bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptides with Antimicrobial Activity in the Saliva of the Malaria Vector Anopheles coluzzii
Authors: Bevivino Giulia , Maurizi Linda , Ammendolia Maria Grazia , Longhi Catia , Arcà Bruno , Lombardo Fabrizio
Published: May 2024

Mosquito saliva plays a crucial physiological role in both sugar and blood feeding by helping sugar digestion and exerting antihemostatic functions. During meal acquisition, mosquitoes are exposed to the internalization of external microbes. Since mosquitoes reingest significant amounts of saliva during feeding, we hypothesized that salivary antimicrobial components may participate in the protection of mouthparts, the crop, and the gut by inhibiting bacterial growth. To identify novel potential antimicrobials from mosquito saliva, we selected 11 candidates from Anopheles coluzzii salivary transcriptomic datasets and obtained them either using a cell-free transcription/translation expression system or, when feasible, via chemical synthesis. Hyp6.2 and hyp13, which were predicted to be produced as propeptides and cleaved in shorter mature forms, showed the most interesting results in bacterial growth inhibition assays. Hyp6.2 (putative mature form, 35 amino acid residues) significantly inhibited the growth of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens) bacteria. Hyp13 (short form, 19 amino acid residues) dose-dependently inhibited E. coli and S. marcescens growth, inducing membrane disruption in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as indicated with scanning electron microscopy. In conclusion, we identified two A. coluzzii salivary peptides inhibiting Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria growth and possibly contributing to the protection of mosquito mouthparts and digestive tracts from microbial infection during and/or after feeding.
Congenital Hyperinsulinism Caused by Mutations in ABCC8 Gene Associated with Early-Onset Neonatal Hypoglycemia: Genetic Heterogeneity Correlated with Phenotypic Variability
Authors: Butnariu Lăcrămioara Ionela , Bizim Delia Andreia , Păduraru Gabriela , Păduraru Luminița , Moisă Ștefana Maria , Popa Setalia , Gimiga Nicoleta , Ghiga Gabriela , Bădescu Minerva Codruța , Lupu Ancuta , Vasiliu Ioana , Trandafir Laura Mihaela
Published: May 2024

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare disorder of glucose metabolism and is the most common cause of severe and persistent hypoglycemia (hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, HH) in the neonatal period and childhood. Most cases are caused by mutations in the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes that encode the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP). We present the correlation between genetic heterogeneity and the variable phenotype in patients with early-onset HH caused by ABCC8 gene mutations. In the first patient, who presented persistent severe hypoglycemia since the first day of life, molecular genetic testing revealed the presence of a homozygous mutation in the ABCC8 gene [deletion in the ABCC8 gene c.(2390+1_2391-1)_(3329+1_3330-1)del] that correlated with a diffuse form of hyperinsulinism (the parents being healthy heterozygous carriers). In the second patient, the onset was on the third day of life with severe hypoglycemia, and genetic testing identified a heterozygous mutation in the ABCC8 gene c.1792C>T (p.Arg598*) inherited on the paternal line, which led to the diagnosis of the focal form of hyperinsulinism. To locate the focal lesions, (18)F-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]fluoro-L-phenylalanine) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was recommended (an investigation that cannot be carried out in the country), but the parents refused to carry out the investigation abroad. In this case, early surgical treatment could have been curative. In addition, the second child also presented secondary adrenal insufficiency requiring replacement therapy. At the same time, she developed early recurrent seizures that required antiepileptic treatment. We emphasize the importance of molecular genetic testing for diagnosis, management and genetic counseling in patients with HH.
Genetic Modifications in Bacteria for the Degradation of Synthetic Polymers: A Review
Authors: Martín-González Diego , de la Fuente Tagarro Carlos , De Lucas Andrea , Bordel Sergio , Santos-Beneit Fernando
Published: May 2024

Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, are currently present in all aspects of our lives. Although they are useful, they present the problem of what to do with them after their lifespan. There are currently mechanical and chemical methods to treat plastics, but these are methods that, among other disadvantages, can be expensive in terms of energy or produce polluting gases. A more environmentally friendly alternative is recycling, although this practice is not widespread. Based on the practice of the so-called circular economy, many studies are focused on the biodegradation of these polymers by enzymes. Using enzymes is a harmless method that can also generate substances with high added value. Novel and enhanced plastic-degrading enzymes have been obtained by modifying the amino acid sequence of existing ones, especially on their active site, using a wide variety of genetic approaches. Currently, many studies focus on the common aim of achieving strains with greater hydrolytic activity toward a different range of plastic polymers. Although in most cases the depolymerization rate is improved, more research is required to develop effective biodegradation strategies for plastic recycling or upcycling. This review focuses on a compilation and discussion of the most important research outcomes carried out on microbial biotechnology to degrade and recycle plastics.
Antimicrobial Properties of Flavonoid Derivatives with Bromine, Chlorine, and Nitro Group Obtained by Chemical Synthesis and Biotransformation Studies
Authors: Perz Martyna , Szymanowska Daria , Janeczko Tomasz , Kostrzewa-Susłow Edyta
Published: May 2024

