bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Systemic Oxidative Status in Coronary Arterial and Peripheral Venous Blood of Patients with Unstable Angina Pectoris
Authors: Dragan Panic D. , Ivan Simic B. , Goran Davidovic Z. , Maja Nikolic D. , Nevena Lazarevic D. , Marijana Andjic M. , Jelena Vuckovic M. , Nenad Zornic J. , Vladimir Zivkovic I. , Turnic Tamara Nikolic , Vladimir Jakovljevic Lj , Violeta Iric Cupic M.
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: We aimed to analyze the oxidative status of patients with unstable angina pectoris (UA), as well as to determine the correlation of these parameters between coronary arterial and peripheral venous blood samples. (2) Methods: The study included 47 human subjects with UA and 45 control subjects. We performed clinical examinations, hemodynamic and coronary angiography measures. Also, in the blood samples, we measured routine laboratory markers and the concentration of pro-oxidants: index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide anion radical (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrites (NO2−), while antioxidant parameters were determined from red blood cells: reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). All parameters were determined spectrophotometrically. (3) Results: Significantly higher values of TBARS and all measured antioxidants SOD, CAT and GSH were observed in the coronary arterial blood of the UA group relative to coronary arterial blood of the control subjects. On the other hand, in the peripheral venous blood samples, a significantly lower GSH value was found in the UA group compared to the control. (4) Conclusions: This study has shown that the majority of changes in all measured redox markers are found in coronary blood, especially related to the activity of antioxidant components. In patients with an unstable form of angina, prooxidants (superoxide anion radical and index of lipid peroxidation) and endogenous antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione) are in direct correlation with the course of ischemic disease. Future studies, where participants would be randomized depending on symptom duration, are necessary to confirm these conclusions.
Therapeutic Efficacy, Radiotoxicity and Abscopal Effect of BNCT at the RA-3 Nuclear Reactor Employing Oligo-Fucoidan and Glutamine as Adjuvants in an Ectopic Colon Cancer Model in Rats
Authors: Frydryk Benitez Debora N. , Palmieri Mónica A. , Langle Yanina V. , Monti Hughes Andrea , Pozzi Emiliano C. C. , Thorp Silvia I. , Garabalino Marcela A. , Curotto Paula , Ramos Paula S. , Paparella María L. , Polti Lucas , Eiján Ana , Schwint Amanda E. , Trivillin Verónica A.
Published: July 2023

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on the preferential uptake of 10B compounds by tumors, followed by neutron irradiation. The aim of this study was to assess, in an ectopic colon cancer model, the therapeutic efficacy, radiotoxicity, abscopal effect and systemic immune response associated with (BPA/Borophenylalanine+GB-10/Decahydrodecaborate)-BNCT (Comb-BNCT) alone or in combination with Oligo-Fucoidan (O-Fuco) or Glutamine (GLN), compared to the “standard” BPA-BNCT protocol usually employed in clinical trials. All treatments were carried out at the RA-3 nuclear reactor. Boron biodistribution studies showed therapeutic values above 20 ppm 10B in tumors. At 7 weeks post-treatment, the ratio of tumor volume post-/pre-BNCT was significantly smaller for all BNCT groups vs. SHAM (p < 0.05). The parameter “incidence of tumors that underwent a reduction to ≤50% of initial tumor volume” exhibited values of 62% for Comb-BNCT alone, 82% for Comb-BNCT+GLN, 73% for Comb-BNCT+O-Fuco and only 30% for BPA-BNCT. For BPA-BNCT, the incidence of severe dermatitis was 100%, whereas it was significantly below 70% (p ≤ 0.05) for Comb-BNCT, Comb-BNCT+O-Fuco and Comb-BNCT+GLN. Considering tumors outside the treatment area, 77% of Comb-BNCT animals had a tumor volume lower than 50 mm3 vs. 30% for SHAM (p ≤ 0.005), suggesting an abscopal effect of Comb-BNCT. Inhibition of metastatic spread to lymph nodes was observed in all Comb-BNCT groups. Considering systemic aspects, CD8+ was elevated for Comb-BNCT+GLN vs. SHAM (p ≤ 0.01), and NK was elevated for Comb-BNCT vs. SHAM (p ≤ 0.05). Comb-BNCT improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced radiotoxicity compared to BPA-BNCT and induced an immune response and an abscopal effect.
Factors Affecting Digital Marketing Adoption in Pakistani Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Khan Muhammad , Rakhmonov Dilshodjon Alidjonovich , Bakhritdinovich Kalonov Mukhiddin , Jacquemod Julija , Bae Junghan
Published: July 2023

