bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Trends in Knee Arthroplasty: Are Italian Surgeons Doing What Is Expected?
Authors: Moretti Lorenzo , Coviello Michele , Rosso Federica , Calafiore Giuseppe , Monaco Edoardo , Berruto Massimo , Solarino Giuseppe
Published: August 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate Italian surgeons’ behavior during knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: All orthopedic surgeons who specialized in knee replacement surgeries and were members of the Italian Society of Knee, Arthroscopy, Sport, Cartilage and Orthopedic Technologies (SIGASCOT) between January 2019 and August 2019 were asked to complete a survey on the management of knee arthroplasty. Data were collected, analyzed, and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: One-hundred and seventy-seven surgeons completed the survey and were included in the study. Ninety-five (53.7%) surgeons were under 40 years of age. Eighty-five surgeons (48%) worked in public hospitals and 112 (63.3%) were considered “high volume surgeons”, with more than 100 knee implants per year. Postero-stabilized total knee arthroplasty was the most commonly used, implanted with a fully cemented technique by 162 (91.5%) surgeons. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) was a rarer procedure compared to TKA, with 77% of surgeons performing less than 30% of UKAs. Most common TKA pre-operative radiological planning included complete antero-posterior (AP) weight-bearing lower limb radiographs, lateral view and patellofemoral view (used by 91%, 98.9% and 70.6% of surgeons, respectively). Pre-operative UKA radiological images included Rosenberg or Schuss views, patellofemoral view and magnetic resonance imaging (66.1%, 71.8% and 46.3% of surgeons, respectively). One hundred and thirty-two surgeons (74.6%) included an AP weight-bearing lower limb X-ray one year after surgery in the post-operative radiological follow-up. Furthermore, 119 surgeons (67.2%) did not perform a post-operative patellofemoral view because it was not considered useful for radiological follow-up. There was no uniformity in the timing and features of post-operative follow-up, with 13 different combinations. Conclusions: Italian surgeons perform TKA more commonly than UKA. Pre-operative TKA planning is quite uniform rather than UKA planning. Despite literature evidence, there is no agreement on follow-up. It may be useful to create a uniform checklist, including correct timing and exams needed. This analysis is also part of a society surgical educational project for training doctor.
Preparation and Characterization of Low-Cost Ceramic Membrane Coated with Chitosan: Application to the Ultrafine Filtration of Cr(VI)
Authors: Bat-Amgalan Munkhpurev , Miyamoto Naoto , Kano Naoki , Yunden Ganchimeg , Kim Hee-Joon
Published: August 2022

In this work, low-cost ceramic membranes (CMs) were prepared from ultrafine starting powders such as kaolin, clay, and starch by a dry compaction method. The ceramic membranes were sintered at different temperatures and times and were characterized by XRD, XRF, TG-DTA, SEM-EDS, N2-BET, water absorption, compressive strength, and pure water flux. The optimal membrane, sintered at 1000 °C for 3 h, possessed water absorption of 27.27%, a compressive strength of 31.05 MPa, and pure water flux of 20.74 L/h m2. Furthermore, chitosan crosslinked with glutaraldehyde was coated on the surface of the ceramic membrane by the dip coating method, and the pore size of the chitosan-coated ceramic membrane (CCCM) was 16.24 nm. Eventually, the separation performance of this membrane was assessed for the removal of chromium(VI) from aqueous solution. The ultrafine filtration of Cr(VI) was studied in the pH range of 2–7. The maximum removal of Cr(VI) was observed to be 71.25% with a pH of 3. The prepared CCCM showed good membrane properties such as mechanical stability and ultrafine structure, which have important applications for the treatment of wastewater including such heavy metals.
Surface Modification of Ti–30Ta Alloy by Deposition of P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 Coating for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Ribeiro Larissa Mayra Silva , Costa da Rosa Simões Luziane Aparecida , Espanhol-Soares Melina , Carvalho Teles Vinicius , Ribeiro Tainara Aparecida Nunes , Capellato Patrícia , Vasconcelos Fré Lucas Victor Benjamim , Kuffner Bruna Horta Bastos , Saddow Stephen Edward , Sachs Daniela , Rosifini Alves Claro Ana Paula , Gimenes Rossano
Published: August 2022

