bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Al2O3 Sandblasting Particle Size on the Surface Topography and Residual Compressive Stresses of Three Different Dental Zirconia Grades
Authors: Kim Hee-Kyung , Ahn Byungmin
Published: January 2021

This study investigated the effect of sandblasting particle size on the surface topography and compressive stresses of conventional zirconia (3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal; 3Y-TZP) and two highly translucent zirconia (4 or 5 mol% partially stabilized zirconia; 4Y-PSZ or 5Y-PSZ). Plate-shaped zirconia specimens (14.0 × 14.0 × 1.0 mm3, n = 60 for each grade) were sandblasted using different Al2O3 sizes (25, 50, 90, 110, and 125 μm) under 0.2 MPa for 10 s/cm2 at a 10 mm distance and a 90° angle. The surface topography was characterized using a 3-D confocal laser microscopy and inspected with a scanning electron microscope. To assess residual stresses, the tetragonal peak shift at 147 cm−1 was traced using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Al2O3 sandblasting altered surface topographies (p < 0.05), although highly translucent zirconia showed more pronounced changes compared to conventional zirconia. 5Y-PSZ abraded with 110 μm sand showed the highest Sa value (0.76 ± 0.12 μm). Larger particle induced more compressive stresses for 3Y-TZP (p < 0.05), while only 25 μm sand induced residual stresses for 5Y-PSZ. Al2O3 sandblasting with 110 μm sand for 3Y-TZP, 90 μm sand for 4Y-PSZ, and 25 μm sand for 5Y-PSZ were considered as the recommended blasting conditions.
Mathematical Analysis and Numerical Solution of a Model of HIV with a Discrete Time Delay
Authors: Arenas Abraham J. , González-Parra Gilberto , Naranjo Jhon J. , Cogollo Myladis , De La Espriella Nicolás
Published: January 2021

We propose a mathematical model based on a set of delay differential equations that describe intracellular HIV infection. The model includes three different subpopulations of cells and the HIV virus. The mathematical model is formulated in such a way that takes into account the time between viral entry into a target cell and the production of new virions. We study the local stability of the infection-free and endemic equilibrium states. Moreover, by using a suitable Lyapunov functional and the LaSalle invariant principle, it is proved that if the basic reproduction ratio is less than unity, the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. In addition, we designed a non-standard difference scheme that preserves some relevant properties of the continuous mathematical model.
Global Solvability of Compressible–Incompressible Two-Phase Flows with Phase Transitions in Bounded Domains
Authors: Watanabe Keiichi
Published: January 2021

Consider a free boundary problem of compressible-incompressible two-phase flows with surface tension and phase transition in bounded domains Ωt+,Ωt−⊂RN, N≥2, where the domains are separated by a sharp compact interface Γt⊂RN−1. We prove a global in time unique existence theorem for such free boundary problem under the assumption that the initial data are sufficiently small and the initial domain of the incompressible fluid is close to a ball. In particular, we obtain the solution in the maximal Lp−Lq-regularity class with 2<p<∞ and N<q<∞ and exponential stability of the corresponding analytic semigroup on the infinite time interval.
On Killing Vector Fields on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Deshmukh Sharief , Belova Olga
Published: January 2021

We study the influence of a unit Killing vector field on geometry of Riemannian manifolds. For given a unit Killing vector field w on a connected Riemannian manifold (M,g) we show that for each non-constant smooth function f∈C∞(M) there exists a non-zero vector field wf associated with f. In particular, we show that for an eigenfunction f of the Laplace operator on an n-dimensional compact Riemannian manifold (M,g) with an appropriate lower bound on the integral of the Ricci curvature S(wf,wf) gives a characterization of the odd-dimensional unit sphere S2m+1. Also, we show on an n-dimensional compact Riemannian manifold (M,g) that if there exists a positive constant c and non-constant smooth function f that is eigenfunction of the Laplace operator with eigenvalue nc and the unit Killing vector field w satisfying ∇w2≤(n−1)c and Ricci curvature in the direction of the vector field ∇f−w is bounded below by n−1c is necessary and sufficient for (M,g) to be isometric to the sphere S2m+1(c). Finally, we show that the presence of a unit Killing vector field w on an n-dimensional Riemannian manifold (M,g) with sectional curvatures of plane sections containing w equal to 1 forces dimension n to be odd and that the Riemannian manifold (M,g) becomes a K-contact manifold. We also show that if in addition (M,g) is complete and the Ricci operator satisfies Codazzi-type equation, then (M,g) is an Einstein Sasakian manifold.
Growth of a Large, Single-Crystalline WS2 Monolayer for High-Performance Photodetectors by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Chen Ying
Published: January 2021