Background: A substantial portion of the world’s population owns and utilizes computers and mobile devices, contributing to the rapid expansion of digital advertising. Marketers swiftly recognized the communicative benefits of social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Considering the importance of social media platforms and digital modes of marketing, it is considered especially significant for small firms to integrate these platforms into their business strategies in order to improve performance. Methods: Based on this aim, this study collected data from 363 owners/managers of SMEs in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling is used to check the hypothesized model of the study. Results: The results show that compatibility, owner/manager support, employee IT skills, financial cost, government policies, and social influence significantly affect adoption of digital marketing by SMEs in Pakistan. Conclusions: Furthermore, digital marketing also positively affects SME performance. This paper discusses the study’s findings as well as managerial and academic implications, including its limitations and future research avenues.
Effect of Mn on the Properties of Powder Metallurgy Ti-2.5Al-xMn Alloys
Authors: Alshammari Yousef , Mendoza Shaira , Yang Fei , Bolzoni Leandro
Published: July 2023

Titanium alloys are the ideal material for a wide range of structural applications, but their high cost compared to other metals hinders their adoption. Powder metallurgy and cheap alloying elements can be used to create new Ti alloys. In this study, the simultaneous addition of Al and Mn is considered to manufacture and characterise ternary Ti-2.5Al-Mn alloys obtained via pressing and sintering by varying the Mn content (1–10 wt.%). It is found that the addition of the alloying elements reduces compressibility. Consequently, the amount of porosity increases (8.5 → 10.8%) with the amount of Mn as the alloys were processed under the same conditions. The progressive addition of Mn refines the classical lamellar microstructure and, eventually, transforms it into an equiaxed β-grain structure with acicular α grains. The microstructural changes lead to continuous increases in strength (ultimate tensile strength: 694 → 851 MPa) and hardness (225 → 325 HV30) with an associated loss of ductility (elongation to failure: 13.9 → 1.0%). However, the obtained ternary Ti-2.5Al-Mn alloys have similar or better overall mechanical behaviour than most of the binary Ti-Mn alloys obtained through a variety of manufacturing methods.
PVD for Decorative Applications: A Review
Authors: Vorobyova Mariya , Biffoli Fabio , Giurlani Walter , Martinuzzi Stefano Mauro , Linser Maximilian , Caneschi Andrea , Innocenti Massimo
Published: July 2023

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is a widely utilized process in various industrial applications, serving as a protective and hard coating. However, its presence in fields like fashion has only recently emerged, as electroplating processes had previously dominated this reality. The future looks toward the replacement of the most hazardous and toxic electrochemical processes, especially those involving Cr(VI) and cyanide galvanic baths, which have been restricted by the European Union. Unfortunately, a complete substitution with PVD coatings is not feasible. Currently, the combination of both techniques is employed to achieve new aesthetic features, including a broader color range and diverse textures, rendering de facto PVD of primary interest for the decorative field and the fashion industry. This review aims to outline the guidelines for decorative industries regarding PVD processes and emphasize the recent advancements, quality control procedures, and limitations.
Thermophysical Properties of Laser Powder Bed Fused Ti-6Al-4V and AlSi10Mg Alloys Made with Varying Laser Parameters
Authors: Akwaboa Stephen , Zeng Congyuan , Amoafo-Yeboah Nigel , Ibekwe Samuel , Mensah Patrick
Published: July 2023

This study investigated the influence of diverse laser processing parameters on the thermophysical properties of Ti-6Al-4V and AlSi10Mg alloys manufactured via laser powder bed fusion. During fabrication, the laser power (50 W, 75 W, 100 W) and laser scanning speed (0.2 m/s, 0.4 m/s, 0.6 m/s) were adjusted while keeping other processing parameters constant. Besides laser processing parameters, this study also explored the impact of test temperatures on the thermophysical properties of the alloys. It was found that the thermophysical properties of L-PBF Ti-6Al-4V alloy samples were sensitive to laser processing parameters, while L-PBF AlSi10Mg alloy showed less sensitivity. In general, for the L-PBF Ti-6Al-4V alloy, as the laser power increased and laser scan speed decreased, both thermal diffusivity and conductivity increased. Both L-PBF Ti-6Al-4V and L-PBF AlSi10Mg alloys demonstrated similar dependence on test temperatures, with thermal diffusivity and conductivity increasing as the test temperature rose. The CALPHAD software Thermo-Calc (2023b), applied in Scheil Solidification Mode, was utilized to calculate the quantity of solution atoms, thus enhancing our understanding of observed thermal conductivity variations. A detailed analysis revealed how variations in laser processing parameters and test temperatures significantly influence the alloy’s resulting density, specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity. This research not only highlights the importance of processing parameters but also enriches comprehension of the mechanisms influencing these effects in the domain of laser powder bed fusion.
Optimising Two-Stage Vacuum Heat Treatment for a High-Strength Micro-Alloyed Steel in Railway Spring Clip Application: Impact on Microstructure and Mechanical Performance
Authors: Lu Yao , Wang Jun , Pan Di , Han Jian , Zhu Lisong , Diao Chenglei , Han Jingtao , Jiang Zhengyi
Published: July 2023

