bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing Anti-Proliferative 24-Homoscalaranes from a Sponge Lendenfeldia sp.
Authors: Peng Bo-Rong , Lai Kuei-Hung , Chen You-Ying , Su Jui-Hsin , Huang Yusheng M. , Chen Yu-Hsin , Lu Mei-Chin , Yu Steve Sheng-Fa , Duh Chang-Yih , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: January 2020

In the current study, an NMR spectroscopic pattern-based procedure for probing scalarane derivatives was performed and four new 24-homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes A–D (1– 4), along with three known compounds, 12α-acetoxy-22-hydroxy-24-methyl-24-oxoscalar-16-en- 25-al (5), felixin F (6), and 24-methyl-12,24,25-trioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (7) were isolated from the sponge Lendenfeldia sp. The structures of scalaranes 1–7 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Scalaranes 1–7 were further evaluated for their cytotoxicity toward a series of human cancer cell lines and the results suggested that 5 and 7 dominated in the anti- proliferative activity of the extract. The 18-aldehyde functionality was found to play a key role in their activity.
The Protective Effect of Echinochrome A on Extracellular Matrix of Vocal Folds in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Kim Ji Min , Kim Jeong Hun , Shin Sung-Chan , Park Gi Cheol , Kim Hyung Sik , Kim Keunyoung , Kim Hyoung Kyu , Han Jin , Mishchenko Natalia P. , Vasileva Elena A. , Fedoreyev Sergey A. , Stonik Valentin A. , Lee Byung-Joo
Published: January 2020

Here, we investigated the effects of sex hormones on extracellular matrix (ECM)-related gene expression in the vocal fold lamina propria of ovariectomized (after ovary removal) rats and verified whether echinochrome A (ECH) exerts any therapeutic effects on ECM reconstitution after estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized rats. Sprague–Dawley female rats (9 weeks old) were acclimatized for a week and randomly divided into three groups (n = 15 each group) as follows: group I (sham-operated rats, SHAM), group II (ovariectomized rats, OVX), group III (ovariectomized rats treated with ECH, OVX + ECH). Rats from the OVX + ECH group were intraperitoneally injected with ECH at 10 mg/kg thrice a week after surgery for 6 weeks. And rats were sacrificed 6 weeks after ovariectomy. Estradiol levels decreased in OVX group compared with the SHAM group. ECH treatment had no effect on the levels of estradiol and expression of estrogen receptor β (ERβ). The evaluation of ECM components showed no significant changes in elastin and hyaluronic acid levels between the different groups. Collagen I and III levels were lower in OVX group than in SHAM group but increased in OVX + ECH group. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, -8, and -9 were significantly higher in the OVX group than in the SHAM group, but decreased in the OVX + ECH group. Thus, changes were observed in ECM-related genes in the OVX group upon estradiol deficiency that were ameliorated by ECH administration. Thus, the vocal fold is an estradiol-sensitive target organ and ECH may have protective effects on the ECM of vocal folds in ovariectomized rats.
Effects of Immunonutrition on Comprehensive Complication Index in Patients Undergoing Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Tumas Jaroslav , Jasiūnas Eugenijus , Strupas Kęstutis , Šileikis Audrius
Published: January 2020

Background and objectives: Immunonutrition is recommended by enhanced recovery after surgery in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for 5–7 days perioperatively as it may reduce the rate of infectious complications. However, data on effect of immunonutrition on the overall complication rate are contradictory and it is not clear, which groups of patients benefit most. The aims of this study are to evaluate the effects of immunonutrition on the overall complication rate and the rate of severe and/or multiple complications in patients with pancreatic tumours stratified according to final histological diagnosis—patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) vs. other tumours—and nutritional state, using more sensitive Comprehensive Complication Index. Materials and Methods: Seventy consecutive patients scheduled for pancreatoduodenectomy because of pancreatic tumours were randomised into immunonutrition vs. control groups and stratified according to final histological diagnosis and nutritional status. Surgical outcomes were assessed postoperatively using Clavien—Dindo classification (CDC) and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). Results: No significant differences in the overall complication rates in immunonutrition vs. control, patients with malnutrition vs. no malnutrition, PDAC vs. other pancreatic tumours groups were detected. However, significant differences in the rates of severe and/or multiple complications in immunonutrition vs. control groups and in PDAC patients segregated according to immunonutrition were obtained using CCI. Conclusions: Patients with PDAC may experience greater benefits of immunonutrition as compared to patients with benign pancreatic diseases or less aggressive tumours, while nutritional status was not a determining factor for the efficacy of immunonutrition.
A Case of Suspected Hyperphenylalaninemia at Newborn Screening by Tandem Mass Spectrometry during Total Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Pieragostino Damiana , Cicalini Ilaria , Di Michele Silvia , Fusilli Paola , Cotugno Giovanna , Ferrante Rossella , Bucci Ines , Dionisi-Vici Carlo , Stuppia Liborio , De Laurenzi Vincenzo , Rossi Claudia
Published: January 2020