2D WS2 is a promising candidate for the next generation nanoelectronics, spintronics, valleytronics, and optoelectronics. However, the uncontrollably large-area growth of WS2 nanosheets and their unsatisfactory performance of the photodetectors based on WS2 hindered its applications. Here, we proposed a CVD method using tungstic acid as the precursors to grow WS2 flakes. After being characterized by AFM, Raman, PL, and TEM, we found the as-grown WS2 flakes were high-quality structures. Then the photodetectors based on the as-grown WS2 were fabricated, which exhibited high responsivity (7.3 A W−1), a fast response rate (a response time of 5 ms and a recovery time of 7 ms), prefect external quantum efficiency (EQE) (1814%), and remarkable detectivity (D*) (3.4 × 1012 Jones). Our works provided a new CVD method to grow some high-quality WS2 nanosheets.
Homoplasy as an Auxiliary Criterion for Species Delimitation
Authors: Conti Angela , Casagrande Pierantoni Debora , Robert Vincent , Cardinali Gianluigi , Corte Laura
Published: January 2021

Homoplasy is a sort of noise in phylogenetic reconstructions, due to the accumulation of backmutations, convergent evolution and horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which is considered the major trigger of homoplasy in microorganism for its massive presence. It is also known that homoplasy increases with the complexity of the tree with both real and simulated data. In this paper, we analyzed the variation of homoplasy with the two widely used taxonomic markers ITS and LSU in four taxonomic models characterized by differences in the intra-specific distances. An algorithm (HomoDist) was developed to analyze the homoplasy index (HI) variation upon addition of a single element (strain or species) in increasing distance from a starting element. This algorithm allows to follow changes of the consistency index (CI), complementary to the HI, with the increase of the number of taxa and with the increase of the distance among elements. Results show that homoplasy increases—as expected—with the number of taxa, but also as a function of the overall distance among species, often with an almost linear relationship between distance and HI. No HI change was observed in trees with few taxa spanning through short distances, indicating that this noise is not prohibitive in this context, although the analysis of the ratio between HI and distance can be recommended as a criterion for tree acceptance. The absence of large changes of the HI within the species, and its increase when new species are added by HomoDist, suggest that homoplasy variation can be used as an auxiliary test in distance-based species delimitation with any type of marker.
Organic Petrographical Features of Fly Ashes Originating from Coal and Coal-SRF Co-Combustion
Authors: Wojtaszek Małgorzata , Wasielewski Ryszard , Kalaitzidis Stavros
Published: January 2021

In this study, the features of fly ashes originating from industrial-scale high volatile bituminous coal combustion and co-combustion of coal with 10% admixture of alternative fuel SRF (solid recovered fuel) are presented, with emphasis on the organic petrographical characteristics. The organic petrographical and mineralogical data are co-evaluated with geochemical data, with the aim to provide a full classification of the studied fly ashes, as well as base information toward any potential application of this waste material, according to the recycling economy principles. By applying organic petrographical methods, the assignment of the carbon-rich residuals to the respective feed fuel, either coal or SRF, can be achieved. The obtained quantitative evaluation provides useful information regarding the combustion conditions in the stoker boiler. The analyzed fly ashes contain significant C-residuals, mostly in the form of fused, dense, and anisotropic particles, while the enrichment in sooty particles is caused due to the addition of SRF fuel. In conjunction with the moderate-low content of potential hazardous elements, the features of the contained C-residual phases suggest that these fly ashes could possibly be the subject of further studies for their applicability as soil improvements.
Editorial for Special Issue “Industrial Minerals”
Authors: Garcia-Valles Maite
Published: January 2021

Industrial minerals play an important role in keeping our society running, as they are used in a wide range of industrial and domestic applications [...]
Editorial for Special Issue “Pyrite Varieties and LA-ICP-MS Geochemistry in Ore Genesis and Exploration”
Authors: Maslennikov Valeriy V. , Large Ross R.
Published: January 2021

The chemistry of pyrite represents a potentially promising new frontier for the research and exploration of different types of ore deposits [...]
Spirocyclic Nitroxides as Versatile Tools in Modern Natural Sciences: From Synthesis to Applications. Part I. Old and New Synthetic Approaches to Spirocyclic Nitroxyl Radicals
Authors: Zaytseva Elena , Mazhukin Dmitrii
Published: January 2021

Spirocyclic nitroxyl radicals (SNRs) are stable paramagnetics bearing spiro-junction at α-, β-, or γ-carbon atom of the nitroxide fragment, which is part of the heterocyclic system. Despite the fact that the first representatives of SNRs were obtained about 50 years ago, the methodology of their synthesis and their usage in chemistry and biochemical applications have begun to develop rapidly only in the last two decades. Due to the presence of spiro-function in the SNRs molecules, the latter have increased stability to various reducing agents (including biogenic ones), while the structures of the biradicals (SNBRs) comprises a rigid spiro-fused core that fixes mutual position and orientation of nitroxide moieties that favors their use in dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) experiments. This first review on SNRs will give a glance at various strategies for the synthesis of spiro-substituted, mono-, and bis-nitroxides on the base of six-membered (piperidine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline, 9,9′(10H,10H′)-spirobiacridine, piperazine, and morpholine) or five-membered (2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole, pyrrolidine, 2,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole, 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole, imidazolidine, and oxazolidine) heterocyclic cores.
The Protective Role of Butyrate against Obesity and Obesity-Related Diseases
Authors: Coppola Serena , Avagliano Carmen , Calignano Antonio , Berni Canani Roberto
Published: January 2021