This study aims to promote an adequate methodology for coating an experimental Ti-30Ta alloy with P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3. The combination of a copolymer with a ceramic has not been used until now. Ti-30Ta is an excellent choice to replace current alloys in the global market. The composite deposition on the Ti-30Ta substrate was performed by a spray coating process and at low temperature using two different surface modifications: surface acidic etching and surface polishing. Characterization was divided into four areas: (I) the substrate surface treatments used and their influences on the adhesion process were evaluated using surface energy, wettability, and roughness analyses; (II) the properties of the composite film, which were carried out using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); (III) the study of the adhesion of the film on the substrate, which was performed by a scratch test; (IV) the final product, which was evaluated to determine the surface properties after the coating process. Biofilm formation using Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains and a hemocompatibility test were performed as biological assays. The results indicated that the P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 film showed high thermal stability (up to ≈450 °C); the FTIR and DSC tests indicated the presence of the β phase, which means that the material presents a piezoelectric nature; and the scratch test showed that the samples with the polish treatment provided a better adhesion of the film with an adhesion strength of ~10 MPa. From the SEM analysis, it was possible to determine that the spray deposition coating process resulted in a well-applied film as evidenced by its homogeneity. Microbiological tests showed that for Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterial growth in the coated Ti-30Ta presented no significant differences when compared to the alloy without coating. However, for Staphylococcus epidermidis, there was considerable growth on the coated Ti-30Ta, when compared to the non-coated alloy, indicating that the film surface may have favored bacterial growth. The hemolysis assay showed that the coated material presents hemocompatible characteristics when in contact with blood cells. The results obtained indicate that the Ti-30Ta alloy coated with P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 is a promising alternative for implant applications, due to its biocompatible properties, simplicity, and low cost.
Effect of Multiple Shot Peening on Residual Stress and Microstructure of CNT/Al−Mg−Si Alloy Composite
Authors: Zhu Kaiyuan , Li Zhiqiang , Fan Genlian , Jiang Chuanhai
Published: August 2022

In this study, multiple shot peening was performed on a carbon nanotubes−reinforced aluminum matrix composite, of which residual stress fields and tissue structure evolution were investigated. It is shown that the multiple shot peening could significantly increase the magnitude of compressive residual stress field, modify surface morphology of the specimens, and further refine the grain sizes of the near surface layer. Dislocation density in the near−surface layers were also elevated by multiple shot peening. Moreover, enhanced microhardness with more even distribution were obtained in the modified peened layers ascribed to the raised compressive residual stress field and microstructure which could give rise to the strain−hardening effects.
A Review of Laser Peening Methods for Single Crystal Ni-Based Superalloys
Authors: Holtham Noah , Davami Keivan
Published: August 2022

Single crystal Ni-based superalloys are often used to create gas turbine engine blades for their high strength under intense thermo-mechanical loading. Though they are remarkably capable under these conditions, a particular class of premature failure mechanisms known as surface-initiated damage mechanisms can lead to the early fracture of an otherwise healthy blade. This review paper discusses the current progress of post-processing techniques that can greatly mitigate the potency of surface-initiated damage mechanisms. In particular, laser peening (LP) is of significant interest due to the relatively low amount of cold work it induces, greater depth of compressive residual stresses than other cold working methods, ability to accommodate complex part geometries, and the minuscule effect it has on surface roughness. The residual stresses imparted by LP can greatly hinder crack growth and consequently allow for enhanced fatigue life. Given that turbine blades (constructed with single crystal Ni-based superalloys) are prone to fail by these mechanisms, LP could be a worthy choice for increasing their service lives. For this reason, initiative has been taken to better understand the mechanical and microstructural modifications imparted by LP on single crystal Ni-based superalloys and a summary of these investigations are presented in this review. Results from several works show that this class of alloy responds well to LP treatment with improvements such as ~30–50% increase in microhardness, 72% increase in low cycle fatigue life, and elevated resistance to hot corrosion. The primary objective of this review is to provide insight into current state-of-the-art LP techniques and summarize the findings of numerous works which have utilized LP for increasing the service lives of single crystal Ni-based superalloy components.
Nutraceutical Properties of Medicago sativa L., Agave spp., Zea mays L. and Avena sativa L.: A Review of Metabolites and Mechanisms
Authors: Quiñones-Muñoz Tannia A. , Villanueva-Rodríguez Socorro J. , Torruco-Uco Juan G.
Published: August 2022

Plants are the main sources of bioactive compounds (nutraceuticals) that function under different mechanisms of action for the benefit of human health. Mexico ranks fifth in the world in biodiversity, offering opportunities for healthy food. An important variety of crops are produced in the state of Hidalgo, e.g., based on the 2021 production, alfalfa, oats, maguey, and corn. The present review presents the latest findings of these crops, regarding the benefits they provide to health (bioactivity, nutraceuticals), and presents the compounds and mechanisms identified by which the benefit is provided. The knowledge compiled here is for the benefit of the recovery of the crops, the recognition of their bioactivities, in search of identifying the best routes of action for prevention, treatment and possible cure of chronic degenerative diseases (thereby promoting crop valorization). Exhaustive bibliographic research was carried out by means of engines and scientific databases. Articles published between 2001 and 2022 that included specific keywords (Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCO, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar). Outstanding activities have been identified for the compounds in the crops, such as antiinflammatory, anticholesterolemic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and chelating. The compounds that provide these properties are total phenols, phenolic acids, tannins, anthocyanins, carotenoids, iso-flavones, phytosterols, saponins, fructans, glycosides, glucans, avenanthramides, and polysaccharides.
Optical Enhancement of Diffraction Efficiency of Texas Instruments Phase Light Modulator for Beam Steering in Near Infrared
Authors: Guan Jiafan , Dong Zhipeng , Deng Xianyue , Takashima Yuzuru
Published: August 2022