The heat treatment process is a vital step for manufacturing high-speed railway spring fasteners. In this study, orthogonal experiments were carried out to obtain reliable optimised heat treatment parameters through a streamlined number of experiments. Results revealed that a better comprehensive mechanical performance could be obtained under the following combination of heat treatment parameters: quenching temperature of 850 °C, holding time of 35 min, medium of 12% polyalkylene glycol (PAG) aqueous solution, tempering temperature of 460 °C, and holding time of 60 min. As one of the most important testing criteria, fatigue performance would be improved with increasing strength. Additionally, a high ratio of martensite to ferrite is proven to improve the fatigue limit more significantly. After this heat treatment process, the metallographic microstructure and mechanical properties satisfy the technical requirements for the high-speed railway practical operation. These findings provide a valuable reference for the practical forming process of spring fasteners.
Special Issue: “Polymer-Based Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering”
Authors: Sabater i Serra Roser , Serrano-Aroca Ángel
Published: July 2023

Polymers in the form of films, fibers, nano- and microspheres, composites, and porous supports are promising biomaterials for a wide range of advanced biomedical applications: wound healing, controlling drug delivery, anti-cancer therapy, biosensors, stem cell therapy, and tissue engineering [...]
Facile and Simple Post Treatment Ball Milling Strategy for the Production of Low-Cost TiO2 Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance and Applicability to Construction Materials
Authors: Kighuta Kabuyaya , Kim Sun-Woo , Hou Yao-Long , Lee Kwang-Pill , Kim Wha-Jung
Published: July 2023

A facile and cost-effective approach assisted by ball milling (BM) of commercial titanium dioxide (TiO2), has been utilized to develop cheaper and efficient construction materials. At least three of the commercial and cheaper TiO2 samples (BA01-01, BA01-01+ and R996, designated as A1, A4 and R1, respectively) were selected and subjected to BM treatment to enhance their photocatalytic efficiencies, if possible. It was noted, that the samples A1, A4 and R1 were typical composites of TiO2 and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and contained varying proportions of anatase, and rutile phases of TiO2 and CaCO3. Two of the highly efficient commercial TiO2 samples, Degussa P25 (simply designated as P25) and ST01 (Ishihara Ind.) were selected for making benchmark comparisons of photocatalytic efficiencies. The BM treated TiO2 samples (designated as TiO2-BM with respect to A1, A4 and R1) were evaluated for photocatalytic efficiencies both in both aqueous (methylene blue (MB)) and gaseous (NOx) photodegradation reactions. Based on detailed comparative investigations, it was observed that A1-BM photocatalyst exhibited superior photocatalytic performances over A4-BM and R1-BM, towards both MB and NOx photodegradation reactions. The difference of NOx photodegradation efficiency between the mortar mixed with A1-BM and that mixed with ST01, and P-25 at 15% were 16.6%, and 32.4%, respectively. Even though the mortar mixed with A1-BM at 15% composition exhibited a slightly lower NOx photodegradation efficiency as compared to mortar mixed with the expensive ST01 and P-25 photocatalysts, the present work promises an economic application in the eco-friendly construction materials for air purification considering the far lower cost of A1. The reasons for the superior performance of A1-BM were deduced through characterization of optical properties, surface characteristics, phase composition, morphology, microstructure and particle size distribution between pristine and BM treated A1 using characterization techniques such as diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis.
The Influence of Layer Stacking Method on the Mechanical Properties of Honeycomb Skeleton
Authors: Zhang Yafei , Zhai Yuqing , Min Shiwei , Dou Yihua
Published: July 2023

The performance of a multi-layer honeycomb skeleton can be significantly enhanced through tandem connection, while the structure’s properties can be tailored by altering the layer stacking method of the honeycomb skeleton. To investigate the impact of layer stacking methods on the mechanical properties of multilayer honeycomb skeletons, 3D printing technology was used to prepare double-layer honeycomb skeleton tandem structures with different dislocation modes in compression testing. A finite element simulation model was established to conduct quasi-static simulation research. Compared to that of a single-layer honeycomb skeleton, the energy absorption of the honeycomb skeleton tandem structure increased. The optimal bearing capacity of the honeycomb skeleton was achieved when the upper and lower layers were precisely aligned. Once dislocation occurred, both the value of average platform stress and energy absorption decreased. Then, the bearing capacity of the honeycomb skeleton tandem structures increased with an enlargement of the dislocation, reaching its maximum at the half-dislocation period. An increase in the partition thickness and stiffness led to a reduction in the dislocation-induced effects on the mechanical properties. The research results can provide theoretical and data support for the engineering application of honeycomb skeleton tandem structures.
Influence of the Slot Fillet and Vane Root Fillet on the Turbine Vane Endwall Cooling Performance
Authors: Du Kun , Pei Xiangpeng , Shan Xiaoming , Zhao Zunsheng , Liu Cunliang
Published: July 2023