Worldwide obesity is a public health concern that has reached pandemic levels. Obesity is the major predisposing factor to comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The common forms of obesity are multifactorial and derive from a complex interplay of environmental changes and the individual genetic predisposition. Increasing evidence suggest a pivotal role played by alterations of gut microbiota (GM) that could represent the causative link between environmental factors and onset of obesity. The beneficial effects of GM are mainly mediated by the secretion of various metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate are small organic metabolites produced by fermentation of dietary fibers and resistant starch with vast beneficial effects in energy metabolism, intestinal homeostasis and immune responses regulation. An aberrant production of SCFAs has emerged in obesity and metabolic diseases. Among SCFAs, butyrate emerged because it might have a potential in alleviating obesity and related comorbidities. Here we reviewed the preclinical and clinical data that contribute to explain the role of butyrate in this context, highlighting its crucial contribute in the diet-GM-host health axis.
Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Palladium Oxide from an Aluminosilicate-Supported Catalyst Enhanced by a Combination of Complexing Polymers and Piperidine
Authors: Ruiu Andrea , Bauer-Siebenlist Bernhard , Senila Marin , Li W. S. Jennifer , Seaudeau-Pirouley Karine , Lacroix-Desmazes Patrick , Jänisch Thorsten
Published: January 2021

Precious metals, in particular Pd, have a wide range of applications in industry. Due to their scarcity, precious metals have to be recycled, preferably with green and energy-saving recycling processes. In this article, palladium extraction from an aluminosilicate-supported catalyst, containing about 2 wt% (weight%) of Pd (100% PdO), with supercritical CO2 (scCO2) assisted by complexing polymers is described. Two polymers, p(FDA)SH homopolymer and p(FDA-co-DPPS) copolymer (FDA: 1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorodecyl acrylate; DPPS: 4-(diphenylphosphino)styrene), were tested with regards to their ability to extract palladium. Both polymers showed relatively low extraction conversions of approximately 18% and 30%, respectively. However, the addition of piperidine as activator for p(FDA-co-DPPS) allowed for an increase in the extraction conversion of up to 60%.
Identification and Purification of Novel Low-Molecular-Weight Lupine Allergens as Components for Personalized Diagnostics
Authors: Jappe Uta , Karstedt Arabella , Warneke Daniela , Hellmig Saskia , Böttger Marisa , Riffelmann Friedrich W. , Treudler Regina , Lange Lars , Abraham Susanne , Dölle-Bierke Sabine , Worm Margitta , Wagner Nicola , Ruëff Franziska , Reese Gerald , Knulst André C. , Becker Wolf-Meinhard
Published: January 2021

Lupine flour is a valuable food due to its favorable nutritional properties. In spite of its allergenic potential, its use is increasing. Three lupine species, Lupinus angustifolius, L. luteus, and L. albus are relevant for human nutrition. The aim of this study is to clarify whether the species differ with regard to their allergen composition and whether anaphylaxis marker allergens could be identified in lupine. Patients with the following characteristics were included: lupine allergy, suspected lupine allergy, lupine sensitization only, and peanut allergy. Lupine sensitization was detected via CAP-FEIA (ImmunoCAP) and skin prick test. Protein, DNA and expressed sequence tag (EST) databases were queried for lupine proteins homologous to already known legume allergens. Different extraction methods applied on seeds from all species were examined by SDS-PAGE and screened by immunoblotting for IgE-binding proteins. The extracts underwent different and successive chromatography methods. Low-molecular-weight components were purified and investigated for IgE-reactivity. Proteomics revealed a molecular diversity of the three species, which was confirmed when investigated for IgE-reactivity. Three new allergens, L. albus profilin, L. angustifolius and L. luteus lipid transfer protein (LTP), were identified. LTP as a potential marker allergen for severity is a valuable additional candidate for molecular allergy diagnostic tests.
Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent COVID-19 Infections and Deaths—Accumulating Evidence from Epidemiological and Intervention Studies Calls for Immediate Action
Authors: Brenner Hermann
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented threat to human health, health care systems, public life, and economy around the globe. The repertoire of effective therapies for severe courses of the disease has remained limited. A large proportion of the world population suffers from vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, with prevalence being particularly high among the COVID-19 high-risk populations. Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested as a potential option to prevent COVID-19 infections, severe courses, and deaths from the disease, but is not widely practiced. This article provides an up-to-date summary of recent epidemiological and intervention studies on a possible role of vitamin D supplementation for preventing severe COVID-19 cases and deaths. Despite limitations and remaining uncertainties, accumulating evidence strongly supports widespread vitamin D supplementation, in particular of high-risk populations, as well as high-dose supplementation of those infected. Given the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefit–risk ratio of such supplementation calls for immediate action even before results of ongoing large-scale randomized trials become available.
The Effects of Long-Term Nutrition Counseling According to the Behavioral Modification Stages in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Matsuzaki Keiko , Fukushima Nobuko , Saito Yutaka , Matsumoto Naoya , Nagaoka Mayu , Katsuda Yousuke , Miura Shin-ichiro
Published: January 2021