The search for new substances of natural origin, such as flavonoids, is necessary in the fight against the growing number of diseases and bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In our research, we wanted to check the influence of flavonoids with chlorine or bromine atoms and a nitro group on pathogenic and probiotic bacteria. We synthesized flavonoids using Claisen–Schmidt condensation and its modifications, and through biotransformation via entomopathogenic filamentous fungi, we obtained their glycoside derivatives. Biotransformation yielded two new flavonoid glycosides: 8-amino-6-chloroflavone 4′-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 6-bromo-8-nitroflavone 4′-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. Subsequently, we checked the antimicrobial properties of the aforementioned aglycon flavonoid compounds against pathogenic and probiotic bacteria and yeast. Our studies revealed that flavones have superior inhibitory effects compared to chalcones and flavanones. Notably, 6-chloro-8-nitroflavone showed potent inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria. Conversely, flavanones 6-chloro-8-nitroflavanone and 6-bromo-8-nitroflavanone stimulated the growth of probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pediococcus pentosaceus). Our research has shown that the presence of chlorine, bromine, and nitro groups has a significant effect on their antimicrobial properties.
Superoxide Dismutase Premodulates Oxidative Stress in Plastids for Protection of Tobacco Plants from Cold Damage Ultrastructure Damage
Authors: Baranova Ekaterina N. , Kononenko Neonila V. , Lapshin Pyotr V. , Nechaeva Tatiana L. , Khaliluev Marat R. , Zagoskina Natalia V. , Smirnova Elena A. , Yuorieva Natalya O. , Raldugina Galina N. , Chaban Inna A. , Kurenina Ludmila V. , Gulevich Alexander A.
Published: May 2024

ROS-dependent induction of oxidative damage can be used as a trigger initiating genetically determined non-specific protection in plant cells and tissues. Plants are potentially able to withstand various specific (toxic, osmotic) factors of abiotic effects, but do not have sufficient or specific sensitivity to form an adequate effective response. In this work, we demonstrate one of the possible approaches for successful cold acclimation through the formation of effective protection of photosynthetic structures due to the insertion of the heterologous FeSOD gene into the tobacco genome under the control of the constitutive promoter and equipped with a signal sequence targeting the protein to plastid. The increased enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase in the plastid compartment of transgenic tobacco plants enables them to tolerate the oxidative factor of environmental stresses scavenging ROS. On the other hand, the cost of such resistance is quite high and, when grown under normal conditions, disturbs the arrangement of the intrachloroplastic subdomains leading to the modification of stromal thylakoids, probably significantly affecting the photosynthesis processes that regulate the efficiency of photosystem II. This is partially compensated for by the fact that, at the same time, under normal conditions, the production of peroxide induces the activation of ROS detoxification enzymes. However, a violation of a number of processes, such as the metabolism of accumulation, and utilization and transportation of sugars and starch, is significantly altered, which leads to a shift in metabolic chains. The expected step for further improvement of the applied technology could be both the use of inducible promoters in the expression cassette, and the addition of other genes encoding for hydrogen peroxide-scavenging enzymes in the genetic construct that are downstream in the metabolic chain.
The Presence of TGFβ3 in Human Ovarian Intrafollicular Fluid and Its Involvement in Thromboxane Generation in Follicular Granulosa Cells through a Canonical TGFβRI, Smad2/3 Signaling Pathway and COX-2 Induction
Authors: Lai Tsung-Hsuan , Chen Hsuan-Ting , Wu Pi-Hui , Wu Wen-Bin
Published: May 2024

Ovarian follicular fluid (FF) has a direct impact on oocyte quality, playing key roles in fertilization, implantation, and early embryo development. In our recent study, we found FF thromboxane (TX) to be a novel factor inversely correlated with oocyte maturation and identified thrombin, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), TNF-α, and follicular granulosa cells (GCs) as possible contributors to FF TX production. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the role of TGFβ3 in regulating TX generation in human ovarian follicular GCs. TGFβ3 was differentially and significantly present in the FF of large and small follicles obtained from IVF patients with average concentrations of 68.58 ± 12.38 and 112.55 ± 14.82 pg/mL, respectively, and its levels were correlated with oocyte maturity. In an in vitro study, TGFβ3 induced TX generation/secretion and the converting enzyme-COX-2 protein/mRNA expression both in human HO23 and primary cultured ovarian follicular GCs. While TGFβRI and Smad2/3 signaling was mainly required for COX-2 induction, ERK1/2 appeared to regulate TX secretion. The participation of Smad2/3 and COX-2 in TGFβ3-induced TX generation/secretion could be further supported by the observations that Smad2/3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation and siRNA knockdown of COX-2 expression compromised TX secretion in GCs challenged with TGFβ3. Taken together, the results presented here first demonstrated that FF TGFβ3 levels differ significantly in IVF patients’ large preovulatory and small mid-antral follicles and are positively associated with oocyte maturation. TGFβ3 can provoke TX generation by induction of COX-2 mRNA/protein via a TGFβR-related canonical Smad2/3 signaling pathway, and TX secretion possibly by ERK1/2. These imply that TGFβ3 is one of the inducers for yielding FF TX in vivo, which may play a role in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation.
Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Lipid-Free Apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and CIGB-258 in Acute-Phase Zebrafish via Stabilization of the apoA-I Structure to Enhance Anti-Glycation and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Cho Kyung-Hyun , Bahuguna Ashutosh , Lee Yunki , Lee Sang Hyuk , Dominguez-Horta Maria del Carmen , Martinez-Donato Gillian
Published: May 2024

