bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of Hepcidin Expression in the Renal Cortex of Sickle Cell Disease Mice
Authors: Ahmad Asrar , Kumari Namita , Afangbedji Nowah , Nekhai Sergei , Jerebtsova Marina
Published: June 2023

In patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), chronic hemolysis and frequent blood transfusions cause iron overload and accumulation in the kidneys. The iron deposition is found in the renal cortex and correlates with the severity of hemolysis. In this study, we observed a significant accumulation of iron in the renal cortex of a mouse model of SCD, and assessed the expression of the proteins involved in maintaining renal iron homeostasis. Despite the intracellular iron accumulation, the levels of the transferrin receptor in the kidneys were increased, but the levels of the iron exporter ferroportin were not altered in SCD mice. Ferroportin is regulated by hepcidin, which binds to it and promotes its degradation. We found reduced serum hepcidin levels but increased renal hepcidin production in SCD mice. Furthermore, we observed significant macrophage infiltration and increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in the endothelial cells of the kidneys in SCD mice. These observations correlated with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, which can potentially stimulate hepcidin expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that in individuals with SCD, a renal inflammation state induces renal hepcidin production that blocks the upregulation of ferroportin levels, resulting in dysregulation of iron homeostasis in the kidney and iron deposition in the renal cortex.
Building a Scaffold for Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation: Unravelling the Role of the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Laboyrie Suzanne L. , de Vries Margreet R. , Bijkerk Roel , Rotmans Joris I.
Published: June 2023

Vascular access is the lifeline for patients receiving haemodialysis as kidney replacement therapy. As a surgically created arteriovenous fistula (AVF) provides a high-flow conduit suitable for cannulation, it remains the vascular access of choice. In order to use an AVF successfully, the luminal diameter and the vessel wall of the venous outflow tract have to increase. This process is referred to as AVF maturation. AVF non-maturation is an important limitation of AVFs that contributes to their poor primary patency rates. To date, there is no clear overview of the overall role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in AVF maturation. The ECM is essential for vascular functioning, as it provides structural and mechanical strength and communicates with vascular cells to regulate their differentiation and proliferation. Thus, the ECM is involved in multiple processes that regulate AVF maturation, and it is essential to study its anatomy and vascular response to AVF surgery to define therapeutic targets to improve AVF maturation. In this review, we discuss the composition of both the arterial and venous ECM and its incorporation in the three vessel layers: the tunica intima, media, and adventitia. Furthermore, we examine the effect of chronic kidney failure on the vasculature, the timing of ECM remodelling post-AVF surgery, and current ECM interventions to improve AVF maturation. Lastly, the suitability of ECM interventions as a therapeutic target for AVF maturation will be discussed.
Development and Characterization of Near-Isogenic Lines Derived from Synthetic Wheat Revealing the 2 kb Insertion in the PPD-D1 Gene Responsible for Heading Delay and Grain Number Improvement
Authors: Ning Shunzong , Li Shengke , Xu Kai , Liu Dongmei , Ma Li , Ma Chunfang , Hao Ming , Zhang Lianquan , Chen Wenjie , Zhang Bo , Jiang Yun , Huang Lin , Chen Xuejiao , Jiang Bo , Yuan Zhongwei , Liu Dengcai
Published: June 2023

Spikelet number and grain number per spike are two crucial and correlated traits for grain yield in wheat. Photoperiod-1 (Ppd-1) is a key regulator of inflorescence architecture and spikelet formation in wheat. In this study, near-isogenic lines derived from the cross of a synthetic hexaploid wheat and commercial cultivars generated by double top-cross and two-phase selection were evaluated for the number of days to heading and other agronomic traits. The results showed that heading time segregation was conferred by a single incomplete dominant gene PPD-D1, and the 2 kb insertion in the promoter region was responsible for the delay in heading. Meanwhile, slightly delayed heading plants and later heading plants obviously have advantages in grain number and spikelet number of the main spike compared with early heading plants. Utilization of PPD-D1 photoperiod sensitivity phenotype as a potential means to increase wheat yield potential.
Magnetic CoFe1.95Y0.05O4-Decorated Ag3PO4 as Superior and Recyclable Photocatalyst for Dye Degradation
Authors: Liu Qingwang , Xu Mai , Meng Ying , Chen Shikun , Yang Shiliu
Published: June 2023

The Ag3PO4/CoFe1.95Y0.05O4 nanocomposite with magnetic properties was simply synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the prepared material were characterized, and its photocatalytic activity for degradation of the methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes was also tested. It was revealed that the Ag3PO4 in the nanocomposite exhibited a smaller size and higher efficiency in degrading dyes than the individually synthesized Ag3PO4 when exposed to light. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of CoFe1.95Y0.05O4 enabled the nanocomposite to possess magnetic separation capabilities. The stable crystal structure and effective degradation ability of the nanocomposite were demonstrated through cyclic degradation experiments. It was shown that Ag3PO4/CoFe1.95Y0.05O4–0.2 could deliver the highest activity and stability in degrading the dyes, and 98% of the dyes could be reduced within 30 min. Additionally, the photocatalytic enhancement mechanism and cyclic degradation stability of the magnetic nanocomposites were also proposed.
Establishing the Durability and Reliability of a Dental Bur Based on the Wear
Authors: Ilie Filip , Saracin Ioan Alexandru
Published: June 2023