Phase light modulator (PLM) by MEMS mirror array operating in a piston-mode motion enables a high-speed diffractive beam steering in a random-access and flexible manner that makes a lidar system more intelligent and adaptive. Diffraction efficiency is determined by the range of the piston motion of the MEMS array; consequently, a larger range of the piston motion is required for beam steering in infrared, such as for lidar. We demonstrated how the range of the piston motion is optically enhanced by a factor of two with a light-recycling optics based on Talbot self-imaging. The proposed optical architecture extends the usable range of the wavelength so that a MEMS-PLM designed for visible wavelength is applicable for a high-efficiency beam steering at an infrared wavelength of 1550 nm with an improved diffraction efficiency of 30%.
Review of Flexible Wearable Sensor Devices for Biomedical Application
Authors: Nan Xueli , Wang Xin , Kang Tongtong , Zhang Jiale , Dong Lanxiao , Dong Jinfeng , Xia Peng , Wei Donglai
Published: August 2022

With the development of cross-fertilisation in various disciplines, flexible wearable sensing technologies have emerged, bringing together many disciplines, such as biomedicine, materials science, control science, and communication technology. Over the past few years, the development of multiple types of flexible wearable devices that are widely used for the detection of human physiological signals has proven that flexible wearable devices have strong biocompatibility and a great potential for further development. These include electronic skin patches, soft robots, bio-batteries, and personalised medical devices. In this review, we present an updated overview of emerging flexible wearable sensor devices for biomedical applications and a comprehensive summary of the research progress and potential of flexible sensors. First, we describe the selection and fabrication of flexible materials and their excellent electrochemical properties. We evaluate the mechanisms by which these sensor devices work, and then we categorise and compare the unique advantages of a variety of sensor devices from the perspective of in vitro and in vivo sensing, as well as some exciting applications in the human body. Finally, we summarise the opportunities and challenges in the field of flexible wearable devices.
GO-INO: Graph Optimization MEMS-IMU/NHC/Odometer Integration for Ground Vehicle Positioning
Authors: Zhu Kai , Yu Yating , Wu Bin , Jiang Changhui
Published: August 2022

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and inertial navigation system (INS) are indispensable for ground vehicle position and navigation. The Kalman filter (KF) is the first choice to integrate them and output more reliable navigation solutions. However, the GNSS signal is denied in urban areas, i.e., tunnels, and the INS position errors diverge quickly over time. Under normal conditions, the ground vehicle will not slide or jump off the ground; nonholonomic constraints (NHC) and odometers are available to aid the INS and reduce its position errors. Factor graph optimization (FGO) recently attracted attention as an advanced sensor fusion algorithm. This paper implemented the FGO method based on GNSS/INS/NHC/Odometer integration. In the FGO, state transformation, measurement model, the NHC, and the odometer were all regarded as constraints employed to construct a graph; an iterative process was utilized to find the optimal estimation results. Two experiments were carried out: firstly, the FGO-GNSS/INS performance was assessed and compared with the KF-GNSS/INS; secondly, we compared the FGO-GNSS/INS/NHC/Odometer and KF-GNSS/INS/NHC/Odometer under GNSS denied environments. Experimental results supported that the FGO improved the performance.
Mathematical Model for Skin Pain Sensation under Local Distributed Mechanical Compression for Electronic Skin Applications
Authors: Ji Dongcan , Shi Yingli , Chen Jiayun , Zhao Zhao , Zhao Guozhong
Published: August 2022

Skin pain resulting from mechanical compression is one of the most common pains in daily life and the indispensable information for electronic skin to perceive external signals. The external mechanical stimuli are transduced into impulses and transmitted via nerve fiber, and finally, the sensation is perceived via the procession of the nerve system. However, the mathematical mechanism for pain sensation due to mechanical stimuli remains unclear. In this paper, a mathematical model for skin pain sensation under compression is established, in which the Flament solution, the revised Hodgkin–Huxley model, and the mathematical model gate control theory are considered simultaneously. The proposed model includes three parts: a mechanical model of skin compression, a model of transduction, and a model of modulation and perception. It is demonstrated that the pain sensation degree increases with the compression amplitude and decreases with deeper nociceptor location in the skin. With the help of the proposed model, the quantitative relationship between compression pain sensation and external mechanical stimuli is revealed, which has a significant benefit in promoting the design and mechanism research of electronic skin with pain perception function.
Low Cost, Ease-of-Access Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices Using Wet Paper Molds
Authors: Thakur Raviraj , Fridman Gene Y.
Published: August 2022