Due to machining techniques and dust deposition, gas turbine upstream slots and vane roots are always filleted, significantly affecting the cooling performance of the endwall. The effects of upstream slot fillet and vane root fillet on the cooling performance of the gas turbine endwall were investigated by solving the three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with the shear stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model. The results indicate that the velocity distribution of the slot coolant is effectively changed by introducing the upstream slot fillets. Among the four cases, the largest adiabatic cooling effectiveness was obtained for the case with two similar fillets, with a 42% increase in effective cooling area compared to the traditional slot. At MFR = 0.75%, the horseshoe vortex is weakened by the introduction of the vane fillet with a small radius, with a 53% increase in effective cooling area compared to the baseline. However, the vane fillet with a large radius makes the boundary layer flow separately prematurely, decreasing the cooling performance. The lateral coverage of the coolant jet from the filmhole embedded in the vane root fillet is greatly enhanced by increasing the vane root fillet radius. However, the streamwise coverage is decreased and the thermodynamic loss is increased.
Oscillatory Behavior of Heat Transfer and Magnetic Flux of Electrically Conductive Fluid Flow along Magnetized Cylinder with Variable Surface Temperature
Authors: Ullah Zia , Altaweel Nifeen H. , Aldhabani Musaad S. , Ghachem Kaouther , Alhadri Muapper , Kolsi Lioua
Published: July 2023

The present study deals with electrically conductive fluid flow across a heated circular cylinder to examine the oscillatory magnetic flux and heat transfer in the presence of variable surface temperature. The proposed mathematical formulation is time-dependent, which is the source of the amplitude and fluctuation in this analysis. The designed fluctuating nonlinear computational model is associated with the differential equations under specific boundary conditions. The governing equations are converted into dimensionless form by using adequate dimensionless variables. To simplify the resolution of the set of governing equations, it is further reduced. The effects of surface temperature parameter β, magnetic force number ξ, buoyancy parameter λ, Prandtl number Pr, and magnetic Prandtl parameter γ are investigated. The main finding of the current study is related to the determination of the temperature distribution for each inclination angle. It is seen that a higher amplitude of the heat transfer rate occurs as the surface temperature increases. It is also noticed that the oscillatory magnetic flux becomes more important as the magnetic Prandtl number increases at each position. The present magneto-thermal analysis is significantly important in practical applications such as power plants, thermally insulated engines, and nuclear reactor cooling.
Role Minimization Optimization Algorithm Based on Concept Lattice Factor
Authors: Wang Tao , Wu Qiang
Published: July 2023

Role-based access control (RBAC) is a widely adopted security model that provides a flexible and scalable approach for managing permissions in various domains. One of the critical challenges in RBAC is the efficient assignment of roles to users while minimizing the number of roles involved. This article presents a novel role minimization optimization algorithm (RMOA) based on the concept lattice factor to address this challenge. The proposed RMOA leverages the concept lattice, a mathematical structure derived from formal concept analysis, to model and analyze the relationships between roles, permissions, and users in an RBAC system. By representing the RBAC system as a concept lattice, the algorithm captures the inherent hierarchy and dependencies among roles and identifies the optimal role assignment configuration. The RMOA operates in two phases: the first phase focuses on constructing the concept lattice from the RBAC system’s role–permission–user relations, while the second phase performs an optimization process to minimize the number of roles required for the access control. It determines the concept lattice factor using the concept lattice interval to discover the minimum set of roles. The optimization process considers both the user–role assignments and the permission–role assignments, ensuring that access requirements are met while reducing role proliferation. Experimental evaluations conducted on diverse RBAC datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The RMOA achieves significant reductions in the number of roles compared to existing role minimization approaches, while preserving the required access permissions for users. The algorithm’s efficiency is also validated by its ability to handle large-scale RBAC systems within reasonable computational time.
Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning Method for Task-Oriented Dialogue Systems
Authors: Mo Yunho , Yoo Joon , Kang Sangwoo
Published: July 2023

The use of Transformer-based pre-trained language models has become prevalent in enhancing the performance of task-oriented dialogue systems. These models, which are pre-trained on large text data to grasp the language syntax and semantics, fine-tune the entire parameter set according to a specific task. However, as the scale of the pre-trained language model increases, several challenges arise during the fine-tuning process. For example, the training time escalates as the model scale grows, since the complete parameter set needs to be trained. Furthermore, additional storage space is required to accommodate the larger model size. To address these challenges, we propose a new new task-oriented dialogue system called PEFTTOD. Our proposal leverages a method called the Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning method (PEFT), which incorporates an Adapter Layer and prefix tuning into the pre-trained language model. It significantly reduces the overall parameter count used during training and efficiently transfers the dialogue knowledge. We evaluated the performance of PEFTTOD on the Multi-WOZ 2.0 dataset, a benchmark dataset commonly used in task-oriented dialogue systems. Compared to the traditional method, PEFTTOD utilizes only about 4% of the parameters for training, resulting in a 4% improvement in the combined score compared to the existing T5-based baseline. Moreover, PEFTTOD achieved an efficiency gain by reducing the training time by 20% and saving up to 95% of the required storage space.
Stability Analysis of Recurrent-Neural-Based Controllers Using Dissipativity Domain
Authors: Jafari Reza
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a method for the stability analysis of dynamic neural networks. The stability analysis of dynamic neural networks is a challenging task due to internal feedback connections. In this research work, we propose an algorithm based on the Reduction of Dissipativity Domain (RODD) algorithm. The RODD algorithm is a numerical technique for the detection of the stability of nonlinear dynamic systems. The method works by using an approximation of the reachable set. This paper proposes linear and quadratic approximations of reachable sets. RODD-LB uses a linear approximation, RODD-EB uses a quadratic approximation, and the RODD-Hybrid algorithm uses a combination of the linear and quadratic approximations. The accuracy and convergence of these algorithms were derived through numerical dynamic systems.
“So, Why Were You Late Again?”: Social Account’s Influence on the Behavioral Transgression of Being Late to a Meeting
Authors: Allen Joseph A. , Eden Emilee , Castro Katherine C. , Smith McKaylee , Mroz Joseph E.
Published: July 2023

