bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemical and Antioxidant Profiling of Raspberry Plant Parts for Sustainable Processing
Authors: Ispiryan Audronė , Viškelis Jonas , Viškelis Pranas , Urbonavičienė Dalia , Raudonė Lina
Published: June 2023

The optimization of innovation and food technological processes not only increases the profits of companies but also allows them to achieve the set goals of the green trajectory. This research aimed to collect data on the biochemical composition of different parts of the raspberry variety ‘Polka’, including the various morphological parts, to present the importance of differentiating plant parts in food processing, and to show the potential of usage for primary processing in different fields of the food industry. Fruits, stems (cane), leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots were evaluated according to their chemical composition and mineral (Ca, Mg, B, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) contents, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. In our study, the contents of inverted sugar, saccharose, and total sugar varied from 51.8 ± 2.46 %, 18.9 ± 0.31 %, and 69.7 ± 4,36 % in raspberry puree to 5.9 ± %, 1.51 ± %, 7.39 ± % in the seeds, respectively. The results regarding the mineral composition of various raspberry parts (mg/kg) indicated significant differences (p < 0.05). The contents of manganese and iron (57.6 ± 0.50; 36.9 ± 0.59) were the highest in all the parts in the plant. Manganese varied from 246 ± 10.32 in inflorescence to 40.1 ± 0.87 in the seeds. Iron fluctuated from 1553 ± 44.03 in the roots to 35.5 ± 0.15 in the seeds. The highest statistically significant boron content (p < 0.05) was found in the leaves (41.8 ± 0.33), while the lowest was in the seeds (7.17 ± 0.19). The total phenol content of the raspberry’s distinct parts ranged from 6500 mg GAE/100 g DW to 1700 mg GAE/100 g DW. The inflorescence had the considerably highest total phenol content. Our study found that the highest amount of epicatechin is found in the roots (9162.1 ± 647.86 mg), while the fruits contain only 657.5 ± 92.99, and the lowest value is in the stems (130.3 ± 9.22). High levels of procyanidin B2 were found in the raspberry roots (7268.7 ± 513.98), while the stems had the lowest value–368.4 ± 26.05. The DPPH of the raspberry morphological parts ranged from 145.1 to 653.6 µmol TE/g FW, ABTS—from 1091.8 to 243.4 µmol TE/g FW, and the FRAP—from 720.0 to 127.0 µmol TE/g FW. The study revealed the importance of differentiating plant parts in production for the quality of the final product. Studies showed that raspberry plant parts represent a potential source of natural food ingredients, and can be a potential raw material for products rich in phenolic compounds or dietary fiber, which can provide healthy properties to food when used as an additive that may be economically attractive for consumers.
Exploration of the Regulatory Pathways and Key Genes Involved in the Response to Saline–Alkali Stress in Betula platyphylla via RNA-Seq Analysis
Authors: Xue Jukun , Sun Hu , Zhou Xuemei , Guo Huiyan , Wang Yucheng
Published: June 2023

The pH of saline–alkali soil is high because of carbonate salts, and the deleterious effects of saline–alkali soil on the growth of plants are greater than those of saline soil. Few studies have examined the saline–alkali tolerance of Betula platyphylla at the molecular level. To clarify the regulatory mechanism underlying saline–alkali tolerance in B. platyphylla, RNA sequencing analysis of B. platyphylla seedlings treated with NaHCO3 was conducted. Differences in gene expression in the roots of B. platyphylla seedlings under saline–alkali stress (induced via NaHCO3) for 3 h and 6 h were characterized, and a total of 595 and 607 alkali stress-responsive genes were identified, respectively. Most differentially expressed genes were involved in stress, signal transduction, secondary metabolic process, regulation of jasmonic acid, and the abiotic stimulus signaling pathway. The single nucleotide polymorphism loci in the differentially expressed genes were associated with the alkaline-salt tolerance in birch germplasm. In addition, birch plants overexpressing WRKY70 and NAC9 were obtained using the A. tumefaciens-mediated transient transformation method, and these two genes were found to play key roles in saline–alkali tolerance. Additional study revealed that WRKY70 and NAC9 can increase resistance to saline–alkali stress by enhancing reactive oxygen species scavenging and inhibiting cell death in birch plants. The results of this study enhance our understanding of the saline–alkali stress tolerance of B. platyphylla at the molecular level, and provide several key genes that could be used in the breeding of birch plants in the future.
Intra- and Interspecies Differences of Two Cecropia Species from Tabasco, Mexico, Determined through the Metabolic Analysis and 1H-NMR-Based Fingerprinting of Hydroalcoholic Extracts
Authors: Medrano-Sánchez Eric Jaziel , Hernández-Bolio Gloria Ivonne , Lobato-García Carlos Ernesto , González-Cortazar Manasés , Antunez-Mojica Mayra , Gallegos-García Ammy Joana , Barredo-Hernández Cristian Octavio , López-Rodríguez Ricardo , Aguilar-Sánchez Nelly Cristina , Gómez-Rivera Abraham
Published: June 2023

