bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Fresh Performance of 3D-Printed Cementitious Materials
Authors: de Matos Paulo , Zat Tuani , Corazza Kiara , Fensterseifer Emilia , Sakata Rafael , Mohamad Gihad , Rodríguez Erich
Published: May 2022

3D printing (3DP) of cementitious materials shows several advantages compared to conventional construction methods, but it requires specific fresh-state properties. Nanomaterials have been used in cement-based materials to achieve specific fresh and hardened properties, being potential candidates for 3DP applications. However, there are no reports on using TiO2 nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) in 3DP cementitious composites. Thus, the current work aims to assess the effect of nano-TiO2 on the fresh performance of 3DP cementitious materials. For this purpose, nano-TiO2 was incorporated in pastes and mortars from 0 to 1.5 wt.%. Time-resolved hydration (in situ XRD) and rheological and printing-related properties (buildability and printability) were evaluated. Results showed that nano-TiO2 particles enhanced the cement hydration kinetics, leading to further ettringite formation up to 140 min compared to plain cement paste. Rheological measurements showed that the nano-TiO2 incorporation progressively increased the static and dynamic stress, viscosity, and structuration rate of pastes. Furthermore, nano-TiO2 improved the buildability of the composites, progressively increasing the maximum number of successive layers printed before failure from 11 (0 wt.% TiO2) to 64 (1.5 wt.% TiO2). By contrast, the nano-TiO2 addition reduced the printability (i.e., the printable period during which the sample was able to be molded by the 3D-printing process) from 140 min (0% TiO2) to 90 min (1.5% TiO2). Thus, incorporating “high” nano-TiO2 contents (e.g., >1 wt.%) was beneficial for buildability but would require a quicker 3DP process. The adoption of nano-TiO2 contents of around 0.75–1.00% may be an interesting choice since it reduced the printability of paste by 30 min compared with the control mix but allowed for printing 24 layers (118% higher than plain mortar).
Crushing Behaviors and Energy Absorption Evaluation Methods of Hexagonal Steel Tubular Columns with Triangular Cells
Authors: Li Weiwei , Li Zhaohui , Li Suhang , Wang Peng
Published: May 2022

Under axial compression, multi-cell tubes are considered more effective than single-cell tubes. Regular hexagonal multi-cell tubes (HMT) were designed, tested, and analyzed by finite element modeling (FEM). The crushing mechanism of the HMT was revealed by compression testing and FEM. Experiments and FEM revealed that the mean crushing force of the HMT can be increased by 14% by adopting multi-cell topology, which shortens the folding wavelength and enables HMT progressive crushing. Thus, the HMT is more efficient in energy absorption compared with the conventional regular hexagonal thin-walled tube (HST). More triangular cells result in HMTs with much greater mean crushing force and specific energy absorption. Three evaluation methods were proposed and discussed to determine the effective crushing distance. A plastic model established according to classical simplified super-folding elements was shown to consistently predict the mean crushing force of the HMTs.
Influence of Test Specimen Geometry on Probability of Failure of Composites Based on Weibull Weakest Link Theory
Authors: Kumar Rajnish , Madsen Bo , Lilholt Hans , Mikkelsen Lars P.
Published: May 2022

This paper presents an analytical model that quantifies the stress ratio between two test specimens for the same probability of failure based on the Weibull weakest link theory. The model takes into account the test specimen geometry, i.e., its shape and volume, and the related non-constant stress state along the specimen. The proposed model is a valuable tool for quantifying the effect of a change of specimen geometry on the probability of failure. This is essential to distinguish size scaling from the actual improvement in measured strength when specimen geometry is optimized, aiming for failure in the gauge section. For unidirectional carbon fibre composites with Weibull modulus m in the range 10–40, it can be calculated by the model that strength measured with a straight-sided specimen will be 1–2% lower than the strength measured with a specific waisted butterfly-shaped specimen solely due to the difference in test specimen shape and volume.
Comparison of Testing Designs for Flexural Strength of 3Y-TZP and 5Y-PSZ Considering Different Surface Treatment
Authors: Hergeröder Carsten , Wille Sebastian , Kern Matthias
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different surface treatments and the corresponding surface roughness on the ball-on-three-balls test and piston-on-three-balls test for measuring flexural strength 3Y-TZP and 5Y-PSZ. Additionally, the influence of cutting the material into the specimens when pre-sintered or fully sintered was analyzed. A total of 120 specimens for each material group, 3Y-TZP zirconia (Katana HT, Kuraray) and the 4 different layers of multilayered 5Y-PSZ zirconia (Katana UTML, Kuraray), were produced. The used material was cut into half of the specimens in a fully sintered stage, the other half was cut when pre-sintered. Each subgroup was divided into 3 different surface treatment groups being air abraded with 50 µm alumina particles at 1 bar pressure, ground with 600 SiC paper or polished up to 1 µm with a polycristalline diamond suspension. These were then analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) (N = 3) and tested for flexural strength using the ball-on-three-balls test (N = 10) or piston-on-three-balls test (N = 10). For 3Y-TZP groups different surface roughness did not result in statistically significant differences in flexural strength but cutting the specimens in fully sintered state significantly reduced flexural strength of 1133 ± 109 to 741 ± 81 MPa. For 5Y-PSZ groups air abrasion of the specimens with alumina particles significantly reduced the flexural strength of 562 ± 68 MPa to 358 ± 58 MPa. Cutting and surface treatment in pre-sintered or fully sintered state had no significant influence. Flexural strength testing with the ball-on-three-balls test resulted in about 20% higher strengths compared to the piston-on-three-balls test. Results of both tests showed the same tendencies when compared.
Dynamic Mechanical Properties of TC11 Titanium Alloys Fabricated by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Tian Ze , Wu Haijun , Tan Chengwen , Dong Heng , Li Meng , Huang Fenglei
Published: May 2022

