bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid Metabolism in Cartilage Development, Degeneration, and Regeneration
Authors: Su Zhanpeng , Zong Zhixian , Deng Jinxia , Huang Jianping , Liu Guihua , Wei Bo , Cui Liao , Li Gang , Zhong Huan , Lin Sien
Published: September 2022

Lipids affect cartilage growth, injury, and regeneration in diverse ways. Diet and metabolism have become increasingly important as the prevalence of obesity has risen. Proper lipid supplementation in the diet contributes to the preservation of cartilage function, whereas excessive lipid buildup is detrimental to cartilage. Lipid metabolic pathways can generate proinflammatory substances that are crucial to the development and management of osteoarthritis (OA). Lipid metabolism is a complicated metabolic process involving several regulatory systems, and lipid metabolites influence different features of cartilage. In this review, we examine the current knowledge about cartilage growth, degeneration, and regeneration processes, as well as the most recent research on the significance of lipids and their metabolism in cartilage, including the extracellular matrix and chondrocytes. An in-depth examination of the involvement of lipid metabolism in cartilage metabolism will provide insight into cartilage metabolism and lead to the development of new treatment techniques for metabolic cartilage damage.
Beneficial Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Diet in Modulating Gut Microbiota and Controlling Obesity
Authors: Bagheri Soghra , Zolghadri Samaneh , Stanek Agata
Published: September 2022

Obesity has consistently been associated with an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the development of several types of cancer. In recent decades, unfortunately, the rate of overweight/obesity has increased significantly among adults and children. A growing body of evidence shows that there is a relationship between metabolic disorders such as obesity and the composition of the gut microbiota. Additionally, inflammation is considered to be a driving force in the obesity–gut microbiota connection. Therefore, it seems that anti-inflammatory nutrients, foods, and/or diets can play an essential role in the management of obesity by affecting the intestinal flora and controlling inflammatory responses. In this review, we describe the links between the gut microbiota, obesity, and inflammation, and summarize the benefits of anti-inflammatory diets in preventing obesity.
Updates on Novel Non-Replacement Drugs for Hemophilia
Authors: Gualtierotti Roberta , Pasca Samantha , Ciavarella Alessandro , Arcudi Sara , Giachi Andrea , Garagiola Isabella , Suffritti Chiara , Siboni Simona Maria , Peyvandi Flora
Published: September 2022

Over the last decade, the world of hemophilia has experienced an unprecedented therapeutic advance, thanks to the progress in bioengineering technologies, leading to the introduction of drugs with novel mechanisms of action based on restoring thrombin generation or coagulation factor VIII mimicking. Apart from the bispecific monoclonal antibody emicizumab, already approved for patients with severe hemophilia A with and without inhibitors, novel non-replacement drugs designed to reduce the treatment burden of patients with hemophilia A or B with or without inhibitors are undergoing evaluation in clinical trials. Thanks to their innovative mechanism of action and subcutaneous administration, these drugs promise to provide effective bleeding protection together with improved adherence and improve health-related quality of life for patients with hemophilia. On the other hand, rare thromboembolic events have been reported with some of these drugs and warrant continuous post-marketing surveillance and investigation of predisposing factors, although the overall safety profile of most of these drugs is good. Finally, new challenges need to be faced in the clinical and laboratory monitoring of the hemostatic status in patients treated with these innovative therapies. In this review, we provide an update on the available data on novel non-replacement drugs currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials for patients with hemophilia.
Pelargonium sidoides Root Extract: Simultaneous HPLC Separation, Determination, and Validation of Selected Biomolecules and Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Alossaimi Manal A. , Alzeer May A. , Abdel Bar Fatma M. , ElNaggar Mai H.
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to establish a validated HPLC-UV analytical method for the determination of gallic acid, catechin, scopoletin, and umckalin in phytoformulations containing P. sidoides. Also, to assess the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect of P. sidoides and these biomolecules in vitro. An HPLC-UV method was developed and verified by testing the commercial forms, Kalobin® and Umca®. It revealed low detectable scopoletin and high umckalin levels. Pelargonium sidoides exhibited a significant reduction of SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect in Vero E6 cells (IC50 13.79 μg/mL and selectivity index, SI 6.3), whereas scopoletin showed a remarkable anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with better selectivity (IC50 17.79 μg/mL and SI 14.22). An in-silico prediction of the drugability indicated that the studied biomolecules are under the acceptable norms of Lipinski’s rule, water-soluble, and showed high GIT absorption and bioavailability. Docking study towards the essential molecular targets for viral replication and entry of SARS-CoV-2 indicated good binding affinity of scopoletin (−6.4 Kcal/mol) towards the interface region between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD and the ACE2 surface receptor indicating the probability of interference with the viral entry to the human cells and showed H-bonding with His-41 in the active site of the main protease which may explain its high antiviral activity.
Novel Dimer Derivatives of PF-543 as Potential Antitumor Agents for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim Su Bin , Limbu Khem Raj , Oh Yoon Sin , Kim Soo Lim , Park Seung Ki , Baek Dong Jae , Park Eun-Young
Published: September 2022