Rapid prototyping methods enable the widespread adoption of microfluidic technologies by empowering end-users from non-engineering disciplines to make devices using processes that are rapid, simple and inexpensive. In this work, we developed a liquid molding technique to create silicone/PDMS microfluidic devices by replica molding. To construct a liquid mold, we use inexpensive adhesive-backed paper, an acetate backing sheet, and an off-the-shelf digital cutter to create paper molds, which we then wet with predetermined amounts of water. Due to the immiscibility of water and PDMS, mold patterns can be effectively transferred onto PDMS similarly to solid molds. We demonstrate the feasibility of these wet paper molds for the fabrication of PDMS microfluidic devices and assess the influence of various process parameters on device yield and quality. This method possesses some distinct benefits compared to conventional techniques such as photolithography and 3D printing. First, we demonstrate that the shape of a channel’s cross-section may be altered from rectangular to semicircular by merely modifying the wetting parameters. Second, we illustrate how electrical impedance can be utilized as a marker for inspecting mold quality and identifying defects in a non-invasive manner without using visual tools such as microscopes or cameras. As a proof-of-concept device, we created a microfluidic T-junction droplet generator to produce water droplets in mineral oil ranging in size from 1.2 µL to 75 µL. We feel that this technology is an excellent addition to the microfluidic rapid prototyping toolbox and will find several applications in biological research.
A Fast Evaluation Method for Electrical Performance of Frequency and Pattern Reconfigurable Microstrip Antenna Based on Electromechanical Coupling
Authors: Xu Pengying , Xu Xiaoxian , Lin Kabin , Yu Rong , Zhang Daxing , Wang Yan , Wang Zhihai , Yu Kunpeng , Wu Wenzhi , Ma Xiaofei , Wang Congsi
Published: August 2022

With the constant increase in communication requirements in modern society, the number and type of antennas on communication platforms have been increasing at an accelerating rate. This has led to a continuous increase in platform volume and weight, and the electromagnetic environment of antenna operating has increasingly worsened, seriously restricting the further development of communication systems. As a new communication system antenna type, a reconfigurable microstrip antenna can reconstruct operating frequencies, beam directions, etc., by changing the antenna structure to provide the good multifunction characteristics of a single antenna, avoiding the electromagnetic compatibility issues caused by numerous system antennas. At present, most of the research on reconfigurable antennas judges the influence of structural characteristics on electromagnetic characteristics by simulation, which has imposed restrictions on their development and application. Therefore, a reconfigurable antenna with a resonant frequency of 8.66 GHz and 15.26 GHz and a reconfigurable antenna with maximum radiation directions of 36.2° and −36.5° are designed in this paper, and the electromechanical coupling theory of the reconfigurable antennas is studied. The resonance frequency coupling model and the pattern function coupling model considering the structural deformation of a reconfigurable microstrip antenna are established. Within the applicable range of antenna structural parameters, the relative error between the resonance frequency coupling model and the pattern function coupling model is less than 5%, which meets practical engineering application requirements. Finally, the method is shown by experimentation to verify the accuracy and validity of the proposed electromechanical coupling model.
Indoor Passive Visual Positioning by CNN-Based Pedestrian Detection
Authors: Wu Dewen , Chen Ruizhi , Yu Yue , Zheng Xingyu , Xu Yan , Liu Zuoya
Published: August 2022

Indoor positioning applications are developing at a rapid pace; active visual positioning is one method that is applicable to mobile platforms. Other methods include Wi-Fi, CSI, and PDR approaches; however, their positioning accuracy usually cannot achieve the positioning performance of the active visual method. Active visual users, however, must take a photo to obtain location information, raising confidentiality and privacy issues. To address these concerns, we propose a solution for passive visual positioning based on pedestrian detection and projection transformation. This method consists of three steps: pretreatment, pedestrian detection, and pose estimation. Pretreatment includes camera calibration and camera installation. In pedestrian detection, features are extracted by deep convolutional neural networks using neighboring frame detection results and the map information as the region of interest attention model (RIAM). Pose estimation computes accurate localization results through projection transformation (PT). This system relies on security cameras installed in non-private areas so that pedestrians do not have to take photos. Experiments were conducted in a hall about 100 square meters in size, with 41 test-points for the localization experiment. The results show that the positioning error was 0.48 m (RMSE) and the 90% error was 0.73 m. Therefore, the proposed passive visual method delivers high positioning performance.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Azadirachta indica and Their Antioxidant and Anticancer Effects in Cell Lines
Authors: Kumari S. Anitha , Patlolla Anita K. , Madhusudhanachary P.
Published: August 2022

In the present study, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized using Azadirachta indica extract and evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity efficacy against MCF-7 and HeLa cells. The silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were formed within 40 min and after preliminary confirmation by UV-visible spectroscopy (peak observed at 375 nm), they were characterized using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The TEM images showed the spherical shape of the biosynthesized Ag-NPs with particle sizes in the range of 10 to 60 nm, and compositional analysis was carried out. The cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of various concentrations of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, Azadirachta indica extract, and a standard ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 mg/mL were evaluated. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity of the biosynthesized Ag-NPs and aqueous leaf extract increased in a dose-dependent manner, with average IC50 values of the biosynthesized Ag-NPs, aqueous leaf extract, and ascorbic acid (standard) of 0.70 ± 0.07, 1.63 ± 0.09, and 0.25 ± 0.09 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, higher cytotoxicity was exhibited in both the MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The average IC50 values of the biosynthesized Ag-NPs, aqueous leaf extract, and cisplatin (standard) were 0.90 ± 0.07, 1.85 ± 0.01, and 0.56 ± 0.08 mg/mL, respectively, with MCF-7 cell lines and 0.85 ± 0.01, 1.76 ± 0.08, 0.45 ± 0.10 mg/mL, respectively, with HeLa cell lines. Hence, this study resulted in an efficient green reductant for producing silver nanoparticles that possess cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity against MCF-7 and HeLa cells.
A Method of Restraining the Adverse Effects of Grinding Marks on Small Aperture Aspheric Mirrors
Authors: Bao Jiahui , Peng Xiaoqiang , Hu Hao , Lai Tao
Published: August 2022