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare autosomal recessive condition affecting about 1 in 10,000 people in the Europe, with a higher rate in some countries, like Ireland and Italy. In Italy, newborn screening (NBS) by MS/MS allows the diagnostic suspicion of PKU and its variants (Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis deficiency, and Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) recycling deficiency) through the quantification of Phenylalanine (Phe) and the Phenylalanine/Tyrosine (Phe/Tyr) ratio in dried blood Spot (DBS) samples. Here, we report a case of an HPA whose suspicion was possible with expanded NBS, even if the normal-weight newborn was in total parenteral nutrition (TPN). It is known that TPN may present metabolic alterations, mainly for amino acids at NBS in MS/MS, frequently causing false positives. Actually, TPN is considered a special protocol in NBS, requiring several sample collections. In particular, a DBS sample is required before TPN, at basal time point (48 h after birth) and 72 h after the end of the procedure. In the case we report, even if the first DBS sample (before TPN) resulted negative, the repeated NBS tests revealed increased levels of Phe and dramatically high Phe/Tyr ratio. Thus, the newborn was recalled, and the NBS test was repeated several times before that HPA suspicion was confirmed by other specific biochemical tests. This case highlights the importance of Phe/Tyr ratio, only detectable by MS/MS analysis, in supporting the diagnostic suspicion during amino acids administration in the neonatal period.
A Performance-Enhanced Liquid Metal-Based Microheater with Parallel Ventilating Side-Channels
Authors: Zhang Lunjia , Zhang Pan , Wang Ronghang , Zhang Renchang , Li Zhenming , Liu Wei , Wang Qifu , Gao Meng , Gui Lin
Published: January 2020

Gallium-based liquid metal can be used as a material for microheaters because it can be easily filled into microchannels and electrified to generate Joule heat, but the liquid metal-based microheater will suffer breakage induced by voids forming within the liquid metal when the temperature normally gets higher than 100 °C. To resolve this problem, a novel liquid metal-based microheater with parallel ventilating side-channels is presented. It consists of a liquid-metal heating channel and two parallel ventilating side-channels. The heating channel is connected with the side-channels by small gaps between polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) posts. Experimental results show that this novel microheater can be heated up to 200 °C without damage. To explain its excellent performance, an experiment is performed to discover the development of the voids within the liquid-metal heating channel, and two reasons are put forward in this work on the basis of the experiment. Afterward pressing and bending tests are conducted to explore the mechanical stability of the novel microheaters. Finally, the microheaters are applied to warm water to show their good flexibility on non-flat surfaces. In consequence, the novel liquid metal-based microheater is believed to be widely applicable to soft micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS) heating devices.
Design and Implementation of a GaN-Based Three-Phase Active Power Filter
Authors: Ma Chao-Tsung , Gu Zhen-Huang
Published: January 2020

Renewable energy (RE)-based power generation systems and modern manufacturing facilities utilize a wide variety of power converters based on high-frequency power electronic devices and complex switching technologies. This has resulted in a noticeable degradation in the power quality (PQ) of power systems. To solve the aforementioned problem, advanced active power filters (APFs) with improved system performance and properly designed switching devices and control algorithms can provide a promising solution because an APF can compensate for voltage sag, harmonic currents, current imbalance, and active and reactive powers individually or simultaneously. This paper demonstrates, for the first time, the detailed design procedure and performance of a digitally controlled 2 kVA three-phase shunt APF system using gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The designed digital control scheme consists of three type II controllers with a digital signal processor (DSP) as the control core. Using the proposed APF and control algorithms, fast and accurate compensation for harmonics, imbalance, and reactive power is achieved in both simulation and hardware tests, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed system. Moreover, GaN HEMTs allow the system to achieve up to 97.2% efficiency.
The First Find of Cr2O3 Eskolaite Associated with Marble-Hosted Ruby in the Southern Urals and the Problem of Al and Cr Sources
Authors: Kissin Aleksander , Gottman Irina , Sustavov Sergei , Murzin Valery , Kiseleva Daria
Published: January 2020

The results of the study of eskolaite associated with marble-hosted ruby found for the first time in the Kuchinskoe occurrence (Southern Urals) are presented. Here, eskolaite was located on the surface and near-surface regions of ruby crystals. Eskolaite diagnostics was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (URS-55). The morphology and chemical composition of eskolaite and associated ruby was studied using a JSM-6390LV scanning electron microscope and a Cameca SX 100 electron probe microanalyzer. The eskolaite crystals were hexagonal and tabular, up to 0.2 mm in size. Ruby mineralization was formed during prograde and retrograde dynamothermal metamorphism. The eskolaite associated with the prograde stage ruby contained Al2O3 (9.1–23.62 wt %), TiO2 (0.52–9.66 wt %), V2O3 (0.53–1.54 wt %), FeO (0.03–0.1 wt %), MgO (0.05–0.24 wt %), and SiO2 (0.1–0.21 wt %). The eskolaite associated with the retrograde stage ruby was distinguished by a sharp depletion in Ti and contained Al2O3 (12.25–21.2 wt %), TiO2 (0.01–0.07 wt %), V2O3 (0.32–1.62 wt %), FeO (0.01–0.08 wt %), MgO (0.0–0.48 wt %), and SiO2 (0.01–0.1 wt %). The associated rubies contained almost equal amounts of Cr2O3 (2.36–2.69 wt %) and were almost free from admixtures. The identification of the eskolaite associated with the marble-hosted rubies from the Kuchinskoe occurrence is a new argument in favor of introduction of Al and Cr into the mineral formation zone. The mineralization was localized in the metamorphic frame of the granite gneiss domes and was formed synchronously with them.
A Tunable Triple-Band Near-Infrared Metamaterial Absorber Based on Au Nano-Cuboids Array
Authors: Qin Feng , Chen Zeqiang , Chen Xifang , Yi Zao , Yao Weitang , Duan Tao , Wu Pinghui , Yang Hua , Li Gongfa , Yi Yougen
Published: January 2020