Lung cancer can be divided into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer, and the incidence and mortality rate are continuously increasing. In many cases, lung cancer cannot be completely treated with surgery, so chemotherapy is used in parallel; however, the treatment often fails due to drug resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new therapeutic agent with a new target. The expression of sphingosine kinase promotes cancer cell growth and survival and induces resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), produced by sphingosine kinase (SK), has been shown to regulate cancer cell death and proliferation. PF-543, currently known as an SK inhibitor, has been reported to demonstrate low anticancer activity in several cancers. Therefore, in this study, a derivative of PF-543 capable of increasing anticancer activity was synthesized and its efficacy was evaluated by using an NSCLC cell line and xenograft animal model. Based on the cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compound on lung cancer cells, the piperidine forms (Compounds 2 and 4) were observed to exhibit superior anticancer activity than the pyrrolidine forms of the head group (Compounds 1 and 3). Compounds 2 and 4 showed inhibitory effects on SK1 and SK2 activity, and S1P produced by SK was reduced by both compounds. Compounds 2 and 4 demonstrated an increase in the cytotoxicity in the NSCLC cells through increased apoptosis. As a result of using an SK1 and SK2 siRNA model to determine whether the cytotoxic effects of Compounds 2 and 4 were due to SK1 and SK2 inhibition, it was found that the cytotoxic effect of the derivative was SK1 and SK2 dependent. The metabolic stability of Compounds 2 and 4 was superior compared to PF-543, and the xenograft experiment was performed using Compound 4, which had more excellent MS. Compound 4 demonstrated the inhibition of tumor formation. The results of this experiment suggest that the bulky tail structure of PF-543 derivatives is effective for mediating anticancer activity, and the results are expected to be applied to the treatment of NSCLC.
Sporopollenin Microcapsule: Sunscreen Delivery System with Photoprotective Properties
Authors: Tampucci Silvia , Tofani Giorgio , Chetoni Patrizia , Di Gangi Mariacristina , Mezzetta Andrea , Paganini Valentina , Burgalassi Susi , Pomelli Christian Silvio , Monti Daniela
Published: September 2022

In recent years, the demand for high-quality solar products that combine high efficacy with environmentally friendly characteristics has increased. Among the coral-safe sunscreens, ethylhexyl triazone (Uvinul® T150) is an effective organic UVB filter, photostable and practically insoluble in water, therefore difficult to be formulated in water-based products. Oil-free sunscreens are considered ideal for most skin types, as they are not comedogenic and do not leave the skin feeling greasy. Recent studies reported that pollen grains might represent innovative drug delivery systems for their ability to encapsulate and release active ingredients in a controlled manner. Before being used, the pollen grains must be treated to remove cellular material and biomolecules, which could cause allergic reactions in predisposed subjects; the obtained hollow structures possess uniform diameter and a rigid wall with openings that allow them to be filled with bioactive substances. In the present work, pollen from Lycopodium clavatum has been investigated both as a delivery system for ethylhexyl triazone and as an active ingredient by evaluating its photoprotective capacity. The goal is to obtain environmentally friendly solar aqueous formulations that take advantage of both sunscreen and sporopollenin microcapsules’ UV protection with a relatively low cost, as these pollen grains are widely available.
Pattern of Adaptive Divergence in Zingiber kawagoii Hayata (Zingiberaceae) along a Narrow Latitudinal Range
Authors: Li Yi-Shao , Liao Pei-Chun , Chang Chung-Te , Hwang Shih-Ying
Published: September 2022

Ecological and evolutionary processes linking adaptation to environment are related to species’ range shifts. In this study, we employed amplified-fragment-length-polymorphism-based genome scan methods to identify candidate loci among Zingiber kawagoii populations inhabiting varying environments distributed at low to middle elevations (143–1488 m) in a narrow latitudinal range (between 21.90 and 25.30° N). Here, we show evidence of selection driving the divergence of Z. kawagoii. Twenty-six FST outliers were detected, which were significantly correlated with various environmental variables. The allele frequencies of nine FST outliers were either positively or negatively correlated with the population mean FST. Using several independent approaches, we found environmental variables act in a combinatorial fashion, best explaining outlier genetic variation. Nonetheless, we found that adaptive divergence was affected mostly by annual temperature range, and it is significantly positively correlated with latitude and significantly negatively correlated with the population mean FST. This study addresses a latitudinal pattern of changes in annual temperature range (which ranged from 13.8 °C in the Lanyu population to 18.5 °C in the Wulai population) and emphasizes the pattern of latitudinal population divergence closely linked to the allele frequencies of adaptive loci, acting in a narrow latitudinal range. Our results also indicate environmentally dependent local adaptation for both leading- and trailing-edge populations.
Targeted Mutagenesis of the Multicopy Myrosinase Gene Family in Allotetraploid Brassica juncea Reduces Pungency in Fresh Leaves across Environments
Authors: Karlson Dale , Mojica Julius P. , Poorten Thomas J. , Lawit Shai J. , Jali Sathya , Chauhan Raj Deepika , Pham Gina M. , Marri Pradeep , Guffy Sharon L. , Fear Justin M. , Ochsenfeld Cherie A. , (Lincoln) Chapman Tracey A. , Casamali Bruno , Venegas Jorge P. , Kim Hae Jin , Call Ashley , Sublett William L. , Mathew Lolita G. , Shariff Aabid , Watts Joseph M. , Mann Mike , Hummel Aaron , Rapp Ryan
Published: September 2022