Background: the behavioral modification stages (BMS) are widely used; however, there are no reports on long-term nutrition counseling for cardiovascular disease (CVD) according to BMS. Aim: to study the effects of long-term nutrition counseling based on the BMS in patients with CVD. Methods: fifteen patients with CVD who participated in nutrition counseling were enrolled between June 2012 and December 2016. We provided BMS and dietary questionnaires to estimate the stage score (SS), salt intake, and drinking habits (non-drinking group (n = 7)/drinking group (n = 8)), and measured the blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), and biochemical markers before and after hospitalization at 6 months, 1 year, and 1.5 years after leaving the outpatient department (OPD). Results: a significant decreased salt intake and increase in SS were found at 1.5 years. It significantly decreased the BP and salt intake in the non-drinking group at 1.5 years. Conclusions: long-term nutrition counseling according to BMS improved salt intake and BP in the non-drinking group. However, in the drinking group, increased salt intake might weaken the BP improvement. Temperance and low-sodium intake are essential factors that control BP, especially in drinkers.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Food Supply and Demand in Australia: Utilising Group Model Building to Identify Retailer and Customer Perspectives
Authors: Whelan Jillian , Brown Andrew Dwight , Coller Lee , Strugnell Claudia , Allender Steven , Alston Laura , Hayward Josh , Brimblecombe Julie , Bell Colin
Published: January 2021

Prior to the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19, 70% of Australians’ food purchases were from supermarkets. Rural communities experience challenges accessing healthy food, which drives health inequalities. This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on food supply and purchasing behaviour in a rural supermarket. Group model building workshops explored food supply experiences during COVID-19 in a rural Australian community with one supermarket. We asked three supermarket retailers “What are the current drivers of food supply into this supermarket environment?” and, separately, 33 customers: “What are the current drivers of purchases in this supermarket environment?” Causal loop diagrams were co-created with participants in real time with themes drawn afterwards from coded transcripts. Retailers’ experience of COVID-19 included ‘empty shelves’ attributed to media and government messaging, product unavailability, and community fear. Customers reported fear of contracting COVID-19, unavailability of food, and government restrictions resulting in cooking more meals at home, as influences on purchasing behaviour. Supermarket management and customers demonstrated adaptability and resilience to normalise demand and combat reduced supply.
Harnessing SmartPhones to Personalize Nutrition in a Time of Global Pandemic
Authors: Zmora Niv , Elinav Eran
Published: January 2021

The soar in COVID-19 cases around the globe has forced many to adapt to social distancing and self-isolation. In order to reduce contact with healthcare facilities and other patients, the CDC has advocated the use of telemedicine, i.e., electronic information and telecommunication technology. While these changes may disrupt normal behaviors and routines and induce anxiety, resulting in decreased vigilance to healthy diet and physical activity and reluctance to seek medical attention, they may just as well be circumvented using modern technology. Indeed, as the beginning of the pandemic a plethora of alternatives to conventional physical interactions were introduced. In this Perspective, we portray the role of SmartPhone applications (apps) in monitoring healthy nutrition, from their basic functionality as food diaries required for simple decision-making and nutritional interventions, through more advanced purposes, such as multi-dimensional data-mining and development of machine learning algorithms. Finally, we will delineate the emerging field of personalized nutrition and introduce pioneering technologies and concepts yet to be incorporated in SmartPhone-based dietary surveillance.
Priming for Life: Early Life Nutrition and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis
Authors: Ratsika Anna , Codagnone Martin C. , O’Mahony Siobhain , Stanton Catherine , Cryan John F.
Published: January 2021

Microbes colonize the human body during the first moments of life and coexist with the host throughout the lifespan. Intestinal microbiota and their metabolites aid in the programming of important bodily systems such as the immune and the central nervous system during critical temporal windows of development, with possible structural and functional implications throughout the lifespan. These critical developmental windows perinatally (during the first 1000 days) are susceptible timepoints for insults that can endure long lasting effects on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Environmental and parental factors like host genetics, mental health, nutrition, delivery and feeding mode, exposure to antibiotics, immune activation and microbiota composition antenatally, are all factors that are able to modulate the microbiota composition of mother and infant and may thus regulate important bodily functions. Among all these factors, early life nutrition plays a pivotal role in perinatal programming and in the modulation of offspring microbiota from birth throughout lifespan. This review aims to present current data on the impact of early life nutrition and microbiota priming of important bodily systems and all the factors influencing the microbial coexistence with the host during early life development.
Latent Class Analysis of Multiple Health Risk Behaviors among Australian University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress
Authors: Hutchesson Melinda J. , Duncan Mitch J. , Oftedal Stina , Ashton Lee M. , Oldmeadow Christopher , Kay-Lambkin Frances , Whatnall Megan C.
Published: January 2021