In this article, we present a design for a triple-band tunable metamaterial absorber with an Au nano-cuboids array, and undertake numerical research about its optical properties and local electromagnetic field enhancement. The proposed structure is investigated by the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method, and we find that it has triple-band tunable perfect absorption peaks in the near infrared band (1000–2500 nm). We investigate some of structure parameters that influence the fields of surface plasmons (SP) resonances of the nano array structure. By adjusting the relevant structural parameters, we can accomplish the regulation of the surface plasmons resonance (SPR) peaks. In addition, the triple-band resonant wavelength of the absorber has good operational angle-polarization-tolerance. We believe that the excellent properties of our designed absorber have promising applications in plasma-enhanced photovoltaic, optical absorption switching and infrared modulator optical communication.
Paeonol, an Ingredient of Kamishoyosan, Reduces Intracellular Lipid Accumulation by Inhibiting Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity in 3T3-L1 Cells
Authors: Izumi Masayuki , Yoshida Takashi , Nakamura Takashi , Wakamori Minoru
Published: January 2020

Excessive triglyceride accumulation in lipid-metabolizing tissues is associated with an increased risk of a variety of metabolic diseases. Kamishoyosan (KSS) is a Kampo composed of 10 constituent herbs, and contains moutan cortex (MC) and paeonol (PN) as the major ingredient of MC. Here, we demonstrate the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of KSS on the differentiation of mouse preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells). KSS inhibited the accumulation of triglycerides in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells that were induced to differentiate into adipocytes. We also found that MC and PN were responsible for the anti-adipogenetic effect of KSS and significantly suppressed the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins-δ (C/EBP-δ) mRNA 3 days after the induction of differentiation. Thus, PN may contribute to the anti-adipogenetic property of MC in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, PN inhibited dexamethasone (Dex)-induced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) promoter activity. Taken together, these results suggest that PN suppresses C/EBP-δ expression by inhibiting Dex-induced GR promoter activity at the early stage of differentiation and, consequently, delays differentiation into mature adipocytes. Our results suggest that the habitual intake of Kampo-containing PN contributes to the prevention of the onset of metabolic diseases by decreasing the excessive accumulation of triglycerides in lipid-metabolizing tissues.
Growing the Business of Whole Grain in the Australian Market: A 6-Year Impact Assessment
Authors: Curtain Felicity , Locke Alexandra , Grafenauer Sara
Published: January 2020

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code does not regulate on-pack claims describing the amount of whole grain in foods. In July 2013, The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council™ (GLNC) established a voluntary Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims (the Code) providing guidance for whole grain claims, with cut-off values and suggested wording ≥8 g, ≥16 g, and ≥24 g per manufacturer serve (contains; high and very high in whole grain), based on a 48 g whole grain daily target intake. The aim of this impact assessment was to report the uptake of the Code by manufacturers, changes in numbers of whole grain products, and claims on-pack since 2013, including compliance. The impact assessment was undertaken in August 2019, comparing current registered manufacturers (“users”) and their products to the total number of products in the market deemed eligible for registration through GLNC product audits since 2013. Reporting included breakfast cereals, bread products, crispbreads, crackers, rice/corn cakes, rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, other grains (e.g., quinoa, buckwheat, freekeh), and grain-based muesli bars. As of 30 June 2019, there were 33 registered users and 531 registered products in Australia and New Zealand representing 43% of the eligible manufacturers and 65% of the eligible whole grain foods. Three-quarters (78% and 74%) of the eligible breakfast cereals and bread products were registered with the Code in 2019, followed by 62% of grain-based muesli bars. Only 39% of crispbread, crackers, rice/corn cakes, and rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, and other grains were registered. From 2013 there has been a 71% increase in the number of whole grain foods making claims, demonstrating strong uptake by industry, with clearer, more consistent, and compliant on-pack communication regarding whole grain content.
Solubility, Antioxidation, and Oral Bioavailability Improvement of Mangiferin Microparticles Prepared Using the Supercritical Antisolvent Method
Authors: Liu Mengran , Liu Yankun , Ge Yunlong , Zhong Zhaoliang , Wang Zijian , Wu Tong , Zhao Xiuhua , Zu Yuangang
Published: January 2020