This paper analyzes the phenomenon that conditions the durability and reliability of a type of dental bur based on the wear of the active part and with effect on its quality. For the experimental study, a conical-cylindrical dental bur and a sample dental material in cobalt–chromium alloy, cylindrical shape, tested on a specially made experimental installation were used. In this paper, the most significant parameter was considered (loss of mass, mw, through the wear of the active part of a tested dental bur), which highlights the studied wear phenomenon. This is useful for the establishment of the durability and reliability of the dental bur by the extension of the lifetime or even optimization of its operation. The wear phenomenon of the active part of dental bur is studied based on the results and experimental data obtained in the work process that was validated by interpolation and led to polynomial functions which approximate very well the dependent parameter, mw, considered in the experimental program. The results of the interpolation showed that in the first 11 h of work, the dental bur works with high efficiency (allow optimizing operation or offering new ideas for constructive solutions), after which it can be easily decommissioned; i.e., it should be replaced with a new one (establishing some possible criteria for replacing the used dental bur).
Eco-Friendly Recycling of Lithium Batteries for Extraction of High-Purity Metals
Authors: Mahran Gamal M. A. , Gado Mohamed A. , Fathy Wael M. , ElDeeb Amr B.
Published: June 2023

The significant increase in lithium batteries consumption produces a significant quantity of discarded lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). On the one hand, the shortage of high-grade ores leads to the necessity of processing low-grade ores, which contain a low percentage of valuable metals in comparison to the discarded LIBs that contain a high percentage of these metals, which enhances the processing of the discarded LIBs. On the other hand, the processing of discarded LIBs reduces the negative environmental effects that result from their storage and the harmful elements contained in their composition. Hence, the current study aims at developing cost-effective and ecofriendly technology for cobalt and lithium metal ion recovery based on discarded LIBs. A novel synthesized solid-phase adsorbent (TZAB) was utilized for the selective removal of cobalt from synthetic solutions and spent LIBs. The synthesized TZAB adsorbent was characterized by using 13C-NMR, GC-MS, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and TGA. The factors affecting the adsorption of cobalt and lithium ions from synthetic solutions and spent LIBs, including the sorbent dose, pH, contact time, temperature, and cobalt concentration were investigated. The conditions surrounding the recovery of cobalt and lithium from processing discarded LIBs, were investigated to optimize the maximum recovery. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were used to study the kinetics of the adsorption process. The obtained results showed that high-purity CoC2O4 and Li3PO4 were obtained with a purity of 95% and 98.3% and a percent recovery of 93.48% and 95.76%, respectively. The maximum recovery of Co(II) from synthetic solutions was obtained at C0 = 500 mg·L−1, dose of 0.08 g, pH 7.5, T = 25 °C, and reaction time = 90 min. The collected data from Langmuir’s isotherm and the adsorption processes of Co agree with the data predicted by the D-R isotherm models, which shows that the adsorption of Co(II) onto the TZAB seems to be chemisorption, and the results agree with the Langmuir and D-R isotherm models.
Change in Electrical/Mechanical Properties of Plasma Polymerized Low Dielectric Constant Films after Etching in CF4/O2 Plasma for Semiconductor Multilevel Interconnects
Authors: Baek Namwuk , Park Yoonsoo , Lim Hyuna , Cha Jihwan , Jang Taesoon , Kang Shinwon , Jang Seonhee , Jung Donggeun
Published: June 2023

As semiconductor chips have been integrated to enhance their performance, a low-dielectric-constant material, SiCOH, with a relative dielectric constant k ≤ 3.5 has been widely used as an intermetal dielectric (IMD) material in multilevel interconnects to reduce the resistance-capacitance delay. Plasma-polymerized tetrakis(trimethylsilyoxy)silane (ppTTMSS) films were created using capacitively coupled plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with deposition plasma powers ranging from 20 to 60 W and then etched in CF4/O2 plasma using reactive ion etching. No significant changes were observed in the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of the ppTTMSS films after etching. The refractive index and dielectric constant were also maintained. As the deposition plasma power increased, the hardness and elastic modulus increased with increasing ppTTMSS film density. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra analysis showed that the oxygen concentration increased but the carbon concentration decreased after etching owing to the reaction between the plasma and film surface. With an increase in the deposition plasma power, the hardness and elastic modulus increased from 1.06 to 8.56 GPa and from 6.16 to 52.45 GPa. This result satisfies the hardness and elastic modulus exceeding 0.7 and 5.0 GPa, which are required for the chemical–mechanical polishing process in semiconductor multilevel interconnects. Furthermore, all leakage-current densities of the as-deposited and etched ppTTMSS films were measured below 10−6 A/cm2 at 1 MV/cm, which is generally acceptable for IMD materials.
Structure and Luminescent Properties of Glasses in the GeS2-Ga2S3-Sb2S3:Pr3+ System
Authors: Tverjanovich Andrey , Tveryanovich Yurii S. , Shahbazova Christina
Published: June 2023

