bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of TiO2 on the Dielectric Performance of ZrO2 and Nb2O5 Pre-Doped CaCu3Ti4O12 Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Guoyu , Li Lu , Nan Yanxin , Li Peng , Deng Tao , Lei Zhipeng , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Jianhua
Published: November 2024

In this work, the effects of different sintering temperatures and TiO2 concentrations on the dielectric properties of ZrO2 and Nb2O5 pre-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) ceramics were investigated. These doped ceramics were sintered at temperatures of 1020, 1030, and 1040 °C, exhibiting the lowest dielectric loss of 0.01, which consistently remained below 0.03 across a wide frequency range from 10 to 105 Hz. Simultaneously, they maintained a high dielectric constant of more than 3000 and remarkably met the requirements for an X8P capacitor (Δε′ ≤ ±10% at temperature range from −55 to 150 °C). It was clarified that TiO2 doping increased grain boundary resistance, leading to the reduced dielectric loss, and elevated the grain boundary activation energy, thereby enhancing the temperature stability. The TiO2-doped CCTO-based ceramics also demonstrated reduced sensitivity to variations in sintering temperature, highlighting their excellent manufacturability. This characteristic holds great promise for the fabrication of CCTO-based ceramics, which usually exhibit poor repetitiveness.
Flammability and Thermoregulation Performance of Multilayer Protective Clothing Incorporated with Phase Change Materials
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad , Jamshaid Hafsa , Mishra Rajesh Kumar , Iqbal Kashif , Müller Miroslav , Chandan Vijay , Alexiou Ivanova Tatiana
Published: November 2024

Firefighters need personal protection equipment and protective clothing to be safe and protected when responding to fire incidents. At present, firefighters’ suits are developed by using inherently thermal-resistant fibers but pose serious problems related to comfort. In the present research, multilayered fire-fighting fabrics were developed with different fiber blends. Multilayer fire retardant (FR) fabrics with phase change materials (PCMs) inserts were developed and compared with reference multilayer fabrics without PCM. In this context, four fabric samples were chosen to fabricate the multilayer FR fabrics. Properties of multilayer fabrics were investigated, which include physical, thermo–physiological comfort, and flame-resistant performance. The heating process of the clothing was examined using infrared (IR) thermography, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal protective testing (TPP), and steady-state (Convective and Radiant) heat resistance tests. Areal density and thickness were measured as physical parameters, and air permeability (AP), overall moisture management capacity (OMMC), and thermal conductivity were measured as thermo–physiological comfort characteristics. The inclusion of PCM improved the thermal protection as well as flame resistance significantly. Sample S1 (Nomex + PTFE + Nomex with PCM) demonstrated superior fire resistance, air permeability, and thermal protection, with a 37.3% increase in air permeability as compared to the control sample (SC) by maintaining comfort while offering high thermal resilience. The inclusion of PCM enhanced its thermal regulation, moderating heat transfer. Flame resistance tests confirmed its excellent performance, while thermo–physiological assessments highlighted a well-balanced combination of thermal conductivity and air permeability. This study will help to improve the performance of firefighter protective fabrics and provide guidelines in terms of balancing comfort and performance while designing firefighter protective clothing for different climatic conditions.
Dynamic Time Warping as Elementary Effects Metric for Morris-Based Global Sensitivity Analysis of High-Dimension Dynamical Models
Authors: Fortela Dhan Lord B. , Mikolajczyk Ashley P. , Hernandez Rafael , Revellame Emmanuel , Sharp Wayne , Holmes William , Gang Daniel , Zappi Mark E.
Published: November 2024

This work focused on demonstrating the use of dynamic time warping (DTW) as a metric for the elementary effects computation in Morris-based global sensitivity analysis (GSA) of model parameters in multivariate dynamical systems. One of the challenges of GSA on multivariate time-dependent dynamics is the modeling of parameter perturbation effects propagated to all model outputs while capturing time-dependent patterns. The study establishes and demonstrates the use of DTW as a metric of elementary effects across the time domain and the multivariate output domain, which are all aggregated together via the DTW cost function into a single metric value. Unlike the commonly studied coefficient-based functional approximation and covariance decomposition methods, this new DTW-based Morris GSA algorithm implements curve alignment via dynamic programing for cost computation in every parameter perturbation trajectory, which captures the essence of “elementary effect” in the original Morris formulation. This new algorithm eliminates approximations and assumptions about the model outputs while achieving the objective of capturing perturbations across time and the array of model outputs. The technique was demonstrated using an ordinary differential equation (ODE) system of mixed-order adsorption kinetics, Monod-type microbial kinetics, and the Lorenz attractor for chaotic solutions. DTW as a Morris-based GSA metric enables the modeling of parameter sensitivity effects on the entire array of model output variables evolving in the time domain, resulting in parameter rankings attributed to the entire model dynamics.
Imaging in Vascular Liver Diseases
Authors: Rosselli Matteo , Popescu Alina , Bende Felix , Al Refaie Antonella , Lim Adrian
Published: November 2024