University students have high rates of health risk behaviors and psychological distress. This study explores patterns of health behaviors among a sample of Australian university students, and determines whether patterns of health behaviors are associated with psychological distress and demographic characteristics. Cross-sectional data from the University of Newcastle Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2019 were analyzed. Fruit and vegetable intake, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, alcohol intake, drug use, sleep and psychological distress were assessed. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of health risk behaviors, and latent class regression to explore associations between psychological distress and demographic characteristics with health behavior classes. Analysis included 1965 students (mean age 25.8 ± 8.6 years, 70.7% female). Three patterns of health behaviors were identified: healthier (48.6%), moderate (40.2%) and unhealthy (11.2%) lifestyle classes. Students in the moderate and unhealthy lifestyle classes had higher odds of moderate (OR 1.43 and 2.37) and high/very high psychological distress risk (OR 2.71 and 11.69). Students in the unhealthy and moderate lifestyle classes had a higher odds of being male, younger, enrolled in transition to university and English language courses, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and to report some financial difficulty. Study findings may be used to inform the design of mental health interventions for university students that target key health risk behaviors.
The Marine Microalga, Tisochrysis lutea, Protects against Metabolic Disorders Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity
Authors: Mayer Claire , Richard Léo , Côme Martine , Ulmann Lionel , Nazih Hassan , Chénais Benoît , Ouguerram Khadija , Mimouni Virginie
Published: January 2021

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 series and especially docosahexaenoic acid are known to exert preventive effects on metabolic disturbances associated with obesity and decrease cardiovascular disease risk. n-3 LC-PUFAs are mainly consumed in the form of fish oil, while other sources, such as certain microalgae, may contain a high content of these fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tisochrysis lutea (Tiso), a microalga rich in DHA, on metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Three male Wistar rat groups were submitted for eight weeks to a standard diet or high-fat and high fructose diet (HF), supplemented or not with 12% of T. lutea (HF-Tiso). The supplementation did not affect plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). Bodyweight, glycemia and insulinemia decreased in HF-Tiso rats (ANOVA, p < 0.001), while total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (ANOVA, p < 0.001) without change of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Tiso supplementation decreased fat mass and leptinemia as well as liver TAG, cholesterol and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (ANOVA, p < 0.001) while it did not affect interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-4 and lipopolysaccharides levels. HF-Tiso rats showed an increase of IL-10 level in abdominal adipose tissue (ANOVA, p < 0.001). In conclusion, these results indicated that DHA-rich T. lutea might be beneficial for the prevention of obesity and improvement of lipid and glucose metabolism.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Particles in 2020
Authors:   Particles Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Particles maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Investigation of the Factors Responsible for the Poor Oral Bioavailability of Acacetin in Rats: Physicochemical and Biopharmaceutical Aspects
Authors: Han Dong-Gyun , Cha Eunju , Joo Jeongmin , Hwang Ji Sun , Kim Sanghyun , Park Taeuk , Jeong Yoo-Seong , Maeng Han-Joo , Kim Sang-Bum , Yoon In-Soo
Published: January 2021

Acacetin, an important ingredient of acacia honey and a component of several medicinal plants, exhibits therapeutic effects such as antioxidative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-plasmodial activities. However, to date, studies reporting a systematic investigation of the in vivo fate of orally administered acacetin are limited. Moreover, the in vitro physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of acacetin in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and their pharmacokinetic impacts remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to systematically investigate the oral absorption and disposition of acacetin using relevant rat models. Acacetin exhibited poor solubility (≤119 ng/mL) and relatively low stability (27.5–62.0% remaining after 24 h) in pH 7 phosphate buffer and simulated GI fluids. A major portion (97.1%) of the initially injected acacetin dose remained unabsorbed in the jejunal segments, and the oral bioavailability of acacetin was very low at 2.34%. The systemic metabolism of acacetin occurred ubiquitously in various tissues (particularly in the liver, where it occurred most extensively), resulting in very high total plasma clearance of 199 ± 36 mL/min/kg. Collectively, the poor oral bioavailability of acacetin could be attributed mainly to its poor solubility and low GI luminal stability.
An Injectable Nano-Enabled Thermogel to Attain Controlled Delivery of p11 Peptide for the Potential Treatment of Ocular Angiogenic Disorders of the Posterior Segment
Authors: du Toit Lisa Claire , Choonara Yahya Essop , Pillay Viness
Published: January 2021

This investigation focused on the design of an injectable nano-enabled thermogel (nano-thermogel) system to attain controlled delivery of p11 anti-angiogenic peptide for proposed effective prevention of neovascularisation and to overcome the drawbacks of the existing treatment approaches for ocular disorders characterised by angiogenesis, which employ multiple intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibodies. Synthesis of a polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol (PEG-PCL-PEG) triblock co-polymer was undertaken, followed by characterisation employing Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to ascertain the chemical stability and integrity of the co-polymer instituted for nano-thermogel formulation. The p11 anti-angiogenic peptide underwent encapsulation within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles via a double emulsion solvent evaporation method and was incorporated into the thermogel following characterisation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta size and zeta-potential analysis. The tube inversion approach and rheological analysis were employed to ascertain the thermo-sensitive sol-gel conversion of the nano-thermogel system. Chromatographic assessment of the in vitro release of the peptide was performed, with stability confirmation via Tris-Tricine PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis). In vitro biocompatibility of the nano-thermogel system was investigated employing a retinal cell line (ARP-19). A nanoparticle size range of 100–200 nm and peptide loading efficiency of 67% was achieved. Sol-gel conversion of the nano-thermogel was observed between 32–45 °C. Release of the peptide in vitro was sustained, with maintenance of stability, for 60 days. Biocompatibility assessment highlighted 97–99% cell viability with non-haemolytic ability, which supports the potential applicability of the nano-thermogel system for extended delivery of peptide for ocular disorder treatment.
Inhaled RNA Therapeutics for Obstructive Airway Diseases: Recent Advances and Future Prospects
Authors: Xu You , Thakur Aneesh , Zhang Yibang , Foged Camilla
Published: January 2021

