining strength.
Characterization and Prediction of Plane Strain Bendability in Advanced High-Strength Steels
Authors: Cheong Kenneth , Noder Jacqueline , Zhumagulov Amir , Butcher Clifford
Published: October 2023

The rapid development of new classes of automotive steels such as the 3rd generation of advanced high-strength steels has created the need for the efficient characterization of their mechanical properties in loading scenarios other than uniaxial tension. The VDA 238-100 tight radius bend test has gained widespread acceptance in recent years for characterizing performance in plane strain bending, but there is uncertainty surrounding the use of the bend angle and its interrelation with the test parameters. The objective of the present study is to investigate the intertwined effects of the sheet thickness, bend radius, and tensile properties upon the bendability of seven advanced high-strength steels in different thicknesses for a total of 83 conditions. Practical correlations are developed to predict the bend angle and plane strain fracture strain as functions of the bending conditions and tensile mechanical properties. An extensive dataset comprising 26 additional advanced high-strength steel test cases was compiled from the literature to evaluate the proposed correlation for the plane strain fracture strain.
Understanding the Consequences of Fatty Bone and Fatty Muscle: How the Osteosarcopenic Adiposity Phenotype Uncovers the Deterioration of Body Composition
Authors: Hu Kelsey , Deya Edelen Elizabeth , Zhuo Wenqing , Khan Aliya , Orbegoso Josselyne , Greenfield Lindsey , Rahi Berna , Griffin Michael , Ilich Jasminka Z. , Kelly Owen J.
Published: October 2023

Adiposity is central to aging and several chronic diseases. Adiposity encompasses not just the excess adipose tissue but also body fat redistribution, fat infiltration, hypertrophy of adipocytes, and the shifting of mesenchymal stem cell commitment to adipogenesis. Bone marrow adipose tissue expansion, inflammatory adipokines, and adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles are central to the development of osteopenic adiposity. Adipose tissue infiltration and local adipogenesis within the muscle are critical in developing sarcopenic adiposity and subsequent poorer functional outcomes. Ultimately, osteosarcopenic adiposity syndrome is the result of all the processes noted above: fat infiltration and adipocyte expansion and redistribution within the bone, muscle, and adipose tissues, resulting in bone loss, muscle mass/strength loss, deteriorated adipose tissue, and subsequent functional decline. Increased fat tissue, typically referred to as obesity and expressed by body mass index (the latter often used inadequately), is now occurring in younger age groups, suggesting people will live longer with the negative effects of adiposity. This review discusses the role of adiposity in the deterioration of bone and muscle, as well as adipose tissue itself. It reveals how considering and including adiposity in the definition and diagnosis of osteopenic adiposity, sarcopenic adiposity, and osteosarcopenic adiposity will help in better understanding the pathophysiology of each and accelerate possible therapies and prevention approaches for both relatively healthy individuals or those with chronic disease.
Akkermansia muciniphila Ameliorates Alcoholic Liver Disease in Experimental Mice by Regulating Serum Metabolism and Improving Gut Dysbiosis
Authors: Fang Cheng , Cheng Jinyan , Jia Wei , Xu Yan
Published: October 2023