Vascular liver diseases (VLDs) include different pathological conditions that affect the liver vasculature at the level of the portal venous system, hepatic artery, or venous outflow system. Although serological investigations and sometimes histology might be required to clarify the underlying diagnosis, imaging has a crucial role in highlighting liver inflow or outflow obstructions and their potential causes. Cross-sectional imaging provides a panoramic view of liver vascular anatomy and parenchymal patterns of enhancement, making it extremely useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of VLDs. Nevertheless, multiparametric ultrasound analysis provides information useful for differentiating acute from chronic portal vein thrombosis, distinguishing neoplastic invasion of the portal vein from bland thrombus, and clarifying the causes of venous outflow obstruction. Color Doppler analysis measures blood flow velocity and direction, which are very important in the assessment of VLDs. Finally, liver and spleen elastography complete the assessment by providing intrahepatic and intrasplenic stiffness measurements, offering further diagnostic information.
Effects of Hot Extrusion on the Microstructure and Wear Properties of A380-Yb Alloy
Authors: Ji Xiaohu , Xiong Junjie , Guan Wenle , Qi Yuxi , Zhou Lihua , Li Heng
Published: November 2024

A380-Yb (Ytterbium) alloy was prepared by the ultrasonic melting casting method, and effects of hot extrusion on the microstructure and wear properties of the alloy were studied. The results indicate that the addition of rare earth Yb can refine the microstructure of the matrix alloy. After hot extrusion (extrusion ratio of 22.56) of the as-cast A380-Yb alloy, the secondary phase in its microstructure was further refined and the distribution became more uniform. EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) organizational analysis shows that the average GND (geometrically necessary dislocation) density of extruded rare earth aluminum alloy is significantly increased, by 16.5 times that of the cast matrix alloy. In addition, there are a large number of grains parallel to the <111> orientation and <001> orientation in the extrusion direction. The alloy undergoes dynamic recrystallization during hot extrusion, and the proportion of small-angle grain boundaries is significantly reduced. Under the same friction and wear conditions, the wear rate and average friction and wear coefficient of the extruded rare earth aluminum alloy are relatively small, reduced by 53.8% and 42.6%, respectively, compared to the cast matrix alloy. Its wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear and slight plastic deformation. In addition, the study also found that under fixed other wear conditions, as the friction speed increases, the wear rate of the extruded rare earth aluminum alloy shows a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. However, with the increase in load, its wear rate gradually increases, and the change in wear morphology is consistent with the trend of wear rate. When the wear rate is high, the wear mechanism of the extruded aluminum alloy is mainly delamination wear and adhesive wear, and is sometimes accompanied by severe plastic deformation. When the wear rate is low, its wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear.
Effect of Substrate Temperature on Bead Track Geometry of 316L in Directed Energy Deposition: Investigation and Regression Modeling
Authors: Chalicheemalapalli Jayasankar Deviprasad , Gnaase Stefan , Lehnert Dennis , Walter Artur , Rohling Robin , Tröster Thomas
Published: November 2024

The optimization of process parameters in powder Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is essential for achieving consistent, high-quality bead geometries, which directly influence the performance and structural integrity of fabricated components. As a subset of additive manufacturing (AM), the DED process, also referred to as laser metal deposition (LMD), enables precise, layer-by-layer material deposition, making it highly suitable for complex geometries and part repair applications. Critical parameters, such as the laser power, feed rate, powder mass flow, and substrate temperature govern the deposition process, impacting the bead height, width, contact angle, and dilution. Inconsistent control over these variables can lead to defects, such as poor bonding, dimensional inaccuracies, and material weaknesses, ultimately compromising the final product. This paper investigates the effects of various process parameters, specifically the substrate temperature, on bead track geometry in DED processes for stainless steel (1.4404). A specialized experimental setup, integrated within a DED machine, facilitates the controlled thermal conditioning of sample sheets. Using Design of Experiments (DoE) methods, individual bead marks are generated and analyzed to assess geometric characteristics. Regression models, including both linear and quadratic approaches, are constructed to predict machine parameters for achieving the desired bead geometry at different substrate temperatures. Validation experiments confirm the accuracy and reliability of the models, particularly in predicting the bead height, bead width, and contact angle across a broad range of substrate temperatures. However, the models demonstrated limitations in accurately predicting dilution, indicating the need for further refinement. Despite some deviations in measured values, successful fabrication is achieved, demonstrating robust bonding between the bead and substrate. The developed models offer insights into optimizing DED process parameters to achieve desired bead characteristics, advancing the precision and reliability of additive manufacturing technology. Future work will focus on refining the regression models to improve predictions, particularly for dilution, and further investigate non-linear interactions between process variables.
Revisiting the Structural and Magnetic Properties of SmCo5/Sm2Co17 Interface from First-Principles Investigations
Authors: Sun Xu , Cheng Haixia , Cheng Songqi , Fang Yikun , Zhu Minggang , Su Hang , Li Wei
Published: November 2024

