bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fundamentals vs. Financialization during Extreme Events: From Backwardation to Contango, a Copper Market Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Galán-Gutiérrez Juan Antonio , Martín-García Rodrigo
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has shocked commodities markets in general and base metals markets in particular. The market turmoil made it very difficult to act in the physical market, given the impossibility of establishing or maintaining physical and/or financial positions in a context of high uncertainty. This has happened both in different moments of the development of the pandemic and in geographically different frames. That is why this contribution tries to explain the evolution of warehouses and copper price structure and its utility for hedging in the context of an extreme event. To that end, Granger causality has been used to test whether, during the COVID-19 first wave, the pandemic evolution is cointegrated on one hand with copper futures price structure and, on the other, with the incremental levels of copper stocks. Using 102 official copper prices on London Metal Exchange (LME) trading days, between 13 January 2020 and 5 June 2020 (once the most severe effects of the first wave had been overcome), it was demonstrated that, during the first COVID-19 wave in Europe, the weekly death index variation was cointegrated with the copper future price structure. It has been proven that, in this timelapse, contango in futures price structure has increased its value, and the incremental levels of stock in copper LME warehouses are linked with a stable contango structure. In short, we find that fundamental market effects predominate, in a context in which commodities used to be more financialized. This leads market players, such as traders, miners, and transformers, to move exposures in their hedging structures, under such extreme event situations, in favor of or against either contango or backwardation, so as to derive value from them.
Analysis of Performance Measure in Q Learning with UCB Exploration
Authors: Ye Weicheng , Chen Dangxing
Published: February 2022

Compared to model-based Reinforcement Learning (RL) approaches, model-free RL algorithms, such as Q-learning, require less space and are more expressive, since specifying value functions or policies is more flexible than specifying the model for the environment. This makes model-free algorithms more prevalent in modern deep RL. However, model-based methods can more efficiently extract the information from available data. The Upper Confidence Bound (UCB) bandit can improve the exploration bonuses, and hence increase the data efficiency in the Q-learning framework. The cumulative regret of the Q-learning algorithm with an UCB exploration policy in the episodic Markov Decision Process has recently been explored in the underlying environment of finite state-action space. In this paper, we study the regret bound of the Q-learning algorithm with UCB exploration in the scenario of compact state-action metric space. We present an algorithm that adaptively discretizes the continuous state-action space and iteratively updates Q-values. The algorithm is able to efficiently optimize rewards and minimize cumulative regret.
A Challenging Nodular Lesion of the Ear
Authors: Tammaro Antonella , Cantisani Carmen , Chello Camilla , Adebanjo Ganiyat Adenike Ralitsa , Lilli Lavinia , Farnetani Francesca , Filippi Chiara , Covelli Edoardo , Rogges Evelina , Pellacani Giovanni
Published: February 2022

Skin nodular lesion are really frequent, but rapidly growing ones needs to be quickly removed since they can hide really aggressive skin tumor. Among malignant lesion Merkel cell carcinoma arise. It is a rare neuroendocrine skin tumor highly aggressive, not easy to diagnose at first stage, since at first diagnosis it is already widespreading all over the body. In order to renew interest in this letal skin tumori is mandatory to remind high risk population which include elderly people, white skin, chronically exposed to UV immunocompromised. Our unhappy case was described to increase awareness on this kind of skin tumor, since new drug appeared in the market can give an hope to these patients.
Recent Antimicrobial Responses of Halophilic Microbes in Clinical Pathogens
Authors: Santhaseelan Henciya , Dinakaran Vengateshwaran Thasu , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Ahamed Johnthini Munir , Murugaiah Santhosh Gokul , Krishnan Muthukumar , Hwang Jiang-Shiou , Rathinam Arthur James
Published: February 2022

Microbial pathogens that cause severe infections and are resistant to drugs are simultaneously becoming more active. This urgently calls for novel effective antibiotics. Organisms from extreme environments are known to synthesize novel bioprospecting molecules for biomedical applications due to their peculiar characteristics of growth and physiological conditions. Antimicrobial developments from hypersaline environments, such as lagoons, estuaries, and salterns, accommodate several halophilic microbes. Salinity is a distinctive environmental factor that continuously promotes the metabolic adaptation and flexibility of halophilic microbes for their survival at minimum nutritional requirements. A genetic adaptation to extreme solar radiation, ionic strength, and desiccation makes them promising candidates for drug discovery. More microbiota identified via sequencing and ‘omics’ approaches signify the hypersaline environments where compounds are produced. Microbial genera such as Bacillus, Actinobacteria, Halorubrum and Aspergillus are producing a substantial number of antimicrobial compounds. Several strategies were applied for producing novel antimicrobials from halophiles including a consortia approach. Promising results indicate that halophilic microbes can be utilised as prolific sources of bioactive metabolites with pharmaceutical potentialto expand natural product research towards diverse phylogenetic microbial groups which inhabit salterns. The present study reviews interesting antimicrobial compounds retrieved from microbial sources of various saltern environments, with a discussion of their potency in providing novel drugs against clinically drug-resistant microbes.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Microorganisms in 2021
Authors:   Microorganisms Editorial Office
Published: February 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Wine Microbiology and Predictive Microbiology: A Short Overview on Application, and Perspectives
Authors: Petruzzi Leonardo , Campaniello Daniela , Corbo Maria Rosaria , Speranza Barbara , Altieri Clelia , Sinigaglia Milena , Bevilacqua Antonio
Published: February 2022