To study the compressive mechanical properties and failure modes of TC11 titanium alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology in a large strain rate range at room temperature, the quasi-static and dynamic compression tests were carried out. In addition, optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to observe the metallographic structure and fracture morphology, respectively. The stress–strain curves in the range of 0.001 s−1–4000 s−1, original and post-deformation microstructures, macroscopic damage patterns, and microscopic fracture morphology were obtained at two different loading directions, including the scanning and deposition directions, respectively. In uniaxial compression experiments, the material showed little difference in mechanical properties between the scanning and deposition directions, exhibiting a strain rate strengthening effect. However, the strain rate sensitivity of the material under quasi-static loading conditions is much less than that under dynamic loading conditions. In addition, combining the stress–strain curve with the fracture morphology analysis, the plasticity in the scanning direction is better than in the deposition direction. Based on the experimental results, a modified Johnson–Cook (JC) constitutive model considering strain rate sensitivity and the effect of strain rate on strain hardening was proposed, and the parameters were determined using a Multiple Population Genetic Algorithm (MPGA). The obtained constitutive model is in good agreement with the experimental data, which can provide a reference for the engineering numerical calculation of TC11 titanium alloy for WAAM. This study also provides a fundamental databank for the application and design of WAAM TC11 alloy in the manufacturing of large and complex structural parts.
Femtosecond Laser-Ablated Copper Surface as a Substrate for a MoS2-Based Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst
Authors: Levinas Ramūnas , Grigucevičienė Asta , Kubilius Tadas , Matijošius Aidas , Tamašauskaitė-Tamašiūnaitė Loreta , Cesiulis Henrikas , Norkus Eugenijus
Published: May 2022

One of the methods to improve the performance of a heterogeneous electrocatalyst is the dispersion of a catalytic material on a suitable substrate. In this study, femtosecond laser ablation was used to prepare very rough but also ordered copper surfaces consisting of vertical, parallel ridges. Then, a molybdenum sulfide coating was electrochemically deposited onto these surfaces. It was observed by profilometry that the average roughness of the surface after coating with MoS2 had decreased, but the developed surface area still remained significantly larger than the projected surface area. The electrodes were then used as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic media. These were highly efficient, reaching 10 mA cm−2 of HER current at a −181 mV overpotential and a Tafel slope of ~39 mV dec−1. Additionally, scanning electrochemical microscopy was used to observe whether hydrogen evolution would preferentially occur in certain spots, for example, on the peaks, but the obtained results suggest that the entire surface is active. Finally, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data showed the difference in the double-layer capacitance between the ablated and non-ablated surfaces (up to five times larger) as well as the parameters that describe the improved catalytic activity of fs-Cu/MoS2 electrodes.
Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Carbon Yarns with Different Surface Treatments Embedded in a Cementitious Mortar: Mechanical and Durability Studies
Authors: Bompadre Francesca , Donnini Jacopo
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, FRCM systems are increasingly used for the strengthening and retrofitting of existing masonry and reinforced concrete structures. Their effectiveness strongly depends on the bond that develops at the interface between multifilament yarns, which constitute the reinforcing fabric, and the inorganic matrix. It is well known that fabric yarns, especially when constituted by dry carbon fibers, have poor chemical-physical compatibility with inorganic matrices. For this reason, many efforts are being concentrated on trying to improve the interface compatibility by using different surface treatments on multifilament yarns. In this paper, three different surface treatments have been considered. The first two involve yarn pre-impregnation with flexible epoxy resin or nano-silica coating, while the third one involves a fiber oxidation process. Uniaxial tensile tests were carried out on single carbon yarns to evaluate tensile strength, elastic modulus and ultimate strain before and after surface treatments, and also after yarn exposure to accelerated artificial aging conditions (1000 h in saline or alkaline solutions at 40 °C), to evaluate their long-term behavior in aggressive environments. Pull-out tests on single carbon yarns embedded in a cementitious mortar were also carried out, under normal environmental conditions and after artificial exposure. Epoxy proved to be the most effective treatment, by increasing the yarn tensile strength of 34% and the pull-out load of 138%, followed by nano-silica (+9%; +40%). All surface treatments were shown to remain effective even after artificial environmental exposures, with a maximum reduction of yarn tensile strength of about 13%.
Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Drilling of Printed Circuit Board Materials
Authors: Franz Daniel , Häfner Tom , Kunz Tim , Roth Gian-Luca , Rung Stefan , Esen Cemal , Hellmann Ralf
Published: May 2022