The formation and evolution of SmCo5/Sm2Co17 (1:5H/2:17R/H) cellular structures play an essential role in understanding the coercivity of Sm-Co magnets. Herein, the pristine and different elemental-doped 1:5/2:17R and 1:5/2:17H interfaces are investigated to evaluate the elemental site preferences, interface configurations, and magnetic properties in Sm2Co17-type magnets with general alloy elements M (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Si, and Ga). Comparing the calculated results of 1:5/2:17H with those of the 1:5/2:17R interface, we found that Cu and Mn always segregate at the 1:5 phase, and Ga elements first appear at the 1:5 phase in 1:5/2:17H and then change to the 2:17 phase in 1:5/2:17R. While Ti, V, Fe, Zn, Al, and Si elements always tend to segregate at the 2:17 phase, Ni first segregates at the 2:17 phase in 1:5/2:17H and then occupies the 1:5 phase of 1:5/2:17R. The 1:5/2:17H interface along the c-axis expands about 1.98~3.28%, while the 1:5/2:17R interface slightly shrinks about 0.04~0.87% after element doping. This suggests that different interface stress behaviors exist for high-temperature and room-temperature phase Sm2Co17-type magnets. Furthermore, Mn, Fe, and Ga doping improved the saturation magnetization strength. Our results provide new insights into understanding the effect of elemental doping at the interfaces of 1:5H/2:17R cellular structures.
Electrostatic MEMS Two-Dimensional Scanning Micromirrors Integrated with Piezoresistive Sensors
Authors: Shan Yameng , Qian Lei , He Kaixuan , Chen Bo , Wang Kewei , Li Wenchao , Shen Wenjiang
Published: November 2024

The MEMS scanning micromirror requires angle sensors to provide real-time angle feedback during operation, ensuring a stable and accurate deflection of the micromirror. This paper proposes a method for integrating piezoresistive sensors on the torsion axis of electrostatic MEMS micromirrors to detect the deflection angle. The design uses a multi-layer bonding process to realize a vertical comb-driven structure. The device structure is designed as a double-layer structure, in which the top layer is the ground layer and integrates with piezoresistive sensor. This approach avoids crosstalk between the applied drive voltage and the piezoresistive sensor. This design also optimizes the sensor’s size, improving sensitivity. A MEMS two-dimensional (2D) scanning micromirror with a 1 mm mirror diameter was designed and fabricated. The test results indicated that, in a vacuum environment, the torsional resonance frequencies of the micromirror’s fast axis and slow axis were 17.68 kHz and 2.225 kHz, respectively. When driving voltages of 33 V and 40 V were applied to the fast axis and slow axis of the micromirror, the corresponding optical scanning angles were 55° and 45°, respectively. The piezoresistive sensor effectively detects the micromirror’s deflection state, and optimizing the sensor’s size achieved a sensitivity of 13.87 mV/V/°. The output voltage of the piezoresistive sensor shows a good linear relationship with the micromirror’s deflection angle, enabling closed-loop feedback control of the electrostatic MEMS micromirror.
Compact and Wide-Stopband Bandpass Filter Using Hybrid Shielded EMCSIW and CSRR Resonators with a Mixed Electromagnetic Coupling Scheme
Authors: Miao Zhuo-Wei
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a bandpass filter (BPF) exploiting hybrid shielded eighth-mode circular substrate-integrated waveguide (SD-EMCSIW) and complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) resonators. The proposed BPF leverages the SD-EMCSIW resonator with a 45-degree angle to create a second-order BPF with a mixed electromagnetic coupling scheme. Detailed analyses of the related electromagnetic characteristics and operating mechanisms have been performed. In order to further reduce the occupied area, the CSRR structures are embedded into the SD-EMCSIW resonators. Meanwhile, extra metallic via-holes are implemented to enhance the upper-stopband performance. A transmission zero (TZ) of the second-order BPF can be placed on either the left or right side of the passband and can be flexibly adjusted. To validate the design concept, a second-order hybrid SD-EMCSIW and CSRR BPF was designed, simulated, fabricated, and measured as a specific example. The prototype operates at a center frequency f0 of 8.3 GHz with a 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 8.1%. Two transmission zeros are located near the right passband. The upper-stopband rejection reaches up to 15 dB at 2.85 times the center frequency f0. Both the simulated and measured results show satisfactory agreement. Meanwhile, the overall size of the proposed hybrid SD-EMCSIW and CSRR BPF is 13.5 mm × 13.0 mm (0.37λ0 × 0.36λ0), featuring a compact physical dimension in the filter design.
Transparent Zinc Oxide Memristor Structures: Magnetron Sputtering of Thin Films, Resistive Switching Investigation, and Crossbar Array Fabrication
Authors: Saenko Alexander V. , Tominov Roman V. , Jityaev Igor L. , Vakulov Zakhar E. , Avilov Vadim I. , Polupanov Nikita V. , Smirnov Vladimir A.
Published: November 2024