Obstructive airway diseases, e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, represent leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the efficacy of currently available inhaled therapeutics is not sufficient for arresting disease progression and decreasing mortality, hence providing an urgent need for development of novel therapeutics. Local delivery to the airways via inhalation is promising for novel drugs, because it allows for delivery directly to the target site of action and minimizes systemic drug exposure. In addition, novel drug modalities like RNA therapeutics provide entirely new opportunities for highly specific treatment of airway diseases. Here, we review state of the art of conventional inhaled drugs used for the treatment of COPD and asthma with focus on quality attributes of inhaled medicines, and we outline the therapeutic potential and safety of novel drugs. Subsequently, we present recent advances in manufacturing of thermostable solid dosage forms for pulmonary administration, important quality attributes of inhalable dry powder formulations, and obstacles for the translation of inhalable solid dosage forms to the clinic. Delivery challenges for inhaled RNA therapeutics and delivery technologies used to overcome them are also discussed. Finally, we present future prospects of novel inhaled RNA-based therapeutics for treatment of obstructive airways diseases, and highlight major knowledge gaps, which require further investigation to advance RNA-based medicine towards the bedside.
Machine Learning Applications and Optimization of Clustering Methods Improve the Selection of Descriptors in Blackberry Germplasm Banks
Authors: Henao-Rojas Juan Camilo , Rosero-Alpala María Gladis , Ortiz-Muñoz Carolina , Velásquez-Arroyo Carlos Enrique , Leon-Rueda William Alfonso , Ramírez-Gil Joaquín Guillermo
Published: January 2021

Machine learning (ML) and its multiple applications have comparative advantages for improving the interpretation of knowledge on different agricultural processes. However, there are challenges that impede proper usage, as can be seen in phenotypic characterizations of germplasm banks. The objective of this research was to test and optimize different analysis methods based on ML for the prioritization and selection of morphological descriptors of Rubus spp. 55 descriptors were evaluated in 26 genotypes and the weight of each one and its ability to discriminating capacity was determined. ML methods as random forest (RF), support vector machines, in the linear and radial forms, and neural networks were optimized and compared. Subsequently, the results were validated with two discriminating methods and their variants: hierarchical agglomerative clustering and K-means. The results indicated that RF presented the highest accuracy (0.768) of the methods evaluated, selecting 11 descriptors based on the purity (Gini index), importance, number of connected trees, and significance (p value < 0.05). Additionally, K-means method with optimized descriptors based on RF had greater discriminating power on Rubus spp., accessions according to evaluated statistics. This study presents one application of ML for the optimization of specific morphological variables for plant germplasm bank characterization.
Microbe Finder (MiFi®): Implementation of an Interactive Pathogen Detection Tool in Metagenomic Sequence Data
Authors: Espindola Andres S. , Cardwell Kitty F.
Published: January 2021

Agricultural high throughput diagnostics need to be fast, accurate and have multiplexing capacity. Metagenomic sequencing is being widely evaluated for plant and animal diagnostics. Bioinformatic analysis of metagenomic sequence data has been a bottleneck for diagnostic analysis due to the size of the data files. Most available tools for analyzing high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data require that the user have computer coding skills and access to high-performance computing. To overcome constraints to most sequencing-based diagnostic pipelines today, we have developed Microbe Finder (MiFi®). MiFi® is a web application for quick detection and identification of known pathogen species/strains in raw, unassembled HTS metagenomic data. HTS-based diagnostic tools developed through MiFi® must pass rigorous validation, which is outlined in this manuscript. MiFi® allows researchers to collaborate in the development and validation of HTS-based diagnostic assays using MiProbe™, a platform used for developing pathogen-specific e-probes. Validated e-probes are made available to diagnosticians through MiDetect™. Here we describe the e-probe development, curation and validation process of MiFi® using grapevine pathogens as a model system. MiFi® can be used with any pathosystem and HTS platform after e-probes have been validated.
Assessing the Impact of Higher Levels of CO2 and Temperature and Their Interactions on Tomato (Solanumlycopersicum L.)
Authors: Rangaswamy Tejaswini C. , Sridhara Shankarappa , Ramesh Nandini , Gopakkali Pradeep , El-Ansary Diaa O. , Mahmoud Eman A. , Abdelmohsen Shaimaa A. M. , Abdelbacki Ashraf M. M. , Elansary Hosam O. , Abdel-Hamid Amal M. E.
Published: January 2021