The physicochemical, optical, and luminescent properties and structures of glasses of the Ga2S3-GeS2-Sb2S3:Pr system have been studied in a wide range of concentrations of the main components in order to reveal their correlation with the composition. According to the calculations using the Judd–Ofelt theory, glasses with a high content of Sb2S3 should provide the highest luminescence efficiency of Pr3+ ions. However, this result is leveled by enhancing the concentration quenching effect, followed by an increase of the Sb2S3 content in the glasses. The introduction of Pr leads to a significant increase in the fraction of Sb-Sb, Sb-Ge, Ge-Ge bonds in glasses enriched with Sb2S3 and GeS2. In the cases of the glasses enriched with Ga2S3, this effect was not observed, apparently because Ga promotes the formation of three-coordinated sulfur atoms.
Effect of Magnesian-Expansive Components in Steel Slag on the Volume Stability of Cement-Based Materials
Authors: Long Quanming , Zhao Qinglin , Gong Wei , Liu Yuqiang , Gan Wangui
Published: June 2023

Millimeter-scale magnesian refractory granules were found to be a unique magnesian-expansive component in steel slag. To systematically study the effects of these granular magnesian-expansive components on the volume stability of cement-based materials containing steel slag, an investigation of their existing forms and influence on the volume stability was conducted in this paper. The various-sizing waste–magnesium–chromate-based refractory brick (Mg-Cr brick) granules and different (FeO + MnO)/MgO ratios’ synthetic MgO·xFeO·yMnO ternary solid solutions granules were adopted to simulate magnesian-expansive granules by partially replacing manufactured sand in mortar. The 100 °C–3 h boiling and 213 °C–2 MPa–3 h autoclaving treatments were adopted as volume stability testing methods. The results indicated that whether Mg-Cr brick or MgO·xFeO·yMnO solid solution, the concentration of expansive stress and the anisotropy expansion came with the granular size rising weakening the volume stability of cement-based materials which contained magnesian-expansive granules, significantly. Meanwhile, this phenomenon resulted in the ineffectiveness of the single linear expansion rate when assessing the qualification of volume stability. Furthermore, it also changed the mortars’ failure mode from “muddy damage” to “break into blocks”. Especially, there is no volume stability issue when the MgO·xFeO·yMnO satisfied (FeO + MnO)/MgO ≥ 1.00. Considering the significant effect of the granular magnesian-expansive components on the volume stability of cement-based materials containing steel slag, it is imperative to enhance the detection of both MgO content and mineral existing forms in steel slag in practical applications. For recommendation, the threshold value of conducting autoclaved volume stability testing on steel slag should be set at MgO ≥ 3%. Furthermore, the qualification cannot be judged by the single linear expansion rate; the specimens’ appearance integrity and strength loss should also be noted.
Solvent Extraction as a Method of Recovery and Separation of Platinum Group Metals
Authors: Pianowska Karolina , Kluczka Joanna , Benke Grzegorz , Goc Karolina , Malarz Joanna , Ochmański Michał , Leszczyńska-Sejda Katarzyna
Published: June 2023

Platinum group metals (PGMs) are a group of six metals with high market value and key importance to many industrial sectors. Due to their low prevalence in the Earth’s crust and high demand, these metals have been recognized as critical materials for many years. Along with economic development, the natural resources of the platinum group metals are gradually depleting, which is accompanied by the need to recover PGMs from secondary sources. The solutions resulting from the processing of such materials are characterized by high content of impurities and low content of precious metals. For this reason, in order to obtain pure metals, it is extremely important to choose an effective, selective method for the recovery and separation of the platinum group metals. This review focuses on the most important aspects of the characteristics of the PGMs, including their properties and occurrence, the processing of natural and secondary raw materials and the role of liquid–liquid extraction in the selective separation of metals from this group, not only on a laboratory scale but, above all, on an industrial scale. In addition, this study collects information on the most commonly used, commercially available extractants, based on current reports, taken from the scientific literature.
Synthesis of Solar Light Active Reduced Graphene Oxide-ZnS Nanomaterial for Photocatalytic Degradation and Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Sathya priya B. , Aruchamy Kanakaraj , Oh Tae Hwan , Avula Balakrishna , Hasan Imran , Shanthi M.
Published: June 2023