Predictive microbiology (PM) is an essential element in food microbiology; its aims are the determination of the responses of a given microorganism combining mathematical models with experimental data under certain environmental conditions, and the simulation a priori of the growth/inactivation of a population based on the known traits of a food matrix. Today, a great variety of models exist to describe the behaviour of several pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in foods. In winemaking, many mathematical models have been used for monitoring yeast growth in alcoholic fermentation as well as to predict the risk of contamination of grapes and grape products by mycotoxin producing fungi over the last years, but the potentialities of PM in wine microbiology are underestimated. Thus, the goals of this review are to show some applications and perspectives in the following fields: (1) kinetics of alcoholic and malolactic fermentation; (2) models and approaches for yeasts and bacteria growth/inactivation; (3) toxin production and removal.
Nine-Strain Bacterial Synbiotic Improves Crying and Lowers Fecal Calprotectin in Colicky Babies—An Open-Label Randomized Study
Authors: Bernatek Malgorzata , Piątek Jacek , Pszczola Marcin , Krauss Hanna , Antczak Janina , Maciukajć Paweł , Sommermeyer Henning
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04666324) was to determine the effects of a nine-strain synbiotic and simethicone on the duration of crying and the gut inflammation marker calprotectin in colicky babies aged 3–6 weeks, diagnosed using the Wessel criteria. The open-label study comprised a control group of non-colicky babies (n = 20) and two parallel treatment groups (each n = 50) to which colicky babies were randomly and equally assigned to receive the multi-strain synbiotic or simethicone orally for 28 days. Primary outcome measures were the change in daily crying duration and the level of fecal calprotectin on days 1 and 28 of the study. Administration of the synbiotic resulted in a rechange of crying duration of −7.18 min/day of treatment, while simethicone had a significantly smaller effect (−5.74 min/day). Fecal calprotectin levels in colicky babies were significantly elevated compared to those in non-colicky babies. Treatment with the nine-strain synbiotic resulted in a significant lowering of fecal calprotectin at the end of the study, while no such effect was found for simethicone. No adverse effects were reported. Study results confirm earlier findings of crying duration reductions in colicky babies by the synbiotic, an effect that might be linked to its anti-inflammatory properties.
A Novel Small Molecular Prostaglandin Receptor EP4 Antagonist, L001, Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis
Authors: He Jiacheng , Lin Xianhua , Meng Fanhui , Zhao Yumiao , Wang Wei , Zhang Yao , Chai Xiaolei , Zhang Ying , Yu Weiwei , Yang Junjie , Li Guichao , Du Xuekui , Zhang Hankun , Liu Mingyao , Lu Weiqiang
Published: February 2022

Metastatic pancreatic cancer remains a major clinical challenge, emphasizing the urgent need for the exploitation of novel therapeutic approaches with superior response. In this study, we demonstrate that the aberrant activation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor 4 (EP4) is a pro-metastatic signal in pancreatic cancer. To explore the therapeutic role of EP4 signaling, we developed a potent and selective EP4 antagonist L001 with single-nanomolar activity using a panel of cell functional assays. EP4 antagonism by L001 effectively repressed PGE2-elicited cell migration and the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, L001 alone or combined with the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine exhibited remarkably anti-metastasis activity in a pancreatic cancer hepatic metastasis model with excellent tolerability and safety. Mechanistically, EP4 blockade by L001 abrogated Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)-driven pro-metastatic factor expression in pancreatic cancer cells. The suppression of YAP’s activity was also observed upon L001 treatment in vivo. Together, these findings support the notions that EP4–YAP signaling axis is a vital pro-metastatic pathway in pancreatic cancer and that EP4 inhibition with L001 may deliver a therapeutic benefit for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Isolation and In Silico Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease Potentialities of Two Rare 2-Phenoxychromone Derivatives from Artemisia spp.
Authors: Suleimen Yerlan M. , Jose Rani A. , Suleimen Raigul N. , Arenz Christoph , Ishmuratova Margarita , Toppet Suzanne , Dehaen Wim , Alsfouk Aisha A. , Elkaeed Eslam B. , Eissa Ibrahim H. , Metwaly Ahmed M.
Published: February 2022