The genus Cecropia is used in the traditional medicine of Tabasco, Mexico, in diabetes and hypertension treatments, mainly without distinction of the species. This contribution aimed to carry out the metabolic analysis and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy-based fingerprinting of the hydroalcoholic leaf extracts of Cecropia peltata (Cp) and Cecropia obtusifolia (Co) collected in five sub-regions of the State of Tabasco (Cp1, “Centro”; Cp2, “Chontalpa”; Cp3, “Pantanos”; Cp4, “Ríos” and Co5, “Sierra”). Firstly, the extracts were evaluated for their Total Phenol Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) by spectrophotometric methods. In addition, metabolic analysis was performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection HPLC–DAD, which allowed the quantification of the chemical markers: chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and orientin, as well as a vitexin analog. Finally, metabolomic analysis was carried out based on the 1H-NMR spectra. The Cp4 extract (C. peltata from the “Ríos” sub-region) presented the highest values of TPC (155 ± 9.1 mg GAE/g E) and TFC (724 ± 22.2 mg RE/g E). The metabolic analysis was similar among the five samples; the highest concentrations of the four chemical markers were found in Cp3 (C. peltata from the “Pantanos” sub-region) for chlorogenic acid (39.8 ± 2.3 mg/g) and isoorientin (51.5 ± 2.9 mg/g), in Cp4 for orientin (49.9 ± 0.6 mg/g), and in Cp2 (C. peltata from the “Chontalpa” sub-region) for the vitexin analog (6.2 ± 0.2 mg/g). The metabolic analysis and the 1H-NMR fingerprint analysis showed intraspecies differences among the C. peltata samples and interspecies between C. peltata and C. obtusifolia, which were attributed to variations in the metabolite groups as well as in the proportion of sugars such as glucose and xylose.
The Seasonal Divergence in the Weakening Relationship between Interannual Temperature Changes and Northern Boreal Vegetation Activity
Authors: Zhao Haijiang , Jin Ning , Wang Xiurong , Fu Guiqin , Xiang Kunlun , Wang Liang , Zhao Jie
Published: June 2023

The response of boreal vegetation to global warming has shown a weakening trend over the last three decades. However, in previous studies, models of vegetation activity responses to temperature change have often only considered changes in the mean daily temperature (Tmean), with the diurnal temperature range (DTR) being neglected. The goal of this study was to evaluate the temporal trends of the relationships between two temperature factors (Tmean and DTR) and the vegetation activity across the boreal regions on both annual and seasonal timescales, by simultaneously employing satellite and climate datasets. We found that the interannual partial correlation between the growing season (GS) NDVI and Tmean (RNDVI−Tmean) has shown a significant decreasing trend over the last 34 years. At the seasonal scale, the RNDVI−Tmean showed a significant upward trend in the spring, while in the summer and autumn, the RNDVI−Tmean exhibited a significant downward trend. The temporal trend characteristics of the partial correlation between the NDVI and DTR (RNDVI−DTR), at both the GS and seasonal scales, were fully consistent with the RNDVI−Tmean. The area with a significant decrease in the GS RNDVI−Tmean and RNDVI−DTR accounted for approximately 44.4% and 41.2% of the boreal region with the 17-year moving window, respectively. In stark contrast, the area exhibiting a significant increasing trend in the GS RNDVI−Tmean and RNDVI−DTR accounted for only approximately 22.3% and 25.8% of the boreal region with the 17-year moving window, respectively. With respect to the seasonal patterns of the RNDVI−Tmean and RNDVI−DTR, the area with a significant upward trend in the spring was greater than that with a significant downward trend. Nevertheless, more areas had a significant downward trend in the RNDVI−Tmean and RNDVI−DTR in summer and autumn than a significant upward trend. Overall, our research reveals a weakening trend in the impact of temperature on the vegetation activity in the boreal regions and contributes to a deeper understanding of the vegetation response to global warming.
Modification of Cellulosic Materials with Boron-Nitrogen Compounds
Authors: Stepina Irina , Zhukov Aleksey , Bazhenova Sofia
Published: June 2023

Wood fiber and its products are modified to increase fire and bio-resistance. The best results are achieved by using modifiers that enter into chemical interaction with the hydroxylated substrate, forming the organic matrix of the materials. The purpose of the research described in the article was to study the possibility of using boron-nitrogen compounds to modify cellulose and cellulose-containing materials to improve the performance, bio- and fire-protective properties of construction materials, as well as to optimize the consumption of boron-nitrogen compounds. As a result of the research, it was found that the boron-nitrogen compounds used in the compositions developed here chemically interact with hydroxyl groups at the C6-atom of cellulose. The chemical interaction of boron-nitrogen compounds with cellulose is an inter-crystalline process occurring without destruction of the crystal structure of the substrate since the modifier molecules bind with the more accessible hydroxyl groups of the amorphous regions of cellulose. Thus, surface modification with boron-nitrogen compounds does not result in accelerated aging of cellulose-containing materials and loss of strength but, on the contrary, increases the durability of wooden structures.
Gamma, E-Beam and X-ray Irradiations on PE/EVOH/PE Multilayer Film: An Industrial Point of View Regarding the Impact on Mechanical Properties
Authors: Girard-Perier Nina , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Dupuy Nathalie , Krieguer Blanche , Dorey Samuel
Published: June 2023