The grinding method is used as the preliminary processing procedure for small aperture aspheric mirrors. Regular grinding marks produced in the grinding process significantly affect the mid-spatial frequency error; however, because of their small radius of surface curvatures and high steepness, they are difficult to polish using traditional methods. Therefore, in this study, the ultra-precision grinding and polishing process of fused quartz material was investigated, and the influence of grinding marks was analyzed, which achieved the purpose of restraining the grinding marks in the grinding process. The generation mechanisms of horizontal and vertical grinding marks were analyzed by means of simulation and experiment, and the relationship between different grinding process parameters and surface quality was explored. A magnetorheological finishing (MRF) spot method was used to explore the effects of grinding marks on subsurface damage (SSD). The elastic adaptive polishing method was used to polish an aspheric lens with high steepness and small caliber. Based on the principle of an elastic adaptive polishing mathematical model, the grinding marks were suppressed, and the mid-spatial frequency error of the lens was reduced by optimizing the polishing path and composition of the polishing fluid. The final roughness reached 10 nm Ra. In this paper, the source of wear marks and their influence on the mid-spatial frequency error of small aperture aspheric mirrors are analyzed, and the grinding marks were suppressed by elastic adaptive polishing.
Sn(IV) Sorption onto Illite and Boom Clay: Effect of Carbonate and Dissolved Organic Matter
Authors: Durce Delphine , Salah Sonia , Van Laer Liesbeth , Wang Lian , Maes Norbert , Brassinnes Stéphane
Published: August 2022

126Sn is a long-lived fission product and it is important to assess its sorption onto the host rocks surrounding a possible nuclear waste repository. Boom Clay (BC) is under investigation in Belgium as a potential host rock. To better understand Sn(IV) sorption onto the clay minerals constituting BC, sorption of Sn(IV) was here investigated on Illite du Puy (IdP), from pH 3 to 12. Sorption isotherms at pH ~8.4 were acquired in the presence and absence of carbonate, and in the presence and absence of BC dissolved organic matter (DOM). Sn(IV) strongly sorbed on IdP over the full range of the pHs and concentrations investigated. In the presence of carbonates, Sn(IV) sorption was slightly decreased, highlighting the Sn(IV)–carbonate complexation. DOM reduced the Sn(IV) sorption, confirming the strong complexation of Sn(IV) with DOM. The results were modelled with the 2-site protolysis non-electrostatic surface complexation model. The surface complexation constants and aqueous complexation constants with carbonate and DOM were optimized to describe the experimental data. The applicability of the component additivity approach (CAA) was also tested to describe the experimental Sn(IV) sorption isotherm acquired on BC in BC pore water. The CAA did not allow accurate prediction of Sn(IV) sorption on BC, highlighting the high sensitivity of the model to the Sn(IV)-DOM complexation.
Knowledge Extraction and Quality Inspection of Chinese Petrographic Description Texts with Complex Entities and Relations Using Machine Reading and Knowledge Graph: A Preliminary Research Study
Authors: Chen Zhongliang , Yuan Feng , Li Xiaohui , Wang Xiang , Li He , Wu Bangcai , Chen Yuheng
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: Geological surveying is undergoing a digital transformation process towards the adoption of intelligent methods in China. Cognitive intelligence methods, such as those based on knowledge graphs and machine reading, have made progress in many domains and also provide a technical basis for quality detection in unstructured lithographic description texts. (2) Methods: First, the named entities and the relations of the domain-specific knowledge graph of petrography were defined based on the petrographic theory. Second, research was carried out based on a manually annotated corpus of petrographic description. The extraction of N-ary and single-entity overlapping relations and the separation of complex entities are key steps in this process. Third, a petrographic knowledge graph was formulated based on prior knowledge. Finally, the consistency between knowledge triples extracted from the corpus and the petrographic knowledge graph was calculated. The 1:50,000 sheet of Fengxiangyi located in the Dabie orogenic belt was selected for the empirical research. (3) Results: Using machine reading and the knowledge graph, petrographic knowledge can be extracted and the knowledge consistency calculation can quickly detect description errors about textures, structures and mineral components in petrographic description. (4) Conclusions: The proposed framework can be used to realise the intelligent inspection of petrographic knowledge with complex entities and relations and to improve the quality of petrographic description texts effectively.
The Influence of Branched Chain Length on Different Causticized Starches for the Depression of Serpentine in the Flotation of Pentlandite
Authors: Zhang Chenxu , Tan Yiping , Yin Fengxiang , Wu Jiamei , Wang Lichang , Cao Jian
Published: August 2022