Two rare 2-phenoxychromone derivatives, 6-demethoxy-4`-O-capillarsine (1) and tenuflorin C (2), were isolated from the areal parts of Artemisia commutata and A. glauca, respectively, for the first time. Being rare in nature, the inhibition potentialities of 1 and 2 against SARS-CoV-2 was investigated using multistage in silico techniques. At first, molecular similarity and fingerprint studies were conducted for 1 and 2 against co-crystallized ligands of eight different COVID-19 enzymes. The carried-out studies indicated the similarity of 1 and 2 with TTT, the co-crystallized ligand of COVID-19 Papain-Like Protease (PLP), (PDB ID: 3E9S). Therefore, molecular docking studies of 1 and 2 against the PLP were carried out and revealed correct binding inside the active site exhibiting binding energies of −18.86 and −18.37 Kcal/mol, respectively. Further, in silico ADMET in addition to toxicity evaluation of 1 and 2 against seven models indicated the general safety and the likeness of 1 and 2 to be drugs. Lastly, to authenticate the binding and to investigate the thermodynamic characters, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies were conducted on 1 and PLP.
Quality Related Safety Evaluation of a South African Traditional Formulation (PHELA®) as Novel Anti-Biofilm Candidate
Authors: Das Bhaskar , Kar Amit , Bhowmik Rudranil , Karmakar Sanmoy , Tripathy Satyajit , Matsabisa Motlalepula G. , Mukherjee Pulok Kumar
Published: February 2022

A South African traditional formulation, PHELA®, is consumed by the traditional people for severe chest problems with coughing, diarrhea, oral ulcers etc. The present study focused on establishing the anti-infective properties of a safe and standardized poly-herbal formulation through a series of criteria and specifications.
Electrolyzed Water and Its Pharmacological Activities: A Mini-Review
Authors: Chen Bo-Kai , Wang Chin-Kun
Published: February 2022

Electrolyzed water (EW) is a new type of cleaning and disinfecting agent obtained by means of electrolysis with a dilute sodium chloride solution. It has low cost and harm to the human body and is also friendly to the environment. The anode produces acidic electrolyzed water (AEW), which is mainly used to inhibit bacterial growth and disinfect. The cathode provides basic electrolyzed water (BEW), which is implemented to promote human health. EW is a powerful multifunctional antibacterial agent with a wide range of applications in the medicine, agriculture, and food industry. Studies in vitro and in vivo show that it has an inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Therefore, EW is used to prevent chronic diseases, while it has been found to be effective against various kinds of infectious viruses. Animal experiments and clinical trials clearly showed that it accelerates wound healing, and has positive effects in oral health care, anti-obesity, lowering blood sugar, anti-cancer and anti-infectious viral diseases. This review article summarizes the application of EW in treating bacteria and viruses, the prevention of chronic diseases, and health promotion.
Assisting Multitargeted Ligand Affinity Prediction of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Associated Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Treatment with Multitasking Principal Neighborhood Aggregation
Authors: Nakarin Fahsai , Boonpalit Kajjana , Kinchagawat Jiramet , Wachiraphan Patcharapol , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada , Nutanong Sarana
Published: February 2022

A multitargeted therapeutic approach with hybrid drugs is a promising strategy to enhance anticancer efficiency and overcome drug resistance in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Estimating affinities of small molecules against targets of interest typically proceeds as a preliminary action for recent drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. In this investigation, we employed machine learning models to provide a computationally affordable means for computer-aided screening to accelerate the discovery of potential drug compounds. In particular, we introduced a quantitative structure–activity-relationship (QSAR)-based multitask learning model to facilitate an in silico screening system of multitargeted drug development. Our method combines a recently developed graph-based neural network architecture, principal neighborhood aggregation (PNA), with a descriptor-based deep neural network supporting synergistic utilization of molecular graph and fingerprint features. The model was generated by more than ten-thousands affinity-reported ligands of seven crucial receptor tyrosine kinases in NSCLC from two public data sources. As a result, our multitask model demonstrated better performance than all other benchmark models, as well as achieving satisfying predictive ability regarding applicable QSAR criteria for most tasks within the model’s applicability. Since our model could potentially be a screening tool for practical use, we have provided a model implementation platform with a tutorial that is freely accessible hence, advising the first move in a long journey of cancer drug development.
Elucidation of the Transport Mechanism of Puerarin and Gastrodin and Their Interaction on the Absorption in a Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model
Authors: Jiang Li , Xiong Yanling , Tu Yu , Zhang Wentong , Zhang Qiyun , Nie Peng , Yan Xiaojun , Liu Hongning , Liu Ronghua , Xu Guoliang
Published: February 2022

Puerarin (PUR) and gastrodin (GAS) are often used in combined way for treating diseases caused by microcirculation disorders. The current study aimed to investigate the absorption and transportation mechanism of PUR and GAS and their interaction via Caco-2 monolayer cell model. In this work, the concentration in Caco-2 cell of PUR and GAS was determined by HPLC method. The bidirectional transport of PUR and GAS and the inhibition of drug efflux including verapamil and cyclosporine on the transport of these two components were studied. The mutual influence between PUR and GAS, especially the effect of the latter on the former of the bidirectional transport were also investigated. The transport of 50 μg·mL−1 PUR in Caco-2 cells has no obvious directionality. While the transport of 100 and 200 μg·mL−1 PUR presents a strong directionality, and this directionality can be inhibited by verapamil and cyclosporine. When PUR and GAS were used in combination, GAS could increase the absorption of PUR while PUR had no obvious influence on GAS. Therefore, the compatibility of PUR and GAS is reasonable, and GAS can promote the transmembrane transport of PUR, the effect of which is similar to that of verapamil.
Preparation and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities of Bioactive Peptides Obtained from Cornus officinalis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Hao , Jiao Pengfei , Xia Mengrong , Tang Bo
Published: February 2022