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the influence of high-frequency magnetron sputtering power on the structural and electrophysical properties of nanocrystalline ZnO films. It is shown that at a magnetron sputtering power of 75 W in an argon atmosphere at room temperature, ZnO films have a relatively smooth surface and a uniform nanocrystalline structure. Based on the results obtained, the formation and study of resistive switching of transparent ITO/ZnO/ITO memristor structures as well as a crossbar array based on them were performed. It is demonstrated that memristor structures based on ZnO films obtained at a magnetron sputtering power of 75 W exhibit stable resistive switching for 1000 cycles between high resistance states (HRS = 537.4 ± 26.7 Ω) and low resistance states (LRS = 291.4 ± 38.5 Ω), while the resistance ratio in HRS/LRS is ~1.8. On the basis of the experimental findings, we carried out mathematical modeling of the resistive switching of this structure, and it demonstrated that the regions with an increase in the electric field strength along the edge of the upper electrode become the main sources of oxygen vacancy generation in ZnO film. A crossbar array of 16 transparent ITO/ZnO/ITO memristor structures was also fabricated, demonstrating 20,000 resistive switching cycles between LRS = 13.8 ± 1.4 kΩ and HRS = 34.8 ± 2.6 kΩ for all devices, with a resistance ratio of HRS/LRS of ~2.5. The obtained results can be used in the development of technological processes for the manufacturing of transparent memristor crossbars for neuromorphic structures of machine vision, robotics, and artificial intelligence systems.
Association Between the EAT-Lancet Reference Diet and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Mini-Review
Authors: Sun Niuniu , Wen Shubo , Huo Zhenyu , He Zitong , Sun Tongyao , Hu Jingxi , Sonestedt Emily , Borné Yan , Zhang Shunming
Published: November 2024

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication that seriously endangers maternal and infant health, posing a medical and economic burden worldwide. Several dietary patterns have been recommended for women of childbearing age, demonstrating a positive role in preventing and managing GDM. However, these dietary patterns may not fully take environmental factors into account when addressing global food sustainability and planetary health. In this context, the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a diet in 2019 aimed at both health improvement and environmental sustainability, which can potentially reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases. Nevertheless, the role of the EAT-Lancet reference diet in preventing and managing GDM has not been fully evaluated. Therefore, we conducted a literature search to assess the existing evidence for the association between the EAT-Lancet reference diet components and GDM. Based on the current evidence available in the PubMed database from inception to 31 October 2024, women of childbearing age are recommended to consume whole grains, fish, soy products, olive oil, full-fat dairy products, nuts, and moderate amounts of fruits while reducing red meat and sugar-sweetened beverage intake to lower the risk of GDM. There remains inconsistency regarding the association between tubers or starchy vegetables, vegetables, eggs, and poultry and the risk of GDM. In conclusion, current research on the association between diet and GDM is limited and offers suggestions for methodologies to obtain robust evidence regarding the association between the EAT-Lancet reference diet and GDM.
Synergistic Effects of Chitosan and Fish Oil on Lipid Metabolism in Rats Fed a High-Fat and Low-Carbohydrate Diet
Authors: Liu Shing-Hwa , Chang Ting-Yu , Liu Shih-Hou , Chiang Meng-Tsan
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Although high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets are used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes management, their high-fat content may have negative effects. This study examines the effects of replacing cellulose with chitosan and part of the fat with fish oil in a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet on lipid metabolism in rats. Methods: The experiment involved 35 six-week-old male SD rats, divided into five groups: normal control diet (ND), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (LC), LC with 5% chitosan (LC-CH), and LC with 5% chitosan and 5% fish oil (LC-CHF). Results: After 15 weeks, the HF group had the highest liver weight, and the LC group had the highest adipose tissue weight. The LC-CHF group showed significantly reduced body, liver, and adipose tissue weights, lower ALT, AST, TNF-α, and cholesterol levels, as well as improved liver enzyme activity and fat synthesis regulation. LC-CHF also promoted fat breakdown in adipose tissue, reducing adipocyte size. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the modified high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with chitosan and fish oil improved obesity and fatty liver outcomes compared to a standard high-fat diet.
Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Enhances Fracture Healing in a Rat Fracture Model
Authors: Yeh Tsu-Te , Chen Chun-Kai , Kuthati Yaswanth , Mende Lokesh Kumar , Wong Chih-Shung , Kong Zwe-Ling
Published: November 2024

Background: Delayed and failed fracture repair and bone healing remain significant public health issues. Dietary supplements serve as a safe, inexpensive, and non-surgical means to aid in different stages of fracture repair. Studies have shown that amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is absorbed 2 to 4.6 times more than crystalline calcium carbonate in humans. Objectives: In the present study, we assessed the efficacy of ACC on femoral fracture healing in a male Wistar rat model. Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = six per group): sham, fracture + water, fracture + 0.5× (206 mg/kg) ACC, fracture + 1× ACC (412 mg/kg), and fracture + 1.5× (618 mg/kg) ACC, where ACC refers to the equivalent supplemental dose of ACC for humans. A 21-gauge needle was placed in the left femoral shaft, and we then waited for three weeks. After three weeks, the sham group of rats was left without fractures, while the remaining animals had their left mid-femur fractured with an impactor, followed by treatment with different doses of oral ACC for three weeks. Weight-bearing capacity, microcomputed tomography, and serum biomarkers were evaluated weekly. After three weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and their femur bones were isolated to conduct an evaluation of biomechanical strength and histological analysis. Results: Weight-bearing tests showed that treatment with ACC at all the tested doses led to a significant increase in weight-bearing capacity compared to the controls. In addition, microcomputed tomography and histological studies revealed that ACC treatment improved callus formation dose-dependently. Moreover, biomechanical strength was improved in a dose-dependent fashion in ACC-treated rats compared to the controls. In addition, supplementation with ACC significantly lowered bone formation and resorption marker levels two–three weeks post-fracture induction, indicating accelerated fracture recovery. Conclusions: Our preliminary data demonstrate that ACC supplementation improves fracture healing, with ACC-supplemented rats healing in a shorter time than control rats.
The Mediating Role of Oxidative Stress on the Association Between Oxidative Balance Score and Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Lung Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cheng Xinxin , Cheng Lan , He Jianyun , Wang Yuting , Lin Xiaoxia , Xia Shufang
Published: November 2024