Recent breeding efforts in Brassica have focused on the development of new oilseed feedstock crop for biofuels (e.g., ethanol, biodiesel, bio-jet fuel), bio-industrial uses (e.g., bio-plastics, lubricants), specialty fatty acids (e.g., erucic acid), and producing low glucosinolates levels for oilseed and feed meal production for animal consumption. We identified a novel opportunity to enhance the availability of nutritious, fresh leafy greens for human consumption. Here, we demonstrated the efficacy of disarming the ‘mustard bomb’ reaction in reducing pungency upon the mastication of fresh tissue—a major source of unpleasant flavor and/or odor in leafy Brassica. Using gene-specific mutagenesis via CRISPR-Cas12a, we created knockouts of all functional copies of the type-I myrosinase multigene family in tetraploid Brassica juncea. Our greenhouse and field trials demonstrate, via sensory and biochemical analyses, a stable reduction in pungency in edited plants across multiple environments. Collectively, these efforts provide a compelling path toward boosting the human consumption of nutrient-dense, fresh, leafy green vegetables.
Mining the Roles of Cucumber DUF966 Genes in Fruit Development and Stress Response
Authors: Tian Jie , Li Yiting , Hu Yifeng , Zhong Qiwen , Yin Junliang , Zhu Yongxing
Published: September 2022

DUF966 genes are widely found in monocotyledons, dicotyledons, mosses, and other species. Current evidence strongly suggests that they are involved in growth regulation and stress tolerance in crops. However, their functions in cucumbers remain unexplored. Here, cucumber CsDUF966 was systemically identified and characterized using bioinformatics. Eight CsDUF966 genes were identified in the cucumber genome. These were phylogenetically separated into three groups. All CsDUF966 proteins were hydrophilic and localized to the nucleus. Moreover, three acidic and five basic proteins were identified. Evolutionary analysis of DUF966 between cucumber and 33 other Cucurbitaceae species/cultivars revealed that most CsDUF966 genes were conserved, whereas CsDUF966_4.c and CsDUF966_7.c were positively selected among the five cucumber cultivars. Expression profiling analysis showed that CsDUF966 had variable expression patterns, and that miRNA164, miRNA166, and Csa-novel-35 were involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of CsDUF966_4.c and CsDUF966_7.c. The expression of CsDUF966_4.c and CsDUF966_7.c, which were under strong neofunctionalization selection, was strictly regulated in fruit and tissues, including seeds, pericarps, peels, and spines, suggesting that these genes are fruit growth regulators and were strongly selected during the cucumber breeding program. In conclusion, the results reveal the roles of CsDUF966s in regulating cucumber fruit development and lay the foundation for further functional studies.
Distribution of Biodiversity of Wild Beet Species (Genus Beta L.) in Armenia under Ongoing Climate Change Conditions
Authors: Avetisyan Anna , Aloyan Tatevik , Iskandaryan Amalya , Harutyunyan Margarita , Jaakola Laura , Melikyan Andreas
Published: September 2022

The reported annual temperature increase and significant precipitation drop in Armenia impact the country’s ecosystems and biodiversity. The present study surveyed the geographical distribution of the local wild beet species under the ongoing climate change conditions. We showed that B. lomatogona, B. corolliflora and B. macrorhiza are sensitive to climate change and were affected to various degrees, depending on their location. The most affected species was B. lomatogona, which is at the verge of extinction. Migration for ca. 90 and 200–300 m up the mountain belt was recorded for B. lomatogona and B. macrorhiza, respectively. B. corolliflora was found at 100–150 m lower altitudes than in the 1980s. A general reduction in the beet’s population size in the native habitats was observed, with an increased number of plants within the populations, recorded for B. corolliflora and B. macrorhiza. A new natural hybrid Beta x intermedium Aloyan between B. corolliflora and B. macrorhiza was described and confirmed using chloroplast DNA trnL-trnF intergenic spacer (LF) and partially sequenced alcohol dehydrogenase (adh) of nuclear DNA. An overview of the wild beets reported in Armenia with the taxonomic background, morphological features, and distribution is provided. Conservation measures for preservation of these genetic resources are presented.
Genetic Dissection of Epistatic Interactions Contributing Yield-Related Agronomic Traits in Rice Using the Compressed Mixed Model
Authors: Li Ling , Wu Xinyi , Chen Juncong , Wang Shengmeng , Wan Yuxuan , Ji Hanbing , Wen Yangjun , Zhang Jin
Published: September 2022