CIGB-258, a 3 kDa peptide from heat shock protein 60, exhibits synergistic anti-inflammatory activity with apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDLs) via stabilization of the rHDL structure. This study explored the interactions between CIGB-258 and apoA-I in the lipid-free state to assess their synergistic effects in the structural and functional enhancement of apoA-I and HDL. A co-treatment of lipid-free apoA-I and CIGB-258 inhibited the cupric ion-mediated oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a lowering of oxidized species in the dose-responsive manner of CIGB-258. The co-presence of CIGB-258 caused a blue shift in the wavelength of maximum fluorescence (WMF) of apoA-I with protection from proteolytic degradation. The addition of apoA-I:CIGB-258, with a molar ratio of 1:0.1, 1:0.5, and 1:1, to HDL2 and HDL3 remarkably enhanced the antioxidant ability against LDL oxidation up to two-fold higher than HDL alone. HDL-associated paraoxonase activities were elevated up to 28% by the co-addition of apoA-I and CIGB-258, which is linked to the suppression of Cu2+-mediated HDL oxidation with the slowest electromobility. Isothermal denaturation by a urea treatment showed that the co-presence of CIGB-258 attenuated the exposure of intrinsic tryptophan (Trp) and increased the mid-points of denaturation from 2.33 M for apoA-I alone to 2.57 M for an apoA-I:CIGB-258 mixture with a molar ratio of 1:0.5. The addition of CIGB-258 to apoA-I protected the carboxymethyllysine (CML)-facilitated glycation of apoA-I with the prevention of Trp exposure. A co-treatment of apoA-I and CIGB-258 synergistically safeguarded zebrafish embryos from acute death by CML-toxicity, suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis. In adult zebrafish, the co-treatment of apoA-I+CIGB-258 exerted the highest anti-inflammatory activity with a higher recovery of swimming ability and survivability than apoA-I alone or CIGB-258 alone. A co-injection of apoA-I and CIGB-258 led to the lowest infiltration of neutrophils and interleukin (IL)-6 generation in hepatic tissue, with the lowest serum triglyceride, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase levels in plasma. In conclusion, the co-presence of CIGB-258 ameliorated the beneficial functionalities of apoA-I, such as antioxidant and anti-glycation activities, by enhancing the structural stabilization and protection of apoA-I. The combination of apoA-I and CIGB-258 synergistically enforced the anti-inflammatory effect against CML toxicity in embryos and adult zebrafish.
Osteophyte Cartilage as a Potential Source for Minced Cartilage Implantation: A Novel Approach for Articular Cartilage Repair in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kawabata Shingo , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Nekomoto Akinori , Yimiti Dilimulati , Miyaki Shigeru , Adachi Nobuo
Published: May 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder characterized by cartilage degeneration, often leading to pain and functional impairment. Minced cartilage implantation (MCI) has emerged as a promising one-step alternative for large cartilage defects. However, the source of chondrocytes for MCI remains a challenge, particularly in advanced OA, as normal cartilage is scarce. We performed in vitro studies to evaluate the feasibility of MCI using osteophyte cartilage, which is present in patients with advanced OA. Osteophyte and articular cartilage samples were obtained from 22 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Chondrocyte migration and proliferation were assessed using cartilage fragment/atelocollagen composites to compare the characteristics and regenerative potential of osteophytes and articular cartilage. Histological analysis revealed differences in cartilage composition between osteophytes and articular cartilage, with higher expression of type X collagen and increased chondrocyte proliferation in the osteophyte cartilage. Gene expression analysis identified distinct gene expression profiles between osteophytes and articular cartilage; the expression levels of COL2A1, ACAN, and SOX9 were not significantly different. Chondrocytes derived from osteophyte cartilage exhibit enhanced proliferation, and glycosaminoglycan production is increased in both osteophytes and articular cartilage. Osteophyte cartilage may serve as a viable alternative source of MCI for treating large cartilage defects in OA.
A Lightweight Face Detector via Bi-Stream Convolutional Neural Network and Vision Transformer
Authors: Zhang Zekun , Chao Qingqing , Wang Shijie , Yu Teng
Published: May 2024