Good water quality is essential for life; therefore, decolorizing and detoxifying organic dye wastes (textile effluents) have gained immense environmental importance in recent years. Thus, the degradation of wastewater has become a potential need for our environment. This research aims to synthesize and investigate a ceramic-based nanomaterial catalyst for the degradation of dye solution under exposure to sunlight. A reduced graphene oxide-ZnS (rGO-ZnS) nanomaterial was qualitatively synthesized using a solvothermal method. The prepared nanomaterial was characterized using XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, EDX, XPS, and FT-IR techniques. The photocatalytic activity of the rGO-ZnS nanomaterial was checked using oxidative photocatalytic degradation of naphthol blue black dye (NBB) under direct sunlight irradiation. Here, the rGO/ZnS composite showed a significant photocatalytic performance to degraded NBB (93.7%) under direct solar light. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) measurements confirmed the mineralization of the dye. The influence of different radical scavengers on NBB degradation was studied. Optimum conditions for efficient degradation were determined. The antibacterial property of the prepared catalyst was studied.
The Effect of Altitude on Phenolic, Antioxidant and Fatty Acid Compositions of Some Turkish Hazelnut (Coryllus avellana L.) Cultivars
Authors: Gülsoy Ersin , Kaya Elif Duygu , Türkhan Ayşe , Bulut Menekşe , Koyuncu Mubin , Güler Emrah , Sayın Figen , Muradoğlu Ferhad
Published: June 2023

Turkey is the leading producer and exporter of hazelnuts, producing approximately 64% of global hazelnut production. This research investigated the effects of cultivars and altitude on the phenolic, antioxidant, and fatty acid compositions of five hazelnut cultivars grown at three different altitudes, 100 m, 350 m, and 800 m, in Ordu province, one of the territories that produce the most hazelnuts. The results showed that the cultivar and location significantly affected phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid (FA) content. The lowest (2.30 mg/kg-Yağlı) and highest (21.11 mg/kg-Kara) gallic acids were obtained at 100 m. The highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were found in the nuts grown at 350 m in the Kara and Palaz cultivars, at 100 m in the Yağlı and Sivri cultivars, and at 800 m in the Çakıldak cultivar. Oleic acid was the predominant FA in the cultivars and possessed a diverse trend according to the altitude and cultivar, ranging from 76.04% to 84.80%, increasing with altitude in all cultivars except Çakıldak. Palmitic acid was the predominant saturated FA followed by stearic acid, which significantly varied according to the elevations. This study suggests that the responses of hazelnuts to altitude depend on the cultivar; hence, a proper approach to producing nuts containing more phenolic, fatty acids, and antioxidant activity includes choosing a suitable cultivar for a specific elevation.
Selected Flavonols in Breast and Gynecological Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wendlocha Dominika , Krzykawski Kamil , Mielczarek-Palacz Aleksandra , Kubina Robert
Published: June 2023

The consumption of foods that are rich in phenolic compounds has chemopreventive effects on many cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. A wide spectrum of their health-promoting properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, has been demonstrated. This paper analyzes the mechanisms of the anticancer action of selected common flavonols, including kemferol, myricetin, quercetin, fisetin, galangin, isorhamnetin, and morin, in preclinical studies, with particular emphasis on in vitro studies in gynecological cancers and breast cancer. In the future, these compounds may find applications in the prevention and treatment of gynecological cancers and breast cancer, but this requires further, more advanced research.
Tartrazine Modifies the Activity of DNMT and HDAC Genes—Is This a Link between Cancer and Neurological Disorders?
Authors: Zand Afshin , Enkhbilguun Sodbuyan , Macharia John M. , Budán Ferenc , Gyöngyi Zoltán , Varjas Timea
Published: June 2023

In recent years, artificial additives, especially synthetic food colorants, were found to demonstrate wider properties compared to their natural equivalents; however, their health impact is still not totally mapped. Our study aimed to determine the long-term (30 and 90 days) exposure effect of one of the commonly used artificial food colorants, tartrazine, on NMRI mice. The applied dose of tartrazine referred to the human equivalent dose for acceptable daily intake (ADI). Further, we evaluated its impact on the transcription of a range of epigenetic effectors, members of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) as well as histone deacetylase (HDAC) families. Following the exposure, organ biopsies were collected from the lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen, and the gene expression levels were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Our results demonstrated significant upregulation of genes in the tested organs in various patterns followed by the intake of tartrazine on ADI. Since DNMT and HDAC genes are involved in different steps of carcinogenesis, have roles in the development of neurological disorders and the effect of dose of everyday exposure is rarely studied, further investigation is warranted to study these possible associations.
Negative Association between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Depression in a Young Adult US Population: A Cross-Sectional Study of NHANES 2007–2018
Authors: Ma Jiwen , Li Ka
Published: June 2023

Background: Vitamin D has been suggested to play a role in the development of depression, but the nature of the relationship between the two is still not fully understood. Although some studies have shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and depression, others have yielded inconsistent or inconclusive results. As a result, further research is needed to better understand the relationship between vitamin D and depression. Objectives: This study aims to assess the association between serum vitamin D and the risk of depressive symptoms in individuals aged 20 years and older in the United States. Methods: We selected 7562 participants from the 2007–2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants’ serum vitamin D levels were determined from laboratory data, and those with a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score of ≥ 10 were considered to have depressive symptoms. Associations between vitamin D and depressive symptoms were investigated using multiple logistic regression, subgroup analysis, and smoothed curve fitting. Results: In our study, 11.17% of the participants had depression. Multiple regression stratified analysis showed a significant inverse association between serum vitamin D and depression in the 29–39 years age group after full adjustment (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.31–0.95, p = 0.0316). This result was supported by subgroup analysis and smoothed curve fitting. Conclusions: The association between serum vitamin D and depressive status in US adults varied across populations. Among those aged 29–39 years, vitamin D supplementation tended to show a lower rate of depression.
Sirtuin 1 and Vascular Function in Healthy Women and Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Effects of Energy Restriction and Resveratrol
Authors: Gonçalinho Gustavo Henrique Ferreira , Kuwabara Karen Lika , Faria Nathalia Ferreira de Oliveira , Goes Marisa Fernandes da Silva , Roggerio Alessandra , Avakian Solange Desirée , Strunz Célia Maria Cassaro , Mansur Antonio de Padua
Published: June 2023