We report on a comprehensive study of laser percussion microvia drilling of FR-4 printed circuit board material using ultrashort pulse lasers with emission in the green spectral region. Laser pulse durations in the pico- and femtosecond regime, laser pulse repetition rates up to 400 kHz and laser fluences up to 11.5 J/cm2 are applied to optimize the quality of microvias, as being evaluated by the generated taper, the extension of glass fiber protrusions and damage of inner lying copper layers using materialography. The results are discussed in terms of the ablation threshold for FR-4 and copper, heat accumulation and pulse shielding effects as a result of pulse to pulse interactions. As a specific result, using a laser pulse duration of 2 ps appears beneficial, resulting in small glass fiber protrusions and high precision in the stopping process at inner copper layer. If laser pulse repetition rates larger than 100 kHz are applied, we find that the processing quality can be increased by heat accumulation effects.
Oral Mucositis Induced by Chemoradiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer—A Short Review about the Therapeutic Management and the Benefits of Bee Honey
Authors: Jicman (Stan) Daniela , Sârbu Mihaela Ionela , Fotea Silvia , Nechifor Alexandru , Bălan Gabriela , Anghele Mihaela , Vasile Claudiu Ionuț , Niculeț Elena , Sârbu Nicolae , Rebegea Laura-Florentina , Tatu Alin Laurențiu
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives: Oral mucositis, a severe non-hematological complication, can be induced by chemoradiotherapy. It is associated with severe local dysfunction, severely affecting the patient’s quality of life; it increases the risk of oral infections and interrupts oncological treatment, thus prolonging the duration and cost of hospitalization. Besides all of the agents used in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis induced by oncological treatment, can there be found an easier one to administer, with an effective preparation, high addressability, both for adults and paediatric patients, without side effects, and at the same time cheap and easy to purchase? The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate the existence of this product, which is available to everyone, having multiple benefits. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of writing this article, materials were searched in electronic databases in between 2019 and 2021, taking into consideration papers where authors have demonstrated the effectiveness of this product through its topical or systemic use. Results: Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of honey on oral mucositis. Through its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous and antibacterial action, honey has proved to have a major impact on the patient’s quality of life and nutritional status by promoting tissue epithelialization and healing of the chemoradiotherapy-induced lesions. Conclusions: Superior to many natural agents, bee honey can be successfully used in both preventing and treating oral mucositis. There are currently numerous studies supporting and recommending the use of bee honey in the management of this oncological toxicity.
Development of a Toolchain for Automated Optical 3D Metrology Tasks
Authors: Jamakatel Prakash , Eberhardt Maximilian , Kerber Florian
Published: May 2022

Modern manufacturing processes are characterized by growing product diversities and complexities alike. As a result, the demand for fast and flexible process automation is ever increasing. However, higher individuality and smaller batch sizes hamper the use of standard robotic automation systems, which are well suited for repetitive tasks but struggle in unknown environments. Modern manipulators, such as collaborative industrial robots, provide extended capabilities for flexible automation. In this paper, an adaptive ROS-based end-to-end toolchain for vision-guided robotic process automation is presented. The processing steps comprise several consecutive tasks: CAD-based object registration, pose generation for sensor-guided applications, trajectory generation for the robotic manipulator, the execution of sensor-guided robotic processes, test and the evaluation of the results. The main benefits of the ROS framework are readily applicable tools for digital twin functionalities and established interfaces for various manipulator systems. To prove the validity of this approach, an application example for surface reconstruction was implemented with a 3D vision system. In this example, feature extraction is the basis for viewpoint generation, which, in turn, defines robotic trajectories to perform the inspection task. Two different feature point extraction algorithms using neural networks and Voronoi covariance measures, respectively, are implemented and evaluated to demonstrate the versatility of the proposed toolchain. The results showed that complex geometries can be automatically reconstructed, and they outperformed a standard method used as a reference. Hence, extensions to other vision-controlled applications seem to be feasible.
Editorial for the Special Issue “Adaptation, Aging, and Cell Death in Yeast Stress Response: Models, Mechanisms and Applications”
Authors: Guaragnella Nicoletta , Krisko Anita , Outeiro Tiago F.
Published: May 2022

Every cell experiences different types of stress during its life cycle [...]
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potencies of Chemically-Profiled Essential Oil from Asteriscus graveolens against Clinically-Important Pathogenic Microbial Strains
Authors: Aljeldah Mohammed M.
Published: May 2022