Lightweight convolutional neural networks are widely used for face detection due to their ability to learn local representations through spatial induction bias and translational invariance. However, convolutional face detectors have limitations in detecting faces under challenging conditions like occlusion, blurring, or changes in facial poses, primarily attributed to fixed-size receptive fields and a lack of global modeling. Transformer-based models have advantages on learning global representations but are insensitive to capture local patterns. To address these limitations, we propose an efficient face detector that combines convolutional neural network and transformer architectures. We introduce a bi-stream structure that integrates convolutional neural network and transformer blocks within the backbone network, enabling the preservation of local pattern features and the extraction of global context. To further preserve the local details captured by convolutional neural networks, we propose a feature enhancement convolution block in a hierarchical backbone structure. Additionally, we devise a multiscale feature aggregation module to enhance obscured and blurred facial features. Experimental results demonstrate that our method has achieved improved lightweight face detection accuracy with an average precision of 95.30%, 94.20%, and 87.56% across the easy, medium, and hard subdatasets of WIDER FACE, respectively. Therefore, we believe our method will be a useful supplement to the collection of current artificial intelligence models and benefit the engineering applications of face detection.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Chronic Aortic Regurgitation
Authors: Al Ahmad Judy , Danson Edward
Published: May 2024

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionised the management of aortic valve disease, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis (AS). TAVI for pure aortic regurgitation (AR) is less well established, and, in fact, it was previously labelled as a relative contraindication. However, TAVI has been utilised for selected cases of pure or predominant AR. The primary limitations regarding the use of TAVI in AR are related to the absence of anatomical factors seen in patients with AS that have contributed to the safe and stable functioning of current-generation prostheses. These include aortic root dilatation, mobile valve leaflets and labile blood pressure within the aortic root, which may further increase the risk of valve migration and periprosthetic leak after deployment. Furthermore, patients with AR have more heterogeneous aortic root anatomies when compared to the population of patients with calcific or degenerative AS. This review article describes the current evidence for the off-label use of TAVI in pure AR and the various clinical syndromes associated with AR where there may be specific challenges in the application of TAVI.
Sudden Cardiac Death, Post-Mortem Investigation: A Proposing Panel of First Line and Second Line Genetic Tests
Authors: Del Duca Fabio , Ghamlouch Alessandro , Manetti Alice Chiara , Napoletano Gabriele , Sonnini Elena , Treves Biancamaria , De Matteis Alessandra , La Russa Raffaele , Sheppard Mary N. , Fineschi Vittorio , Maiese Aniello
Published: May 2024

Investigating the causes of Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is always difficult; in fact, genetic cardiac conditions associated with SCD could be “silent” even during autopsy investigation. In these cases, it is important to exclude other aetiology and assist to ask for genetic investigations. Herein, the purpose of this review is to collect the most-implicated genes in SCD and generate a panel with indications for first line and second line investigations. A systematic review of genetic disorders that may cause SCD in the general population was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. We subsequently listed the genes that may be tested in the case of sudden cardiac death when the autopsy results are negative or with no evidence of acquired cardiac conditions. To make genetic tests more specific and efficient, it is useful and demanded to corroborate autopsy findings with the molecular investigation as evident in the panel proposed. The genes for first line investigations are HCM, MYBPC3, MYH7, TNNT2, TNNI3, while in case of DCM, the most implicated genes are LMNA and TTN, and in second line for these CDM, ACTN2, TPM1, C1QPB could be investigated. In cases of ACM/ARVC, the molecular investigation includes DSP, DSG2, DSC2, RYR2, PKP2. The channelopathies are associated with the following genes: SCN5A, KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, RYR2. Our work underlines the importance of genetic tests in forensic medicine and clinical pathology; moreover, it could be helpful not only to assist the pathologists to reach a diagnosis, but also to prevent other cases of SCD in the family of the descendant and to standardise the type of analysis performed in similar cases worldwide.
Automatic Classification and Visualization of Text Data on Rare Diseases
Authors: Rei Luis , Pita Costa Joao , Zdolšek Draksler Tanja
Published: May 2024

More than 7000 rare diseases affect over 400 million people, posing significant challenges for medical research and healthcare. The integration of precision medicine with artificial intelligence offers promising solutions. This work introduces a classifier developed to discern whether research and news articles pertain to rare or non-rare diseases. Our methodology involves extracting 709 rare disease MeSH terms from Mondo and MeSH to improve rare disease categorization. We evaluate our classifier on abstracts from PubMed/MEDLINE and an expert-annotated news dataset, which includes news articles on four selected rare neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs)—considered the largest category of rare diseases—from a total of 16 analyzed. We achieved F1 scores of 85% for abstracts and 71% for news articles, demonstrating robustness across both datasets and highlighting the potential of integrating artificial intelligence and ontologies to improve disease classification. Although the results are promising, they also indicate the need for further refinement in managing data heterogeneity. Our classifier improves the identification and categorization of medical information, essential for advancing research, enhancing information access, influencing policy, and supporting personalized treatments. Future work will focus on expanding disease classification to distinguish between attributes such as infectious and hereditary diseases, addressing data heterogeneity, and incorporating multilingual capabilities.
Algorithmic Exploitation in Social Media Human Trafficking and Strategies for Regulation
Authors: Moore Derek M.
Published: May 2024