Objectives: To explore the association between the oxidative balance score (OBS) and cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in patients with lung cancer, as well as the oxidative stress biomarkers involved. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 315 lung cancer patients were recruited, from whom 142 blood samples were collected to determine oxidative stress biomarkers. Dietary intake was assessed using 3-day, 24 h dietary recalls. The OBS was calculated by summing up pro- and antioxidant factors from a diet and lifestyles assessment. CRCI was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Results: A total of 103 patients (32.7%) developed CRCI, with significantly lower OBS and dietary OBS and lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities than non-CRCI patients (p < 0.05). For every 1-point increase in OBS, the risk of CRCI was reduced by 10.6% (OR = 0.894; 95% CI 0.819, 0.977; p = 0.013). Both vitamin E (OR = 0.922; 95% CI 0.868, 0.980; p = 0.009) and dietary fiber (OR = 0.909; 95% CI 0.832, 0.992; p = 0.032) were significantly inversely related to CRCI. The association between the total OBS and CRCI was mediated by SOD (ACME = −0.0061; 95% CI −0.0170, −0.0004; p = 0.015) and GPx (ACME = −0.0069; 95% CI −0.0203, −0.0002; p = 0.032), respectively. Conclusions: Lung cancer patients with a greater balance of antioxidant to pro-oxidant diet, especially rich in dietary fiber and vitamin E, may decrease their CRCI in part by affecting SOD and GPx activities.
Long-Term Effects of a Comprehensive Intervention Strategy for Salt Reduction in China: Scale-Up of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Min , Xu Jianwei , Li Yuan , He Feng J , Zhang Puhong , Song Jing , Gao Yifu , Yan Shichun , Yan Wei , Jin Donghui , Chang Xiaoyu , Xu Zhihua , Bai Yamin , Ji Ning , Pan Ningning , Wu Jing
Published: November 2024

Background: Salt intake in China was high and a series of salt reduction measures were accordingly carried out recently. Our study aimed to assess the long-term effect of a scale-up community randomized controlled trial (RCT); Methods: Individuals between the ages of 18 and 75, from six provinces in China, were recruited and randomized into control (n = 1347) and intervention (n = 1346) groups. A one-year salt reduction intervention was first implemented in the intervention group, followed by a two-year scale-up intervention in both groups. The 24 h urine sample, anthropometric measurement, and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of salt reduction, as well as lifestyle information, were collected at baseline, after one-year RCT (mid-term evaluation, n = 2456), and two-year scale-up intervention (terminal evaluation, n = 2267); Results: Both control (351.82 mg/24 h, p < 0.001) and intervention (192.84 mg/24 h, p = 0.006) groups showed a decrease in 24 h urinary sodium excretion from baseline to terminal evaluation. Except for an increase in 24 h urinary potassium excretion (85.03 mg/24 h, p = 0.004) and a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (2.95 mm Hg, p < 0.001) in the intervention group at the mid-term assessment, no statistically significant differences in other indicators were found between two groups. The KAP of salt reduction in two groups was gradually improved; Conclusions: After one-year RCT and two-year scale-up, all participants showed a decreasing trend in 24 h urinary sodium excretion and an increase in salt reduction KAP. The community salt reduction intervention package has the potential for broader application across other regions in China.
Theoretical–Cheminformatic Study of Four Indolylphytoquinones, Prospective Anticancer Candidates
Authors: Moyers-Montoya Edgar Daniel , Castañeda-Muñoz María Jazmín , Márquez-Olivas Daniel , Miranda-Ruvalcaba René , Martínez-Pérez Carlos Alberto , García-Casillas Perla E. , Montejo-López Wilber , Nicolás-Vázquez María Inés , Escobedo-González René Gerardo
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate worldwide; consequently, urgent achievements are required to design new greener drugs, leaving natural products and their derivatives as good options. A constant antineoplastic effect has been observed when the phytoproduct contains an indole fragment. Methods: Therefore, the objective of this work was to carry out a thoughtful computational study to perform an appropriate evaluation of four novel molecules of the class of the 3-indolylquinones as phytodrug candidates for antineoplastic activity: thymoquinone (TQ), 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ), 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DMMQ), and 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DHQ). It is important to highlight that the obtained computational results of the target compounds were compared-correlated with the theoretical and experimental literature data previously reported of several indolylquinones: indolylperezone, indolylisoperezone, indolylmenadione, and indolylplumbagin (IE-IH, respectively). Results: The results revealed that the studied structures possibly presented antineoplastic activity, in addition to the fact that the reactivity parameters showed that two of the evaluated compounds have the option to present IC50 values lower than or similar to 25 mg/mL, activity like that of indolylisoperezone; moreover, they show molecular coupling to PARP-1. Finally, the prediction of the calculated physicochemical parameters coincides with the Lipinski and Veber rules, indicating that the adsorption, metabolism, and toxicity parameters are acceptable for the studied compounds, obtaining high drug score values. Conclusions: Finally, a comparison between the proposed molecules and others previously synthesized was appropriately performed, establishing that the synthesis of the studied compounds and the determination of their pharmacological properties in an experimental manner are of interest.
Diverse Applications of the Anti-Diabetic Drug Metformin in Treating Human Disease
Authors: Roberts Chris-Tiann , Raabe Nicole , Wiegand Lara , Kadar Shahib Ashraf , Rastegar Mojgan
Published: November 2024