In view of the poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability of mangiferin (MG), in this study, the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) technology was used to prepare mangiferin microparticles (MG MPs) with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and carbon dioxide as antisolvent, so as to improve its water solubility, antioxidant capacity and oral bioavailability. Four factors affecting the solubility of the MG MPs were investigated by orthogonal design (OAD), including precipitation pressure, precipitation temperature, MG concentration and feeding speed, and the optimal preparation conditions were determined by range and variance analysis (ANOVA). Under the optimal conditions, the spherical MG MPs with an average diameter of 532.8 nm was obtained, and the yield of the powder was about 95.3%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric (TG) were used to analyze the characteristics of the MG MPs. The results obtained showed that the chemical structure of the MG did not change before and after supercritical crystallization, but its particle size and crystallinity decreased significantly. The MG MPs had a higher solubility, and was about 4.26, 2.1 and 2.5 times than that of free MG in water, artificial gastric juice (AGJ) and artificial intestinal juice (AIJ), respectively. The dissolution rate of the MG MPs were also obviously higher than that of free MG. Furthermore, the bioavailability of the MG MPs in vivo was about 2.07 times higher than that of the free MG, and its antioxidant capacity was also much higher than that of free MG, which was close to vitamin C.
Treating Intracranial Abscesses in Rats with Stereotactic Injection of Biodegradable Vancomycin-Embedded Microparticles
Authors: Tseng Yuan-Yun , Kao Ching-Wei , Liu Kuo-Sheng , Tang Ya-Ling , Liu Yen-Wei , Liu Shih-Jung
Published: January 2020

Brain abscesses are emergent and life-threating despite advances in modern neurosurgical techniques and antibiotics. The present study explores the efficacy of vancomycin embedded to 50:50 poly(lactic-co-glycolide acid) (PLGA) microparticles in the treatment of brain abscess. The vancomycin embedded microparticles (VMPs) were stereotactically introduced into the cerebral parenchyma in Staphylococcus aureus bacteria- induced brain abscess-bearing rats. Experimental rats were divided into three groups: group A (n = 13; no treatment), group B (n = 14; daily vancomycin injection (5 mg intraperitoneally), and group C (n = 12; stereotactic introduction of VMPs into the abscess cavity). Group C exhibited no inflammatory response and significantly increased survival and reduced mean abscess volumes (p <0.001) at the eighth week, compared with other groups. Vancomycin delivery via a biodegradable PLGA vehicle can easily attain Area Under the Curve (AUC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratios of ≥400, and strengthens the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics without provoking any potential toxicity. Biodegradable VMPs are a safe and sustainable drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of brain abscess.
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccination with Ex Vivo RNA-Transfected Dendritic Cells—An Update
Authors: Dörrie Jan , Schaft Niels , Schuler Gerold , Schuler-Thurner Beatrice
Published: January 2020

Over the last two decades, dendritic cell (DC) vaccination has been studied extensively as active immunotherapy in cancer treatment and has been proven safe in all clinical trials both with respect to short and long-term side effects. For antigen-loading of dendritic cells (DCs) one method is to introduce mRNA coding for the desired antigens. To target the whole antigenic repertoire of a tumor, even the total tumor mRNA of a macrodissected biopsy sample can be used. To date, reports have been published on a total of 781 patients suffering from different tumor entities and HIV-infection, who have been treated with DCs loaded with mRNA. The majority of those were melanoma patients, followed by HIV-infected patients, but leukemias, brain tumors, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinomas, pancreatic cancers and several others have also been treated. Next to antigen-loading, mRNA-electroporation allows a purposeful manipulation of the DCs’ phenotype and function to enhance their immunogenicity. In this review, we intend to give a comprehensive summary of what has been published regarding clinical testing of ex vivo generated mRNA-transfected DCs, with respect to safety and risk/benefit evaluations, choice of tumor antigens and RNA-source, and the design of better DCs for vaccination by transfection of mRNA-encoded functional proteins.
Targeting Small Molecule Delivery to the Brain and Spinal Cord via Intranasal Administration of Rabies Virus Glycoprotein (RVG29)-Modified PLGA Nanoparticles
Authors: Chung Eugene P. , Cotter Jennifer D. , Prakapenka Alesia V. , Cook Rebecca L. , DiPerna Danielle M. , Sirianni Rachael W.
Published: January 2020

Alternative routes of administration are one approach that could be used to bypass the blood–brain barrier (BBB) for effective drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we focused on intranasal delivery of polymer nanoparticles. We hypothesized that surface modification of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG29) would increase residence time and exposure of encapsulated payload to the CNS compared to non-targeted nanoparticles. Delivery kinetics and biodistribution were analyzed by administering nanoparticles loaded with the carbocyanine dye 1,1′-Dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-Tetramethylindotricarbocyanine Iodide (DiR) to healthy mice. Intranasal administration yielded minimal exposure of nanoparticle payload to most peripheral organs and rapid, effective delivery to whole brain. Regional analysis of payload delivery within the CNS revealed higher delivery to tissues closest to the trigeminal nerve, including the olfactory bulb, striatum, midbrain, brainstem, and cervical spinal cord. RVG29 surface modifications presented modest targeting benefits to the striatum, midbrain, and brainstem 2 h after administration, although targeting was not observed 30 min or 6 h after administration. Payload delivery to the trigeminal nerve was 3.5× higher for targeted nanoparticles compared to control nanoparticles 2 h after nanoparticle administration. These data support a nose-to-brain mechanism of drug delivery that closely implicates the trigeminal nerve for payload delivery from nanoparticles via transport of intact nanoparticles and eventual diffusion of payload. Olfactory and CSF routes are also observed to play a role. These data advance the utility of targeted nanoparticles for nose-to-brain drug delivery of lipophilic payloads and provide mechanistic insight to engineer effective delivery vectors to treat disease in the CNS.
Retinal Cell Protection in Ocular Excitotoxicity Diseases. Possible Alternatives Offered by Microparticulate Drug Delivery Systems and Future Prospects
Authors: Rodríguez Villanueva Javier , Martín Esteban Jorge , Rodríguez Villanueva Laura J.
Published: January 2020