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, and yield-related agronomic traits, including plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), and protein content (PC), are prerequisites for attaining the desired yield and quality in breeding programs. Meanwhile, the main effects and epistatic effects of quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) are all important genetic components for yield-related quantitative traits. In this study, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 413 rice germplasm resources, with 36,901 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), to identify QTNs, QTN-by-QTN interaction (QQI), and their candidate genes, using a multi-locus compressed variance component mixed model, 3VmrMLM. As a result, two significant QTNs and 56 paired QQIs were detected, amongst 5219 genes of these QTNs, and 26 genes were identified as the yield-related confirmed genes, such as LCRN1, OsSPL3, and OsVOZ1 for PH, and LOG and QsBZR1 for PL. To reveal the substantial contributions related to the variation of yield-related agronomic traits in rice, we further implemented an enrichment analysis and expression analysis. As the results showed, 114 genes, nearly all significant QQIs, were involved in 37 GO terms; for example, the macromolecule metabolic process (GO:0043170), intracellular part (GO:0044424), and binding (GO:0005488). It was revealed that most of the QQIs and the candidate genes were significantly involved in the biological process, molecular function, and cellular component of the target traits. The demonstrated genetic interactions play a critical role in yield-related agronomic traits of rice, and such epistatic interactions contributed to large portions of the missing heritability in GWAS. These results help us to understand the genetic basis underlying the inheritance of the three yield-related agronomic traits and provide implications for rice improvement.
Hypericum Genus as a Natural Source for Biologically Active Compounds
Authors: Caldeira Gonçalo Infante , Gouveia Luís Pleno , Serrano Rita , Silva Olga Duarte
Published: September 2022

Hypericum L. genus plants are distributed worldwide, with numerous species identified throughout all continents, except Antarctica. These plant species are currently used in various systems of traditional medicine to treat mild depression, wounds and burns, diarrhea, pain, fevers, and their secondary metabolites previously shown, and the in vitro and/or in vivo cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities, as well as the acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibitory activities. We conducted a systematic bibliographic search according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines to answer the question: “What is known about plants of Hypericum genus as a source of natural products with potential clinical biological activity?” We documented 414 different natural products with confirmed in vitro/in vivo biological activities, and 58 different Hypericum plant species as sources for these natural products. Phloroglucinols, acylphloroglucinols, xanthones, and benzophenones were the main chemical classes identified. The selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells, cell protection, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anti-Alzheimer’s, and adipogenesis-inhibition biological activities are described. Acylphloroglucinols were the most frequent compounds with anticancer and cell-protection mechanisms. To date, no work has been published with a full descriptive list directly relating secondary metabolites to their species of origin, plant parts used, extraction methodologies, mechanisms of action, and biological activities.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Zinc Finger Protein Gene Subfamilies under Drought Stress in Triticum aestivum
Authors: Wu Zhaoming , Shen Shenghai , Wang Yueduo , Tao Weiqi , Zhao Ziqi , Hu Xiangli , Yu Pei
Published: September 2022

The zinc finger protein (ZFP) family is one of plants’ most diverse family of transcription factors. These proteins with finger-like structural domains have been shown to play a critical role in plant responses to abiotic stresses such as drought. This study aimed to systematically characterize Triticum aestivum ZFPs (TaZFPs) and understand their roles under drought stress. A total of 9 TaC2H2, 38 TaC3HC4, 79 TaCCCH, and 143 TaPHD were identified, which were divided into 4, 7, 12, and 14 distinct subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationships, respectively. Segmental duplication dominated the evolution of four subfamilies and made important contributions to the large-scale amplification of gene families. Syntenic relationships, gene duplications, and Ka/Ks result consistently indicate a potential strong purifying selection on TaZFPs. Additionally, TaZFPs have various abiotic stress-associated cis-acting regulatory elements and have tissue-specific expression patterns showing different responses to drought and heat stress. Therefore, these genes may play multiple functions in plant growth and stress resistance responses. This is the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of ZFP gene families in T. aestivum to elucidate the basis of their function and resistance mechanisms, providing a reference for precise manipulation of genetic engineering for drought resistance in T. aestivum.
Tensile Behavior of 3D Printed Polylactic Acid (PLA) Based Composites Reinforced with Natural Fiber
Authors: Agaliotis Eliana M. , Ake-Concha Baltazar D. , May-Pat Alejandro , Morales-Arias Juan P. , Bernal Celina , Valadez-Gonzalez Alex , Herrera-Franco Pedro J. , Proust Gwénaëlle , Koh-Dzul J. Francisco , Carrillo Jose G. , Flores-Johnson Emmanuel A.
Published: September 2022

Natural fiber-reinforced composite (NFRC) filaments for 3D printing were fabricated using polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with 1–5 wt% henequen flour comprising particles with sizes between 90–250 μm. The flour was obtained from natural henequen fibers. NFRCs and pristine PLA specimens were printed with a 0° raster angle for tension tests. The results showed that the NFRCs’ measured density, porosity, and degree of crystallinity increased with flour content. The tensile tests showed that the NFRC Young’s modulus was lower than that of the printed pristine PLA. For 1 wt% flour content, the NFRCs’ maximum stress and strain to failure were higher than those of the printed PLA, which was attributed to the henequen fibers acting as reinforcement and delaying crack growth. However, for 2 wt% and higher flour contents, the NFRCs’ maximum stress was lower than that of the printed PLA. Microscopic characterization after testing showed an increase in voids and defects, with the increase in flour content attributed to particle agglomeration. For 1 wt% flour content, the NFRCs were also printed with raster angles of ±45° and 90° for comparison; the highest tensile properties were obtained with a 0° raster angle. Finally, adding 3 wt% content of maleic anhydride to the NFRC with 1 wt% flour content slightly increased the maximum stress. The results presented herein warrant further research to fully understand the mechanical properties of printed NFRCs made of PLA reinforced with natural henequen fibers.
Coagulation Mechanism and Compressive Strength Characteristics Analysis of High-Strength Alkali-Activated Slag Grouting Material
Authors: Li Mingjing , Huang Guodong , Cui Yi , Wang Bo , Chang Binbin , Yin Qiaoqiao , Zhang Shuwei , Wang Qi , Feng Jiacheng , Ge Ming
Published: September 2022