Although studies on starch have developed in polymer chemistry research, their structure-activity relationship remains indistinct in the flotation depressants field. In this work, the utilization of five types of causticized starches from different botanical sources as depressants in the flotation of pentlandite/serpentine pure mineral systems was studied. The branched chain length of the starches was quantitatively analyzed using a high-performance anion-exchange chromatography system, and the average branched chain lengths of the causticized starches were obtained. The flotation results demonstrated that the depression effect of all causticized starches on serpentine had a positive correlation with the average branched chain length. Zeta potential tests, FTIR experiments, and XPS analysis confirmed that the causticized starches with a longer branched chain were absorbed more strongly on the serpentine surface. In the present study, the influence of branched chain length on the depression effect of causticized starch was investigated, which deepened our understanding of the depression mechanism of traditional macromolecule depressants and will promote the development of new macromolecule depressants.
Sublimation and Diffusion Kinetics of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Single Crystals by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Authors: Hikal Walid M. , Bhattacharia Sanjoy K. , Vaughn Mark W. , Weeks Brandon L.
Published: August 2022

In this article, we report the in-situ nanoscale experimental measurement of sublimation rates, activation energy of sublimation, and diffusion coefficients of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) single crystals in air using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The crystals were prepared by slow evaporation at 5 °C using acetone-dissolved TNT. The mass loss was calculated by monitoring the shrinkage of the surface area of layered islands formed on the surface of the TNT crystals due to sublimation upon isothermal heating at temperatures below the melting point. The results suggest the sublimation process occurs via two-dimensional detachment of TNT molecules from the non-prominent facets on the crystal surface which imitates the nucleation and crystal growth process. Sublimation rates are one order of magnitude smaller than previously reported values. However, the calculated activation energy (112.15 ± 3.2 kJ/mol) and temperature-dependent sublimation rates agree well with the reported values for TNT thin films and microcrystals determined by UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microscopy (QCM) (90–141 kJ/mol). The average diffusion coefficient is (4.35 × 10–6 m2/s) which is within the range of the reported theoretical values with an average of 5.59 × 10–6 m2/s, and about 25% less than that determined using thermogravimetric analysis for powder TNT.
Pro-Apoptotic Effect of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8)-Loaded Dihydromyricetin on HepG2 Cells
Authors: Mi Xiao , Lu Juan , Dong Mingran , Lou Yang , Zhan Xia , Chen Xi
Published: August 2022

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) has garnered attention due to its promising antitumor activity, but its low bioavailability restricts its clinical application. Thus, developing nano-drug delivery systems could enhance its antitumor activity. We prepared DHM@ZIF-8 nanoparticles using the zeolite imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a carrier loaded with dihydromyricetin. A series of characterizations were performed, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, X-single crystal diffraction, ultraviolet spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The in vitro release characteristics of DHM@ZIF-8 under pH = 5.0 and pH = 7.4 were studied using membrane dialysis. The antitumor activity and pro-apoptotic mechanism of DHM@ZIF-8 were investigated through CCK-8 assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Annexin V/PI double-staining, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blot. The results depicted that DHM@ZIF-8 possessed a regular morphology with a particle size of 211.07 ± 9.65 nm (PDI: 0.19 ± 0.06) and a Zeta potential of −28.77 ± 0.67 mV. The 24 h drug releasing rate in PBS solution at pH = 7.4 was 32.08% and at pH = 5.0 was 85.52% in a simulated tumor micro acid environment. DHM@ZIF-8 could significantly enhance the killing effect on HepG2 cells compared to the prodrug. It can effectively remove ROS from the tumor cells, promote apoptosis, and significantly affect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins within tumor cells.
Biologically Active Preparations from the Leaves of Wild Plant Species of the Genus Rubus
Authors: Kucharski Łukasz , Cybulska Krystyna , Kucharska Edyta , Nowak Anna , Pełech Robert , Klimowicz Adam
Published: August 2022

The plants of the genus Rubus (R.) are applied as antiseptic agents in the treatment of skin diseases. Despite the great interest in plants of this genus, there are few reports on the antioxidant and biological activities of preparations obtained from the leaves of these plants. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the antioxidant activity of preparations from leaves of wild plant species of the genus Rubus using the frequently applied DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods, as well as to determine the total polyphenol content using the Folin–Ciocalteau method and perform qualitative evaluation by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The bactericidal and fungicidal activities of the obtained preparations were evaluated by applying laboratory tests: using the disc and the well methods based on the standards EN 13697:2019, EN 13697:2015, and EN 1500:2013. Microbiological tests of the plant preparations against bacteria, fungi, and yeasts isolated from the environment and against reference strains were performed. Moreover, antimicrobial testing of antibiotics against the tested strains was performed for comparison. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient of the obtained preparations was determined by the shake-flask method to determine their lipophilicity. According to the results, a high content of polyphenols and other antioxidant and biologically active compounds can be thought of as the parameter responsible for the effective activity of plant preparations obtained from wild plant species of the genus Rubus. The methods for determining bactericidal and fungicidal activity clearly demonstrates that preparations with reduced ethanol content exhibit bactericidal and fungicidal activity on surfaces. Testing of hand disinfection by means of rubbing with the preparations confirmed their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli K12 NCTC 10538. The obtained results show that the tested preparations exhibit on average two times lower activity against the reference bacterial strains than comparable antibiotics. The preparations obtained from the leaves of R. idaeus L. and R. fruticosus L. could complement classical antibiotics. While environmental bacteria showed a similar response to the preparations and antibiotics, their sensitivity was about one-third less than that of the reference strains. Our studies have shown that the obtained preparations are highly hydrophilic (logP < 0). Thus, these preparations can only be used in lipid bilayers in the aqueous core of liposomes, not in the lipid envelope.
Antibody–Ferrocene Conjugates as a Platform for Electro-Chemical Detection of Low-Density Lipoprotein
Authors: Rudewicz-Kowalczyk Daria , Grabowska Iwona
Published: August 2022