Background: Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been associated with longevity and protection against cardiometabolic diseases, but little is known about how it influences human vascular function. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of SIRT1 activation by resveratrol and energy restriction on vascular reactivity in adults. Methods: A randomized trial allocated 48 healthy adults (24 women and 24 men), aged 55 to 65 years, to resveratrol supplementation or energy restriction for 30 days. Blood lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, noradrenaline, SIRT1 (circulating and gene expression), and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated vasodilation (NMD) were measured. Results: Both interventions increased circulating SIRT1 (p < 0.001). Pre- and post-tests changes of plasma noradrenaline were significant for both groups (resveratrol: p = 0.037; energy restriction: p = 0.008). Baseline circulating SIRT1 was inversely correlated with noradrenaline (r = −0.508; p < 0.01), and post-treatment circulating SIRT1 was correlated with NMD (r = 0.433; p < 0.01). Circulating SIRT1 was a predictor of FMD in men (p = 0.045), but not in women. SIRT1 was an independent predictor of NMD (p = 0.026) only in the energy restriction group. Conclusions: Energy restriction and resveratrol increased circulating SIRT1 and reduced sympathetic activity similarly in healthy adults. SIRT1 was independently associated with NMD only in the energy restriction group.
The Antiproliferative Effect of Chloroform Fraction of Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb. on 2D- and 3D-Human Lung Cancer Cells (A549) Model
Authors: Zakaria Nur Hannan , Saad Norazalina , Che Abdullah Che Azurahanim , Mohd. Esa Norhaizan
Published: June 2023

Since lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, research is being conducted to discover anticancer agents as its treatment. Eleutherine bulbosa, a Dayak folklore medicine, exhibited anticancer effects against several cancer cells; however, its anticancer potency against lung cancer cells has not been explored yet. This study aims to determine the anticancer potency of E. bulbosa bulbs against lung cancer cells (A549) using 2D and 3D culture models, as well as determine its active compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Three fractions of E. bulbosa bulbs, namely chloroform, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate, were tested for cytotoxicity using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT) and CellTiter-Glo. The antiproliferative effects of the most cytotoxic fraction against the 2D culture model were determined by a clonogenic survival assay and propidium iodide/Hoechst 33342 double staining, whereas the effects against the 3D culture model were determined by microscopy, flow cytometry, and gene expression analysis. The chloroform fraction is the most cytotoxic against A549 cells than other fractions, and it inhibited colony formation and induced apoptosis of A549 cells. The chloroform fraction also inhibited the growth of the A549 spheroid by suppressing the spheroid size, inducing apoptosis, reducing the proportion of CD44 lung cancer stem cells, causing arrest at the S phase of the cell cycle, and suppressing the expression of the SOX2 and MYC genes. Furthermore, the GC-MS analysis detected 20 active compounds in the chloroform fraction, including the major compounds of eleutherine and isoeleutherine. In conclusion, the chloroform fraction of E. bulbosa bulbs exhibit its antiproliferative effect on 2D and 3D culture models of A549 cells, suggesting it could be a lung cancer chemopreventive agent.
Cutaneous Polymeric-Micelles-Based Hydrogel Containing Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil: In Vitro Release and Permeation, Angiogenesis, and Safety Profile In Ovo
Authors: Avram Ștefana , Bora Larisa , Vlaia Lavinia Lia , Muț Ana Maria , Olteanu Gheorghe-Emilian , Olariu Ioana , Magyari-Pavel Ioana Zinuca , Minda Daliana , Diaconeasa Zorița , Sfirloaga Paula , Adnan Mohd , Dehelean Cristina Adriana , Danciu Corina
Published: June 2023