Recently, the antimicrobial potential of essential oils extracted from plants has gained extensive research interest, primarily for the development of novel antimicrobial treatments to combat emerging microbial resistance. The current study aims at investigating the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of essential oil derived from gold coin daisy, which is known as Asteriscus graveolens (EOAG). In this context, a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of EOAG was conducted to identify its phytoconstituents. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of EOAG was determined by the use of three tests, namely: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrzyl (DPPH), ferric reducing activity power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity of EOAG against clinically important bacterial (Escherichia coli, K12; Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 6633; Bacillus subtilis, DSM 6333; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, CIP A22) and fungal (Candida albicans, ATCC 10231; Aspergillus niger, MTCC 282; Aspergillus flavus, MTCC 9606; and Fusarium oxysporum, MTCC 9913) strains was assessed. Antimicrobial efficacy was determined on solid (inhibition diameter) and liquid media to calculate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). GC/MS profiling of EOAG revealed that 18 compounds were identified, with a dominance of α-Thujone (17.92%) followed by carvacrol (14.14%), with a total identification of about 99. 92%. The antioxidant activity of EOAG was determined to have IC50 values of 34.81 ± 1.12 µg/mL (DPPH), 89.37 ± 5.02 µg/mL (FRAP), and 1048.38 ± 10.23 µg EAA/mg (TAC). The antibacterial activity in a solid medium revealed that the largest diameter was recorded in P. aeruginosa (28.47 ± 1.44 mm) followed by S. aureus (27.41 ± 1.54 mm), and the MIC in S. aureus was 12.18 ± 0.98 µg / mL. For the antifungal activity of EOAG, the largest inhibition diameter was found in F. oxysporum (33.62 ± 2.14 mm) followed by C. albicans (26.41 ± 1.90 mm), and the smallest MIC was found in F. oxysporum (18.29 ± 1.21 µg/mL) followed by C. albicans (19.39 ± 1.0 µg/mL). In conclusion, EOAG can be useful as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agent and an alternative to synthetic antibiotics. Hence, they might be utilized to treat a variety of infectious disorders caused by pathogenic microorganisms, particularly those that have gained resistance to standard antibiotics.
Method for Systematic Assessment of Mobile Network Coverage for Logistic Applications on the German Highway
Authors: Rettig Rasmus , Schöne Christoph , Fröhlich Frederik , Niemöller Christopher
Published: May 2022

Smart logistics, combining the capabilities of logistics with methods and techniques of the Internet of Things, Information and Communication Technologies, and the highest levels of automation are key to addressing the challenges of the 21st century and minimizing emissions while maximizing logistic performance. High-performance cellular networks are a prerequisite to fully using and leveraging their possibilities. These communication networks were developed based on the need for voice communication and streaming services. While the upcoming requirements are included in the latest versions of cellular networks, the existing infrastructure requires significant improvements and will have to adapt significantly. This study evaluates the performance of the current state of implementation of cellular networks on the German highway experimentally and analytically. The known indicators RSRP, RSSI, and RSRQ are analyzed spatially, over time, and for different driving conditions. The results indicate a high level of spatial correlation and a sufficient level of confidence, which are needed to ensure consistency and repeatability of these measurements. The procedure and the results can be used to assess the suitability of cellular networks for smart logistics applications and continuously monitor their improvement. The results indicate the status of the cellular network on the German highway which is worse compared to the network operator’s self-assessment.
Long-Term Pterostilbene Supplementation of a High-Fat Diet Increases Adiponectin Expression in the Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Parrasia Sofia , Galletta Eva , La Spina Martina , Magrini Arianna , Azzolini Michele , Salvalaio Marika , Biasutto Lucia
Published: May 2022

Pterostilbene (Pt) is a natural phenol found in blueberries and grapes; it shows remarkable biomedical activities similar to those of resveratrol, but its higher bioavailability is a major advantage for possible biomedical applications. Our group has recently demonstrated that long-term (30 weeks) administration of Pt to mice maintained on a high-fat diet counters weight gain and promotes browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT). By Real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot analysis of the sWAT and visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) from the same mice used in the previous study, we show here that Pt induced a long-term increase of Adiponectin, Interleukin 10 and of M2 macrophage marker Cd206. The effects were observed in sWAT, while no significant changes were detected in vWAT. The process taking place seems to mimic that occurring in sWAT during cold-induced browning. Analysis of a few pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin 6, Tumor necrosis factor α) and of the NFkB pathway did not reveal marked effects of Pt supplementation. In summary, the mechanisms and processes through which Pt acts in adipose tissue appear to closely mimic those set in motion by cold-induced browning, and point to a possible impact of experimental conditions in the final output of a nutraceutical intervention.
Genomic and Biological Profile of a Novel Bacteriophage, Vibrio phage Virtus, Which Improves Survival of Sparus aurata Larvae Challenged with Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Droubogiannis Stavros , Katharios Pantelis
Published: May 2022

Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, commonly known as “superbugs”, phage therapy for the control of bacterial diseases rose in popularity. In this context, the use of phages for the management of many important bacterial diseases in the aquaculture environment is auspicious. Vibrio harveyi, a well-known and serious bacterial pathogen, is responsible for many disease outbreaks in aquaculture, resulting in huge economic and production losses. We isolated and fully characterized a novel bacteriophage, Vibrio phage Virtus, infecting V. harveyi strain VH2. Vibrio phage Virtus can infect a wide spectrum of Vibrio spp., including strains of V. harveyi, V. owensii, V. campbellii, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. mediterranei. It has a latent period of 40 min with an unusually high burst size of 3200 PFU/cell. Vibrio phage Virtus has a double-stranded DNA of 82,960 base pairs with 127 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). No virulence, antibiotic resistance, or integrase-encoding genes were detected. In vivo phage therapy trials in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, larvae demonstrated that Vibrio phage Virtus was able to significantly improve the survival of larvae for five days at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10, which suggests that it can be an excellent candidate for phage therapy.
Detection of Leishmania spp. in Chronic Dermatitis: Retrospective Study in Exposed Horse Populations
Authors: Gazzonis Alessia Libera , Morganti Giulia , Porcellato Ilaria , Roccabianca Paola , Avallone Giancarlo , Gavaudan Stefano , Canonico Cristina , Rigamonti Giulia , Brachelente Chiara , Veronesi Fabrizia
Published: May 2022

Leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing human zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) and visceral–cutaneous canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in the Mediterranean Basin. L. infantum is able to infect a large number of wild and domestic species, including cats, dogs, and horses. Since the 1990s, clinical cases of equine leishmaniasis (EL), typically characterized by cutaneous forms, have been increasingly diagnosed worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of clinical forms of EL in CanL-endemic areas in Italy, where exposure of equine populations was ascertained from recent serological surveys. For this purpose, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of 47 horses presenting chronic dermatitis compatible with EL were retrospectively selected for the study and subjected to conventional and q-PCR. A singular positivity for L. infantum was found; BLAST analysis of sequence amplicons revealed a 99–100% homology with L. infantum sequences. The histological examination revealed a nodular lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltrate; immunohistochemistry showed rare macrophages containing numerous positive amastigotes. The present retrospective study reports, for the first time, a case of a cutaneous lesion by L. infantum occurring in an Italian horse. Pathological and healthy skin samples should be investigated on a larger scale to provide information on the potential clinical impact of EL in the practice, and to define the role of horses in epidemiological ZVL and CanL scenarios.
Bacterial Cellulose—Adaptation of a Nature-Identical Material to the Needs of Advanced Chronic Wound Care
Authors: Zahel Paul , Beekmann Uwe , Eberlein Thomas , Schmitz Michael , Werz Oliver , Kralisch Dana
Published: May 2022

Modern wound treatment calls for hydroactive dressings. Among the variety of materials that have entered the field of wound care in recent years, the carbohydrate polymer bacterial cellulose (BC) represents one of the most promising candidates as the biomaterial features a high moisture-loading and donation capacity, mechanical stability, moldability, and breathability. Although BC has already gained increasing relevance in the treatment of burn wounds, its potential and clinical performance for “chronic wound” indications have not yet been sufficiently investigated. This article focuses on experimental and clinical data regarding the application of BC within the indications of chronic, non-healing wounds, especially venous and diabetic ulcers. A recent clinical observation study in a chronic wound setting clearly demonstrated its wound-cleansing properties and ability to induce healing in stalling wounds. Furthermore, the material parameters of BC dressings obtained through the static cultivation of Komagataeibacter xylinus were investigated for the first time in standardized tests and compared to various advanced wound-care products. Surprisingly, a free swell absorptive capacity of a BC dressing variant containing 97% moisture was found, which was higher than that of alginate or even hydrofiber dressings. We hypothesize that the fine-structured, open porous network and the resulting capillary forces are among the main reasons for this unexpected result.
Extracellular Vesicle-Associated MicroRNA-138-5p Regulates Embryo Implantation and Early Pregnancy by Adjusting GPR124
Authors: Wu Hsien-Ming , Lo Tzu-Chi , Tsai Chia-Lung , Chen Liang-Hsuan , Huang Hong-Yuan , Wang Hsin-Shih , Yu John
Published: May 2022

Functional embryo–maternal interactions occur during the embryo implantation and placentation. Extracellular vesicles with microRNA (miR) between cells have been considered of critical importance for embryo implantation and the programming of human pregnancy. MiR-138-5p functions as the transcriptional regulator of G protein-coupled receptor 124 (GPR124). However, the signaling pathway of miR138-5p- and GPR124-adjusted NLRP3 inflammasome activation remains unclear. In this study, we examine the roles of the miR138-5p and GPR124-regulated inflammasome in embryo implantation and early pregnancy. Human decidual stromal cells were isolated from the abortus tissue and collected by curettage from missed abortion patients and normal pregnant women at 6- to 12-week gestation, after informed consent. Isolated extracellular vesicles from decidua and decidual stromal cells were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and microarray were performed for miR analysis. The predicated target genes of the differentially expressed miR were analyzed to identify the target genes and their pathway. We demonstrated the down-regulation of miR-138-5p and the overexpression of GPR124 in spontaneous miscarriage compared to normal pregnancy. We also showed the excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in spontaneous miscarriage compared to normal pregnancy. Here, we newly demonstrate that the miR-138-5p and GPR124-adjusted NLRP3 inflammasome were expressed in extracellular vesicles derived from decidua and decidual stromal cells, indicating that the miR-138-5p, GPR124 and NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3) inflammasome have a potential modulatory role on the decidual programming and placentation of human pregnancy. Our findings represent a new concept regarding the role of extracellular vesicles, miR-138-5p, GPR124, and the NLRP3 inflammasome in normal early pregnancy and spontaneous miscarriage.
Creating New “Enclosures”: Violently Mimicking the Primitive Accumulation through Degradation of Women, Lockdowns, Looting Finance, War, Plunder
Authors: Magnani Lorenzo , Marchini Anna Maria
Published: May 2022