X-ray and electron-beam (E-beam) sterilization technologies were assessed to supplement gamma sterilization, the most common radiation technology used today for biopharmaceutical product sterilization. The mechanical properties of a PE/EVOH/PE film were studied using tensile tests and dynamical mechanical analysis after each irradiation technology (i.e., gamma, electron beam and X-ray irradiations). The effects of each irradiation were compared using two statistical methods. The results indicate that the three irradiation technologies induce no difference in mechanical properties in the investigated dose range for this material.
3D-Printed Polylactic Acid/Lignin Films with Great Mechanical Properties and Tunable Functionalities towards Superior UV-Shielding, Haze, and Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Ye Haichuan , He Yuan , Li Haichao , You Tingting , Xu Feng
Published: June 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is regarded as a novel technique to realize the customized production of films. However, the relative lack of printable materials with excellent mechanical properties and tailored functionalities seriously restricts its wide application. Herein, a promising multifunctional 3D printing filament was fabricated by incorporating lignin into the polylactic acid (PLA) matrix and firstly applied to film production. The results indicate that lignin was an excellent mechanical reinforcement of the PLA matrix, especially for toughening. Only 0.5% lignin doping improved the toughness by 81.8%. Additionally, 3D-printed films with 0.5–5% lignin exhibited excellent ultraviolet (UV)-blocking capability of 87.4–99.9% for UVB and 65.6–99.8% for UVA, as well as remarkable antioxidant properties, ranging from 24.0% to 79.0%, and high levels of haze, ranging from 63.5% to 92.5%. Moreover, the prepared PLA/lignin (P/L) films based on 3D printing achieved the customization of film production and have potential applications in the fields of packaging, electronic products, medical care, and so forth. Overall, this work not only enriches the 3D printing composites with tailored multifunctionality but also brings the promising potential for the production of customized films.
Synthesis and Properties of Polyamide 6 Random Copolymers Containing an Aromatic Imide Structure
Authors: Zhang Yingwei , Wang Chunhua , Yi Yong , Wang Wenzhi , Yang Jun
Published: June 2023

In order to adjust the properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) and expand its application, a new strategy of introducing an aromatic imide structure into the PA6 chain through the random copolymerization method is reported. The diimide diacid monomer was first synthesized by the dehydration and cyclization of pyromellitic dianhydride and 6-aminocaproic acid before it reacted with 1,6-hexamethylene diamine to form poly(amide imide) (PAI) salt, and finally synthesized PA6/PAI random copolymers containing an aromatic imide structure by the random copolymerization of ε-caprolactam and PAI salt. The introduction of an aromatic imide structural unit into the PA6 chain could have a great influence on its properties. As the content of PAI increases, the crystallinity (Xc) and melting temperature (Tm) of the PA6/PAI random copolymer gradually decrease, but its glass transition temperature (Tg) increases obviously. When the PAI content is 20 wt%, the copolymer PA6/PAI-20 has the best comprehensive performance and not only has high thermal stabilities but also excellent mechanical properties (high strength, high modulus, and good toughness) and dielectric properties (low dielectric constant and dielectric loss). Moreover, these properties are significantly superior to those of PA6. Such high-performance PA6 random copolymers can provide great promise for the wider applications of PA6 materials.
Analysis and Prediction of Electrospun Nanofiber Diameter Based on Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Ma Ming , Zhou Huchen , Gao Suhan , Li Nan , Guo Wenjuan , Dai Zhao
Published: June 2023

Electrospinning technology enables the fabrication of electrospun nanofibers with exceptional properties, which are highly influenced by their diameter. This work focuses on the electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to obtain PAN nanofibers under different processing conditions. The morphology and size of the resulting PAN nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the corresponding diameter data were measured using Nano Measure 1.2 software. The processing conditions and corresponding nanofiber diameter data were then inputted into an artificial neural network (ANN) to establish the relationship between the electrospinning process parameters (polymer concentration, applied voltage, collecting distance, and solution flow rate), and the diameter of PAN nanofibers. The results indicate that the polymer concentration has the greatest influence on the diameter of PAN nanofibers. The developed neural network prediction model provides guidance for the preparation of PAN nanofibers with specific dimensions.
A Submicron-Scale Plugging Agent for Oil-Based Drilling Fluid Synthesized Using the Inverse Emulsion Polymerization Method
Authors: Zhang Zhiquan , Dai Baimei , Xu Peng
Published: June 2023

Due to the increasing difficulty of drilling in the later stages of oil and gas field development, the development of micro-pores and micro-fractures is becoming common. Conventional plugging agents have relatively large particle sizes. So, choosing the appropriate plugging agent can prevent leakages. Using the inverse emulsion polymerization method, acrylamide, 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylic acid were selected to be the main reaction monomers, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide was used as a crosslinking agent, sorbitan monostearate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan anhydride monostearate were used as emulsifiers, and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride was used as the initiator to synthesize a nano-scale plugging agent for oil-based drilling fluid. The plugging agent was characterized using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry analysis. The results showed that the plugging agent is spherical and uniform in size, with particles being in the submicron range. Additionally, it exhibited strong temperature resistance. Finally, the performance of the plugging agent was evaluated via experiments conducted under normal temperature and pressure, high-temperature and high-pressure, and core-plugging conditions. After adding the plugging agent to the oil-based drilling fluid, the basic rheological properties of the oil-based drilling fluid were not significantly affected. Furthermore, the filtration loss was significantly reduced under normal temperature and pressure, as well as under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, after aging. When the plugging agent with 3% concentration was added, the reduction rate of pore core permeability reached 96.04%. Therefore, the plugging agent for the oil-based drilling fluid can effectively improve the wellbore stability and has a promising potential for field applications.
Enriching the Bioactive Components and Antioxidant Capacity of Concentrated Lime Juices Prepared by Cryogenic and Vacuum Processes
Authors: Huynh Dat Tien , Vo Mai Thi Nguyet , Kha Tuyen Chan
Published: June 2023