Climate change has increasing effects on horticultural crops. To investigate the impact of CO2 and temperature at elevated levels on tomato production and quality of fruits an experiment was conducted by growing plants in open top chambers. The tomato plants were raised at EC550 (elevated CO2 at 550 ppm) and EC700 (elevated CO2 at 700 ppm) alone and in combination with elevated temperature (ET) + 2 °C in the open top chambers. These elevate CO2 and temperature treatment effects were compared with plants grown under ambient conditions. Outcome of the experiment indicated that growth parameters namely plant stature in terms of height (152.20 cm), leaf number (158.67), canopy spread (6127.70 cm2), leaf area (9110.68 cm2) and total dry matter (223.0 g/plant) were found to be high at EC700 compared to plants grown at ambient conditions in open field. The plants grown at EC700 also exhibited significantly higher number of flowers (273.80) and fruits (261.13), more fruit weight (90.46 g) and yield (5.09 kg plant−1) compared to plants grown at ambient conditions in open field. The percent increase in fruit yield due to EC varied from 18.37 (EC550) to 21.41 (EC700) percent respectively compared to open field and the ET by 2 °C has reduced the fruit yield by 20.01 percent. Quality traits like Total Soluble Solids (3.67 °Brix), reducing sugars (2.48%), total sugars (4.41%) and ascorbic acid (18.18 mg/100 g) were found maximum in EC700 treated tomato than other elevated conditions. Keeping quality was also improved in tomato cultivated under EC700 (25.60 days) than the open field (17.80 days). These findings reveal that CO2 at 700 ppm would be a better option to improve both quantitative as well as qualitative traits in tomato. Among the combinations, EC550 + 2 °C proved better than EC700 + 2 °C with respect to yield as well as for the quality traits. The tomato grown under ET (+2 °C) alone recorded lowest growth and yield attributes compared to open field conditions and rest of the treatments. The positive influence of EC700 is negated to an extent of 14.35 % when the EC700 combined with elevated temperature of + 2 °C. The present study clearly demonstrates that the climate change in terms of increased temperature and CO2 will have a positive effect on tomato by way of increase in production and quality of fruits. Meanwhile the increase in EC beyond 700 ppm along with ET may reduce the positive effects on yield and quality of tomato.
On the Effectiveness of Heat-Exchanger Bypass Control
Authors: Soave Nicolò , Barolo Massimiliano
Published: January 2021

In heat exchangers with bypassing, a fraction of the flowrate of one fluid (typically the one whose temperature needs to be controlled tightly) bypasses the exchanger and mixes right after the exchanger outlet with the fraction flowing through the exchanger. The advantages of this configuration are long known. Among them, the most significant is that it can improve heat-transfer control because the temperature dynamics is significantly faster than in a standard heat-exchanger configuration. Additionally, it can increase the rangeability of the process wherein the heat exchanger operates. Existing rules of thumb do not provide univocal indications for assigning the design bypass flowrate. In this study, using a simple graphical representation of steady-state heat and mass balances originally proposed for conventional heat-exchanger design, we clarify why and under which design conditions bypass control can be effective. Increased rangeability results from the fact that the heat-exchanger steady-state gain can be assigned by design when a bypass configuration is used, whereas it typically cannot in a conventional heat exchanger. The design bypass flowrate should therefore be assigned so as to make the heat exchanger operate in a region where the steady-state gain is relatively high (and constant).
Just Sitting and Just Saying: The Hermeneutics of Dōgen’s Realization-Based View of Language
Authors: Heine Steven
Published: January 2021

This paper explicates the complex relationship between contemplative practice and enlightened activity conducted both on and off the meditative cushion as demonstrated in the approach of the Sōtō Zen Buddhist founder Dōgen (1200–1253). I examine Dōgen’s intricate views regarding how language, or what I refer to as just saying, can and should be used in creative yet often puzzling and perplexing ways to express the experience of self-realization by reflecting the state of non-thinking that is attained through unremitting seated meditation or just sitting (shikan taza). In light of the sometimes-forbidding obscurity of his writing, as well as his occasional admonitions against a preoccupation with literary pursuits, I show based on a close reading of primary sources that Dōgen’s basic hermeneutic standpoint seeks to overcome conventional sets of binary oppositions involving uses of language. These polarities typically separate the respective roles of teacher and learner by distinguishing sharply between delusion and insight, truth and untruth, right and wrong, or speech and silence, and thereby reinforce a hierarchical, instrumental, and finite view of discourse. Instead, Dōgen inventively develops expressions that emphasize the non-hierarchical, realization–based, and eminently flexible functions of self-extricating rhetoric such that, according to his paradoxical teaching, “entangled vines are disentangled by using nothing other than entwined creepers,” or as a deceptively straightforward example, “the eyes are horizontal, and the nose is vertical.”
Introduction to the Special Issue on “Hinduism: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Developments”
Authors: Sen Amiya P.
Published: January 2021