People often offer an excuse or an apology after they do something wrong in an attempt to mitigate any potential negative consequences. In this paper, we examine how individuals employ social accounts when explaining their interpersonal transgression of meeting lateness to others in actual work settings. We examined the different combinations of social accounts and the social outcomes (forgiveness, helping behaviors, and intentions to continue interaction) of being late to a meeting. Across two studies using complementary experimental and survey methods, we found that a majority of late arrivers’ explanations included remorse and that including remorse significantly influences helping behaviors. Furthermore, we found no interaction between excuses and offering remorse. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.
A Comparative Study of Burnout among Several Teachers’ Specializations in Secondary Schools of Thessaloniki
Authors: Chryssouli Efrosini , Koutroukis Theodore
Published: July 2023

The aim of this paper was to assess secondary education teachers’ burnout in the Thessaloniki area. More specifically, the teachers of humanities (THs) and the teachers of sciences (TSs) were examined. In these groups, a comparative approach to burnout was performed. The sample consisted of 142 THs and 108 TSs. The Maslach and Jackson burnout measurement scale and the burnout sources questionnaire, as adapted by Mouzoura, were used to collect data. Based on the results of the survey, moderate burnout level was found in the teachers as a whole. It was also proved that between the two groups, there was no difference in the degree of burnout. In addition, THs record lower rates of depersonalization than TSs. Thus, it seems that demographic characteristics, level of education, and type of school differentiate burnout levels. Moreover, both groups of teachers’ specialties identified issues related to educational organization and administration as the most important cause of burnout. Individually, however, THs appear to be more exhausted emotionally due to professional obligations that magnify the workload and time pressure compared to TSs, who are particularly “affected” by the lack of material teaching resources. Moreover, this paper explores and records several dimensions of burnout faced by the participants in the survey and reports certain recommendations that can practically influence their workplace.
Occurrence and Patterns of Enterotoxin Genes, spa Types and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Staphylococcus aureus in Food and Food Contact Surfaces in Singapore
Authors: Lim Ker Li , Khor Wei Ching , Ong Kar Hui , Timothy Lois , Aung Kyaw Thu
Published: July 2023

Staphylococcus aureus contamination of food and food contact surfaces is a public health concern given its virulent and antimicrobial-resistant properties worldwide. In this study, a total of 181 MSSA isolates were analyzed for SE genes, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and spa types. Overall, 24.9% of isolates were positive for SE gene detection, with sea being the most prevalent classical SE (18.8%). The most predominant sample sources for SE gene contamination were hand swabs for sea (6/48), meat dishes for seb (3/14) and seafood dishes for sec (2/24). Antimicrobial resistance was also observed at relatively high frequencies for the clinically important antibiotics penicillin G and ampicillin (both 54.7%), followed by tetracycline (14.9%) and azithromycin (8.8%). In addition, characterization of spa types revealed spa type t5078 to be the most predominant (40.3%), with significant associations between spa types t127 and t5521 and the sea gene. This study offers insights into the enterotoxin gene and antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. aureus in cooked or ready-to-eat food to inform future surveillance and epidemiological studies.
High-Throughput Numerical Investigation of Process Parameter-Melt Pool Relationships in Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Breuning Christoph , Böhm Jonas , Markl Matthias , Körner Carolin
Published: July 2023

The reliable and repeatable fabrication of complex geometries with predetermined homogeneous properties is still a major challenge in electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB). Although previous research identified a variety of process parameter–property relationships, the underlying end-to-end approach, which directly relates process parameters to material properties, omits the underlying thermal conditions. Since the local properties are governed by the local thermal conditions of the melt pool, the end-to-end approach is insufficient to transfer predetermined properties to complex geometries and different processing conditions. This work utilizes high-throughput thermal simulation for the identification of fundamental relationships between process parameters, processing conditions, and the resulting melt pool geometry in the quasi-stationary state of line-based hatching strategies in PBF-EB. Through a comprehensive study of over 25,000 parameter combinations, including beam power, velocity, line offset, preheating temperature, and beam diameter, process parameter-melt pool relationships are established, processing boundaries are identified, and guidelines for the selection of process parameters to the achieve desired properties under different processing conditions are derived.
Exercise Equals the Mobilization of Visceral versus Subcutaneous Adipose Fatty Acid Molecules in Fasted Rats Associated with the Modulation of the AMPK/ATGL/HSL Axis
Authors: Zotti Tiziana , Giacco Antonia , Cuomo Arianna , Cerulo Luigi , Petito Giuseppe , Iervolino Stefania , Senese Rosalba , Cioffi Federica , Vito Pasquale , Cardinale Gaetano , Silvestri Elena , Lombardi Assunta , Moreno Maria , Lanni Antonia , de Lange Pieter
Published: July 2023