Lime juice is rich in bioactive components and exerts a wide range of therapeutic effects, especially antioxidant activity. Freeze concentration is considered an essential method to maintain the nutritional values and bioactives of fruit juices. This study aimed to compare the ability in enriching ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds, and major flavonoids and the antioxidant activity (DPPH) of concentrated lime juices prepared by vacuum and freeze-concentrations. The ascorbic acid in the juices was analyzed using the HPLC-PDA method. The total phenolic content and DPPH inhibition ability were measured by the colorimetric method. The polyphenol profiles of two lime varieties (C. latifolia and C. limonia) were qualitatively analyzed using LC-TOF MS/MS; then, the major juices’ flavonoids were analyzed by HPLC-PDA against/based on commercial standards. The results showed that C. latifolia was superior to C. limonia in ascorbic acid, TPC, major flavonoids, and antioxidants. C. latifolia was also more diverse than C. limonia in its polyphenol profile through the identified compounds (18 vs. 15). Freeze-concentrated lime juices were significantly higher than the vacuum-concentrated counterparts in ascorbic acid (mean difference from 9.41 to 22.01 mg, p < 0.01), and TPC (from 60.76 to 149.88 mgGAE). The quantification of major flavonoids showed that the freeze-concentrated lime juices retained high levels of hesperidin, eriocitrin, and rutin (p < 0.01) whereas the vacuum concentration preserved higher ones in diosmin and naringin (p < 0.01). The freeze-concentrated lime juice was significantly higher than vacuum-concentrated lime juices in the DPPH scavenging activity by at least 15% (p < 0.01). Overall, freeze concentration enriched bioactive compounds in lime juices almost threefold and improved antioxidants at least twofold. Thus, freeze concentration is promising for the industry in producing high-quality lime juice to preserve its thermal liable bioactive component.
Failure Characterization and Analysis of a Sport Utility Vehicles SUV Rear Door Damper Made by Nylon as Structural Element
Authors: Cruz-Salinas Jorge , Paramo-Kañetas Pedro Jacinto , Valdovinos-Chacón Gonzalo , Lozano Néstor Efrén Méndez , Zamora-Antuñano Marco Antonio , Gama-Lara Sergio Arturo
Published: June 2023

In this investigation, an automotive component made of nylon as a structural element was studied by several characterization techniques to identify material properties. Firstly, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out to obtain information about composition, then, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to extract useful information on sample thermal behavior. The humidity and volatile materials percentage could be assessed by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Morphology and topography were carried out by optical microscopy, moreover, X-ray Tomography allows it to display the sample’s inner part. Characterization shows that the component could have been contaminated or exposed to conditions that promote degradation after the manufacturing process. Finally, computerized X-ray tomography displayed that both samples showed a difference in porosity in a fractured sample and a healthy sample. All the above implies a change in the mechanical integrity of the fractured material but might not omit the fact that it could have been subjected to any type of impact or mechanical effort.
A Fast Method for Uncertainty Analysis of Power System Dynamic Simulation
Authors: Liu Chengxi , Jiang Youjin , Bai Hao , Yao Ruotian , Wu Lifang , Yang Weichen
Published: June 2023

Uncertain variables, such as electric power system parameters, have significant impacts on dynamic simulations of power systems. As traditional uncertainty analysis methods for power system dynamic simulations, both the simulation method and the approximation methods are difficult to balance the model complexity, computational efficiency, and simulation accuracy. In order to balance the model complexity, computational efficiency, and simulation accuracy, this paper proposes a method for uncertainty analysis for power system dynamic simulation based on the Nataf transformation and Gaussian-Hermite quadrature. Firstly, the samples on the normal distribution space are determined according to the Gaussian-Hermite quadrature points and the Nataf transformation. Secondly, obtain the simulation samples by inverse Nataf transformation, and perform power system dynamic simulation. Thirdly, the random output is approximated as a linear combination of a single random input, and the mean and standard deviation of the random output under the impact of a single random input are calculated by Gaussian-Hermite quadrature. Then, calculate the mean and standard deviation of the random output under the impact of all random input. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated on the IEEE 9-bus system and IEEE 39-bus system. Compared with Monte Carlo simulation and Latin Hypercube sampling, the proposed method can greatly reduce the simulation time for uncertain dynamic simulations while maintaining high accuracy.
Bioactive Efficacy of Identified Phytochemicals Solasodine, Lupeol and Quercetin from Solanum xanthocarpum against the RgpB Protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis—A Molecular Docking and Simulation Analysis
Authors: Arumuganainar Deepavalli , Subramanian Gopinath , Basavarajappa Santhosh , Hashem Mohamed Ibrahim , Arun Kurumathur Vasudevan , Balaji Subbusamy Kanakasabapathy , Yadalam Pradeep Kumar , Venkidasamy Baskar , Vinayagam Ramachandran
Published: June 2023