In 2002, the Government of India published a Universities Handbook based on a survey of 273 institutions of higher learning in India (excluding the 12,000-odd colleges that existed at the time) and of their academic programs [...]
Meditative Experiences of Impurity and Purity—Further Reflection on the aśubhā Meditation and the śubha-vimokṣa
Authors: Dhammajoti K. L.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, I would firstly like to supplement my observations and the materials used in the earlier paper “The aśubhā Meditation in the Sarvāstivāda”. I shall remark on the authenticity of the suicide tradition, and show further how the aśubhā meditation continued to be recommended in all the Buddhist traditions. A major concern of my discussion will focus on the Buddhist traditional understanding of the meditative transition from the experience of the impure to that of the pure. In the context of this developmental process, I shall further attempt to demonstrate that: along this traditional understanding, Mahāyānistic and even Tantric elements came to be interfused with the traditional—especially Abhidharma—meditative doctrines in the milieu of an increasing interest relating to buddha-visualization.
Detection of Ground Materials Using Normalized Difference Indices with a Threshold: Risk and Ways to Improve
Authors: Chen Fen , Van de Voorde Tim , Roberts Dar , Zhao Haojie , Chen Jingbo
Published: January 2021

In this short communication, we describe the shortcomings and pitfalls of a commonly used method to detect ground materials that relies on setting thresholds for normalized difference indices. We analyze this method critically and present some experimental results on the USGS and ECOSTRESS spectral libraries and on real Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images. We demonstrate the risk of commission errors and provide some suggestions to reduce it.
LiDAR Observations of Multi-Modal Swash Probability Distributions on a Dissipative Beach
Authors: Stringari Caio Eadi , Power Hannah E.
Published: January 2021

Understanding swash zone dynamics is of crucial importance for coastal management as the swash motion, consisting of the uprush of the wave on the beach face and the subsequent downrush, is responsible for driving changes in the beach morphology through sediment exchanges between the sub-aerial and sub-aqueous beach. Improved understanding of the probabilistic characteristics of these motions has the potential to allow coastal engineers to develop improved sediment transport models which, in turn, can be further developed into coastal management tools. In this paper, novel descriptors of swash motions are obtained by combining field data and statistical modelling. Our results indicate that the probability distribution function (PDF) of shoreline height timeseries (p(ζ)) and trough-to-peak swash heights (p(ρ)) measured at a high energy, sandy beach were both inherently multimodal. Based on the observed multimodality of these PDFs, Gaussian mixtures are shown to be the best method to statistically model them. Further, our results show that both offshore and surf zone dynamics are responsible for driving swash zone dynamics, which indicates unsaturated swash. The novel methods and results developed in this paper, both data collection and analysis, could aid coastal managers to develop improved swash zone models in the future.
Evaluating the Possibility of Translating Technological Advances in Non-Invasive Continuous Lactate Monitoring into Critical Care
Authors: Crapnell Robert D. , Tridente Ascanio , Banks Craig E. , Dempsey-Hibbert Nina C.
Published: January 2021

Lactate is widely measured in critically ill patients as a robust indicator of patient deterioration and response to treatment. Plasma concentrations represent a balance between lactate production and clearance. Analysis has typically been performed with the aim of detecting tissue hypoxia. However, there is a diverse range of processes unrelated to increased anaerobic metabolism that result in the accumulation of lactate, complicating clinical interpretation. Further, lactate levels can change rapidly over short spaces of time, and even subtle changes can reflect a profound change in the patient’s condition. Hence, there is a significant need for frequent lactate monitoring in critical care. Lactate monitoring is commonplace in sports performance monitoring, given the elevation of lactate during anaerobic exercise. The desire to continuously monitor lactate in athletes has led to the development of various technological approaches for non-invasive, continuous lactate measurements. This review aims firstly to reflect on the potential benefits of non-invasive continuous monitoring technology within the critical care setting. Secondly, we review the current devices used to measure lactate non-invasively outside of this setting and consider the challenges that must be overcome to allow for the translation of this technology into intensive care medicine. This review will be of interest to those developing continuous monitoring sensors, opening up a new field of research.
Passive Wireless Dual-Tag UHF RFID Sensor System for Surface Crack Monitoring
Authors: Wang Peng , Dong Lihong , Wang Haidou , Li Guolu , Di Yuelan , Xie Xiangyu , Huang Dong
Published: January 2021

The generation and propagation of cracks are critical factors that affect the performance and life of large structures. Therefore, in order to minimize maintenance costs and ensure personal safety, it is necessary to monitor key structures. The sensor based on ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification (UHF RFID) antenna has the advantages of passive wireless, low cost, and great potential in the field of metallic structure health monitoring. In this paper, aimed at the key parts of a metallic structure, a dual-tag system is used for crack monitoring. In conjunction with mode analysis, the principles of the sensing tag and the coupling principles of the dual-tag are analyzed. Considering that the dual-tag is placed in different methods, the effect of mutual coupling on the sensing performance of the tag is studied. The results show that the frequency of the sensing tag can be tuned by adding the interference tag, and the dual-tag sensor system has reasonable sensitivity. The results also provide potential guidance for the optimal placement of multiple tags in the near-field region.