Combining exercise with fasting is known to boost fat mass-loss, but detailed analysis on the consequential mobilization of visceral and subcutaneous WAT-derived fatty acids has not been performed. In this study, a subset of fasted male rats (66 h) was submitted to daily bouts of mild exercise. Subsequently, by using gas chromatography—flame ionization detection, the content of 22 fatty acids (FA) in visceral (v) versus subcutaneous (sc) white adipose tissue (WAT) depots was compared to those found in response to the separate events. Findings were related to those obtained in serum and liver samples, the latter taking up FA to increase gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. Each separate intervention reduced scWAT FA content, associated with increased levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) protein despite unaltered AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) Thr172 phosphorylation, known to induce ATGL expression. The mobility of FAs from vWAT during fasting was absent with the exception of the MUFA 16:1 n-7 and only induced by combining fasting with exercise which was accompanied with reduced hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) Ser563 and increased Ser565 phosphorylation, whereas ATGL protein levels were elevated during fasting in association with the persistently increased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 both during fasting and in response to the combined intervention. As expected, liver FA content increased during fasting, and was not further affected by exercise, despite additional FA release from vWAT in this condition, underlining increased hepatic FA metabolism. Both fasting and its combination with exercise showed preferential hepatic metabolism of the prominent saturated FAs C:16 and C:18 compared to the unsaturated FAs 18:1 n-9 and 18:2 n-6:1. In conclusion, depot-specific differences in WAT fatty acid molecule release during fasting, irrelevant to their degree of saturation or chain length, are mitigated when combined with exercise, to provide fuel to surrounding organs such as the liver which is correlated with increased ATGL/ HSL ratios, involving AMPK only in vWAT.
Next-Generation Auditory Steady-State Responses in Normal-Hearing Adults: A Pilot Test–Retest Reliability Study
Authors: Hamad Hanan , Washnik Nilesh J. , Suresh Chandan H.
Published: July 2023

The Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) provides objective and ear-specific information essential for early and appropriate intervention. Test–retest reliability is essential for audiological monitoring. The test–retest reliability of the ASSR has received limited attention. Only a handful of studies found in the literature investigated the test–retest reliability of old-generation ASSR using amplitude or mixed modulated stimuli. However, to our knowledge, no published reports have specifically examined the test–retest reliability of the next-generation ASSR using Chirp family stimuli as implemented in the Interacoustics Eclipse system. This pilot study investigated (a) the test–retest reliability of air conduction (AC) ASSR thresholds across two test sessions and (b) the relationship between differences in ASSR thresholds across two sessions to the residual noise levels in normal-hearing adults. Methods: Fifteen normal-hearing adults (12 females) (30 ears) with an average age of 28 years were recruited for the study. The ASSRs were recorded using a two-channel recording montage. The automatic default stimuli and recording protocol using 90 Hz ASSR, and the accuracy method (p < 0.01) as implemented in the Eclipse system is used to measure ASSR. Results: The study demonstrated strong test–retest reliability for ASSR across frequencies (500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz). Notably, the highest reliability was observed at 500 Hz. The mean test–retest reliability of ASSR was found to be comparable to pure-tone thresholds, but the intra-subject variability is higher for ASSR compared to pure-tone thresholds. Additionally, no significant correlation was found between the difference in ASSR residual noise levels at the threshold and the difference in ASSR thresholds at all tested frequencies. Conclusion: The next-generation system demonstrated strong test–retest reliability across the frequencies examined in this pilot study. Particularly, an improvement in reliability was observed at 500 Hz compared to the old-generation ASSR. This enhancement can be attributed to the utilization of narrow-band CE-chirp stimuli, which generate large amplitude responses, and the implementation of an improved detection paradigm involving multiple harmonics spectral and phase analysis. This pilot study only enrolled adults with normal hearing, and future investigations should include a larger sample size comprising both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired individuals, as well as the pediatric population.
Evaluation of Lipid Profile and Intima Media Thickness in Antiretroviral-Experienced HIV-Infected Patients Treated with Protease Inhibitor-Based Regimens versus Protease Inhibitor-Sparing Regimens
Authors: Martini Salvatore , Pisaturo Mariantonietta , Russo Antonio , Palamone Maria Grazia , Russo Maria Teresa , Zollo Verdiana , Maggi Paolo , Coppola Nicola
Published: July 2023