Periodontal diseases are highly prevalent oral conditions associated with severe complications in the oral cavity. These inflammatory diseases are caused by the oral microbiome and are influenced by several factors, such as aging, tobacco usage, systemic illness and inadequate oral hygiene. Plant-derived phytochemicals are extensively utilized in managing various periodontal diseases due to the presence of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Plant materials have shifted attention from conventional medicine to indigenous medicine. Solanum xanthocarpum is a medicinal herb found in India. It exhibits various pharmacological properties essential for periodontal disease prevention and management. The current work analyzes various pharmacological properties of S. xanthocarpum aqueous extract. The S. xanthocarpum extracts’ antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties were ascertained by DPPH assay, HRBC membrane stabilization assay and disk diffusion assay, respectively. S. xanthocarpum’s active phytochemical components were detected using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) estimation. Furthermore, molecular docking and simulation analysis were conducted to determine the interaction between phytocompounds and the RgpB protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Phytocompounds possessing anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were detected through GC-MS estimation. The molecular docking and simulation analysis revealed the inhibitory mechanisms of the phytocompounds Solasodine, Lupeol and Quercetin against arginine-specific gingipain RgpB protein. Insilico analysis revealed that Lupeol had the highest binding energy of −263.879 Kcal/mol among the phytocompounds studied, followed by Solasodine with a binding energy of −102.457 Kcal/mol and Quercetin with a binding energy of 33.6821 Kcal/mol. The study revealed that S. xanthocarpum has significant potential as an herbal remedy for preventing and treating periodontal diseases. This may facilitate drug development in the future.
Anticancer Activity of Anti-Tubercular Compound(s) Designed on Pyrrolyl Benzohydrazine Scaffolds: A Repurposing Study
Authors: Hagbani Turki Al , Moin Afrasim , Hussain Talib , Gupta N. Vishal , Alshammari Farhan , Rizvi Syed Mohd Danish , Dixit Sheshagiri
Published: June 2023

The present study explored anti-tubercular pyrrole derivatives against cancer targets using different in silico and in vitro approaches. Initially, nineteen anti-tubercular pyrrolyl benzohydrazide derivatives were screened against a potent cancer target PLK1 using an AutoDock Vina approach. Out of the nineteen derivatives, the two most potent derivatives C8 [N′-(4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl) benzoyl)-3-chlorobenzohydrazide] and C18 [N′-(4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl) benzoyl)-4-nitrobenzohydrazide], were subjected to molecular simulation analysis for a 100 ns trajectory. Further, these two derivatives were tested against A549, MCF-7, and HepG2 cell lines using an MTT proliferation assay. Apoptotic cell cycle and DAPI assays were also performed for C8 on A549 cell lines. Molecular dynamic analysis revealed that the stability of the C8–PLK1 protein complex during the 100 ns trajectory run was better than that of the C18–PLK1 protein complex. In addition, C8 showed lower IC50 values against the tested cell lines, in comparison to C18. Thus, C8 was selected for cell cycle, apoptosis, and DAPI analysis. Interestingly, C8 resulted in the significant cell cycle arrest of A549 cells at the G2/M phase, and annexin V-FITC/PI showed a significant increase (from 6.27% to 60.52%) in the percentage of apoptotic A549 cells. The present findings suggest that the anti-tubercular compound (C8) could be translated into a potent repurposed candidate against lung cancer. Nevertheless, in vivo assessment is necessary to further confirm the outcome and its clinical translation.
Investigation of the Antimicrobial and Physico-Mechanical Properties of Nature-Friendly Nanosilver-Loaded Pig Lining Leather Prepared Using Exhaustion Method
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc-Thang , Vu Tien-Hieu , Bui Van-Huan , Phan Duy-Nam , Nguyen Thi-Hang , Nguyen Thi-My-Linh
Published: June 2023

The natural hydrophilic property of leather makes it a possible growing substrate for microorganisms. Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, and molds frequently grow on shoe lining leather, causing skin diseases, unpleasant odors, and discomfort for the wearers. To address these issues, herein, bio-synthesized silver nanoparticles from Piper betle L. leaf extract were applied as an antimicrobial agent to pig leather via the exhaustion method. The characterization of nanosilver-treated pig leather was performed using colorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and FTIR techniques. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of the nanosilver-treated leather was both qualitatively and quantitatively assessed against two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and two fungi (a yeast Candida albicans and a mold Aspergillus niger) in accordance with AATCC TM90, AATCC TM30, and ISO 16187:2013 standards. The results indicated that the nanosilver was immobilized on the surface of collagen fibers as well as within the collagen matrix of the pig leather. The treated leather exhibited highly effective antibacterial and antifungal activities against all tested microorganisms, and the inhibition increased with an increase in the initial nanosilver concentration in the treated solution. Furthermore, the exhaustion technique used for the antimicrobial treatment of pig leather had no negative effects on its physico-mechanical properties, and it met the standard requirements of ISO 20882:2007 for shoe upper lining. Therefore, based on the efficient antimicrobial and suitable physico-mechanical properties, nanosilver-treated pig leather adapts the criteria for making hygienic shoe upper lining.
Carboniferous Shale Gas Accumulation Characteristics and Exploration Directions in South China
Authors: Yuan Kun , Huang Wenhui , Feng Bing , Li Long , Li Shizhen , Fang Xinxin , Yang Xiaoguang , Xu Qiuchen , Chen Rong , Chen Xianglin
Published: June 2023

