bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modal Parameter Identification of Electric Spindles Based on Covariance-Driven Stochastic Subspace
Authors: Zhou Wenhong , Zhong Liuzhou , Kang Weimin , Xu Yuetong , Luan Congcong , Fu Jianzhong
Published: November 2024

Electric spindles are a critical component of numerically controlled machine tools that directly affect machining precision and efficiency. The accurate identification of the modal parameters of an electric spindle is essential for optimizing design, enhancing dynamic performance, and facilitating fault diagnosis. This study proposes a covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification (SSI-cov) method integrated with a simulated annealing (SA) strategy and fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering algorithm to achieve the automated identification of modal parameters for electric spindles. Using both finite element simulations and experimental tests conducted at 22 °C, the first five natural frequencies of the electric spindle under free, constrained, and dynamic conditions were extracted. The experimental results demonstrated experiment errors of 0.17% to 0.33%, 1.05% to 3.27%, and 1.29% to 3.31% for the free, constrained, and dynamic states, respectively. Compared to the traditional SSI-cov method, the proposed SA-FCM method improved accuracy by 12.05% to 27.32% in the free state, 17.45% to 47.83% in the constrained state, and 25.45% to 49.12% in the dynamic state. The frequency identification errors were reduced to a range of 2.25 Hz to 20.81 Hz, significantly decreasing errors in higher-order modes and demonstrating the robustness of the algorithm. The proposed method required no manual intervention, and it could be utilized to accurately analyze the modal parameters of electric spindles under free, constrained, and dynamic conditions, providing a precise and reliable solution for the modal analysis of electric spindles in various dynamic states.
Magnetic CuFe2O4 Nanoparticles Immobilized on Modified Rice Husk-Derived Zeolite for Chlorogenic Acid Adsorption
Authors: Neves Tainara Ramos , Schildt Letícia Ferreira Lacerda , Silva Maria Luiza Lopes Sierra e , Vasconcelos Vannyla Viktória Viana , Di Conzo Corrado , Mura Francesco , Rossi Marco , Varvaro Gaspare , Abdolrahimi Maryam , Quaranta Simone , Ferreira Sandra Aparecida Duarte , Paris Elaine Cristina
Published: November 2024

Adsorption has emerged as a promising method for removing polyphenols in water remediation. This work explores chlorogenic acid (CGA) adsorption on zeolite-based magnetic nanocomposites synthesized from rice husk waste. In particular, enhanced adsorbing materials were attained using a hydrothermal zeolite precursor (Z18) synthesized from rice husk and possessing a remarkable specific surface area (217.69 m2 g−1). A composite material was prepared by immobilizing magnetic copper ferrite on Z18 (Z18:CuFe2O4) to recover the zeolite adsorbent. In addition, Z18 was modified (Z18 M) with a mixture of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) to improve the affinity towards organic compounds in the final nanocomposite system (Z18 M:CuFe2O4). While the unmodified composite demonstrated inconsequential CGA removal rates, Z18 M:CuFe2O4 could adsorb 89.35% of CGA within the first hour of operation. Z18 M:CuFe2O4 showed no toxicity for seed germination and achieved a mass recovery of 85% (due to a saturation magnetization of 4.1 emu g−1) when an external magnetic field was applied. These results suggest that adsorbing magnetic nanocomposites are amenable to CGA polyphenol removal from wastewater. Furthermore, the reuse, revalorization, and conversion into value-added materials of agro-industrial waste may allow the opportunity to implement sustainability and work towards a circular economy.
Exploring Kink Solitons in the Context of Klein–Gordon Equations via the Extended Direct Algebraic Method
Authors: Alshammari Saleh , Almatroud Othman Abdullah , Alshammari Mohammad , Zureigat Hamzeh , Al-Sawalha M. Mossa
Published: November 2024