Human trafficking thrives in the shadows, and the rise of social media has provided traffickers with a powerful and unregulated tool. This paper delves into how these criminals exploit online platforms to target and manipulate vulnerable populations. A thematic analysis of existing research explores the tactics used by traffickers on social media, revealing how algorithms can be manipulated to facilitate exploitation. Furthermore, the paper examines the limitations of current regulations in tackling this online threat. The research underscores the urgent need for collaboration between governments and researchers to combat algorithmic exploitation. By harnessing data analysis and machine learning, proactive strategies can be developed to disrupt trafficking networks and protect those most at risk.
Freeze-Casting of Alumina and Permeability Analysis Based on a 3D Microstructure Reconstructed Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Li Xianhang , Duan Li , Zhou Shihao , Liu Xuhao , Yao Zhaoyue , Yan Zilin
Published: May 2024

In this study, alumina ceramics with hierarchical pores were successfully fabricated using freeze casting. Experimental studies show that both the solid loading of the slurry and the thermal insulation layer at the interface of the slurry and cooling plate can influence the pore characteristics of cast samples. In order to examine the pore characteristics and evaluate the permeability of the freeze-cast samples fabricated under different conditions, a generative adversarial network (GAN) method was employed to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure from two-dimensional (2D) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the samples. Furthermore, GAN 3D reconstruction was validated against X-ray tomography 3D reconstruction results. Based on the GAN reconstructed microstructures, the permeability and pore distribution of the various samples were analyzed. The sample cast with 35 wt.% solid loading shows an optimal permeability.
Combustion Synthesis of Functionalized Carbonated Boron Nitride Nanoparticles and Their Potential Application in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Authors: Cudziło Stanisław , Szermer-Olearnik Bożena , Dyjak Sławomir , Gratzke Mateusz , Sobczak Kamil , Wróblewska Anna , Szczygieł Agnieszka , Mierzejewska Jagoda , Węgierek-Ciura Katarzyna , Rapak Andrzej , Żeliszewska Paulina , Kozień Dawid , Pędzich Zbigniew , Pajtasz-Piasecka Elżbieta
Published: May 2024

In this research, we developed boron-rich nanoparticles that can be used for boron neutron capture therapy as potential carriers for boron delivery to cancerous tissues. Functionalized carbonated boron nitride nanostructures (CBNs) were successfully synthesized in self-propagating combustion waves in mixtures of high-nitrogen explosives and boron compounds. The products’ composition, morphology, and structural features were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen sorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The extreme conditions prevailing in combustion waves favor the formation of nanosized CBN hollow grains with highly disordered structures that are properly functionalized on the surface and inside the particles. Therefore, they are characterized by high porosity and good dispersibility in water, which are necessary for medical applications. During biological tests, a concentration-dependent effect of the obtained boron nitride preparations on the viability of normal and neoplastic cells was demonstrated. Moreover, the assessment of the degree of binding of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles to selected cells confirmed the relationships between the cell types and the concentration of the preparation at different incubation time points.
Influence of Carboxymethyl Cellulose as a Thickening Agent for Glauber’s Salt-Based Low Temperature PCM
Authors: Thakkar Jay , Annavajjala Sai Bhargav , Sobkowicz Margaret J. , Kosny Jan
Published: May 2024

This work is focused on a novel, promising low temperature phase change material (PCM), based on the eutectic Glauber’s salt composition. To allow phase transition within the refrigeration range of temperatures of +5 °C to +12 °C, combined with a high repeatability of melting–freezing processes, and minimized subcooling, the application of three variants of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) with distinct molecular weights (700,000, 250,000, and 90,000) is considered. The primary objective is to optimize the stabilization of this eutectic PCM formulation, while maintaining the desired enthalpy level. Preparation methods are refined to ensure repeatability in mixing components, thereby optimizing performance and stability. Additionally, the influence of Na-CMC molecular weight on stabilization is examined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), T-history, and rheology tests. The PCM formulation of interest builds upon prior research in which borax, ammonium chloride, and potassium chloride were used as additives to sodium sulfate decahydrate (Glauber’s salt), prioritizing environmentally responsible materials. The results reveal that CMC with molecular weights of 250 kg/mol and 90 kg/mol effectively stabilize the PCM without phase separation issues, slowing crystallization kinetics. Conversely, CMC of 700 kg/mol proved ineffective due to the disruption of gel formation at its low gel point, hindering higher concentrations. Calculations of ionic concentration indicate higher Na ion content in PCM stabilized with 90 kg/mol CMC, suggesting increased ionic interactions and gel strength. A tradeoff is discovered between the faster crystallization in lower molecular weight CMC and the higher concentration required, which increases the amount of inert material that does not participate in the phase transition. After thermal cycling, the best formulation had a latent heat of 130 J/g with no supercooling, demonstrating excellent performance. This work advances PCM’s reliability as a thermal energy storage solution for diverse applications and highlights the complex relationship between Na-CMC molecular weight and PCM stabilization.
Abrasion Wear Resistance of Precipitation-Hardened Al-Zn-Mg Alloy
Authors: Rodinger Tomislav , Lukšić Helena , Ćorić Danko , Rede Vera
Published: May 2024