China has focused on the exploration and development of shale gas resources to reduce its reliance on coal and shift to cleaner energy sources. While significant progress has been made in the Sichuan Basin, unlocking the shale gas potential in other regions of South China has proven challenging due to the complex geology and mountainous terrain. In 2021, Well QSD-1 was deployed in southwestern Guizhou and achieved a daily shale gas flow of 11,011 m3 in the Dawuba Formation, marking the first time an industrial gas flow had been obtained from shale gas drilling in the marine strata of the Upper Paleozoic in China. This breakthrough has deepened the understanding of the southern China Carboniferous marine strata and highlighted key aspects of the formation: (1) Sedimentation occurred in alternating platforms and basins, with most organic-rich shale developed in sloping and basin areas; (2) the formation exhibits favorable static indicators, with a relatively thick section (over 200 m), and an organic carbon content of approximately 1%; (3) the intercalation of argillaceous limestone and shale intervals is conducive to the preservation of shale gas within the formation. These results demonstrate the potential for the Upper Paleozoic in South China to become a significant shale gas producer, which could contribute significantly to China’s energy security. Furthermore, exploring shale gas in the region may have positive economic and environmental impacts, including reducing China’s dependence on coal and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Thermal and Crystallization Properties of a Polyhydroxyalkanoate Binary Copolymer Containing 3-Hydroxybutyrate and 3-Hydroxy-2-Methylvalerate Units
Authors: Miyahara Yuki , Nakamura Tomoya , Mierzati Maierwufu , Qie Zihan , Shibasaka Tomoki , Nomura Christopher T. , Taguchi Seiichi , Abe Hideki , Tsuge Takeharu
Published: June 2023

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are aliphatic polyesters synthesized intracellularly by microorganisms as a carbon-storage substance. Among the various PHAs, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB)-based copolymers are crystalline polymers widely used as biodegradable plastics. Recently, PHAs containing α-carbon-methylated monomers, such as 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutyrate (3H2MB) and 3-hydroxy-2-methylvalerate (3H2MV), have been synthesized and characterized. However, a binary copolymer of 3HB and 3H2MV, P(3HB-co-3H2MV), had not yet been synthesized, and its material properties had not been investigated. In this study, P(3HB-co-11 mol% 3H2MV) (PHBMV11) was synthesized with recombinant Escherichia coli LSBJ, using trans-2-methyl-2-pentenoic acid as the 3H2MV precursor. The thermal properties of PHBMV11 were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the results were compared with those of P(3HB-co-12 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV12) to explore the effect of α-carbon methylation in the comonomer unit. PHBMV11 exhibited a higher enthalpy of fusion during the DSC heating process and higher crystallization temperature during the DSC cooling process than those of PHBV12. The half-crystallization time of PHBMV11 was slightly longer than that of the P(3HB) homopolymer and much shorter than that of PHBV12 previously reported. The α-carbon methylation of the 3H2MV unit also has a positive effect on the crystallization of 3HB-based copolymers, as the 3H2MB unit demonstrated previously.
Understanding the Impact of Sintering Temperature on the Properties of Ni–BCZY Composite Anode for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell Application
Authors: Hadi Nur Hanisah , Somalu Mahendra Rao , Samat Abdullah Abdul , Yusoff Wan Nor Anasuhah Wan , Muchtar Andanastuti , Baharuddin Nurul Akidah , Abdul Muhammed Ali Shaikh , Raharjo Jarot , Khaerudini Deni Shidqi , Abdalla Abdalla M. , Azad Abul Kalam
Published: June 2023

Understanding the impact of sintering temperature on the physical and chemical properties of Ni-BaCe0.54Zr0.36Y0.1O3-δ (Ni-BCZY) composite anode is worthy of being investigated as this anode is the potential for protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) application. Initially, NiO–BCZY composite powder with 50 wt% of NiO and 50 wt% of BCZY is prepared by the sol–gel method using citric acid as the chelating agent. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the optimum calcination temperature of the synthesised powder is 1100 °C. XRD result shows that the calcined powder exists as a single cubic phase without any secondary phase with the lattice parameter (a) of 4.332 Å. FESEM analysis confirms that the powder is homogeneous and uniform, with an average particle size of 51 ± 16 nm. The specific surface area of the calcined powder measured by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) technique is 6.25 m2/g. The thickness, porosity, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of the screen-printed anode are measured as a function of sintering temperature (1200–1400 °C). The thickness of the sintered anodes after the reduction process decreases from 28.95 μm to 26.18 μm and their porosity also decreases from 33.98% to 26.93% when the sintering temperature increases from 1200 °C to 1400 °C. The electrical conductivities of the anodes sintered at 1200 °C, 1300 °C and 1400 °C are 443 S/cm, 633 S/cm and 1124 S/cm at 800 °C, respectively. Electrochemical studies showed that the anode sintered at 1400 °C shows the lowest area specific resistance (ASR) of 1.165 Ω cm2 under a humidified (3% H2O) gas mixture of H2 (10%) and N2 (90%) at 800 °C. Further improvement of the anode’s performance can be achieved by considering the properties of the screen-printing ink used for its preparation.
Cost-Effective Processes for Denim Production Wastewater: Dual Criterial Optimization of Techno-Economical Parameters by RSM and Minimization of Energy Consumption of Photo Assisted Fenton Processes via Direct Photovoltaic Solar Panel Integration
Authors: Solak Murat
Published: June 2023