Metformin is a commonly used drug for treating type 2 diabetes. Metformin is an inexpensive drug with low/no side effects and is well tolerated in human patients of different ages. Recent therapeutic strategies for human disease have considered the benefits of drug repurposing. This includes the use of the anti-diabetic drug metformin. Accordingly, the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective potentials of metformin have deemed it a suitable candidate for treating a plethora of human diseases. As results from preclinical studies using cellular and animal model systems appear promising, clinical trials with metformin in the context of non-diabetes-related illnesses have been started. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic potential of metformin in different animal models of human disease and its suggested relationship to epigenetics and ailments with epigenetic components.
ATP-Binding Cassette and Solute Carrier Transporters: Understanding Their Mechanisms and Drug Modulation Through Structural and Modeling Approaches
Authors: Elbahnsi Ahmad , Dudas Balint , Callebaut Isabelle , Hinzpeter Alexandre , Miteva Maria A.
Published: November 2024

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters play pivotal roles in cellular transport mechanisms, influencing a wide range of physiological processes and impacting various medical conditions. Recent advancements in structural biology and computational modeling have provided significant insights into their function and regulation. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of human ABC and SLC transporters, emphasizing their structural and functional relationships, transport mechanisms, and the contribution of computational approaches to their understanding. Current challenges and promising future research and methodological directions are also discussed.
Pharmacokinetics of Oral Cannabinoid Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabivarin and Its Main Metabolites in Healthy Participants
Authors: Sempio Cristina , Campos-Palomino Jorge , Klawitter Jelena , Peters Erica N. , MacNair Laura , Haghdoost Mehdi , Bonn-Miller Marcel O. , Harrison Amy , Babalonis Shanna , Christians Uwe , Klawitter Jost
Published: November 2024

Background: Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a phytocannabinoid commonly found in cannabis with potential pharmacological properties; however, its post-acute pharmacokinetics (PK) in humans have not been studied yet. THCV has two isomers, Δ9- and Δ8-THCV, which seem to have different pharmacological properties. We investigated the PK of the Δ8-THCV isomer after oral administration as part of a two-phase, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled trial in healthy participants. Methods: Participants (n = 21) were enrolled in six study sessions and randomly received the following doses of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil oral formulation of Δ8-THCV: placebo, 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg. Plasma samples from 15 participants were collected up to 8 h after administration and were analyzed by a validated two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay. The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05210634). Results: After oral administration, 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ8-THCV (Δ8-THCV-COOH) was the main metabolite detected. The median time-to-maximum concentration (tmax) ranged 3.8–5.0 h across doses for Δ8-THCV and 4.6–5.3 h for Δ8-THCV-COOH. The maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve over the observation period (AUClast) appeared to be dose-linear. Median AUClast increased 2.3- to 4.8-fold and 1.7- to 2.9-fold for Δ8-THCV and Δ8-THCV-COOH, respectively, every two-fold increase in the dose. The isomers Δ9-THCV and Δ9-THCV-COOH were detected in plasma, despite being undetected in the formulated drug product analyzed by a third-party laboratory. Conclusions: For the first time, we report the pharmacokinetics of Δ8-THCV and its major metabolites after oral administration in humans. Δ8-THCV AUClast showed dose linearity but the observed possible conversion to the Δ9-THCV isomer should be further studied.
Innovative Approaches to Enhancing the Biomedical Properties of Liposomes
Authors: Dejeu Ioana Lavinia , Vicaș Laura Grațiela , Marian Eleonora , Ganea Mariana , Frenț Olimpia Daniela , Maghiar Paula Bianca , Bodea Flaviu Ionut , Dejeu George Emanuiel
Published: November 2024