Background: Antiretroviral therapy has increasingly improved management of HIV infection, ensuring long-term efficacy and tolerability. Each class of antiretrovirals has, however, different characteristics and different tolerability profiles. The literature data show that protease inhibitors (PIs) are associated with a higher incidence of dyslipidemia. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients treated with PIs have both greater dyslipidemia and increased intima media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaques compared to patients treated without PIs. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 HIV-experienced patients screened with Doppler ultrasonography of the supra-aortic trunks in December 2019 were enrolled in a retrospective cross-sectional observational study. Patients were divided into two groups: 59 in the PI-based group, treated with PIs, and 51 in the PI-sparing group. In the two groups, we evaluated lipids, cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, BMI, age, hypertension), increased pathological IMT (a value > 1 mm), and possible atheromatous plaque. Results: Serum LDL (p 0.04) and percentage of patients with hypercholesterolemia (p 0.03) were higher in the PI-based than in the PI-sparing group. Doppler data showed a trend in increase of IMT > 1 in the PI-based group, which appeared statistically significant for the section of the left common carotid artery (p 0.03). However, in multivariate logistic regression models, none of the evaluated variables were significantly associated with IMT > 1. Conclusions: Our real-life data show that patients treated with PIs have a trend of developing both greater dyslipidemia and increased pathological IMT and atheromatous plaques These findings may be useful to optimize antiretrovirals for patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
Artificial Intelligence in Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Delivery Design
Authors: Vora Lalitkumar K. , Gholap Amol D. , Jetha Keshava , Thakur Raghu Raj Singh , Solanki Hetvi K. , Chavda Vivek P.
Published: July 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that harnesses anthropomorphic knowledge and provides expedited solutions to complex challenges. Remarkable advancements in AI technology and machine learning present a transformative opportunity in the drug discovery, formulation, and testing of pharmaceutical dosage forms. By utilizing AI algorithms that analyze extensive biological data, including genomics and proteomics, researchers can identify disease-associated targets and predict their interactions with potential drug candidates. This enables a more efficient and targeted approach to drug discovery, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful drug approvals. Furthermore, AI can contribute to reducing development costs by optimizing research and development processes. Machine learning algorithms assist in experimental design and can predict the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of drug candidates. This capability enables the prioritization and optimization of lead compounds, reducing the need for extensive and costly animal testing. Personalized medicine approaches can be facilitated through AI algorithms that analyze real-world patient data, leading to more effective treatment outcomes and improved patient adherence. This comprehensive review explores the wide-ranging applications of AI in drug discovery, drug delivery dosage form designs, process optimization, testing, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) studies. This review provides an overview of various AI-based approaches utilized in pharmaceutical technology, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks. Nevertheless, the continued investment in and exploration of AI in the pharmaceutical industry offer exciting prospects for enhancing drug development processes and patient care.
Race, Ethnicity, and Pharmacogenomic Variation in the United States and the United Kingdom
Authors: Sharma Shivam , Mariño-Ramírez Leonardo , Jordan I. King
Published: July 2023

The relevance of race and ethnicity to genetics and medicine has long been a matter of debate. An emerging consensus holds that race and ethnicity are social constructs and thus poor proxies for genetic diversity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between race, ethnicity, and clinically relevant pharmacogenomic variation in cosmopolitan populations. We studied racially and ethnically diverse cohorts of 65,120 participants from the United States All of Us Research Program (All of Us) and 31,396 participants from the United Kingdom Biobank (UKB). Genome-wide patterns of pharmacogenomic variation—6311 drug response-associated variants for All of Us and 5966 variants for UKB—were analyzed with machine learning classifiers to predict participants’ self-identified race and ethnicity. Pharmacogenomic variation predicts race/ethnicity with averages of 92.1% accuracy for All of Us and 94.3% accuracy for UKB. Group-specific prediction accuracies range from 99.0% for the White group in UKB to 92.9% for the Hispanic group in All of Us. Prediction accuracies are substantially lower for individuals who identified with more than one group in All of Us (16.7%) or as Mixed in UKB (70.7%). There are numerous individual pharmacogenomic variants with large allele frequency differences between race/ethnicity groups in both cohorts. Frequency differences for toxicity-associated variants predict hundreds of adverse drug reactions per 1000 treated participants for minority groups in All of Us. Our results indicate that race and ethnicity can be used to stratify pharmacogenomic risk in the US and UK populations and should not be discounted when making treatment decisions. We resolve the contradiction between the results reported here and the orthodoxy of race and ethnicity as non-genetic, social constructs by emphasizing the distinction between global and local patterns of human genetic diversity, and we stress the current and future limitations of race and ethnicity as proxies for pharmacogenomic variation.
Multi-Physical Analysis and Optimization in Integrated Lithium Niobate Modulator Using Micro-Structured Electrodes
Authors: Su Jianchao , Yang Guoliang , Guo Dandan , Li Ming , Zhu Ninghua , Wang Xin
Published: July 2023