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) represents a significant global health concern, yet the available treatment options remain limited. Numerous studies have shown that gut microbiota is a critical target for the treatment of ALD. Additionally, there is increasing evidence that host metabolism also plays a crucial role in the development of ALD. Akkermansia muciniphila has been demonstrated to ameliorate experimental ALD through its modulatory effects on the intestinal vascular barrier, enhancement of mucus layer thickness, and promotion of intestinal tight junction proteins. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of studies investigating the impact of A. muciniphila on host metabolism and gut microbiota. Here, C57BL/6 mice were utilized to establish a modified NIAAA model in order to investigate the impact of the oral administration of A. muciniphila during the development of ALD. Furthermore, we employed targeted metabolomics to analyze the serum metabolomic profiles of the mice and 2bRAD-M sequencing to comprehensively examine the underlying mechanisms of the efficacy of A. muciniphila on ALD. Our results illustrated that the oral administration of A. muciniphila alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury in conjunction with encouraged serum levels of ornithine and diminished the elevation of oxalic acid levels induced by alcohol intake. In addition, A. muciniphila also inhibited the proliferation of harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Helicobacter hepaticus, induced by alcohol consumption while promoting the growth of butyrate-producing and commensal bacteria, including Paramuribaculum intestinale and Bacteroides ovatus. In conclusion, this study suggests that A. muciniphila restores ALD by regulating the gut microbiota, and this corrective effect is associated with alterations in the serum metabolism. Our research supplies a theoretical basis for developing A. muciniphila as an innovative generation of probiotic for preventing and managing ALD.
Dynamically Scalable NoC Architecture for Implementing Run-Time Reconfigurable Applications
Authors: Ijaz Qaiser , Kidane Hiliwi Leake , Bourennane El-Bay , Ochoa-Ruiz Gilberto
Published: October 2023

The paper proposes two architectures for a dynamically scalable network-on-chip (NoC) for dynamically reconfigurable intellectual properties (IPs) to save power. The first architecture is a run-time scalable column-based NoC, where the columns of the NoC are scaled up and down at run-time depending on the demands to connect reconfigurable IPs. The second architecture is an extension of the first, where both the rows and columns of the NoC are dynamically scaled up and down on demand. A robust control manager is developed to control the IP and sub-NoC reconfigurations by optimizing the reconfiguration costs. The proposed architectures have been implemented and tested in actual prototypes on a Virtex 6 FPGA mounted on the ML605 board. The results show that dynamically scalable architectures are capable of significant power reduction as compared to traditional static architectures for the same size of the NoC. It is anticipated that the scalable NoC can be very useful for sharing the FPGA resources among IPs at runtime.
Genetic Variations in the Purinergic P2X7 Receptor Are Associated with the Immune Response to Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Colombia
Authors: Naranjo-Galvis Carlos A. , McLeod Rima , Gómez-Marín Jorge Enrique , de-la-Torre Alejandra , Rocha-Roa Cristian , Cardona Néstor , Sepúlveda-Arias Juan Carlos
Published: October 2023

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is characterized by inflammation within the eye and is the most recognized clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis. The objective of this study was to identify new single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the P2RX7 gene that may have significance in the immune response to OT in Colombian patients. A case–control study was conducted to investigate the associations between SNPs (rs1718119 and rs2230912) in the P2RX7 gene and OT in 64 Colombian patients with OT and 64 controls. Capillary electrophoresis was used to analyze the amplification products, and in silico algorithms were employed to predict deleterious SNPs. Stability analysis of amino acid changes indicated that both mutations could lead to decreased protein structure stability. A nonsynonymous SNP, Gln460Arg, located in the long cytoplasmic tail of the receptor, showed a significant association with OT (Bonferroni correction (BONF) = 0.029; odds ratio OR = 3.46; confidence interval CI: 1.05 to 11.39), while no significant association between rs1718119 and OT risk was observed. Based on the 3D structure analysis of the P2RX7 protein trimer, it is hypothesized that an increase in the flexibility of the cytoplasmic domain of this receptor could alter its function. This SNP could potentially serve as a biomarker for identifying Colombian patients at risk of OT.
Tuning Intrinsic Spin Hall Effect in Platinum/Ferrimagnetic Insulator Heterostructure in Moderately Dirty Regime
Authors: Li Tianhui , Liu Lin , Chen Zehan , Jia Wei , Ye Jianxin , Cai Xudong , Huang Doudou , Li Wanshan , Chen Fukang , Li Xinjun , Chen Jiahao , Dong Boxi , Xie Hang , Pan Anyuan , Zhi Chao , An Hongyu
Published: October 2023