In deep coal mining, grouting reinforcement and water blockage are the most effective means for reinforcing the rock mass of extremely broken coal. However, traditional cement grouting materials are not suitable for use in complex strata because of their insufficient early mechanical strength and slow setting time. This study innovatively proposes using alkali-activated grouting material to compensate for the shortcomings of traditional grouting materials and strengthen the reinforcement of extremely unstable broken coal and rock mass. The alkali-activated grouting material was prepared using slag as raw material combined with sodium hydroxide and liquid sodium silicate activation. The compressive strength of specimens cured for 1 d, 3 d, and 28 d was regularly measured and the condensation behavior was analyzed. Using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, formation behavior of mineral crystals and microstructure characteristics were further analyzed. The results showed that alkali-activated slag grouting material features prompt and high strength and offers the advantages of rapid setting and adjustable setting time. With an increase in sodium hydroxide content, the compressive strength first increased (maximum increase was 21.1%) and then decreased, while the setting time continued to shorten. With an increase in liquid sodium silicate level, the compressive strength increased significantly (and remained unchanged, maximum increase was 35.9%), while the setting time decreased significantly (and remained unchanged). X-ray diffraction analysis identified the formation of aluminosilicate minerals as the main reason for the excellent mechanical properties and accelerated coagulation rate.
Measurements of Temperature and Humidity Responsive Swelling of Thin Hydrogel Films by Interferometry in an Environmental Chamber
Authors: Unger Katrin , Anzengruber Marlene , Coclite Anna Maria
Published: September 2022

Thin film thermo-responsive hydrogels have become a huge interest in applications such as smart drug-delivery systems or sensor/actuator technology. So far, mostly, the response of such hydrogels has been measured only by varying the temperature in a liquid environment, but studies of the response towards humidity and temperature are rare because of experimental limitations. Often the swelling measurements are performed on samples placed on a stage that can be heated/cooled, while vapors enter the permeation chamber at their own temperature. This thermal difference leads to some uncertainties on the exact relative humidity to which the sample is exposed to. In this study, we explored the possibility of performing swelling measurements under thermal equilibrium by placing the sample and an interferometer, as a detector, in an environmental chamber and therefore exposing the smart hydrogel to adjustable temperatures and relative humidity conditions while measuring the hydrogel’s thin film thickness changes. As a case study, we used thin films of the thermo-responsive hydrogel, poly N-vinylcaprolactam deposited by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). Similar thin films were previously characterized by in situ ellipsometry while the sample was heated on a stage and exposed to humid air produced at room temperature. The comparison between the two measurement methods showed that while measurements in the presence of thermal gradients are limited mostly to low humidity, measurements in thermal equilibrium are restricted only by the operation limits of the used environmental chamber.
Production and Assessment of Poly(Lactic Acid) Matrix Composites Reinforced with Regenerated Cellulose Fibres for Fused Deposition Modelling
Authors: Gauss Christian , Pickering Kim L. , Tshuma Joshua , McDonald-Wharry John
Published: September 2022

Additive manufacturing can be a valuable tool to process polymeric composites reinforced with bio-based fibres, extending their use and opening new opportunities for more environmentally friendly materials. In this work, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites reinforced with regenerated cellulose fibres (lyocell) were processed into novel filaments and used for 3D printing. The Young’s modulus of the filaments increased with the addition of fibres, but substantial porosity was observed in formulations with 20 and 30 wt% of fibre content. Nonetheless, the composites were easily printed, and the formulation with 10 wt% of fibres presented the best tensile properties of 3D printed samples with average tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and strain at break of 64.2 MPa, 4.56 GPa, and 4.93%, respectively. It has been shown in this study that the printing process contributes to fibre alignment with small variations depending on the printing speed. Printed composite samples also had superior thermo-mechanical stability with a storage modulus up to 72 times higher than for neat PLA at 80 °C after the composite samples were heat-treated. In general, this work supports the potential use of regenerated cellulose fibres to reinforce PLA for 3D printing applications.
Modern Dimensional Analysis Involved in Polymers Additive Manufacturing Optimization
Authors: Asztalos Zsolt , Száva Ioan , Vlase Sorin , Száva Renáta-Ildikó
Published: September 2022