The heat treatment of aluminum alloys is very important in industries where low weight in combination with high wear resistance, good strength, and hardness are important. However, depending on their chemical composition, aluminum alloys are subjected to different mechanical and thermal treatments to achieve the most favorable properties. In this study, an Al-Zn-Mg alloy was heat-treated including solution annealing at 490 °C for 1 h with subsequent artificial aging at 130, 160, and 190 °C for 1, 5, and 9 h. The hardness (HV1) and abrasive wear resistance with three different abrasive grain sizes were measured for all samples. The highest hardness was measured for the samples artificially aged at 130 °C/5 h, 227 HV1, while the lowest hardness was measured for the samples aged at 190 °C/9 h. The highest and the lowest wear resistance was also observed for the same state, i.e., artificially aged at 130 °C/5 h and 190 °C/9 h, respectively. The critical abrasive grain size was detected for some samples, where a decrease in wear rate was observed with an increase in the abrasive grain size from the medium value to the largest. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to demonstrate the influence of the input parameters on the material wear rate.
The Influence of the Alkylamino Group on the Solvatochromic Behavior of 5-(4-substituted-arylidene)-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6-triones: Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Computational Studies
Authors: Pyszka Ilona , Krawczyk Przemysław , Jędrzejewska Beata
Published: May 2024

Advances in electronics and medical diagnostics have made organic dyes extremely popular as key functional materials. From a practical viewpoint, it is necessary to assess the spectroscopic and physicochemical properties of newly designed dyes. In this context, the condensation of 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid with electron-rich alkylaminobenzaldehyde derivatives has been described, resulting in a series of merocyanine-type dyes. These dyes exhibit intense blue-light absorption but weak fluorescence. An electron-donating alkylamino group at position C4 is responsible for the solvatochromic behavior of the dyes since the lone electron pair of the nitrogen atom is variably delocalized toward the barbituric ring, which exhibits electron-withdrawing properties. This was elucidated, taking into account the different geometry of the amino group. The intramolecular charge transfer in the molecules is responsible for the relatively high redshift in absorption and fluorescence spectra. Additionally, an increase in solvent polarity moves the absorption and fluorescence to lower energy regions. The observed solvatochromism is discussed in terms of the four-parameter Catalán solvent polarity scale. The differences in the behavior of the dyes were quantified with the aid of time-dependent density functional theory calculations. The obtained results made it possible to find regularities linking the basic spectroscopic properties of the compounds with their chemical structure. This is important in the targeted search for new, practically important dyes.
A Peel Test Method to Characterize the Decay Law of Prepreg Tape Tack at Different Temperatures
Authors: Shi Jiaqi , Wang Wang , Wang Yuequan , Qi Junwei , Xiao Jun
Published: May 2024

The tack of prepreg is a key factor affecting the automatic tape laying process. During the manufacturing process of large composite parts, prepreg material may be stored at room temperature for several days, resulting in a decrease in its tack. In this study, a new tack test tool was designed, and the decay rate of prepreg tack at different temperatures was tested. We proposed a prepreg tack decay model, which assumes that the main factor in tack decay is the reduction in resin chain activity during storage. The maximum deviation between the model calculation results and the experimental results of the tack decay rate is 9.7%. This study also proposed a new statistical unit for prepreg tack, which can establish the relationship between the tack of prepreg and its remaining storage time and reduce prepreg management costs.
Flexible Nanofiber Pressure Sensors with Hydrophobic Properties for Wearable Electronics
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Baoxiu , Chen Jiapeng , Zhu Min , Jiang Zhenlin
Published: May 2024

In recent years, flexible pressure sensors have received considerable attention for their potential applications in health monitoring and human–machine interfaces. However, the development of flexible pressure sensors with excellent sensitivity performance and a variety of advantageous characteristics remains a significant challenge. In this paper, a high-performance flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor, BC/ZnO, is developed with a sensitive element consisting of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibrous aerogel modified by ZnO nanorods. The BC/ZnO pressure sensor exhibits excellent mechanical and hydrophobic properties, as well as a high sensitivity of −15.93 kPa−1 and a wide range of detection pressure (0.3–20 kPa), fast response (300 ms), and good cyclic durability (>1000). Furthermore, the sensor exhibits excellent sensing performance in real-time monitoring of a wide range of human behaviors, including mass movements and subtle physiological signals.
Mechanism Analysis and Optimization Design of Exoskeleton Robot with Non-Circular Gear–Pentabar Mechanism
Authors: Wang Guibin , Zhou Maile , Sun Hao , Wei Zhaoxiang , Dong Herui , Xu Tingbo , Yin Daqing
Published: May 2024