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a cardiac biomarker identified in the pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Typically, the level of LDL is calculated using the Friedewald relationship based on measured values of total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides. Unfortunately, this approach leads to some errors in calculation. Therefore, direct methods that can be used for fast and accurate detection of LDL are needed. The purpose of this study was to develop an electrochemical platform for the detection of LDL based on an antibody–ferrocene conjugate. An anti-apolipoprotein B-100 antibody labeled with ferrocene was covalently immobilized on the layer of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) on the surface of gold electrodes. Upon interaction between LDL and the antibody–ferrocene conjugate, a decrease in the ferrocene redox signal registered by square wave voltammetry was observed, which depends linearly on the concentration from 0.01 ng/mL to 1.0 ng/mL. The obtained limit of detection was equal to 0.53 ng/mL. Moreover, the satisfied selectivity toward human serum albumin (HSA), HDL, and malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) was observed. In addition, the acceptable recovery rates of LDL in human serum samples indicate the possible application of immunosensors presented in clinical diagnostics.
Gallium (III) Complexes with 5-Bromosalicylaldehyde Benzoylhydrazones: In Silico Studies and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Nikolova-Mladenova Boryana , Angelova Silvia , Momekov Georgi
Published: August 2022

Gallium (III) complexes with the ligands 5-bromosalicylaldehyde-4-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone were synthesized to receive compounds with improved antiproliferative action. Compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations with Becke’s 3-parameter hybrid functional and 6-31+G(d,p) basis set were carried out to investigate the structural features of the ligands and Ga(III) complexes. Cytotoxic screening by MTT-dye reduction assay was carried out using cisplatin and melphalan as reference cytotoxic agents. A general formula [Ga(HL)2]NO3 for the complexes obtained was suggested. The complexes are mononuclear with the Ga(III) ions being surrounded by two ligands. The ligands acted as monoanionic tridentate (ONO) donor molecules. The analysis revealed coordination binding through deprotonated phenolic-oxygen, azomethine-nitrogen, and amide-oxygen atoms. The bioassay demonstrated that all compounds exhibited concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity at low micromolar concentrations against the acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 and T-cell leukemia SKW-3 cell lines. IC50 values of 5-bromo-derivative ligands and gallium (III) complexes are lower than those of cisplatin and much lower than these of melphalan. The coordination to gallium (III) additionally increased the cytotoxicity compared to the metal-free hydrazones.
Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of Erythrostemon yucatanensis (Greenm.) Gagnon & GP Lewis Components with Anti-hemagglutinin Binding Activity against Influenza A/H1N1 Virus
Authors: Ortiz-López Tania , Borges-Argáez Rocío , Ayora-Talavera Guadalupe , Canto-Ramírez Ernesto , Cetina-Montejo Lisseth , May-May Ángel , Escalante-Erosa Fabiola , Cáceres-Farfán Mirbella
Published: August 2022

Erythrostemon yucatanensis (Greenm.) Gagnon & GP Lewis is a legume tree native to and widely distributed in southeast Mexico, where its branches are used in traditional medicine. An in vitro evaluation of the antiviral activity of extracts and fractions from the leaves, stem bark and roots against two strains of the AH1N1 influenza virus was performed, leading to the identification of bioactive compounds in this medicinal plant. In a cytopathic effect reduction assay, the fractions from the leaves and stem bark were the active elements at the co-treatment level. These were further fractionated based on their hemagglutination inhibition activity. The analysis of spectroscopy data identified a combination of phytosterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol) in the stem bark active fraction as the main anti-hemagglutinin binding components, while 5-hydroxy-2(2-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-7-metoxi-4H(chromen-4-ona), which was isolated from the leaf extracts, showed a weak inhibition of viral hemagglutinin. Time of addition experiments demonstrated that the mixture of sterols had a direct effect on viral particle infectivity at the co-treatment level (IC50 = 3.125 µg/mL). This effect was also observed in the virus plaque formation inhibition assay, where the mixture showed 90% inhibition in the first 20 min of co-treatment at the same concentration. Additionally, it was found using qRT-PCR that the NP copy number was reduced by 92.85% after 60 min of co-treatment. These results are the first report of components with anti-hemagglutinin binding activity in the genus Erythrostemon sp.
In the Swim of Cannabis: Developmental Toxicity and Metabolomic Pathway Alterations of Zebrafish Larvae Exposed to THC for the Assessment of Its Potential Environmental and Human Health Impact
Authors: Chatzimitakos Theodoros , Chousidis Ieremias , Leonardos Dimitrios , Stalikas Constantine , Leonardos Ioannis
Published: August 2022