Denim production wastewater is an industrial wastewater with a high organic pollutant content. The aim of this study was to improve a cost-effective method via solar panel integration to the photo Fenton process (PFP) and photo electrochemical Fenton process (PEFP) for removing high chemical oxygen demand (COD) from denim production wastewater. To determine process parameter values, the double criterial optimization option was used. The results that maximized the COD removal efficiency and minimized the operating cost of two oxidation processes were determined by response surface methodology (RSM). Optimum operation conditions for the PFP process were 3.18 initial pH, 2.3 g/L Fe2+ concentration, and 27 g/L H2O2 concentration while they were 3.00 initial pH, 27.06 A/m2 current density, and 28.16 g/L H2O2 concentration for PEFP. At the optimum conditions, COD and the total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency of PFP were 85% and 61%, respectively. They were determined as 90% and 73% in PEFP. Carbon oxidation state (COS) and average oxidation state (AOS) parameters were used to obtain the biodegradation capability of organic materials. The biodegradability capability of wastewater was observed as high after the Fenton processes. As a result of the optimization of technical parameters, total operating cost was obtained as USD 14.62/m3 (USD 4.25/kgCODremoved) in PFP and USD 13.79/m3 (USD 3.73/kgCODremoved) in PEFP. After the integration of the photovoltaic solar panel to the processes, the total operating cost of PFP and PEFP decreased in a ratio of 61% and 64%, respectively.
Microscopic Distribution and Development Strategy of Residual Oil in Tight Sandstone
Authors: Yi Xiaodong , Zhang Meiling , Mu Guangshan
Published: June 2023

Pore and permeability are distributed discontinuously and unevenly in the dominant sedimentary model of the lateral accretion body inside the meandering river point bar of the Fuyang reservoir of the Yushulin oilfield. Based on the water flooding experiments of field core samples, the influence of pore permeability conditions on residual oil distribution type and water cutting rate was studied by using the microscopic visualization technology enabled through a photolithographically fabricated glass model. It is found that the residual oil in samples shows five discontinuous types, which are cluster, columnar, oil droplet, membrane, and blind end. In the stages with low, medium, and high water cutting rates, the proportion of clustered residual oil in the samples with different permeability is high, reflecting the situation that it is difficult for injected water to spread widely in tight oil reservoirs. With the decrease of permeability, the proportion of membrane and blind end residual oil gradually increases, which indicates that the thin pore throat can produce large restrictions on residual oil, resulting in residual oil enrichment. At the same time, the water flooding experiment was carried out by changing the displacement direction and periodic water injection. It was found that changing the displacement direction was beneficial to the recovery of residual oil in the thin pore throat and avoided the dominant seepage of injected water in the big pore throat, and the recovery rate was increased by more than 2.14%. Periodic water injection, which was conducive to adjusting the displacement pressure difference, reduced the constraining force of the throat on residual oil and increased the recovery rate by more than 3.98%. The actual well area with closed coring wells and dynamic production data is preferred for the application of experimental research results. Changing displacement direction and periodic water injection increased the residual oil recovery by more than 3%.
Experimental Study about Shale Acceleration on Methane Cracking
Authors: Mi Jingkui , Xiao Xianming , Guo Jinhao , He Kun , Ma Xingzhi
Published: June 2023

The temperature or maturity limit of methane (CH4) cracking is very useful for the determination of the most depth or the highest maturity in natural gas exploration owing to the composition of over mature gas. In this work, three series of CH4 cracking experiments were conducted under different conditions of N2 + CH4, N2 + CH4 + montmorillonite and N2 + CH4 + shale, respectively, in a gold tube system. The experimental results show that some heavy gas with negative carbon isotope composition could be generated in the three series experiments and that shale has more intense catalysis for CH4 cracking than montmorillonite. The catalysis of metal elements distributed in the minerals of shale is attributed to CH4 cracking acceleration. The shale catalysis makes the maturity threshold of CH4 substantial cracking decrease from 6.0%Ro under no catalysis, to 4.5%Ro under a shale system in a geological setting. Nevertheless, we suggest not to lightly practice natural gas exploration in shale with the maturity range of 3.5–4.5%Ro, as the maturity threshold of gas generation from oil prone organic matter distributed extensively in shale is 3.5%Ro.
A Software Toolbox for Realistic Dataset Generation for Testing Online and Offline 3D Bin Packing Algorithms
Authors: Ribeiro Luis , Ananno Anan Ashrabi
Published: June 2023