The paper aims to use Modern Dimensional Analysis (MDA) to study the polymers additive manufacturing optimization. The original part of the work is represented by the application of this nonconventional method in the field of polymers additive manufacturing. The laws of the model provide the complete sets of dimensionless variables, which cannot be offered by any of the classical methods (such as Geometric Analogy, Theory of Similarity, and Classical Dimensional Analysis). The validation of the method was performed experimentally. The original part of the work is represented by the application of this nonconventional method in the field of polymers additive manufacturing optimization. An application is presented and the necessary steps are analyzed one by one.
Surface Modification of Carbon Fiber for Enhancing the Mechanical Strength of Composites
Authors: Tokonami Ryoma , Aoki Katsuhito , Goto Teruya , Takahashi Tatsuhiro
Published: September 2022

The surface of carbon fibers (CFs) is often modified by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and the effect of the interface on the mechanical properties has been reported mostly for epoxy matrices. We achieved effective surface modification of CFs by a simple two-step process to graft a large amount of MWCNTs using a highly reactive polymer to enhance the bonding between CFs and MWCNTs. The first step was the reactive mono-molecular coating of a reactive polymer (poly-2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline; Pipozo) that has high reactivity with COOH from CFs and MWCNTs. The high reactivity between the oxazoline group and COOH or phenol OH was confirmed for low-molecular-weight reactions. The second step was the coating of MWCNTs from a dispersion in a solvent. This simple process resulted in a substantial amount of MWCNTs strongly bonded to CF, even after washing. The MWCNTs grafted onto CFs remained even after melt-mixing. The effect on the interface, i.e., physical anchoring, led to an improvement of the mechanical properties. The novelty of the present study is that Pipozo acted as a molecular bonding layer between CFs and MWCNTs as a physical anchoring structure formed by a simple process, and the interface caused a 20% improvement in the tensile strength and modulus. This concept of a composite having a physical anchoring structure of MWCNTs on CFs has potential applications for lightweight thermoplastics, such as in the automotive industry.
Adsorption of Methylene Blue on the Surface of Polymer Membrane; Dependence on the Isotopic Composition of Liquid Matrix
Authors: Bunkin Nikolai F. , Bolotskova Polina N. , Gladysheva Yana V. , Kozlov Valeriy A. , Timchenko Svetlana L.
Published: September 2022

As was found in our previous works, when Nafion swells in water, polymer fibers unwind into the bulk of the surrounding liquid. This effect is controlled by the content of deuterium in water. Here, we present the results of studying the dynamics of methylene blue (MB) adsorption on the Nafion surface for MB solutions based on natural water (deuterium content is 157 ppm, the unwinding effect occurs) and based on deuterium-depleted water (DDW; deuterium content is 3 ppm, there is no unwinding). In addition, we studied the dynamics of water desorption during drying of the Nafion polymer membrane after soaking in MB solution based on natural water and DDW. It turned out that in the case of natural water, the rate of MB adsorption and water desorption is higher than in the case of DDW. It also turned out that the amount of MB adsorbed on the membrane in the case of natural water is greater than in the case of DDW. Finally, it was found that the desorption of water during drying is accompanied by a rearrangement of the absorption spectrum of Nafion. This rearrangement occurs earlier in the case of DDW. Thus, by infinitesimal changes in the deuterium content (from 3 to 157 ppm) in an aqueous solution, in which a polymer membrane swells, we can control the dynamics of adsorption and desorption processes. A qualitative model, which connects the observed effects with the slowing down of diffusion processes inside the layer of unwound fibers, is proposed.
Evaluation of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) Scaffolds Used for Epidermal Cells Growth as Potential Biomatrix
Authors: García-Cerna Sandra , Sánchez-Pacheco Uriel , Meneses-Acosta Angélica , Rojas-García José , Campillo-Illanes Bernardo , Segura-González Daniel , Peña-Malacara Carlos
Published: September 2022

Advances in tissue engineering have made possible the construction of organs and tissues with the use of biomaterials and cells. Three important elements are considered: a specific cell culture, an adequate environment, and a scaffold. The present study aimed to develop P3HB scaffolds by 3D printing and evaluate their biocompatibility with HaCaT epidermal cells, as a potential model that allows the formation of functional tissue. By using a method of extraction and purification with ethanol and acetone, a biopolymer having suitable properties for use as a tissue support was obtained. This polymer exhibited a higher molecular weight (1500 kDa) and lower contact angle (less than 90°) compared to the material obtained using the conventional method. The biocompatibility analysis reveals that the scaffold obtained using the ethanol–acetone method and produced by 3D printing without pores was not cytotoxic, did not self-degrade, and allowed high homogenous cell proliferation of HaCaT cells. In summary, it is possible to conclude that the P3HB scaffold obtained by 3D printing and a simplified extraction method is a suitable support for the homogeneous development of HaCaT keratinocyte cell lineage, which would allow the evaluation of this material to be used as a biomatrix for tissue engineering.
Purification of High-Molecular-Weight Antibacterial Proteins of Insect Pathogenic Brevibacillus laterosporus Isolates
Authors: Babar Tauseef K. , Glare Travis R. , Hampton John G. , Hurst Mark R. H. , Narciso Josefina O. , Beattie Amy
Published: September 2022