Studying the mechanisms of the spin Hall effect (SHE) is essential for the fundamental understanding of spintronic physics. By now, despite the intensive studies of SHE on heavy metal (HM)/metallic magnet heterostructures, the SHE on HM/ferrimagnetic insulator (FMI) heterostructures still remains elusive. Here, we study the mechanism of SHE in the Pt/Tm3Fe5O12 (TmIG) heterostructure. We first tune the crystallinity and resistivity of Pt by an annealing method, and then study the spin–orbit torque (SOT) in the tuned-Pt/TmIG devices. The SOT generation efficiency per unit electric field and spin Hall angle were obtained, which are insensitive to the annealing temperature. We further demonstrate that the intrinsic contribution in the moderately dirty regime is responsible for the SHE in our Pt/TmIG bilayer. Our study provides an important piece of information for the SHE in FMI-based spintronic physics.
Exciton–Phonon Interactions in Strained Domes of Monolayer MoS2 Studied by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Lemos Jessica S. , Blundo Elena , Polimeni Antonio , Pimenta Marcos A. , Righi Ariete
Published: October 2023

This work describes a resonance Raman study performed in the domes of monolayer MoS2 using 23 different laser excitation energies covering the visible and near-infrared (NIR) ranges. The multiple excitation results allowed us to investigate the exciton–phonon interactions of different phonons (A′1, E′, and LA) with different excitonic optical transitions in biaxially strained monolayer MoS2. The analysis of the intensities of the two first-order peaks, A′1 and E′, and the double-resonance 2LA Raman band as a function of the laser excitation furnished the values of the energies of the indirect exciton and the direct excitonic transitions in the strained MoS2 domes. It was noticed that the out-of-plane A′1 phonon mode is significantly enhanced only by the indirect exciton I and the C exciton, whereas the in-plane E′ mode is only enhanced by the C exciton of the MoS2 dome, thus revealing the weak interaction of these phonons with the A and B excitons in the strained MoS2 domes. On the other hand, the 2LA Raman band is significantly enhanced at the indirect exciton I and by the A (or B) exciton but not enhanced by the C exciton, thus showing that the LA edge phonons that participate in the double-resonance process in MoS2 have a weak interaction with the C exciton.
A Novel Strategy for the Synthesis of High Stability of Luminescent Zero Dimensional–Two Dimensional CsPbBr3 Quantum Dot/1,4-bis(4-methylstyryl)benzene Nanoplate Heterostructures at an Atmospheric Condition
Authors: Wang Yanran , Li Ming-yu , Liu Shijie , Ma Yuan , Sun Bo , Wang Liangyu , Lu Haifei , Wen Xiaoyan , Liu Sisi , Ding Xumin
Published: October 2023

Perovskite quantum dots (QDs), emerging with excellent bright-green photoluminescence (PL) and a large absorption coefficient, are of great potential for the fabrication of light sources in underwater optical wireless communication systems. However, the instability caused by low formation energy and abundant surface traps is still a major concern for perovskite-based light sources in underwater conditions. Herein, we propose ultra-stable zero dimensional–two dimensional (0D–2D) CsPbBr3 QD/1,4-bis(4-methylstyryl)benzene (p-MSB) nanoplate (NP) heterostructures synthesized via a facile approach at room temperature in air. CsPbBr3 QDs can naturally nucleate on the p-MSB NP toluene solution, and the radiative combination is drastically intensified owing to the electron transfer within the typical type-II heterostructures, leading to a sharply increased PLQY of the heterostructure thin films up to 200% compared with the pristine sample. The passivation of defects within CsPbBr3 QDs can be effectively realized with the existence of p-MSB NPs, and thus the obviously improved PL is steadily witnessed in an ambient atmosphere and thermal environment. Meanwhile, the enhanced humidity stability and a peak EQE of 9.67% suggests a synergetic strategy for concurrently addressing the knotty problems on unsatisfied luminous efficiency and stability of perovskites for high-performance green-emitting optoelectronic devices in underwater applications.