Origanum vulgare var. vulgare essential oil (OEO) is known as a natural product with multiple beneficial effects with application in dermatology. Oregano essential oil represents a potential natural therapeutic alternative for fibroepithelial polyps (FPs), commonly known as skin tags. Innovative formulations have been developed to improve the bioavailability and stability of essential oils. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the morphology of a polymeric-micelles-based hydrogel (OEO-PbH), the release and permeation profile of oregano essential oil, as well as to assess in vivo the potential effects on the degree of biocompatibility and the impact on angiogenesis in ovo, using a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated a regular aspect after the encapsulation process, while in vitro release studies showed a sustained release of the essential oil. None of the tested samples induced any irritation on the CAM and the limitation of the angiogenic process was noted. OEO-PbH, with a sustained release of OEO, potentially enhances the anti-angiogenic effect while being well tolerated and non-irritative by the vascularized CAM, especially on the blood vessels (BVs) in the presence of leptin treatment. This is the first evidence of in vivo antiangiogenic effects of a polymeric-micelle-loaded oregano essential oil, with further mechanistic insights for OEO-PbH formulation, involving leptin as a possible target. The findings suggest that the OEO-containing polymeric micelle hydrogel represents a potential future approach in the pathology of cutaneous FP and other angiogenesis-related conditions.
A Polymer-Based Indicator for Detecting Dexamethasone in Herbal Medicine Using Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
Authors: Pratiwi Rimadani , Charlie Vandie , Saptarini Nyi Mekar , Rahayu Driyanti
Published: June 2023

Dexamethasone is a chemical drug that is usually added to herbal medicine because of its effects on pain relief, arthritis, anti-inflammation, etc. Chemical drugs should not be used in herbal medicine because uncontrolled consumption causes some side effects. A polymer-based indicator was developed to detect dexamethasone in herbal medicine samples in a fast and simple way compared to instrumental analysis. The indicator strips were made by mixing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as a reagent. When reacting with dexamethasone, H2SO4 can cause the color to change into a specific light pink-purple color. Indicator strips were prepared with a composition of 5% PMMA in ethyl acetate:H2SO4 (9:1) by using the reagent blending method. The indicator strips showed a pink-purple color when they were applied to a positive herb containing dexamethasone. The indicator strips could selectively detect dexamethasone rather than other active substances that are often found in herbal medicine. These indicator strips could also detect dexamethasone with the smallest detection limit of 13.13 ppm, and they had a stability of up to 36 days. Detection was carried out in real samples to show the performance of the indicator strips. The result showed that of nine samples, five were confirmed to contain dexamethasone. These results showed a good agreement with the results of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to the result, these indicator strips provide a simple and applicable method for on-site analysis to detect dexamethasone in samples.
Material Evaluation and Dynamic Powder Deposition Modeling of PEEK/CF Composite for Laser Powder Bed Fusion Process
Authors: Li Jiang , Peng Fulun , Li Hongguang , Ru Zhibing , Fu Junjie , Zhu Wen
Published: June 2023

Polymeric composites such as Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK)/carbon fiber (CF) have been widely utilized due to outstanding performances such as high specific strength and specific modulus. The PEEK/CF components via powder bed fusion additive manufacturing usually show brittle fracture behaviors induced by their poor interfacial affinity and inner voids. These defects are strongly associated with powder packing quality upon deposition. The particle dynamic model has been widely employed to study the interactions of particle motions. Powder property, bulk material property, and interfacial features of composite powders are key factors in the particle dynamic model. In this work, an efficient and systematic material evaluation is developed for composite powders to investigate their deposition mechanism. The discrete element method is utilized to simulate the dynamic behaviors of PEEK/CF composite powders. The powder properties, bulk material properties, and interfacial features of powders are calibrated and justified by experimental measurement, numerical simulation, and design of experiments. The particle dynamic model can explain the powder flow behaviors and interactions. The experimental and simulation AOR results show a maximal deviation of 4.89%. It reveals that the addition of short CF particles can assist the flow of PEEK powders and improve the packing quality of the composite powders. The results show an experimental improvement of 31.3% and 55.2% for PEEK/CF_30wt% and PEEK/CF_50wt%, with a simulated improvement of 27.4% and 50.2% for corresponding composite powders.
Green Synthesis of the Effectively Environmentally Safe Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer for the Removal of Hazardous Industrial Wastes Using Two Different Methods
Authors: Ahmed Doaa A. , El-Apasery Morsy A. , Aly Amal A. , Ragai Shereen M.
Published: June 2023

Untreated wastewater pollution causes environmental degradation, health issues, and ecosystem disruption. Geopolymers offer sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cement-based materials for wastewater solidification and removal. In this study, we investigate how wastewater containing organic and inorganic pollutants can be removed using geopolymer mixes based on metakaolin incorporation with cement kiln dust as an eco-friendly material. The present investigation compares the efficacy of two different techniques (solidification and adsorption) for reducing dye contaminants and heavy metals from wastewater using a geopolymer based on metakaolin incorporation with cement kiln dust. This study investigated the adsorption capacity of a geopolymer based on metakaolin incorporating two different ratios (20% and 40% by weight) of cement kiln dust (MC1 and MC2) for the reactive black 5 dyeing bath effluent (RBD) only and in a combination of 1200 mg/L of Pb2+ and Cd2+, each separately, in aqueous solutions under different adsorption parameters. The results of the adsorption technique for the two prepared geopolymer mixes, MC1 and MC2, show that MC1 has a higher adsorption activity than MC2 toward the reactive black 5 dyeing bath effluent both alone and in combination with Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions separately. The study also looked at using MC1 mix to stabilize and solidify both the dyeing bath effluent alone and its combination with 1200 mg/L of each heavy metal individually inside the geopolymer matrix for different time intervals up to 60 days of water curing at room temperature. The geopolymer matrix formed during the process was analyzed using FTIR, SEM, and XRD techniques to examine the phases of hydration products formed. The results showed that MC1 effectively adsorbs, stabilizes, and solidifies the dying bath effluent for up to 60 days, even with high heavy metal concentrations. On the other hand, geopolymer mixes showed an increase in mechanical properties when hydration time was increased to 60 days. According to our findings, the type of geopolymer developed from metakaolin and 20 wt.% cement kiln dust has the potential to be employed in the treatment of wastewater because it has good adsorption and solidification activity for the reactive black 5 dye effluent alone and for a mixture of dye pollutants with both Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions separately. Our results have significant implications for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation efforts, as they offer a sustainable solution for managing hazardous waste materials.
Utilization of Recycled Egg Carton Pulp for Nitrocellulose as an Accelerant in Briquette Production
Authors: Andok Amena , Lee Seng Hua , Gilbert Jesuet Melissa Sharmah , Palle Ismawati
Published: June 2023