The present study is a preparation of bioactive peptides from Cornus officinalis proteins by the compound enzymatic hydrolysis method. Response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with Box–Behnken design (BBD) is used to optimize the preparation process of Cornus officinalis peptides. The effects of independent variables, such as the amount of enzyme, pH value, time, extraction times and the ratio of material to liquid on the yield of peptides, are also investigated. The analysis results of the RSM model show that the optimum conditions for the extraction of Cornus officinalis peptides were a pH value of 6.76, temperature of 48.84 °C and the amount of enzyme of 0.19%. Under optimal conditions, the yield of peptides was 36.18 ± 0.26 %, which was close to the predicted yield by the RSM model. Additionally, the prepared Cornus officinalis peptides showed significant antioxidant activity; the scavenging rates of the peptides for DPPH and ·OH were 48.47% and 29.41%, respectively. The results of the cell proliferation assay revealed that the prepared Cornus officinalis peptides could promote embryo fibroblast cells proliferation and repair oxidative damage cells. These results have a practical application value in the design of novel functional food formulations by using Cornus officinalis.
Mammalian Cell Spheroids on Mixed Organic–Inorganic Superhydrophobic Coating
Authors: Ferrari Michele , Cirisano Francesca , Morán M. Carmen
Published: February 2022

Three-dimensional cell culture has become a reliable method for reproducing in vitro cellular growth in more realistic physiological conditions. The surface hydrophobicity strongly influences the promotion of cell aggregate formation. In particular, for spheroid formation, highly water-repellent coatings seem to be required for the significant effects of the process. In this work, surfaces at different wettability have been compared to observe their influence on the growth and promotion of aggregates of representative mammalian cell lines, both tumoral and non-tumoral (3T3, HaCat and MCF-7 cell lines). The effect of increased hydrophobicity from TCPS to agarose hydrogel to mixed organic–inorganic superhydrophobic (SH) coating has been investigated by optical and fluorescence microscopy, and by 3D confocal profilometry, in a time scale of 24 h. The results show the role of less wettable substrates in inducing the formation of spheroid-like cell aggregates at a higher degree of sphericity for the studied cell lines.
Pickering Emulsions Stabilized with Curcumin-Based Solid Dispersion Particles as Mayonnaise-like Food Sauce Alternatives
Authors: Ghirro Larissa C. , Rezende Stephany , Ribeiro Andreia S. , Rodrigues Nuno , Carocho Márcio , Pereira José Alberto , Barros Lillian , Demczuk Bogdan , Barreiro Maria-Filomena , Santamaria-Echart Arantzazu
Published: February 2022

Pickering emulsions, which are emulsions stabilized by colloidal particles, are being increasingly positioned as novel strategies to develop innovative food product solutions. In this context, the present work aims to develop Pickering emulsions stabilized by natural-based curcumin-loaded particles produced by the solid dispersion technique as promising mayonnaise-like food sauce alternatives. Two particle formulations (KC1 and KC2) were produced using k-carrageenan as the matrix material and different curcumin contents, then employed in the preparation of three Pickering emulsion formulations comprising different oil fractions (φ) and particle concentrations (KC1 φ 0.4 (4.7%), KC2 φ 0.4 (4.7%) and KC2 φ 0.6 (4.0%)). The creaming index tests accompanied by the optical microscopy analysis evidenced the good stability of the developed products for the tested period of 28 days. The final products were tested concerning color attributes, pH, oxidative stability, textural, and nutritional composition, and compared with two commercial mayonnaises (traditional and light products). Overall, the produced emulsions were characterized by a bright yellow color (an appealing attribute for consumers), an acidic pH (similar to mayonnaise), and a considerably improved oxidative stability, implying a foreseeable longer shelf life. The sauce KC1 φ 0.4 (4.7%) showed a similar texture to the light commercial mayonnaise, being a promising alternative to conventional sauces, holding a low-fat content and potentially added benefits due to the curcumin and virgin olive oil intrinsic properties.
Advances in White Wine Protein Stabilization Technologies
Authors: Silva-Barbieri Daniela , Salazar Fernando N. , López Francisco , Brossard Natalia , Escalona Néstor , Pérez-Correa José R.
Published: February 2022