To address the complex structure of existing rod mechanism exoskeleton robots and the difficulty in solving the motion trajectory of multi−rod mechanisms, an exoskeleton knee robot with a differential non−circular gear–pentarod mechanism is designed based on non−circular gears with arbitrary transmission ratios to constrain the degrees of freedom of the R-para-rod mechanism. In this study, the kinematic model of a non-circular gear–five−rod mechanism is established based on motion mapping theory by obtaining the normal motion positions of the human lower limb. An optimization design software for the non-circular gear–five−rod mechanism is developed using the MATLAB 2018b visualization platform, with the non−circular active gear as the sole input variable. A set of ideal parameters is obtained through parameter adjustment and optimal parameter selection, and the corresponding trajectories are compared with human trajectories. The three−dimensional model of the mechanism is established according to the obtained parameters, and the motion simulation of the non−circular gear–five−bar mechanism demonstrates that the mechanism can better reproduce the expected human knee joint motion posture, meeting the working requirements of an exoskeleton knee robot.
High-Level Extracellular Production of a Trisaccharide-Producing Alginate Lyase AlyC7 in Escherichia coli and Its Agricultural Application
Authors: Wang Xiao-Han , Zhang Yu-Qiang , Zhang Xin-Ru , Zhang Xiao-Dong , Sun Xiao-Meng , Wang Xiao-Fei , Sun Xiao-Hui , Song Xiao-Yan , Zhang Yu-Zhong , Wang Ning , Chen Xiu-Lan , Xu Fei
Published: May 2024

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), products of alginate degradation by endotype alginate lyases, possess favorable biological activities and have broad applications. Although many have been reported, alginate lyases with homogeneous AOS products and secretory production by an engineered host are scarce. Herein, the alginate lyase AlyC7 from Vibrio sp. C42 was characterized as a trisaccharide-producing lyase exhibiting high activity and broad substrate specificity. With PelB as the signal peptide and 500 mM glycine as the additive, the extracellular production of AlyC7 in Escherichia coli reached 1122.8 U/mL after 27 h cultivation in Luria-Bertani medium. The yield of trisaccharides from sodium alginate degradation by the produced AlyC7 reached 758.6 mg/g, with a purity of 85.1%. The prepared AOS at 20 μg/mL increased the root length of lettuce, tomato, wheat, and maize by 27.5%, 25.7%, 9.7%, and 11.1%, respectively. This study establishes a robust foundation for the industrial and agricultural applications of AlyC7.
In Situ-Grown Al2O3 Nanoflowers and Hydrophobic Modification Enable Superhydrophobic SiC Ceramic Membranes for Membrane Distillation
Authors: Song Yuqi , Miao Kai , Liu Jinxin , Kang Yutang , Zou Dong , Zhong Zhaoxiang
Published: May 2024

Membrane distillation (MD) is considered a promising technology for desalination. In the MD process, membrane pores are easily contaminated and wetted, which will degrade the permeate flux and salt rejection of the membrane. In this work, SiC ceramic membranes were used as the supports, and an Al2O3 micro-nano structure was constructed on its surface. The surface energy of Al2O3@SiC micro-nano composite membranes was reduced by organosilane grafting modification. The effective deposition of Al2O3 nanoflowers on the membrane surface increased membrane roughness and enhanced the anti-fouling and anti-wetting properties of the membranes. Simultaneously, the presence of nanoflowers also regulated the pore structures and thus decreased the membrane pore size. In addition, the effects of Al2(SO4)3 concentration and sintering temperature on the surface morphology and performance of the membranes were investigated in detail. It was demonstrated that the water contact angle of the resulting membrane was 152.4°, which was higher than that of the pristine membrane (138.8°). In the treatment of saline water containing 35 g/L of NaCl, the permeate flux was about 11.1 kg⋅m−2⋅h−1 and the salt rejection was above 99.9%. Note that the pristine ceramic membrane cannot be employed for MD due to its larger membrane pore size. This work provides a new method for preparing superhydrophobic ceramic membranes for MD.
Utilization of Charcoal Obtained from Woody Biomass in Metallurgical Processes Based on Solid–Gas Reactions
Authors: Dornig Christian , Hanke Gustav , Antrekowitsch Jürgen
Published: May 2024

The high demand for carbon-based products within pyrometallurgy is placing the industry in an increasingly challenging position to meet stringent requirements. To transition away from fossil carbon carriers, biochar emerges as a sustainable and CO2-neutral alternative, presenting a viable solution without necessitating fundamental adjustments to plant technology, unlike hydrogen as an alternative reducing agent. Prior investigations have underscored the potential of woody biomass pyrolysis products for CO2-neutral metallurgy. Nonetheless, it is imperative to recognize that biochar must meet distinct requirements across various metallurgical processes. This paper conducts a comparative analysis between biochar and petroleum coke using thermogravimetric analyses, surface measurements, reactivity assessments, and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the performance in a furnace for simulating the Waelz process, specifically regarding ZnO reduction, is scrutinized. The results illustrate the optical differences between petroleum coke and biochar and the significantly higher reactivity and specific surface area of biochar. When used in solid–gas reactors, it is observed that due to its high reactivity, biochar reacts more vigorously and carbon is completely consumed. However, during the reduction of ZnO, only minor differences were monitored, making biochar comparable to petroleum coke. Therefore, under certain constraints, biochar can be considered a potential substitute for metallurgical solid–gas reactions.
Study on the Optimization of the Preparation Process of ZM5 Magnesium Alloy Micro-Arc Oxidation Hard Ceramic Coatings and Coatings Properties
Authors: Jiang Bingchun , Wen Zejun , Wang Peiwen , Huang Xinting , Yang Xin , Yuan Minghua , Xi Jianjun
Published: May 2024