As the pharmacological properties and therapeutic applications of Cannabis sativa L. pace with the upsurge of interest of the scientific community in harnessing its constituent phytocannabinoids, illicit use may raise serious health issues. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the most well-known phytoactive constituents of cannabis and continues to garner scientific and public attention not only because of its pharmacological value but also because over-the-counter products of THC and prescription medications are becoming increasingly available from pharmacies, dispensaries, Internet, local retail stores, or by illicit means. Hence, a multidimensional approach was employed to examine the impact of THC on zebrafish larvae. The acute toxicity, expressed as LC50, was 1.54 mg/L. Adverse effects were observed on the phenotype, such as tail bending, pericardial edema, etc., even at concentrations lower than LC50, and fundamental functions of larvae (e.g., heart rate and cardiac contractility, and rhythm) were significantly affected. Behavioral changes were noticed, which were reflected in locomotor activity and sensitivity to light/dark changes. Finally, an untargeted metabolomic study was carried out to shed light on the metabolic alterations that occurred, providing substantiating evidence of the observed phenotype alterations. Overall, the potentially detrimental effects of THC on a vertebrate model are depicted.
La infancia en filosofía, historia y estética del cine latinoamericano en el siglo XX
Authors: Amado Becerra Julián Andrés , Gutiérrez Avendaño Jairo
Published: August 2022

El objetivo de este texto es una aproximación teórica de la infancia en las principales concepciones de la filosofía occidental, la nueva historia social de la infancia en el continente y las principales poéticas estéticas del cine latinoamericano durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Para este propósito se analizan las nociones de la infancia desde trabajos con un enfoque histórico-hermenéutico, de análisis crítico de discurso y evaluación de las nociones con base en los aportes de los campos teóricos abordados. Estos cruces permiten pensar los lugares de la infancia como instrumento para lograr un sueño político, las concepciones del tiempo, los derechos liberales de la Ilustración, y el acontecimiento fenomenológico. El fin de esta revisión crítica es un llamado a tejer líneas de fuga de la historia, a recrear mecanismos de resistencia audiovisual que apueste por una estética imperfecta, que desdibuje herencias, que marque procesos sociales en los que la infancia tenga una voz auténtica. Al enfocar la imagen de la infancia resulta crucial que el cine, más allá de mostrar realidades fácticas concretas, tenga un margen de ficción que aprovecha para darnos una poética sentimental de las infancias olvidadas y reinventar la estetización de las nuevas infancias en re-existencias autónomas desde la pluralidad de miradas del continente.
Relationships between Positive Character Traits, Virtues, and Health
Authors: Yoon Dong , Bruininks Patricia , Smith Erin , Witvliet Charlotte , Cohen Daniel , Edman Laird , Bankard Joseph , Little Katherine , Johnstone Brick
Published: August 2022

Virtues and character traits are increasingly recognized as impacting health outcomes, although distinctions between these constructs remain unclear. In order for Christian social workers to most effectively incorporate virtues-based interventions into their clinical practices, there is a need to identify the distinct nature of the different virtues and their relationships to health outcomes. In Part I, a principal components factor analysis of six character traits (i.e., altruism, empathy, forgiveness, gratitude, hope, and humility) based on 402 students primarily from Christian universities determined the empirical validity of these constructs (i.e., whether they are best conceptualized as distinct constructs, dimensions of higher order constructs, or one overall “goodness” virtue). Results identified 12 distinct character traits, suggesting a need to focus on specific character traits rather than general virtues. In Part II, hierarchical regressions indicated that personality variables predicted 37% of variance in mental health, with only gratitude and lack of resentment toward others (i.e., two of the 12 identified character traits) predicting an additional 8% of the variance (no variables predicted physical health). The results suggest the need to conceptualize character traits as distinct constructs, and that interventions to increase gratitude and reduce resentment may be most effective in improving mental health outcomes in Christian college students.
Dampak Covid-19 terhadap Financial Market di Indonesia
Authors: Hadi Prasetyo , Primta Surbakti Lidya , Nurmatias Nurmatias
Published: August 2022

Covid-19 secara global lebih mengoncangkan ekonomi jika dibandingkan dengan the Great Financial Crisis pada 2007–2008. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan index harga saham gabungan (IHSG) di bursa efek Indonesia mengalami penurunan harga saham yang sangat signifikan.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh covid-19 terhadap financial market di Indonesia.  Menggunakan Pooled data dan STATA 13 digunakan untuk menganalisis data. Sample penelitian ini adalah 44 IHSG harian dengan 9 sektor di Bursa Effek Indonesia untuk masa pembatasan sosial berskala besar (PSBB) dikarenakan Covid-19 ini dimulai 20 Maret 2020 sampai 29 Mei 2020. IHSG untuk semua sektor di BEI yang digunakan untuk mengukur financial market di Indonesia. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa makin tinggi Covid19 maka semakin tinggi harga saham  pada sector agribisnis, sector industry kimia dasar, sector industry lainnya, sector barang konsumsi, sektor  sedangkan untuk sector perdagangan tidak ada pengaruhnya. Untuk sector property dan dan sector keuangan semakin tinggi Covid-19 semakin rendah harga saham. Investor mungkin dapat menggunakan temuan ini untuk memahami peran penting dari peningkatan Covid-19 di Indonesia.