The unstable proteins in white wine cause haze in bottles of white wine, degrading its quality. Thaumatins and chitinases are grape pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins that remain stable during vinification but can precipitate at high temperatures after bottling. The white wine protein stabilization process can prevent haze by removing these unstable proteins. Traditionally, bentonite is used to remove these proteins; however, it is labor-intensive, generates wine losses, affects wine quality, and harms the environment. More efficient protein stabilization technologies should be based on a better understanding of the main factors and mechanisms underlying protein precipitation. This review focuses on recent developments regarding the instability and removal of white wine proteins, which could be helpful to design more economical and environmentally friendly protein stabilization methods that better preserve the products´ quality.
The Antiviral Effect of Panax Notoginseng Polysaccharides by Inhibiting PRV Adsorption and Replication In Vitro
Authors: Huan Changchao , Zhou Ziyan , Yao Jingting , Ni Bo , Gao Song
Published: February 2022

Porcine pseudorabies (PR) is an important infectious disease caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV), which poses a major threat to food safety and security. Vaccine immunization has become the main means to prevent and control the disease. However, since 2011, a new PRV variant has caused huge economic losses to the Chinese pig industry. Panax notoginseng polysaccharides have immunomodulatory activity and other functions, but the antiviral effect has not been reported. We studied the anti-PRV activity of Panax notoginseng polysaccharides in vitro. A less cytopathic effect was observed by increasing the concentration of Panax notoginseng polysaccharides. Western blot, TCID50, plaque assay, and IFA revealed that Panax notoginseng polysaccharides could significantly inhibit the infectivity of PRV XJ5 on PK15 cells. In addition, we also found that Panax notoginseng polysaccharides blocked the adsorption and replication of PRV to PK15 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that Panax notoginseng polysaccharides play an antiviral effect mainly by inhibiting virus adsorption and replication in vitro. Therefore, Panax notoginseng polysaccharides may be a potential anti-PRV agent.
Sustainable and Green Synthesis of Waste-Biomass-Derived Carbon Dots for Parallel and Semi-Quantitative Visual Detection of Cr(VI) and Fe3+
Authors: Xia Lan , Li Xiuju , Zhang Yuanhua , Zhou Kai , Yuan Long , Shi Rui , Zhang Kailian , Fu Qifeng
Published: February 2022

Carbon dot (CD)-based multi-mode sensing has drawn much attention owing to its wider application range and higher availability compared with single-mode sensing. Herein, a simple and green methodology to construct a CD-based dual-mode fluorescent sensor from the waste biomass of flowers of wintersweet (FW-CDs) for parallel and semi-quantitative visual detection of Cr(VI) and Fe3+ was firstly reported. The FW-CD fluorescent probe had a high sensitivity to Cr(VI) and Fe3+ with wide ranges of linearity from 0.1 to 60 µM and 0.05 to 100 µM along with low detection limits (LOD) of 0.07 µM and 0.15 µM, respectively. Accordingly, the FW-CD-based dual-mode sensor had an excellent parallel sensing capacity toward Cr(VI) and Fe3+ with high selectivity and strong anti-interference capability by co-using dual-functional integration and dual-masking strategies. The developed parallel sensing platform was successfully applied to Cr(VI) and Fe3+ quantitative detection in real samples with high precision and good recovery. More importantly, a novel FW-CD-based fluorescent hydrogel sensor was fabricated and first applied in the parallel and semi-quantitative visual detection of Cr(VI) and ferrous ions in industrial effluent and iron supplements, further demonstrating the significant advantage of parallel and visual sensing strategies.
LC-ESI-MS/MS Polyphenolic Profile and In Vitro Study of Cosmetic Potential of Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Herb Extracts
Authors: Pieczykolan Aleksandra , Pietrzak Wioleta , Dos Santos Szewczyk Katarzyna , Gawlik-Dziki Urszula , Nowak Renata
Published: February 2022

The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenolic composition and the biological properties of different Aerva lanata (L). Juss. herb extracts obtained with the use of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), i.e., a green, ecological method, for cosmetic purposes. All samples exhibited high DPPH• (9.17–119.85 mg TE/g) and ABTS•+ (9.90–107.58 mg TE/g) scavenging activity. The extracts exhibited considerable anti-lipoxygenase (EC50 between 1.14 mg/mL and 3.73 mg/mL) and anti-xanthine oxidase (EC50 between 1.28 mg/mL and 3.72 mg/mL) activities, moderate chelating activity (EC50 between 1.58 mg/mL and 5.30 mg/mL), and high antioxidant potential in the ORAC assay (0.36–3.84 mM TE/g). Changes in the polyphenol profile of the analysed samples depending on the solvent and temperature used for the extraction were determined with the liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. Twenty-one phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, were detected and quantified. It was shown that tiliroside was one of the main phenolic metabolites in the A. lanata (L.) Juss. herb., which may suggest that this compound may be largely responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts. In addition, the studied extracts exhibited promising skin-related (anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-hyaluronidase) activity. This study showed that Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. contains high amounts of phenolic compounds, including tiliroside, and has good skin-related activities. Therefore, the plant may be interesting as a novel source of bioactive agents for cosmetic industries.
Sm0.5Sr0.5Co1−xNixO3−δ—A Novel Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction/Evolution Reactions
Authors: Liu Xingmei , Wang Yuwei , Fan Liquan , Zhang Weichao , Cao Weiyan , Han Xianxin , Liu Xijun , Jia Hongge
Published: February 2022