Hard ceramic coatings were successfully prepared on the surface of ZM5 magnesium alloy by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology in silicate and aluminate electrolytes, respectively. The optimization of hard ceramic coatings prepared in these electrolyte systems was investigated through an orthogonal experimental design. The microstructure, elemental composition, phase composition, and tribological properties of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and tribological testing equipment. The results show that the growth of the hard ceramic coatings is significantly influenced by the different electrolyte systems. Coatings prepared from both systems have shown good wear resistance, with the aluminate electrolyte system being superior to the silicate system in performance. The optimized formulation for the silicate electrolyte solution has been determined to be sodium silicate at 8 g/L, sodium dihydrogen phosphate at 0.2 g/L, sodium tetraborate at 2 g/L, and potassium hydroxide at 1 g/L. The optimized formulation for the aluminate electrolyte solution consists of sodium aluminate at 5 g/L, sodium fluoride at 3 g/L, sodium citrate at 3 g/L, and sodium hydroxide at 0.5 g/L.
Adipose Tissue Insulin Resistance in South Asian and Nordic Women after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kvist Ahalya Anita Suntharalingam , Sharma Archana , Sommer Christine , Qvigstad Elisabeth , Gulseth Hanne Løvdal , Sollid Stina Therese , Nermoen Ingrid , Sattar Naveed , Gill Jason , Tannæs Tone Møller , Birkeland Kåre Inge , Lee-Ødegård Sindre
Published: May 2024

South Asians (SAs) have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) than white Europeans, especially following gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Despite similar blood glucose levels post-GDM, SAs exhibit more insulin resistance (IR) than Nordics, though the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to assess markers of adipose tissue (AT) IR and liver fat in SA and Nordic women post-GDM. A total of 179 SA and 108 Nordic women in Norway underwent oral glucose tolerance tests 1–3 years post-GDM. We measured metabolic markers and calculated the AT IR index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease liver fat (NAFLD-LFS) scores. Results showed that normoglycaemic SAs had less non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) suppression during the test, resembling prediabetes/T2D responses, and higher levels of plasma fetuin-A, CRP, and IL-6 but lower adiponectin, indicating AT inflammation. Furthermore, normoglycaemic SAs had higher NAFLD-LFS scores, lower insulin clearance, and higher peripheral insulin than Nordics, indicating increased AT IR, inflammation, and liver fat in SAs. Higher liver fat markers significantly contributed to the ethnic disparities in glucose metabolism, suggesting a key area for intervention to reduce T2D risk post-GDM in SAs.
Accurate Prediction of 1H NMR Chemical Shifts of Small Molecules Using Machine Learning
Authors: Sajed Tanvir , Sayeeda Zinat , Lee Brian L. , Berjanskii Mark , Wang Fei , Gautam Vasuk , Wishart David S.
Published: May 2024

NMR is widely considered the gold standard for organic compound structure determination. As such, NMR is routinely used in organic compound identification, drug metabolite characterization, natural product discovery, and the deconvolution of metabolite mixtures in biofluids (metabolomics and exposomics). In many cases, compound identification by NMR is achieved by matching measured NMR spectra to experimentally collected NMR spectral reference libraries. Unfortunately, the number of available experimental NMR reference spectra, especially for metabolomics, medical diagnostics, or drug-related studies, is quite small. This experimental gap could be filled by predicting NMR chemical shifts for known compounds using computational methods such as machine learning (ML). Here, we describe how a deep learning algorithm that is trained on a high-quality, “solvent-aware” experimental dataset can be used to predict 1H chemical shifts more accurately than any other known method. The new program, called PROSPRE (PROton Shift PREdictor) can accurately (mean absolute error of <0.10 ppm) predict 1H chemical shifts in water (at neutral pH), chloroform, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methanol from a user-submitted chemical structure. PROSPRE (pronounced “prosper”) has also been used to predict 1H chemical shifts for >600,000 molecules in many popular metabolomic, drug, and natural product databases.
High-Dynamic-Range Integrated NV Magnetometers
Authors: Wang Tianning , Liu Zhenhua , Liu Yankang , Wang Bo , Shen Yuanyuan , Qin Li
Published: May 2024

High-dynamic-range integrated magnetometers demonstrate extensive potential applications in fields involving complex and changing magnetic fields. Among them, Diamond Nitrogen Vacancy Color Core Magnetometer has outstanding performance in wide-range and high-precision magnetic field measurement based on its inherent high spatial resolution, high sensitivity and other characteristics. Therefore, an innovative frequency-tracking scheme is proposed in this study, which continuously monitors the resonant frequency shift of the NV color center induced by a time-varying magnetic field and feeds it back to the microwave source. This scheme successfully expands the dynamic range to 6.4 mT, approximately 34 times the intrinsic dynamic range of the diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center. Additionally, it achieves efficient detection of rapidly changing magnetic field signals at a rate of 0.038 T/s.