Excitotoxicity seems to play a critical role in ocular neurodegeneration. Excess-glutamate-mediated retinal ganglion cells death is the principal cause of cell loss. Uncontrolled glutamate in the synapsis has significant implications in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. The exploitation of various approaches of controlled release systems enhances the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity of drugs. In particular, microparticles are secure, can maintain therapeutic drug concentrations in the eye for prolonged periods, and make intimate contact by improving drug bioavailability. According to the promising results reported, possible new investigations will focus intense attention on microparticulate formulations and can be expected to open the field to new alternatives for doctors, as currently required by patients.
Biodegradable Polymers as Drug Delivery Systems for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Aoki Kaoru , Saito Naoto
Published: January 2020

Regenerative medicine has been widely researched for the treatment of bone defects. In the field of bone regenerative medicine, signaling molecules and the use of scaffolds are of particular importance as drug delivery systems (DDS) or carriers for cell differentiation, and various materials have been explored for their potential use. Although calcium phosphates such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate are clinically used as synthetic scaffold material for bone regeneration, biodegradable materials have attracted much attention in recent years for their clinical application as scaffolds due their ability to facilitate rapid localized absorption and replacement with autologous bone. In this review, we introduce the types, features, and performance characteristics of biodegradable polymer scaffolds in their role as DDS for bone regeneration therapy.
Improved Nylon 6,6 Nanofiber Membrane in A Tilted Panel Filtration System for Fouling Control in Microalgae Harvesting
Authors: Mat Nawi Normi Izati , Abd Halim Nur Syakinah , Lee Leong Chew , Wirzal Mohd Dzul Hakim , Bilad Muhammad Roil , Nordin Nik Abdul Hadi , Putra Zulfan Adi
Published: January 2020

The competitiveness of algae as biofuel feedstock leads to the growth of membrane filtration as one of promising technologies for algae harvesting. Nanofiber membrane (NFM) was found to be efficient for microalgae harvesting via membrane filtration, but it is highly limited by its weak mechanical strength. The main objective of this study is to enhance the applicability of nylon 6,6 NFM for microalgae filtration by optimizing the operational parameters and applying solvent vapor treatment to improve its mechanical strength. The relaxation period and filtration cycle could be optimized to improve the hydraulic performance. For a cycle of 5 min., relaxation period of ≤2 min shows the highest steady-state permeability of 365 ± 14.14 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, while for 10 min cycle, 3 min. of relaxation period was found optimum that yields permeability of 402 ± 34.47 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. The treated nylon 6,6 NFM was also used to study the effect of aeration rate. It is confirmed that the aeration rate enhances the steady-state performance for both intermittent and continuous mode of aeration. Remarkably, intermittent aeration shows 7% better permeability than the full aeration for all tested condition, which is beneficial for reducing the total energy consumption.
Fluorene-Based Donor-Acceptor Copolymers Containing Functionalized Benzotriazole Units: Tunable Emission and their Electrical Properties
Authors: Torres-Moya Iván , Vázquez-Guilló Rebeca , Fernández-Palacios Sara , Carrillo José Ramón , Díaz-Ortiz Ángel , López Navarrete Juan Teodomiro , Ponce Ortiz Rocío , Ruiz Delgado Mari Carmen , Mallavia Ricardo , Prieto Pilar
Published: January 2020

Monomers 4,7-dibromo-2H-benzo[d]1,2,3-triazole (m1) and 4,7-(bis(4-bromophenyl)ethynyl)-2H-benzo[d]1,2,3-triazole (m2) have been synthesized in good yields using different procedures. Monomers m1 and m2 have been employed for building new copolymers of fluorene derivatives by a Suzuki reaction under microwave irradiation using the same conditions. In each case different chain lengths have been achieved, while m1 gives rise to polymers for m2 oligomers have been obtained (with a number of monomer units lower than 7). Special interest has been paid to their photophysical properties due to excited state properties of these D-A units alternates, which have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations using two methods: (i) An oligomer approach and (ii) by periodic boundary conditions (PBC). It is highly remarkable the tunability of the photophysical properties as a function of the different monomer functionalization derived from 2H-benzo[d]1,2,3-triazole units. In fact, a strong modulation of the absorption and emission properties have been found by functionalizing the nitrogen N-2 of the benzotriazole units or by elongation of the π-conjugated core with the introduction of alkynylphenyl groups. Furthermore, the charge transport properties of these newly synthesized macromolecules have been approached by their implementation in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) in order to assess their potential as active materials in organic optoelectronics.
Properties of Injection Molded Biocomposites Reinforced with Wood Particles of Short-Rotation Aspen and Willow
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Jyske Tuula , Möttönen Veikko
Published: January 2020