Brevibacillus laterosporus (Bl) is a Gram-positive and spore-forming bacterium belonging to the Brevibacillus brevis phylogenetic cluster. Globally, insect pathogenic strains of the bacterium have been isolated, characterised, and some activities have been patented. Two isolates, Bl 1821L and Bl 1951, exhibiting pathogenicity against the diamondback moth and mosquitoes, are under development as a biopesticide in New Zealand. However, due to the suspected activity of putative antibacterial proteins (ABPs), the endemic isolates often grow erratically. Various purification methods, including size exclusion chromatography, sucrose density gradient centrifugation, polyethylene glycol precipitation, and ammonium sulphate precipitation employed in this study, enabled the isolation of two putative antibacterial proteins of ~30 and ~48 kD from Bl 1821L and one putative antibacterial protein of ~30 kD from Bl 1951. Purification of the uninduced cultures of Bl 1821L and Bl 1951 also yielded protein bands of ~30 and ~48 kD on SDS-PAGE, which indicated their spontaneous induction. A disc diffusion assay was used to determine the antagonistic activities of the putative ABPs. Subsequent transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination of a purified putative antibacterial protein-containing solution showed the presence of encapsulin (~30 kD) and polysheath (~48 kD)-like structures. Although only the ~30 kD protein was purified from Bl 1951, both structures were seen in this strain under TEM. Furthermore, while assessing the antibacterial activity of some fractions of Bl 1951 against Bl 1821L in the size exclusion chromatography method, the population of Bl 1821L persister cells was noted. Overall, this work added a wealth of knowledge about the purification of the high-molecular-weight (HMW) proteins (bacteriocins) of Gram-positive bacteria including Bl.
The Optimal Operation of Parallel Pumping Stations for Inter-Basin Water Transfer Based on the Multi-Objective Optimization of a Single Pumping Station
Authors: Gong Yi , Zhu Bowen
Published: September 2022

A nonlinear mathematical model for the optimal operation of a parallel pumping station group was established with the objective of minimizing the operation costs of the station group considering the target quantity of water extraction and flow unevenness between units of each station as constraints. The original model is decomposed into several sub-models with a single station multi-objective optimization operation with the target water lifting capacity of a single pump station as the coordinating variable. This constructed model was solved using a large-scale system decomposition dynamic programming aggregation method based on sub-system multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization. Taking the Jiangdu parallel pumping station group in the Chinese East Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project as a case study, the results show that under the condition of 80% water lifting load of parallel stations and 7.8 m daily average lift, the unit water lifting cost of the optimal operation of each station decreases by 4.81%, 4.81%, 19.83% and 11.06% compared with the constant speed operation at the specified angle. The unevenness of the flow of each station is 2.16 m3/s, 2.16 m3/s, 0.60 m3/s and 14.10 m3/s. The erosion of the outlet pool is small. This article provides theoretical reference for the optimal operation of the same type of large-scale inter-basin water transfer parallel pumping station groups.
Calibration Inter-Comparison of MODIS and VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands Using Lunar Observations
Authors: Xiong Xiaoxiong , Sun Junqiang , Angal Amit , Wilson Truman
Published: September 2022

Multispectral band observations from Terra and Aqua MODIS, launched in December 1999 and May 2002, respectively, and from SNPP and NOAA-20 VIIRS, launched in November 2011 and October 2017, respectively, have continuously enabled a broad range of applications and studies of the Earth system and its changes via a set of geophysical and environmental parameters. The quality of MODIS and VIIRS science and environmental data products relies strongly on the calibration accuracy and stability of individual sensors, as well as their calibration consistency, especially for the data products generated using observations from sensors across different platforms. Both MODIS and VIIRS instruments carry a similar set of on-board calibrators for their on-orbit calibration. Besides, lunar observations are regularly scheduled and implemented in support of their reflective solar bands (RSB) calibration, especially their long-term stability monitoring. In this paper, we provide an overview of MODIS and VIIRS solar and lunar calibration methodologies applied for the RSB on-orbit calibration, and describe the approach developed for their calibration inter-comparisons using lunar observations, including corrections for the effects caused by differences in the relative spectral response and adopted solar spectra between individual sensors. The MODIS and VIIRS calibration inter-comparison results derived from their regularly scheduled lunar observations are presented and discussed, including associated uncertainties and a comparison with those derived using the Earth-view targets. Also discussed are remaining challenges in lunar calibration and inter-comparison for the Earth-observing sensors, as well as on-going efforts for future improvements.
A Novel Slow-Growing Gross Error Detection Method for GNSS/Accelerometer Integrated Deformation Monitoring Based on State Domain Consistency Theory
Authors: Sun Ao , Zhang Qiuzhao , Yu Zhangjun , Meng Xiaolin , Liu Xin , Zhang Yunlong , Xie Yilin
Published: September 2022