Starting from the analysis of Marx’s Chapter 26 of the first volume of Capital, this article describes Marxian emphasis on the extremely violent aspects—a list of the main cases is also provided—of the so-called “enclosures” as fundamental procedures that favored the “primitive accumulation”, that is, the first social and economic step that led to capitalism. The “enclosures” that characterized the primitive accumulation process, violently expropriating peasants, razing their cottages and dwellings, are illustrated in detail. At the same time, we will describe what we call the “moral bubble”, created by the narratives—morally edifying—about enclosures, only devoted to the emphasis on the positive economic and social outcomes: the moral bubble acts as a powerful conceptual device capable of concealing the violence that accompanies enclosures. The second part of the article stresses the fact that the mechanism of enclosures can be traced back not only to violently expropriating common lands in which the peasants flourished but also to the violent processes against women to have them basically reduced to machines for the production of new workers, in the framework of the new “patriarchy of the wage”. The importance of the so-called “new enclosures” is further delineated after having shown how enclosures express the historical and general tendency of capitalistic accumulation and not only of the primitive one. The violent aspects of primitive accumulation, and so of primitive enclosures, are described as the main characters of every phase of the recent capitalist globalization, marked by continuous and unprecedented assault (as smart social, political, and economic mechanisms for producing enclosures) on the commons, perpetrated by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, coronavirus lockdown and, currently, also by the paradoxical economic effects of the interplay between the green era and Ukraine war–global food and energy crisis. Finally, the last section provides insight on what we called the “terminal enclosure” related to the aggression of the ultimate common good: water.
Dual Polarization Simultaneous Optical Intensity Modulation in Single Birefringent LiNbO3 Mach–Zehnder Optical Modulator
Authors: Hyun Young-Jin , Choi Jae-Young , Han Sang-Kook
Published: May 2022

A new method of simultaneous modulation of dual-polarization intensity based on a single LiNbO3 Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM) is proposed. Using the birefringence of lithium niobate, the bipolar optical intensity can be modulated independently with the proposed modulation condition. In this paper, the optimized modulation conditions and the performance of the proposed method are investigated through simulations and experiments.
Characteristics of a Source for Oxide Coating Deposition by the Electron-Beam Evaporation of Dielectric Materials
Authors: Burdovitsin Viktor , Bakeev Ilya , Karpov Kirill , Ngon A. Kiki Lionel , Oks Efim , Vizir Alexey
Published: May 2022

We describe our investigations of a plasma-cathode electron source designed for the deposition of oxide coatings by the electron-beam evaporation of dielectric materials. Tests carried out using oxygen as the working gas showed that the source is operable without a change in parameters for at least ten hours of continuous operation. The current–voltage characteristics of the hollow-cathode plasma source in oxygen displayed a monotonically increasing character, and the voltage dependence of the discharge current was exponential. At the same time, for argon, nitrogen, and helium, the discharge voltage remained unchanged over a current ranging from 0.1 A to 1 A. A possible reason for these differences is the formation of oxides on the electrode surfaces for operation in the oxygen, impeding the discharge operation and requiring higher voltages for the same current as the other gases. The dependencies of the electron beam current on the accelerating voltage were monotonically increasing curves for all the gases except for helium, for which the beam current remained unchanged with increasing voltage over a range from two to ten kilovolts.
The Use of Waste Hazelnut Shells as a Reinforcement in the Development of Green Biocomposites
Authors: Ceraulo Manuela , La Mantia Francesco Paolo , Mistretta Maria Chiara , Titone Vincenzo
Published: May 2022

Biodegradable Mater-Bi (MB) composites reinforced with hazelnut shell (HS) powder were prepared in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder followed by compression molding and injection molding. The effects of reinforcement on the morphology, static and dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal and rheological properties of MB/HS biocomposites were studied. Rheological tests showed that the incorporation of HS significantly increased the viscosity of composites with non-Newtonian behavior at low frequencies. On the other hand, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination revealed poor interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the filler. The thermal property results indicated that HS could act as a nucleating agent to promote the crystallization properties of biocomposites. Furthermore, the experimental results indicated that the addition of HS led to a significant improvement in the thermomechanical stability of the composites. This paper demonstrates that the incorporation of a low-cost waste product, such as hazelnut shells, is a practical way to produce low-cost biocomposites with good properties. With a content of HS of 10%, a remarkable improvement in the elastic modulus and impact strength was observed in both compression and injection-molded samples. With a higher content of HS, however, the processability in injection molding was strongly worsened.
Research and Application of Polypropylene Carbonate Composite Materials: A Review
Authors: Li Xiangrui , Meng Lingyu , Zhang Yinliang , Qin Zexiu , Meng Lipeng , Li Chunfeng , Liu Mingli
Published: May 2022