The development of non-precious metal catalysts with excellent bifunctional activities is significant for air–metal batteries. ABO3-type perovskite oxides can improve their catalytic activity and electronic conductivity by doping transition metal elements at B sites. Here, we develop a novel Sm0.5Sr0.5Co1−xNixO3−δ (SSCN) nanofiber-structured electrocatalyst. In 0.1 M KOH electrolyte solution, Sm0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Ni0.2O3−δ (SSCN82) with the optimal Co: Ni molar ratio exhibits good electrocatalytic activity for OER/ORR, affording a low onset potential of 1.39 V, a slight Tafel slope of 123.8 mV dec−1, and a current density of 6.01 mA cm−2 at 1.8 V, and the ORR reaction process was four-electron reaction pathway. Combining the morphological characteristic of SSCN nanofibers with the synergistic effect of cobalt and nickel with a suitable molar ratio is beneficial to improving the catalytic activity of SSCN perovskite oxides. SSCN82 exhibits good bi-functional catalytic performance and electrochemical double-layer capacitance.
Wood-Sourced Polymers as Support for Catalysis by Group 10 Transition Metals
Authors: Negui Mekki , Zhang Zhao , Foucher Charles , Guénin Erwann , Richel Aurore , Jeux Victorien , Terrasson Vincent
Published: February 2022

Despite providing interesting solutions to reduce the number of synthetic steps, to decrease energy consumption or to generate less waste, therefore contributing to a more sustainable way of producing important chemicals, the expansion of the use of homogeneous catalysis in industrial processes is hampered by several drawbacks. One of the most important is the difficulty to recycle the noble metals generating potential high costs and pollution of the synthesized products by metal traces detrimental to their applications. Supporting the metals on abundant and cheap biosourced polymers has recently appeared as an almost ideal solution: They are much easier to recover from the reaction medium and usually maintain high catalytic activity. The present bibliographical review focuses on the development of catalysts based on group 10 transition metals (nickel, palladium, platinum) supported on biopolymers obtained from wood, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and their derivatives. The applications of these catalysts in organic synthesis or depollution are also addressed in this review with examples of C-C couplings, oxidation, or hydrogenation reactions.
Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction, Antioxidant and Renal Protective Effects of Polysaccharides from Spores of Cordyceps cicadae
Authors: Zheng Yi , Li Shiying , Li Chuang , Shao Ying , Chen Anhui
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE), in vitro antioxidant, and in vivo renal protective effects of polysaccharides from spores of Cordyceps cicadae (CCSPs). The optimal ATPE parameters were as follows: an extraction temperature of 61 °C, an ammonium sulfate concentration of 18%, an ethanol concentration of 40%, a liquid-to-material ratio of 33 mL/g, and an extraction time of 60 min. Under these parameters, the CCSPs yield was 6.96 ± 0.11% (n = 3), which was consistent with the predicted yield (6.92%). Among the three purified polysaccharide fractions, CCSP-2 displayed stronger scavenging activities against DPPH radicals and hydroxyl radicals, reducing power and ferrous-ion-chelating ability to a greater extent than CCSP-1 and CCSP-3. CCSP-2 exhibited its protective effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic acute kidney injury (AKI) mice by significantly alleviating renal edema; reducing 24 h urine protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr); inhibiting the release of serum proinflammatory cytokines; boosting the activities of antioxidant enzymes; and reducing the levels of oxidative damage products. These results suggest that CCSP-2 exerted its protective effect against LPS-induced septic AKI in mice through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways.
Volatile Releasing Characteristics of Pulverized Coals under Moderate or Intense Low-Oxygen Dilution Oxy-Combustion Conditions in a Flat-Flame Assisted Entrained Flow Reactor
Authors: Huang Xiaohong , Hu Fan , Liu Weilong , Wang Peng , Sun Heming , Liu Zhaohui
Published: February 2022

There has been little research on volatile releasing characteristics of pulverized coals under moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) oxy-combustion (MO) conditions. For the first time, volatile releasing characteristics of bituminous coal and semi-anthracite under both MILD air-combustion (MA) and MO conditions were investigated using a flat-flame assisted entrained flow reactor. Both heating rate (~105 K/s) and residence time (65 ms) were carefully selected to mimic the conditions in typical industrial boilers. The combustion processes and properties of the volatiles were characterized through direct observation and char analysis. The results showed that the lower diffusion rate of the volatile in CO2 resulted in the decreasing of the volatile envelope flame size and a longer volatile burnout time (more than 20%). For bituminous coal (volatile content of 25%), the lower amount of apparent volatile yield under MO conditions reduced the heating value of the volatile. For semi-anthracite coal (volatile content of 7%), the short devolatilization time led to char-CO2 gasification reaction, which increased the apparent volatile yield and the heating value of the volatile by 47% and the volatile-N by 19%. This paper indeed provided new insight into the MILD oxy-combustion of solid fuels.
PPG EduKit: An Adjustable Photoplethysmography Evaluation System for Educational Activities
Authors: Solé Morillo Ángel , Lambert Cause Joan , Baciu Vlad-Eusebiu , da Silva Bruno , Garcia-Naranjo Juan C. , Stiens Johan
Published: February 2022