The accuracy and integrity of structural deformation monitoring can be improved by the GNSS/accelerometer integrated system, and gross error detection is the key to further improving the reliability of GNSS/accelerometer monitoring. Traditional gross error detection methods assume that real-state information is known, and they need to establish state iterators, which leads to low computational efficiency. Meanwhile, in multi-sensor fusion, if the sampling rates are different, the change in the dimension of the observation matrix must be considered, and the calculation is complex. Based on state-domain consistency theory, this paper proposes the State-domain Robust Autonomous Integrity Monitoring by Extrapolation (SRAIME) method for identifying slow-growing gross errors for GNSS/accelerometer integrated deformation monitoring. Compared with the traditional gross error detection method, the proposed method constructs state test statistics based on the state estimated value and the state predicted value, and it directly performs gross error identification in the state domain. This paper deduces the feasibility of the proposed method theoretically and verifies that the proposed method does not need to consider the dimension change of the observation matrix in gross error detection. Meanwhile, in the excitation deformation experiments of the Suntuan River Bridge in Anhui and the Wilford Bridge in the United Kingdom, the slow gradient of the slope was added to the measurement domain, and the traditional AIME method and the method proposed in this paper were adopted for the gross error identification of the GNSS/accelerometer fusion process. The results demonstrate that both methods can effectively detect gross errors, but the proposed method does not need to consider the dimensional change in the observation matrix during the fusion process, which has better applicability to GNSS/accelerometer integrated deformation monitoring.
Non-Contact In-Plane Movement Estimation of Floating Covers Using Finite Element Formulation on Field-Scale DEM
Authors: Wong Leslie , Vien Benjamin Steven , Kuen Thomas , Bui Dat Nha , Kodikara Jayantha , Chiu Wing Kong
Published: September 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assisted photogrammetry has been used to perform a non-contact measurement of the covers on the anaerobic wastewater lagoons at Melbourne Water Corporation’s Western Treatment Plant (WTP). These floating covers are valuable assets that eliminate odour and greenhouse gas emissions and harvest the methane-rich biogas as a renewable resource to generate electricity. Hence, the state of deformation of the floating covers becomes an important engineering factor for structural integrity assessment. UAVs have been deployed to scan these covers and photogrammetry has been used to process the aerial images to construct the floating covers’ orthophoto and digital elevation model (DEM). This paper proposes to adopt the finite element formulation to improve the quantification of the in-plane movement of a floating cover. Distinguishable features on the floating cover are first identified and their (x, y and z) coordinates are recorded over time. The results show that the technique can be used to quantify the short-term and long-term relative global lateral movement of the floating covers at WTP. More importantly, the results not only highlight the usefulness of this analysis for the integrity management of the floating cover but also show the value of clearly defined markers on the floating cover to facilitate the calculation of the cover’s state of strain.
Path Planning of Spacecraft Cluster Orbit Reconstruction Based on ALPIO
Authors: Hua Bing , Yang Guang , Wu Yunhua , Chen Zhiming
Published: September 2022

An adaptive learning pigeon-inspired optimization based on mutation disturbance (ALPIO) is proposed for solving the problems of fuel consumption and threat avoidance in spacecraft cluster orbit reconstruction. First, considering the constraints of maintaining a safe distance between adjacent spacecraft within the spacecraft cluster and of avoiding space debris, the optimal performance index for orbital reconfiguration is proposed based on the fuel consumption required for path planning. Second, ALPIO is proposed to solve the path planning. Compared with traditional pigeon-inspired optimization, ALPIO uses the initialization of chaotic and elite backward learning to increase the population diversity, using a nonlinear weighting factor and adjustment factor to control the speed and accuracy of prepopulation convergence. The Cauchy mutation was implemented in the map and compass operator to prevent the population from falling into local optima, and the Gaussian mutation and variation factor were utilized in the landmark operator to prevent the population from stagnating in the late evolution. Through simulation experiments using nine test functions, ALPIO is shown to significantly improve accuracy when obtaining the optimum compared with PSO, PIO, and CGAPIO, and orbital reconfiguration consumes less total fuel. The trajectory of path planning for ALPIO is smoother than those of other optimization methods, and its obstacle avoidance path is the most stable.
SERNet: Squeeze and Excitation Residual Network for Semantic Segmentation of High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Linhui , Di Donglin , Wang Jian , Chen Guangsheng , Jing Weipeng , Emam Mahmoud
Published: September 2022

The semantic segmentation of high-resolution remote sensing images (HRRSIs) is a basic task for remote sensing image processing and has a wide range of applications. However, the abundant texture information and wide imaging range of HRRSIs lead to the complex distribution of ground objects and unclear boundaries, which bring huge challenges to the segmentation of HRRSIs. To solve this problem, in this paper we propose an improved squeeze and excitation residual network (SERNet), which integrates several squeeze and excitation residual modules (SERMs) and a refine attention module (RAM). The SERM can recalibrate feature responses adaptively by modeling the long-range dependencies in the channel and spatial dimensions, which enables effective information to be transmitted between the shallow and deep layers. The RAM pays attention to global features that are beneficial to segmentation results. Furthermore, the ISPRS datasets were processed to focus on the segmentation of vegetation categories and introduce Digital Surface Model (DSM) images to learn and integrate features to improve the segmentation accuracy of surface vegetation, which has certain prospects in the field of forestry applications. We conduct a set of comparative experiments on ISPRS Vaihingen and Potsdam datasets. The results verify the superior performance of the proposed SERNet.