Nitrocellulose (NC) is a conservative material that is used in a variety of applications, such as coating agents, biodegradable plastics, and propellant main charge. Nitrocellulose raw materials are easily obtained from lignocellulose sources, most notably cotton and wood pulp. The egg carton, a recycled paper waste designed for packaging and transporting eggs, is used in this study to make nitrocellulose in pulp form. The effects of different nitration durations (40, 50, and 60 min) from egg carton pulp bleached with various KOH concentrations (0.6 M, 1.0 M, and 1.5 M) on NC properties were evaluated. The accelerant properties of the NC of nitration time in 50 min were studied in a rice husk charcoal briquette. Rice husk charcoal briquettes are made in various ratios with nitrocellulose as an accelerant (97:3, 96:4, and 95:5). The NC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. 1.0 M of bleached egg carton pulp has the highest cellulose content (86.94%) with the presence of crystalline structure of cellulose at peak 1430 cm−1 after the bleaching process. Meanwhile, different nitration times revealed that 50 min had the highest nitrogen content (7.97%) with a 1.23 degree of substitution (DS) value. Based on its TG analysis, NC 50 has met the requirements for use as an accelerant for briquettes, with an onset temperature of 91.60 °C and a weight loss of 62.60%. Infrared at peak 1640 cm−1 confirmed the presence of NO2 groups in nitrocellulose successfully formed by nitration. After the addition of nitrocellulose, the calorific value of the briquette increased from 13.54% to 15.47%. Fixed carbon and volatile matter showed the same pattern. The combustion of nitrocellulose-briquette has also been demonstrated by Td10% of degradation, which degraded between 310 and 345 °C.
Unlocking the Potential of Remote Sensing in Wind Erosion Studies: A Review and Outlook for Future Directions
Authors: Lackoóvá Lenka , Lieskovský Juraj , Nikseresht Fahime , Halabuk Andrej , Hilbert Hubert , Halászová Klaudia , Bahreini Fatemeh
Published: June 2023

Remote sensing (RS) has revolutionized field data collection processes and provided timely and spatially consistent acquisition of data on the terrestrial landscape properties. This research paper investigates the relationship between Wind Erosion (WE) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques. By examining, analyzing, and reviewing recent studies utilizing RS, we underscore the importance of wind erosion research by exploring indicators that influence the detection, evaluation, and modeling of wind erosion. Furthermore, it identifies research gaps particularly in soil erodibility estimation, soil moisture monitoring, and surface roughness assessment using RS. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of WE and RS and offers insights into future research directions. To conduct this study, we employed a two-fold approach. First, we utilized a non-systematic review approach by accessing the Global Applications of Soil Erosion Modelling Tracker (GASEMT) database. Subsequently, we conducted a systematic review of the relevant literature on wind erosion and remote sensing in the core collection of the Web of Science (WoS) database. Additionally, we employed the VOSviewer bibliometric software to generate a cooperative keyword network analysis, facilitating the advancements and identifying emerging areas of WE and RS research. With a non-systematic review, we focused on examining the current state and potential of remote sensing for mapping and analyzing following indicators of wind erosion modelling: (1) soil erodibility; (2) soil moisture; (3) surface roughness; (4) vegetation cover; (5) wind barriers; and (6) wind erosion mapping. Our study highlights the widespread utilization of freely available RS data, such as MODIS and Landsat, for WE modeling. However, we also acknowledge the limitations of high resolution sensors due to their high costs. RS techniques offer an efficient and cost-effective approach for mapping erosion at various scales and call for a more comprehensive and detailed assessment of soil erosion at regional scales. These findings provide valuable guidance for future research endeavors in this domain.
Doubly Constrained Waveform Optimization for Integrated Sensing and Communications
Authors: Ni Zhitong , Zhang Andrew Jian , Liu Ren-Ping , Yang Kai
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates threshold-constrained joint waveform optimization for an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system. Unlike existing studies, we employ mutual information (MI) and sum rate (SR) as sensing and communication metrics, respectively, and optimize the waveform under constraints to both metrics simultaneously. This provides significant flexibility in meeting system performance. We formulate three different optimization problems that constrain the radar performance only, the communication performance only, and the ISAC performance, respectively. New techniques are developed to solve the original problems, which are NP-hard and cannot be directly solved by conventional semi-definite programming (SDP) techniques. Novel gradient descent methods are developed to solve the first two problems. For the third non-convex optimization problem, we transform it into a convex problem and solve it via convex toolboxes. We also disclose the connections between three optimizations using numerical results. Finally, simulation results are provided and validate the proposed optimization solutions.
Weight-Based PA-GPSR Protocol Improvement Method in VANET
Authors: Zhang Wenzhu , Jiang Leilei , Song Xi , Shao Zhengyuan
Published: June 2023