The grown interest in healthcare applications has made biomedical engineering one of the fastest growing disciplines in recent years. Photoplethysmography (PPG) has gained popularity in recent years due to its versatility for noninvasive monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation and blood pressure. In this work, an adjustable PPG-based educational device called PPG EduKit, which aims to facilitate the learning of the PPG technology for a wide range of engineering and medical disciplines is proposed. Through the use of this educational platform, the PPG signal can be understood, modified and implemented along with the extraction of its relevant physiological information from a didactic, intuitive and practical way. The PPG Edukit is evaluated for the extraction of physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood oxygen level, demonstrating how its features contribute to engineering and medical students to assimilate technical concepts in electrical circuits, biomedical instrumentation, and human physiology.
Optimal Relay Network for Aerial Remote Inspections
Authors: Pinto Luis Ramos , Almeida Luis
Published: February 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in particular multirotors, are becoming the de facto tool for aerial sensing and remote inspection. In large industrial facilities, a UAV can transmit an online video stream to inspect difficult-to-access structures, such as chimneys, deposits, and towers. However, the communication range is limited, constraining the UAV operation range. This limitation can be overcome with relaying UAVs placed between the source UAV and the control station, creating a line of communication links. In this work, we assume the use of a digital data packet network technology, namely WiFi, and tackle the problem of defining the exact placement for the relaying UAVs that creates an end-to-end channel with maximal delivery of data packets. We consider asymmetric communication links and we show an increase as large as 15% in end-to-end packet delivery ratio when compared to an equidistant placement. We also discuss the deployment of such a network and propose a fully distributed method that converges to the global optimal relay positions taking, on average, 1.4 times the time taken by a centralized method.
Bratter: An Instruction Set Extension for Forward Control-Flow Integrity in RISC-V
Authors: Park Seonghwan , Kang Dongwook , Kang Jeonghwan , Kwon Donghyun
Published: February 2022

In recent decades, there has been an increasing number of studies on control flow integrity (CFI), particularly those implementing hardware-assisted CFI solutions that utilize a special instruction set extension. More recently, ARM and Intel, which are prominent processor architectures, also announced instruction set extensions for CFI called branch target identification (BTI) and control-flow enhancement technology (CET), respectively. However, according to our preliminary analysis, they do not support various CFI solutions in an efficient and scalable manner. In this study, we propose Bratter, a new instruction set extension for forward CFI solutions on RISC-V. At the center of Bratter, there are Branch Tag Registers and dedicated instructions for these registers. We implemented well-known CFI solutions (i.e., branch regulation and function signature check) using Bratter to evaluate its performance. Our experimental results show that, by using Bratter, even when these two solutions work together, they impose only 1.20% and 5.99% overhead for code size and execution time, respectively.
Design and Analysis of Electronic Head Protector for Taekwondo Sports
Authors: Qureshi Fayez , Krishnan Sri
Published: February 2022

Electronic point scoring systems (PSS) for vests are heavily relied upon in taekwondo. However, no classification and assessment of legal and illegal taekwondo techniques exist. This is also referred to as hit-validation and the objective of this research is to create an electronic helmet (eHelmet) for hit-validation. Three main studies were performed to achieve this objective: Robustness Testing, Sensor Placement and Classification of Impacts to the head. The first two studies are preliminary to the main Classification of Impacts study. This is needed as no data sets using an IMU are currently available for taekwondo. Robustness Testing: proved that IMU can in-fact be used in the inherently harsh environments of taekwondo with a linear response. The calculated response for the IMU is: f(x) = mx + b, where m is 0.2947 and b is 1.499 (accelerometer) and f(x) = mx + b, where m is 28.33 and b is 84.8 (gyroscope). Sensor Placement: Qualitatively and quantitatively concluded the ideal location for the sensor and electronics is indeed the back of the head, based on durability, cost, human factors, and signal quality. Classification of Impacts: IMU classified real-world impacts with 90% accuracy. The two classes were roundhouse kick (legal) and punch (illegal). An eHelmet using an IMU is capable of classifying impacts with high accuracy. The benefit of our system includes low cost, lightweight algorithm for on-device computing (edge computing), and real-time classification. Furthermore, it possesses all the safety requirements of current protective headgear.
Machine Learning and Internet of Things Enabled Monitoring of Post-Surgery Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Alsareii Saeed Ali , Raza Mohsin , Alamri Abdulrahman Manaa , AlAsmari Mansour Yousef , Irfan Muhammad , Khan Umar , Awais Muhammad
Published: February 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) offer immense potential to transform conventional healthcare systems. The IoT and AI enabled smart systems can play a key role in driving the future of smart healthcare. Remote monitoring of critical and non-critical patients is one such field which can leverage the benefits of IoT and machine learning techniques. While some work has been done in developing paradigms to establish effective and reliable communications, there is still great potential to utilize optimized IoT network and machine learning technique to improve the overall performance of the communication systems, thus enabling fool-proof systems. This study develops a novel IoT framework to offer ultra-reliable low latency communications to monitor post-surgery patients. The work considers both critical and non-critical patients and is balanced between these to offer optimal performance for the desired outcomes. In addition, machine learning based regression analysis of patients’ sensory data is performed to obtain highly accurate predictions of the patients’ sensory data (patients’ vitals), which enables highly accurate virtual observers to predict the data in case of communication failures. The performance analysis of the proposed IoT based vital signs monitoring system for the post-surgery patients offers reduced delay and packet loss in comparison to IEEE low latency deterministic networks. The gradient boosting regression analysis also gives a highly accurate prediction for slow as well as rapidly varying sensors for vital sign monitoring.
HRGAN: A Generative Adversarial Network Producing Higher-Resolution Images than Training Sets
Authors: Park Minyoung , Lee Minhyeok , Yu Sungwook
Published: February 2022