Injection molded biocomposite specimens were prepared by using four different weight percentages, i.e., 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of aspen (Populus tremula L.) and willow (Salix caprea L.) wood particles in a biopolymeric matrix. Dog-bone test specimens were used for testing the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, and microstructure of biocomposites. The tensile and bending strength changed with the change in weight percentages of wood particles and the bending stiffness increased with the increasing weight percentage of wood. In Brinell hardness, similar changes as a function of wood particle weight percentage were shown, and a relationship between hardness and tensile strength with wood content was also investigated. The prepared biocomposites could be an alternative for plastic-based materials and encourage the use of fast growing (aspen and willow) wood from short-rotation forests in biocomposites.
Facile Preparation of Flame Retardant Cotton Fabric via Adhesion of Mg(OH)2 by the Assistance of Ionic Liquid
Authors: Ma Jinli , Wang Xiao , Li Jing , Chen Ru , Wei Ju
Published: January 2020

A new approach for flame retardant functional finishing of textiles was explored to improve flame retardancy of cotton fabrics by simple physical adhesion method. Mg(OH)2 was adhered to cotton fiber with the aid of fiber swelling in ionic liquid on heating and shrinkage on washing to obtain flame retardancy. The effects of immobilizing condition and methods on flame retardancy were discussed. The surface morphology, crystal structure, combustion behavior, thermal and physical properties of cotton fabric adhered with Mg(OH)2 were analyzed. The afterflame time and afterglow time of adhered cotton fabric were significantly reduced to less than 5 s. The thermal weight loss of cotton fabric was increased by 11.7% and the total heat released per unit mass was decreased by 20.9% after MH adhesion. The simple eco-friendly adhesion method provided a convenient approach for the development and application of flame retardant functional cellulosic textiles.
Thin Film Composite Forward Osmosis Membrane with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Interlayer for Alleviating Internal Concentration Polarization
Authors: Tang Yuanyuan , Li Shan , Xu Jia , Gao Congjie
Published: January 2020

This study reported a series of thin film composite (TFC) membranes with single-walled nanotubes (SWCNTs) interlayers for the forward osmosis (FO) application. Pure SWCNTs with ultrahigh length-to-diameter ratio and without any functional group were applied to form an interconnect network interlayer via strong π-π interactions. Compared to the TFC membrane without SWCNTs interlayer, our TFC membrane with optimal SWCNTs interlayer exhibited more than three times the water permeability (A) of 3.3 L m−2h−1bar−1 in RO mode with 500 mg L−1 NaCl as feed solution and nearly three-fold higher FO water flux of 62.8 L m−2 h−1 in FO mode with the deionized water as feed solution and 1 M NaCl as draw solution. Meanwhile, the TFC membrane with SWCNTs interlayer exhibited significantly reduced membrane structure parameters (S) to immensely mitigate the effect of internal concentration polarization (ICP) in support layer with micro-sized pores in favor of higher water flux. It showed that the pure SWCNTs interlayer could be an effective strategy to apply in FO membranes.
Country-Scale Analysis of Methane Emissions with a High-Resolution Inverse Model Using GOSAT and Surface Observations
Authors: Janardanan Rajesh , Maksyutov Shamil , Tsuruta Aki , Wang Fenjuan , Tiwari Yogesh K. , Valsala Vinu , Ito Akihiko , Yoshida Yukio , Kaiser Johannes W. , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Arshinov Mikhail , Sasakawa Motoki , Tohjima Yasunori , Worthy Douglas E. J. , Dlugokencky Edward J. , Ramonet Michel , Arduini Jgor , Lavric Jost V. , Piacentino Salvatore , Krummel Paul B. , Langenfelds Ray L. , Mammarella Ivan , Matsunaga Tsuneo
Published: January 2020

We employed a global high-resolution inverse model to optimize the CH4 emission using Greenhouse gas Observing Satellite (GOSAT) and surface observation data for a period from 2011–2017 for the two main source categories of anthropogenic and natural emissions. We used the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR v4.3.2) for anthropogenic methane emission and scaled them by country to match the national inventories reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Wetland and soil sink prior fluxes were simulated using the Vegetation Integrative Simulator of Trace gases (VISIT) model. Biomass burning prior fluxes were provided by the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS). We estimated a global total anthropogenic and natural methane emissions of 340.9 Tg CH4 yr−1 and 232.5 Tg CH4 yr−1, respectively. Country-scale analysis of the estimated anthropogenic emissions showed that all the top-emitting countries showed differences with their respective inventories to be within the uncertainty range of the inventories, confirming that the posterior anthropogenic emissions did not deviate from nationally reported values. Large countries, such as China, Russia, and the United States, had the mean estimated emission of 45.7 ± 8.6, 31.9 ± 7.8, and 29.8 ± 7.8 Tg CH4 yr−1, respectively. For natural wetland emissions, we estimated large emissions for Brazil (39.8 ± 12.4 Tg CH4 yr−1), the United States (25.9 ± 8.3 Tg CH4 yr−1), Russia (13.2 ± 9.3 Tg CH4 yr−1), India (12.3 ± 6.4 Tg CH4 yr−1), and Canada (12.2 ± 5.1 Tg CH4 yr−1). In both emission categories, the major emitting countries all had the model corrections to emissions within the uncertainty range of inventories. The advantages of the approach used in this study were: (1) use of high-resolution transport, useful for simulations near emission hotspots, (2) prior anthropogenic emissions adjusted to the UNFCCC reports, (3) combining surface and satellite observations, which improves the estimation of both natural and anthropogenic methane emissions over spatial scale of countries.
Satellite-Based Operational Real-Time Drought Monitoring in the Transboundary Lancang–Mekong River Basin
Authors: Zhang Xuejun , Qu Yanping , Ma Miaomiao , Liu Hui , Su Zhicheng , Lv Juan , Peng Jian , Leng Guoyong , He Xiaogang , Di Chongli
Published: January 2020