Liposomes represent a promising class of drug delivery systems that enhance the therapeutic efficacy and safety of various pharmaceutical agents. Also, they offer numerous advantages compared to traditional drug delivery methods, including targeted delivery to specific sites, controlled release, and fewer side effects. This review meticulously examines the methodologies employed in the preparation and characterization of liposomal formulations. With the rising incidence of adverse drug reactions, there is a pressing need for innovative delivery strategies that prioritize selectivity, specificity, and safety. Nanomedicine promises to revolutionize diagnostics and treatments, addressing current limitations and improving disease management, including cancer, which remains a major global health challenge. This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive study on the interest of biomedical research regarding nanotechnology and its implications for further applications.
Usefulness of Size-Exclusion Chromatography–Multi-Angle Light Scattering to Assess Particle Composition and Protein Impurities for Quality Control of Therapeutic Exosome Preparations
Authors: Nishimura Hirotaka , Hashii Noritaka , Yamamoto Tomofumi , Sun Yuchen , Miura Takumi , Sato Yoji , Ishii-Watabe Akiko
Published: November 2024

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are promising pharmaceutical modalities. They are purified from cell culture supernatant; however, the preparation may contain EVs with the desired therapeutic effects and different types of EVs, lipoproteins, and soluble proteins. Evaluating the composition of particulate impurities and the levels of protein impurities in final preparations is critical for quality control. However, few analytical methods can detect these impurities. Methods: We established and evaluated an analytical method using size-exclusion chromatography–multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) for particle and protein impurity analyses of EV samples. Results: In the particle size distribution analysis of EV samples, SEC-MALS showed higher resolution compared with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). MALS showed comparable accuracy and precision to that of other methods for particle size evaluation using polystyrene standard beads with 60, 100, or 200 nm diameter. Coupling SEC-MALS with UV detection quantitatively evaluated soluble protein impurities. Proteomic analysis on the SEC-MALS-fractionated samples identified different EV and lipoprotein marker proteins in different fractions. Conclusions: SEC-MALS can characterize EV preparations obtained from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, suggesting that it can evaluate the particle component composition in various EV samples and therapeutic exosome preparations.
Nanocarriers for Delivery of Anticancer Drugs: Current Developments, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Hani Umme , Choudhary Vikram T. , Ghazwani Mohammed , Alghazwani Yahia , Osmani Riyaz Ali M. , Kulkarni Gururaj S. , Shivakumar Hosakote G. , Wani Shahid Ud Din , Paranthaman Sathishbabu
Published: November 2024

Cancer, the most common condition worldwide, ranks second in terms of the number of human deaths, surpassing cardiovascular diseases. Uncontrolled cell multiplication and resistance to cell death are the traditional features of cancer. The myriad of treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to treat this disease. Conventional chemotherapy drug delivery suffers from issues such as the risk of damage to benign cells, which can cause toxicity, and a few tumor cells withstand apoptosis, thereby increasing the likelihood of developing tolerance. The side effects of cancer chemotherapy are often more pronounced than its benefits. Regarding drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, their bioavailability and stability in the tumor microenvironment are the most important issues that need immediate addressing. Hence, an effective and reliable drug delivery system through which both rapid and precise targeting of treatment can be achieved is urgently needed. In this work, we discuss the development of various nanobased carriers in the advancement of cancer therapy—their properties, the potential of polymers for drug delivery, and recent advances in formulations. Additionally, we discuss the use of tumor metabolism-rewriting nanomedicines in strengthening antitumor immune responses and mRNA-based nanotherapeutics in inhibiting tumor progression. We also examine several issues, such as nanotoxicological studies, including their distribution, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. Although significant attention is being given to nanotechnology, equal attention is needed in laboratories that produce nanomedicines so that they can record themselves in clinical trials. Furthermore, these medicines in clinical trials display overwhelming results with reduced side effects, as well as their ability to modify the dose of the drug.
Improved CSW-YOLO Model for Bitter Melon Phenotype Detection
Authors: Xu Haobin , Zhang Xianhua , Shen Weilin , Lin Zhiqiang , Liu Shuang , Jia Qi , Li Honglong , Zheng Jingyuan , Zhong Fenglin
Published: November 2024

As a crop with significant medicinal value and nutritional components, the market demand for bitter melon continues to grow. The diversity of bitter melon shapes has a direct impact on its market acceptance and consumer preferences, making precise identification of bitter melon germplasm resources crucial for breeding work. To address the limitations of time-consuming and less accurate traditional manual identification methods, there is a need to enhance the automation and intelligence of bitter melon phenotype detection. This study developed a bitter melon phenotype detection model named CSW-YOLO. By incorporating the ConvNeXt V2 module to replace the backbone network of YOLOv8, the model’s focus on critical target features is enhanced. Additionally, the SimAM attention mechanism was introduced to compute attention weights for neurons without increasing the parameter count, further enhancing the model’s recognition accuracy. Finally, WIoUv3 was introduced as the bounding box loss function to improve the model’s convergence speed and positioning capabilities. The model was trained and tested on a bitter melon image dataset, achieving a precision of 94.6%, a recall of 80.6%, a mAP50 of 96.7%, and an F1 score of 87.04%. These results represent improvements of 8.5%, 0.4%, 11.1%, and 4% in precision, recall, mAP50, and F1 score, respectively, over the original YOLOv8 model. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the improvements was validated through heatmap analysis and ablation experiments, demonstrating that the CSW-YOLO model can more accurately focus on target features, reduce false detection rates, and enhance generalization capabilities. Comparative tests with various mainstream deep learning models also proved the superior performance of CSW-YOLO in bitter melon phenotype detection tasks. This research provides an accurate and reliable method for bitter melon phenotype identification and also offers technical support for the visual detection technologies of other agricultural products.
A Novel Frequency-Selective Surface-Enhanced Composite Honeycomb Absorber with Excellent Microwave Absorption
Authors: Xian Yu-Xuan , Yang Jin-Shui , Li Hong-Zhou , Xu Chang , Wang Xiang-Wei
Published: November 2024