The generative adversarial network (GAN) has demonstrated superb performance in generating synthetic images in recent studies. However, in the conventional framework of GAN, the maximum resolution of generated images is limited to the resolution of real images that are used as the training set. In this paper, in order to address this limitation, we propose a novel GAN framework using a pre-trained network called evaluator. The proposed model, higher resolution GAN (HRGAN), employs additional up-sampling convolutional layers to generate higher resolution. Then, using the evaluator, an additional target for the training of the generator is introduced to calibrate the generated images to have realistic features. In experiments with the CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100 datasets, HRGAN successfully generates images of 64 × 64 and 128 × 128 resolutions, while the training sets consist of images of 32 × 32 resolution. In addition, HRGAN outperforms other existing models in terms of the Inception score, one of the conventional methods to evaluate GANs. For instance, in the experiment with CIFAR-10, a HRGAN generating 128 × 128 resolution demonstrates an Inception score of 12.32, outperforming an existing model by 28.6%. Thus, the proposed HRGAN demonstrates the possibility of generating higher resolution than training images.
Remote IoT Education Laboratory for Microcontrollers Based on the STM32 Chips
Authors: Jacko Patrik , Bereš Matej , Kováčová Irena , Molnár Ján , Vince Tibor , Dziak Jozef , Fecko Branislav , Gans Šimon , Kováč Dobroslav
Published: February 2022

The article describes the implementation of IoT technology in the teaching of microprocessor technology. The method presented in the article combines the reality and virtualization of the microprocessor technology laboratory. A created IoT monitoring device monitors the students’ microcontroller pins and sends the data to the server to which the teacher is connected via the control application. The teacher has the opportunity to monitor the development of tasks and student code of the program, where the functionality of these tasks can be verified. Thanks to the IoT remote laboratory implementation, students’ tasks during the lesson were improved. As many as 53% (n = 8) of those students who could improve their results achieved an improvement of one or up to two tasks during class. Before the IoT remote laboratory application, up to 30% (n = 6) of students could not solve any task and only 25% (n = 5) solved two tasks (full number of tasks) during the class. Before implementation, 45% (n = 9) solved one problem. After applying the IoT remote laboratory, these numbers increased significantly and up to 50% (n = 10) of students solved the full number of tasks. In contrast, only 10% (n = 2) of students did not solve any task.
Incomplete Charge Collection at Inter-Pixel Gap in Low- and High-Flux Cadmium Zinc Telluride Pixel Detectors
Authors: Buttacavoli Antonino , Principato Fabio , Gerardi Gaetano , Cascio Donato , Raso Giuseppe , Bettelli Manuele , Zappettini Andrea , Seller Paul , Veale Matthew C. , Abbene Leonardo
Published: February 2022

The success of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors in room-temperature spectroscopic X-ray imaging is now widely accepted. The most common CZT detectors are characterized by enhanced-charge transport properties of electrons, with mobility-lifetime products μeτe > 10−2 cm2/V and μhτh > 10−5 cm2/V. These materials, typically termed low-flux LF-CZT, are successfully used for thick electron-sensing detectors and in low-flux conditions. Recently, new CZT materials with hole mobility-lifetime product enhancements (μhτh > 10−4 cm2/V and μeτe > 10−3 cm2/V) have been fabricated for high-flux measurements (high-flux HF-CZT detectors). In this work, we will present the performance and charge-sharing properties of sub-millimeter CZT pixel detectors based on LF-CZT and HF-CZT crystals. Experimental results from the measurement of energy spectra after charge-sharing addition (CSA) and from 2D X-ray mapping highlight the better charge-collection properties of HF-CZT detectors near the inter-pixel gaps. The successful mitigation of the effects of incomplete charge collection after CSA was also performed through original charge-sharing correction techniques. These activities exist in the framework of international collaboration on the development of energy-resolved X-ray scanners for medical applications and non-destructive testing in the food industry.