Existing gauging networks are sparse and not readily available in real-time over the transboundary Lancang–Mekong River (LMR) basin, making it difficult to accurately identify drought. In this study, we aimed to build an operational real-time Lancang–Mekong drought monitor (LMDM), through combining satellite real-time data and the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrological model at a 0.25° spatial resolution. Toward this, three VIC runs were conducted: (1) a 60-year (1951–2010) historical simulation driven by Princeton’s global meteorological forcing (PGF) for yielding ‘normal’ conditions (PGF-VIC), wherein the VIC was calibrated with 20-year observed streamflow at six hydrological stations; (2) a short-period (2011–2014) simulation to bridge the gap between the historical and the real-time modeling; (3) the real-time (2015–present) simulation driven by bias-corrected satellite data, wherein the real-time soil moisture (SM) estimate was expressed as percentile (relative to the ‘normal’) for drought monitoring. Results show that VIC can successfully reproduce the observed hydrographs, with the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency exceeding 0.70 and the relative bias mostly within 15%. Assessment on the performance of LMDM shows that the real-time SM estimates bear good spatial similarity to the reference, with the correlation coefficient beyond 0.80 across >70% of the domain. In terms of drought monitoring, the LMDM can reasonably reproduce the two recorded droughts, implying extreme droughts covering the Lower LMR during 2004/05 and widespread severe 2009/10 drought across the upper domain. The percentage drought area implied by the LMDM and the reference is close, corresponding to 66% and 60%, 43% and 40%, and 44% and 36% for each typical drought month. Since January 2015, the LMDM was running in an operational mode, from which the 2016 unprecedented drought was successfully identified in Mekong Delta. This study highlights the LMDM’s capability for reliable real-time drought monitoring, which can serve as a valuable drought early warning prototype for other data-poor regions.
An Efficient Ground Manoeuvring Target Refocusing Method Based on Principal Component Analysis and Motion Parameter Estimation
Authors: Li Dong , Ma Haining , Liu Hongqing , Chen Zhanye , Su Jia , Zhou Xichuan , Li Wei , Yang Zhijun
Published: January 2020

Refocusing ground manoeuvring targets with complex motions in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remains a challenging objective because of the large range of cell migration (RCM) and time-varying Doppler frequency modulation (DFM). By exploiting the geometric information of RCM and two-dimensional (2-D) coherently integrated gain, a fast ground manoeuvring target refocusing method using principal component analysis (PCA) and high-order motion parameter estimation is proposed. First, an efficient phase difference (PD) method and PCA are utilized to correct the RCM, and then, the energy of the ground manoeuvring target is concentrated into the same range bin. Second, by utilizing the coherently integrated cubic phase function (CICPF) that was developed in our previous work, the motion parameters are obtained accurately, and the manoeuvring target is thus well refocused into a sharp peak point based on the estimated motion parameters. The proposed method is of low computational complexity because it avoids time-consuming search and interpolation operations and demonstrates an improved anti-noise performance due to fully exploiting the 2-D coherent accumulation characteristics for estimating motion parameters and enhanced refocused imaging results for manoeuvring targets due to adopting the high-order motion model. Finally, experiments are conducted using simulated and real SAR data to show the performance of the proposed method.
The Difference of Sea Level Variability by Steric Height and Altimetry in the North Pacific
Authors: Zhang Qianran , Yu Fangjie , Chen Ge
Published: January 2020

Sea level variability, which is less than ~100 km in scale, is important in upper-ocean circulation dynamics and is difficult to observe by existing altimetry observations; thus, interferometric altimetry, which effectively provides high-resolution observations over two swaths, was developed. However, validating the sea level variability in two dimensions is a difficult task. In theory, using the steric method to validate height variability in different pixels is feasible and has already been proven by modelled and altimetry gridded data. In this paper, we use Argo data around a typical mesoscale eddy and altimetry along-track data in the North Pacific to analyze the relationship between steric data and along-track data (SD-AD) at two points, which indicates the feasibility of the steric method. We also analyzed the result of SD-AD by the relationship of the distance of the Argo and the satellite in Point 1 (P1) and Point 2 (P2), the relationship of two Argo positions, the relationship of the distance between Argo positions and the eddy center and the relationship of the wind. The results showed that the relationship of the SD-AD can reach a correlation coefficient of ~0.98, the root mean square deviation (RMSD) was ~1.8 cm, the bias was ~0.6 cm. This proved that it is feasible to validate interferometric altimetry data using the steric method under these conditions.
Indoor Trajectory Reconstruction of Walking, Jogging, and Running Activities Based on a Foot-Mounted Inertial Pedestrian Dead-Reckoning System
Authors: Ceron Jesus D. , Martindale Christine F. , López Diego M. , Kluge Felix , Eskofier Bjoern M.
Published: January 2020