Vehicle Ad-hoc network (VANET) can provide technical support and solutions for the construction of intelligent and efficient transportation systems, and the routing protocol directly affects the efficiency of VANET. The rapid movement of nodes and uneven density distribution affect the routing stability and data transmission efficiency in VANET. To improve the local optimality and routing loops of the path-aware greedy perimeter stateless routing protocol (PA-GPSR) in urban sparse networks, a weight-based path-aware greedy perimeter stateless routing protocol (W-PAGPSR) is proposed. The protocol is divided into two stages. Firstly, in the routing establishment stage, the node distance, reliable node density, cumulative communication duration, and node movement direction are integrated to indicate the communication reliability of the node, and the next hop node is selected using the weight greedy forwarding strategy to achieve reliable transmission of data packets. Secondly, in the routing maintenance stage, based on the data packet delivery angle and reliable node density, the next hop node is selected for forwarding using the weight perimeter forwarding strategy to achieve routing repair. The simulation results show that compared to the greedy peripheral stateless routing protocol (GPSR), for the maximum distance–minimum angle greedy peripheral stateless routing (MM-GPSR) and PA-GPSR protocols, the packet loss rate of the protocol is reduced by an average of 24.47%, 25.02%, and 14.12%, respectively; the average end-to-end delay is reduced by an average of 48.34%, 79.96%, and 21.45%, respectively; and the network throughput is increased by an average of 47.68%, 58.39%, and 20.33%, respectively. This protocol improves network throughput while reducing the average end-to-end delay and packet loss rate.
IoT Data Quality Assessment Framework Using Adaptive Weighted Estimation Fusion
Authors: Byabazaire John , O’Hare Gregory M. P. , Collier Rem , Delaney Declan
Published: June 2023

Timely data quality assessment has been shown to be crucial for the development of IoT-based applications. Different IoT applications’ varying data quality requirements pose a challenge, as each application requires a unique data quality process. This creates scalability issues as the number of applications increases, and it also has financial implications, as it would require a separate data pipeline for each application. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel approach integrating fusion methods into end-to-end data quality assessment to cater to different applications within a single data pipeline. By using real-time and historical analytics, the study investigates the effects of each fusion method on the resulting data quality score and how this can be used to support different applications. The study results, based on two real-world datasets, indicate that Kalman fusion had a higher overall mean quality score than Adaptive weighted fusion and Naïve fusion. However, Kalman fusion also had a higher computational burden on the system. The proposed solution offers a flexible and efficient approach to addressing IoT applications’ diverse data quality needs within a single data pipeline.
Early Identification of Root Damages Caused by Western Corn Rootworms Using a Minimally Invasive Root Phenotyping Robot—MISIRoot
Authors: Song Zhihang , Zhao Tianzhang , Jin Jian
Published: June 2023

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is one of the most devastating corn rootworm species in North America because of its ability to cause severe production loss and grain quality damage. To control the loss, it is important to identify the infection of WCR at an early stage. Because the root system is the earliest feeding source of the WCR at the larvae stage, assessing the direct damage in the root system is crucial to achieving early detection. Most of the current methods still necessitate uprooting the entire plant, which could cause permanent destruction and a loss of the original root’s structural information. To measure the root damages caused by WCR non-destructively, this study utilized MISIRoot, a minimally invasive and in situ automatic plant root phenotyping robot to collect not only high-resolution images but also 3D positions of the roots without uprooting. To identify roots in the images and to study how the damages were distributed in different types of roots, a deep convolution neural network model was trained to differentiate the relatively thick and thin roots. In addition, a color camera was used to capture the above-ground morphological features, such as the leaf color, plant height, and side-view leaf area. To check if the plant shoot had any visible symptoms in the inoculated group compared to the control group, several vegetation indices were calculated based on the RGB color. Additionally, the shoot morphological features were fed into a PLS-DA model to differentiate the two groups. Results showed that none of the above-ground features or models output a statistically significant difference between the two groups at the 95% confidence level. On the contrary, many of the root structural features measured using MISIRoot could successfully differentiate the two groups with the smallest t-test p-value of 1.5791 × 10−6. The promising outcomes were solid proof of the effectiveness of MISIRoot as a potential solution for identifying WCR infestations before the plant shoot showed significant symptoms.