Packing products into a pallet or other medium is an unavoidable activity for producing companies. In many cases, packing is based on operator experience and training using packing patterns that have worked before. Automated packing, on the other hand, requires a systematic procedure for devising packing solutions. In the scientific literature, this problem is known as 3D bin packing (3DBP) and many authors have proposed exact and heuristic solutions for many variations of the problem. There is, however, a lack of datasets that can be used to test and validate such solutions. Many of the available datasets use randomly generated products with extremely limited connection to real practice. Furthermore, they contain a reduced number of product configurations and ignore that packing relates to customers’ orders, which have specific relative mixes of products. This paper proposes a software toolbox for generating arbitrarily large datasets for 3DBPP based on real industry data. The toolbox was developed in connection with the analysis of a real dataset from the food and beverages sector, which enabled the creation of several synthetic datasets. The toolbox and the synthetic datasets are publicly available and can be used to generate additional data for testing and validating 3DBP solutions. The industry is increasingly becoming data dependent and driven. The ability to generate good quality synthetic data to support the development of solutions to real industry problems is of extreme importance. This work is a step in that direction in a domain where open data are scarce.
The Development and Modern Transformation of Material Culture in the Worship of Mazu
Authors: Zhang Yanchao , Wu Chenjingyue , Liu Xiangbo
Published: June 2023

Based on fieldwork and the analysis of the historical literature, this article studies the development of material culture in the cult of popular goddess Mazu, exploring in particular the materialization mechanisms and strategies deployed by various actors in her worship nowadays. Through the ages, people in China have expressed their religious feelings and experiences in the objects they display, worship, and exchange, as well as in the spaces that they build and inhabit. In this process, religious beliefs are externalized in forms of material culture, including symbols, texts, relics, music, and temples. As a result, these artifacts and places carry individual and collective memories and affects that allow believers to experience religion not only at special events like festivals and pilgrimages, but in everyday life. In modern China, the connotations and forms of material carriers have diversified. The rise of souvenirs and other forms of cultural consumption have transformed the materialization of religiosity. In the worship of Mazu, the relationship between pilgrimage, tourism, entertainment, and the production and circulation of commodities has become increasingly tight, changing the cult’s beliefs and their physical expression. That connection also brings social and economic sustenance to the local community. Taking the Mazu Temple in Meizhou as a case, this paper adopts a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to examine the pilgrimage–tourism–commerce nexus, as well as other contemporary forms of the materialization of her cult.
Non-Prehensile Manipulation Actions and Visual 6D Pose Estimation for Fruit Grasping Based on Tactile Sensing
Authors: Costanzo Marco , De Simone Marco , Federico Sara , Natale Ciro
Published: June 2023

Robotic manipulation in cluttered environments is one of the challenges roboticists are currently facing. When the objects to handle are delicate fresh fruits, grasping is even more challenging. Detecting and localizing fruits with the accuracy necessary to grasp them is very difficult due to the large variability in the aspect and dimensions of each item. This paper proposes a solution that exploits a state-of-the-art neural network and a novel enhanced 6D pose estimation method that integrates the depth map with the neural network output. Even with an accurate localization, grasping fruits with a suitable force to avoid slippage and damage at the same time is another challenge. This work solves this issue by resorting to a grasp controller based on tactile sensing. Depending on the specific application scenario, grasping a fruit might be impossible without colliding with other objects or other fruits. Therefore, a non-prehensile manipulation action is here proposed to push items hindering the grasp of a detected fruit. The pushing from an initial location to a target one is performed by a model predictive controller taking into account the unavoidable delay in the perception and computing pipeline of the robotic system. Experiments with real fresh fruits demonstrate that the overall proposed approach allows a robot to successfully grasp apples in various situations.
Understanding the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Land Subsidence and Rebound in the Lianjiang Plain Using Time-Series InSAR with Dual-Track Sentinel-1 Data
Authors: He Yangfan , Ng Alex , Wang Hua , Kuang Jianming
Published: June 2023

The Lianjiang Plain, renowned for its position as ‘China’s textile hub’ and characterized by its high population density, has experienced considerable subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction in recent years. Although some studies have investigated short-term subsidence in this plain, research on long-term subsidence and rebound remain understudied. In this paper, the characteristics of surface deformation in the Lijiang Plain during two periods (2015–2017 and 2018–2021) have been investigated using the time-series interferometric synthetic aperture radar (TS-InSAR) technique, and the correlation with the changes in groundwater level, geological factors, and urban construction are discussed. The InSAR-derived results are cross-validated with the adjacent orbit datasets. Large-scale and uneven subsidence ranging from −124 mm/year to +40 mm/year is observed from 2015 to 2017. However, a significant decrease in the subsidence rate during 2018–2021, with local rebound deformation up to +48 mm/year in three regions, is also observed. Groundwater level changes are found to be the major cause of the ground deformation, and the intercomparison between groundwater level and ground displacement time series from TS-InSAR measurements also indicates a clear relationship between them during 2018–2021. Geological factors control the range of deformation area over the study period. The impact of urban construction on surface subsidence is evident, contributing to high deformation. Our findings could improve the understanding of how deformation is affected by groundwater rebound and offer valuable insights into groundwater management, urban planning, and land subsidence mitigation.