The greenhouse effect and plastic pollution caused by the accumulation of plastics have led to a global concern for environmental protection, as well as the development and application of biodegradable materials. Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) is a biodegradable polymer with the function of “carbon sequestration”, which has the potential to mitigate the greenhouse effect and the plastic crisis. It has the advantages of good ductility, oxygen barrier and biocompatibility. However, the mechanical and thermal properties of PPC are poor, especially the low thermal degradation temperature, which limits its industrial use. In order to overcome this problem, PPC can be modified using environmentally friendly materials, which can also reduce the cost of PPC-based products to a certain extent and enhance their competitiveness in terms of improving their mechanical and thermal properties. In this paper, we present different perspectives on the synthesis, properties, degradation, modification and post-modification applications of PPC. The modification part mainly introduces the influence of inorganic materials, natural polymer materials and degradable polymers on the performance of PPC. It is hoped that this work will serve as a reference for the early promotion of PPC.
Recent Progress, Challenges, and Trends in Polymer-Based Sensors: A Review
Authors: Alam Mir Waqas , Islam Bhat Shahidul , Al Qahtani Hassan S. , Aamir Muhammad , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Farhan Mohd , Aldabal Sara , Khan Muhammad Shuaib , Jeelani Ishtiaq , Nawaz Allah , Souayeh Basma
Published: May 2022

Polymers are long-chain, highly molecular weight molecules containing large numbers of repeating units within their backbone derived from the product of polymerization of monomeric units. The materials exhibit unique properties based on the types of bonds that exist within their structures. Among these, some behave as rubbers because of their excellent bending ability, lightweight nature, and shape memory. Moreover, their tunable chemical, structural, and electrical properties make them promising candidates for their use as sensing materials. Polymer-based sensors are highly utilized in the current scenario in the public health sector and environment control due to their rapid detection, small size, high sensitivity, and suitability in atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to highlight the current progress in polymer-based sensors. More importantly, this review provides general trends and challenges in sensor technology based on polymer materials.
Fabrication of a Modified Polyethersulfone Membrane with Anti-Fouling and Self-Cleaning Properties from SiO2-g-PHEMA NPs for Application in Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Yin Jun
Published: May 2022

To prepare anti-fouling and self-cleaning membrane material, a physical blending modification combined with surface grafting modification has been carried out; first, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) grafted silica nanoparticles (SiO2-g-PHEMA NPs) were synthesized using surface-initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) and used as a blending modifier to fabricate a polyethersulfone (PES)/SiO2-g-PHEMA organic–inorganic membrane by the phase-inversion method. During the membrane formation process, hydrophobic PES segments coagulated immediately to form a membrane matrix, and the hydrophilic SiO2-g-PHEMA NPs migrated spontaneously to the membrane surface in order to reduce interfacial energy, which enhanced the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties of the PES/SiO2-g-PHEMA membrane. Importantly, the membrane surface contained abundant PHEMA segments, which provided active sites for further surface functionalization. Subsequently, the carboxyl-terminated fluorocarbon surfactant (fPEG-COOH) composed of hydrophilic polyethyleneglycol segments and low-surface-energy perfluorinated alkyl segments was synthesized via the esterification of fPEG with succinic anhydride. Lastly, the PES/SiO2-g-PHEMA/fPEG membrane was prepared by grafting fPEG-COOH onto surface of the PES/SiO2-g-PHEMA. Thus, a versatile membrane surface with both fouling-resistant and fouling-release properties was acquired. The PES/SiO2-g-PHEMA/fPEG membrane has a large oil–water flux (239.93 L·m−2·h−1), almost 21 times that of PES blank membrane and 2.8 times of the PES/SiO2-g-PHEMA membrane. Compared with the unmodified PES membrane, the flux recovery ratio increased from 45.75% to 90.52%, while the total flux decline ratio decreased drastically from 82.70% to 13.79%, exhibiting outstanding anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties. Moreover, the grafted fPEG segments on the membrane surface show excellent stability due to the presence of stable chemical bonds. The grafted segments remain at the surface of the membrane even after a long shaking treatment. This suggests that this PES/SiO2-g-PHEMA/fPEG membrane material has potential for application in oil/water separation.
Evaluating Pull-Out Strength of Barbed Suture In Vitro by Using Porcine Tissue and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
Authors: Hong Wei , Chen I-Cheng , Su Chen-Ying , Perng Cherng-Kang , Ma Hsu , Fang Hsu-Wei
Published: May 2022