With the increase in the modulation rate of thin-film lithium niobate (LiNbO3, LN) modulators, the multi-physical field coupling effect between microwaves, light, and heat becomes more significant. In this study, we developed a thin-film LN modulator model using undoped pure LN thin film and T-shaped slow-wave electrodes. Furthermore, we utilized this model to simulate the microwave heating and light heating situations of the modulator. The temperature of the LN modulator was analyzed over time and with different signal frequencies. We also studied the influence of temperature rise on microwave and light signals, and we analyzed the change of S parameters and the Phase Shift of the light signal caused by temperature rise. Finally, we improved the thermodynamic characteristics of the modulator by adding a diamond heat dissipation layer. The diamond was obtained through the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique and was a polycrystalline diamond. After adding the diamond heat dissipation layer, the temperature rise of the modulator was significantly improved, and the adverse effects of temperature rise on microwave signals were also significantly reduced.
Highly Er/Yb-Co-Doped Photosensitive Core Fiber for the Development of Single-Frequency Telecom Lasers
Authors: Lipatov Denis , Egorova Olga , Rybaltovsky Andrey , Abramov Alexey , Lobanov Alexey , Umnikov Andrey , Yashkov Mikhail , Semjonov Sergey
Published: July 2023

A highly erbium- and ytterbium-co-doped photosensitive fiber with a germanophosphosilicate glass core was fabricated by the MCVD method, utilizing an all-gas-phase deposition technique developed “in-house”. Due to doping with germanium oxide (GeO2), this fiber revealed high-grade photosensitivity (without hydrogen loading) to UV laser radiation at a 193 nm wavelength. The short (28 mm) Fabry–Perot laser cavity was designed by inscribing two fiber Bragg gratings (highly and partially reflective FBGs) directly in the core of the fabricated fiber sample. The stable single-frequency operation regime of the designed laser was observed. The laser emission peak was centered at 1540 nm, with a linewidth of 50 kHz. The slope efficiency of the laser was 10%, and the maximal output power reached a level of 35 mW.
Imaging Analysis of Photonic Integrated Interference Imaging System Based on Compact Sampling Lenslet Array Considering On-Chip Optical Loss
Authors: Deng Xiaoqin , Tao Wei , Diao Yuqing , Sang Benliang , Sha Wei
Published: July 2023

A photonic integrated interference imaging system (PIIIS) is a computational imager based on Michelson interference and photonic integrated circuits (PICs). In this paper, a PIIIS based on a compact sampling lenslet array that can sample the zero spatial frequency through a single lenslet, densely sample the frequency in the azimuth direction through the configuration of a hierarchical multistage lenslet array, and continuously sample the frequency in the radial direction through a Langford sequence is proposed. We introduce the design process of the compact sampling lenslet array in detail and simulate the imaging of the system. The simulation results demonstrate that the lenslet array can effectively improve the imaging quality of a PIIIS. In addition, we design a silicon PIC and a silicon nitride transition PIC that match the compact sampling lenslet array and simulate the imaging of the system under the influence of the on-chip optical loss of PICs (the average interference baseline loss is 15.4 dB at 1550 nm). The results show that on-chip optical loss mainly affects the brightness and contrast of the reconstructed image but has little effect on the structure.
Laser Ultrasonic Automatic Detection Method for Surface Microcracks on Metallic Cylinders
Authors: Zhang Yanjie , Xu Zhiqi , Feng Siyu , Zhang Haowei , Wang Wei , Liu Yaxing , Zhu Bo , Shi Wei
Published: July 2023

Metallic cylinders are widely used in various fields of industrial production, and the automatic detection of surface microcracks is of great significance to the subsequent grinding process. In this paper, laser-excited surface acoustic waves (SAW) are used to detect surface microcracks. Due to the dispersion of SAWs on the cylinder surface, the SAWs exhibit different polarities at different positions. In order to improve the consistency of signals and the accuracy of the modeling, the angle at which the polarity is completely reversed is selected as the detection point. A laser ultrasonic automatic detection system is established to obtain signals, and the B-scan image is drawn to determine the location of the microcrack. By comparing the time–frequency diagrams of the reflected SAWs and transmitted SAWs, the transmitted wave is chosen to establish the microcrack depth prediction model. In addition, according to the trajectory of the grinding wheel, a prediction model based on the absolute depth of the microcracks is established, and the influence of the orientation of the microcracks on the signal energy is considered. The method proposed in this paper can provide a reference for the rapid grinding of microcracks on the surface of metallic cylinders; it has the characteristics of visualization and high efficiency, and overcomes the shortcomings of the currently used eddy current testing that provides information on the depth of microcracks with difficulty.
Non-Contact Global Measurement of the Engine in Working Condition
Authors: Hu Guoce , Wang Jun , Deng Huaxia , Ma Mengchao , Zhong Xiang
Published: July 2023

Vibration measurements are essential for studying the dynamic properties of structures, as they can better capture the global characteristics of the structure. This paper proposes a three-dimensional measurement method based on projected structured light to address the challenge of measuring the vibration information of engine pipes during operation. By using the data obtained from this method and applying the time domain analysis method for modal analysis, the modal parameters of the engine under operating conditions can be obtained. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated by comparing it with different measurement methods, and it provides an effective solution for modal identification of engines under operating conditions.