The evaluation of trajectory reconstruction of the human body obtained by foot-mounted Inertial Pedestrian Dead-Reckoning (IPDR) methods has usually been carried out in controlled environments, with very few participants and limited to walking. In this study, a pipeline for trajectory reconstruction using a foot-mounted IPDR system is proposed and evaluated in two large datasets containing activities that involve walking, jogging, and running, as well as movements such as side and backward strides, sitting, and standing. First, stride segmentation is addressed using a multi-subsequence Dynamic Time Warping method. Then, detection of Toe-Off and Mid-Stance is performed by using two new algorithms. Finally, stride length and orientation estimation are performed using a Zero Velocity Update algorithm empowered by a complementary Kalman filter. As a result, the Toe-Off detection algorithm reached an F-score between 90% and 100% for activities that do not involve stopping, and between 71% and 78% otherwise. Resulting return position errors were in the range of 0.5% to 8.8% for non-stopping activities and 8.8% to 27.4% otherwise. The proposed pipeline is able to reconstruct indoor trajectories of people performing activities that involve walking, jogging, running, side and backward walking, sitting, and standing.
A Low-Cost Breath Analyzer Module in Domiciliary Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for Remote COPD Patient Monitoring
Authors: Radogna Antonio Vincenzo , Siciliano Pietro Aleardo , Sabina Saverio , Sabato Eugenio , Capone Simonetta
Published: January 2020

Smart Breath Analyzers were developed as sensing terminals of a telemedicine architecture devoted to remote monitoring of patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and home-assisted by non-invasive mechanical ventilation via respiratory face mask. The devices based on different sensors (CO2/O2 and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), relative humidity and temperature (R.H. & T) sensors) monitor the breath air exhaled into the expiratory line of the bi-tube patient breathing circuit during a noninvasive ventilo-therapy session; the sensor raw signals are transmitted pseudonymized to National Health Service units by TCP/IP communication through a cloud remote platform. The work is a proof-of-concept of a sensors-based IoT system with the perspective to check continuously the effectiveness of therapy and/or any state of exacerbation of the disease requiring healthcare. Lab tests in controlled experimental conditions by a gas-mixing bench towards CO2/O2 concentrations and exhaled breath collected in a sampling bag were carried out to test the realized prototypes. The Smart Breath Analyzers were also tested in real conditions both on a healthy volunteer subject and a COPD suffering patient.
Robust Confidence Intervals for PM2.5 Concentration Measurements in the Ecuadorian Park La Carolina
Authors: Hernandez Wilmar , Mendez Alfredo , Zalakeviciute Rasa , Diaz-Marquez Angela Maria
Published: January 2020

In this article, robust confidence intervals for PM2.5 (particles with size less than or equal to 2.5   μ m ) concentration measurements performed in La Carolina Park, Quito, Ecuador, have been built. Different techniques have been applied for the construction of the confidence intervals, and routes around the park and through the middle of it have been used to build the confidence intervals and classify this urban park in accordance with categories established by the Quito air quality index. These intervals have been based on the following estimators: the mean and standard deviation, median and median absolute deviation, median and semi interquartile range, a -trimmed mean and Winsorized standard error of order a , location and scale estimators based on the Andrew’s wave, biweight location and scale estimators, and estimators based on the bootstrap- t method. The results of the classification of the park and its surrounding streets showed that, in terms of air pollution by PM2.5, the park is not at caution levels. The results of the classification of the routes that were followed through the park and its surrounding streets showed that, in terms of air pollution by PM2.5, these routes are at either desirable, acceptable or caution levels. Therefore, this urban park is actually removing or attenuating unwanted PM2.5 concentration measurements.
Optical Fiber FP Sensor for Simultaneous Measurement of Refractive Index and Temperature Based on the Empirical Mode Decomposition Algorithm
Authors: Vargas-Rodriguez Everardo , Guzman-Chavez Ana Dinora , Baeza-Serrato Roberto , Garcia-Ramirez Mario Alberto
Published: January 2020

In this work, a dual refractive index and temperature sensor based on an interferometric system and on the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) algorithm is presented. Here, it is shown that the EMD provides a comprehensive way to analyze and decompose complex reflection spectra produced by an interferometric filter build at the tip of an optical fiber. By applying the EMD algorithm, the spectrum can be decomposed into a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMF) from which the temperature and the refractive index can be easily extracted. Moreover, the proposed methodology provides a detailed insight of the behavior of this type of interferometric sensors and allows widening of the dynamic measurement ranges of both variables. Here, for proof of principle purposes, a filter based on a stack of three layers (two of them were thermo-sensitive) was fabricated. Finally, it is shown that the proposed methodology can decompose the experimental measured spectra and to determine the refractive index and the temperature, supporting the mathematical model.