Using barbed thread lifting for facial rejuvenation has become popular these days due to its minimally invasive procedures with reduced complications. However, only limited studies regarding its mechanical properties for face suspension were published. The aim of this study was to evaluate suture-holding ability regarding its facelift property, and different specimens were tested in order to establish an in vitro model. Fresh porcine tissue and the synthetic material polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were selected to simulate human skin for evaluating barbed suture pull-out strength by the universal material testing machine. The results showed that the pull-out strength of barbs between different porcine tissues varied without consistency. By contrast, PDMS (30:1) showed more consistent pull-out strength in each testing, and the average maximum load force was close to porcine tissue. Furthermore, after submerging barbed sutures in PBS for 0 days (T0), 7 days (T7) and 14 days (T14), a trend of decreased average maximum load force, displacement and force of 1.5 mm/2 mm/3 mm displacement could be detected by in vitro testing with PDMS (30:1). These results provide support for using PDMS (30:1) to evaluate suture pull-out strength and holding/lifting capacities in vitro to obtain consistent and objective information for evaluating substantial equivalence of devices. The established in vitro method could be used for the future development of barbed thread lifting technology.
Recycling of Waste Corundum Abrasive Powder in MK-Based Geopolymers
Authors: Dal Poggetto Giovanni , D’Angelo Antonio , Catauro Michelina , Barbieri Luisa , Leonelli Cristina
Published: May 2022

Recycling corundum abrasive powder in metakaolin-based geopolymer formulations is proposed to reduce the amount of waste to be treated or disposed of in landfills, allowing to decrease ecological damage as well as to reduce transport costs for removal. The addition of waste corundum, as an important source of Al2O3, has proved to increase the slight ionic conductivity of the leachate solution obtained after immersion in water of samples at 28 d of curing at room temperature. With the same curing conditions, the geopolymerization process has not been disturbed as evidenced by the FT-IR peak shift and XRD patterns. It was recorded a decrease in resistance to compression of the consolidated geopolymers of about 5% with 10 wt% addition and of about 77% with the addition of 20 wt% of waste corundum. In any case, the waste abrasive powder does not release heavy metals when added to a geopolymeric formulation based on MK, NaOH, and Na-silicate, and does not show relevant antibacterial properties, indicating the formation of a stable and safe final product with a ceramic-like appearance.
Interleukin-12 Plasmid DNA Delivery by N-[(2-Hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl]chitosan-Based Nanoparticles
Authors: Dehshahri Ali , Khalvati Bahman , Taheri Zahra , Safari Farshad , Mohammadinejad Reza , Heydari Abolfazl
Published: May 2022

Cationic polysaccharides are capable of forming polyplexes with nucleic acids and are considered promising polymeric gene carriers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl] chitosan salt (HTCS), a quaternary ammonium derivative of chitosan (CS), which benefits from non-ionizable positive charges. In this work, HTCS with a full quaternization of amino groups and a molar mass of 130,000 g·mol−1 was synthesized to use for delivery of a plasmid encoding the interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene. Thus, a polyplex based on HTCS and the IL-12 plasmid was prepared and then was characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, plasmid condensation ability, and protection of the plasmid against enzymatic degradation. We showed that HTCS was able to condense the IL-12 plasmid by the formation of polyplexes in the range of 74.5 ± 0.75 nm. The level of hIL-12 production following the transfection of the cells with HTCS polyplexes at a C/P ratio of 8:1 was around 4.8- and 2.2-fold higher than with CS and polyethylenimine polyplexes, respectively. These findings highlight the role of HTCS in the formation of polyplexes for the efficient delivery of plasmid DNA.
Encapsulation of Blackberry Phenolics and Volatiles Using Apple Fibers and Disaccharides
Authors: Kopjar Mirela , Buljeta Ivana , Nosić Mario , Ivić Ivana , Šimunović Josip , Pichler Anita
Published: May 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of disaccharides on the encapsulation of the phenolics and volatiles of blackberry juice with the use of apple fiber. For this purpose, apple fiber/blackberry microparticles were prepared as the control, as well as microparticles additionally containing disaccharides, i.e., sucrose or trehalose. Fiber:disaccharide ratios were 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2. Formulated microparticles were characterized for total phenolics, proanthocyanidins, individual phenolics, antioxidant activity, flavor profiles, and color parameters. Both applied disaccharides affected the encapsulation of phenolics and volatiles by the apple fibers. Control microparticles had a higher content of phenolics than microparticles with disaccharides. Comparing disaccharides, the microparticles with trehalose had a higher content of phenolics than the ones containing sucrose. The amount of proanthocyanidins in the control microparticles was 47.81 mg PB2/100 g; in trehalose, the microparticles ranged from 39.88 to 42.99 mg PB2/100 g, and in sucrose, the microparticles ranged from 12.98 to 26.42 mg PB2/100 g, depending on the fiber:disaccharide ratio. Cyanidin-3-glucoside was the dominant anthocyanin. Its amount in the control microparticles was 151.97 mg/100 g, while in the trehalose microparticles, this ranged from 111.97 to 142.56 mg /100 g and in sucrose microparticles, from 100.28 to 138.74 mg /100 g. On the other hand, microparticles with disaccharides had a higher content of volatiles than the control microparticles. Trehalose microparticles had a higher content of volatiles than sucrose ones. These results show that the formulation of microparticles, i.e., the selection of carriers, had an important role in the final quality of the encapsulates.