Multifunctional structures with excellent wave-absorbing and load-bearing properties have attracted much attention in recent years. Unlike other wave-absorbing materials, honeycomb wave-absorbing materials have appealing radar absorption and mechanical properties. However, the existing honeycomb wave-absorbing materials have problems such as narrow absorption band and poor compression resistance. In this study, a novel frequency selective surface-enhanced composite honeycomb absorbers (FSS-CHAs) are fabricated by combining a honeycomb structure with wonderful load-bearing capacity and FSS through screen-printing and inlay-locking techniques. After reflectivity measurements, the effective absorption band (RL < −10 dB) of CHA is 6.25–17.47 GHz and a bandwidth of 11.22 GHz, the effective absorption band of the FSS-CHA is 3.96–18 GHz and a bandwidth of 14.04 GHz, 25.13% improvement compared to the CHA, the mechanism of wave absorption is explained using transmission line theory. The simulation results show that the wide bandwidth is due to the different absorption mechanisms of FSS-CHA at low and high frequencies. The compression test shows that the compression strength of FSS-CHA is 17.10 MPa. In addition, FSS-CHA has a low cost of only USD 270.7/m2. This study confirms the possibility of combining FSS with radar-absorbing honeycombs, which provides a reference for the design of future broadband wave-absorbing structures, offers a novel approach to integrating FSS with CHA, and aims to optimize their efficacy and utility in stealth technology.
Effects of Manganese Carbonate Addition on the Carbocatalytic Properties of Lignocellulosic Waste for Use in the Degradation of Acetaminophen
Authors: Mosquera-Olano Camila , Quimbaya Carolina , Rodríguez Vanessa , Vanessa-Lasso Angie , Correa Santiago , Castrillón E. D. C. , Rojas John , Ávila-Torres Yenny P.
Published: November 2024

A carbon-based material was synthesized using potato peels (BPP) and banana pseudo-stems (BPS), both of which were modified with manganese to produce BPP-Mn and BPS-Mn, respectively. These materials were assessed for their ability to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in the presence of MnCO3 to degrade acetaminophen (ACE), an emerging water contaminant. The materials underwent characterization using spectroscopic, textural, and electrochemical techniques. Manganese served a dual function: enhancing adsorption properties and facilitating the breaking of peroxide bonds. Additionally, carbonate ions played a structural role in the materials, transforming into CO2 at high temperatures and thereby increasing material porosity, which improved adsorption capabilities. This presents a notable advantage for materials that have not undergone de-lignification. Among the materials tested, BPS exhibited the highest efficiency in the carbocatalytic degradation of ACE, achieving a synergy index of 1.31 within just 5 min, with 42% ACE degradation in BPS compared to BPS-Mn, which achieved 100% ACE removal through adsorption. Reactive oxygen species such as sulfate, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals were identified as the primary contributors to pollutant degradation. In contrast, no degradation was observed for BPP and BPP-Mn, which is likely linked to the lower lignin content in their precursor material. This work addressed the challenge of revalorizing lignocellulosic waste by highlighting its potential as an oxidant for emerging pollutants. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the coexistence of various reactive oxygen species, confirming the capacity of carbon-based matrices to activate PMS.
Embedded 3D Printing for Microchannel Fabrication in Epoxy-Based Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Ning Wenyu , Nan Ding , Hao Jiangtao , Shi Weiliang , Yang Yang , Duan Fei , Jin Wenbo , Liu Lei , Zhao Danyang
Published: November 2024

Microfluidic devices offer promising solutions for automating various biological and chemical procedures. Epoxy resin, known for its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and thermal stability, is widely used in high-performance microfluidic devices. However, the poor printability of epoxy has limited its application in 3D printing technologies for fabricating epoxy-based microfluidic devices. In this study, fumed silica is introduced into epoxy resin to formulate a yield-stress fluid suspension as a support bath for embedded 3D printing (e-3DP). The study demonstrates that increasing the fumed silica concentration from 3.0% to 9.0% (w/v) enhances the yield stress from 9.46 Pa to 56.41 Pa, the compressive modulus from 19.79 MPa to 36.34 MPa, and the fracture strength from 148.16 MPa to 168.78 MPa, while reducing the thixotropic time from 6.58 s to 1.32 s, albeit with a 61.3% decrease in the transparency ratio. The 6.0% (w/v) fumed silica–epoxy suspension is selected based on a balance between yield stress, transparency, and mechanical performance, enabling high-fidelity filament formation. Two representative microfluidic devices are successfully fabricated, demonstrating the feasibility of a fumed silica–epoxy suspension for the customizable e-3DP of epoxy-based microfluidic devices.