This work employs the Extended Direct Algebraic Method (EDAM) to solve quadratic and cubic nonlinear Klein–Gordon Equations (KGEs), which are standard models in particle and quantum physics that describe the dynamics of scaler particles with spin zero in the framework of Einstein’s theory of relativity. By applying variables-based wave transformations, the targeted KGEs are converted into Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations (NODEs). The resultant NODEs are subsequently reduced to a set of nonlinear algebraic equations through the assumption of series-based solutions for them. New families of soliton solutions are obtained in the form of hyperbolic, trigonometric, exponential and rational functions when these systems are solved using Maple. A few soliton solutions are considered for certain values of the given parameters with the help of contour and 3D plots, which indicate that the solitons exist in the form of dark kink, hump kink, lump-like kink, bright kink and cuspon kink solitons. These soliton solutions are relevant to actual physics, for instance, in the context of particle physics and theories of quantum fields. These solutions are useful also for the enhancement of our understanding of the basic particle interactions and wave dynamics at all levels of physics, including but not limited to cosmology, compact matter physics and nonlinear optics.
Analytical Solutions of PBTK Models for Evaluating the Impact of Surface Diffusion Characteristics on the Leaching Profile of Implant Byproducts
Authors: Giakoumi Matheos , Kapnisis Konstantinos , Anayiotos Andreas , Stephanou Pavlos S.
Published: November 2024

Toxicokinetic or pharmacokinetic models, physiologically based or not, offer a unique avenue to understand the transport of toxins or pharmaceuticals in living organisms. The availability of analytical solutions to such models offers the means to engage in a plethora of applications. In the present work, we provide the framework to solve analytically such models using the matrix exponential, and we then apply this method to derive an explicit solution to four-to-five-compartment physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models considering a single- and an infinite-exponential expression for the amount of mass released from an implantable device. We also offer the conditions that need to be met for analytical solutions to be obtained when the kinetic rates are time-dependent functions. Our analysis compares the computation time between analytical and numerical solutions and characterizes the dependency of the maximum substance mass value and the time it occurs in the various tissue compartments from the material surface diffusion characteristics. Our analytical solutions, which have several advantages over the solutions obtained using numerical solvers, can be incorporated into in silico tools and provide valuable information for human health risk assessment.
Calcium Transport Activity of UV/H2O2-Degraded Fucoidans and Their Structural Characterization
Authors: Zhu Biyang , Wang Jiacheng , You Lijun , Lin Lianzhu , Lin Kuncheng , Hileuskaya Kseniya
Published: November 2024

Calcium-chelated polysaccharides have been increasingly considered as promising calcium supplements. In this study, degraded fucoidans (DFs) with different molecular weights (Mws) were prepared after UV/H2O2 treatment; their calcium-chelating capacities and intestinal absorption properties were also investigated. The results showed that the calcium-chelating capacities of DFs were improved with a decrease in Mw. This was mainly ascribed to the increased carboxyl content, which was caused by free-radical-mediated degradation. Meanwhile, the conformation of DF changed from a rod-like chain to a shorter and softer chain. The thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that DF binding to calcium was spontaneously driven by electrostatic interactions. Additionally, DF-Ca chelates with lower Mw showed favorable transport properties across a Caco-2 cell monolayer and could effectively accelerate the calcium influx through intestinal enterocytes. Furthermore, these chelates also exhibited a protective effect on the epithelial barrier by alleviating damage to tight junction proteins. These findings provide an effective free-radical-related approach for the development of polysaccharide-based calcium supplements with improved intestinal calcium transport ability.
Evaluating Severe Therapy-Resistant Asthma in Children: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Bush Andrew
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Worldwide, asthma is the most common non-communicable respiratory disease and causes considerable morbidity and mortality. Most people with asthma can be treated effectively with low-dose medications if these are taken correctly and regularly. Around 10% of people with asthma have an uncontrolled form of the disease or can only achieve control with high-dose medications, incurring disproportionately high health care costs. Areas Covered: PubMed and personal archives were searched for relevant articles on the definition, management and pharmacotherapy of severe asthma. The WHO classification of severe asthma and the treatment levels encompassed in the definition are discussed. Most children and young people referred for consideration of ‘beyond-guidelines therapy’ can in fact be managed on standard treatment after a multi-disciplinary team assessment focusing on ensuring correct basic management, and these steps are described in detail. Options for those with true therapy-resistant asthma are described. These include monoclonal antibodies, most of which target type 2 inflammation. Expert Opinion: Getting the basics right is still the most important aspect of asthma care. For those with severe, therapy-resistant asthma, an increasing number of life-transforming monoclonals have been developed, but there is still little understanding of, and a paucity of treatment options for, non-eosinophilic asthma.
Clinical and Molecular Features of Malignant Pleural Effusion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) of a Caucasian Population
Authors: Lojo-Rodríguez Irene , Botana-Rial Maribel , González-Montaos Almudena , Leiro-Fernández Virginia , González-Piñeiro Ana , Ramos-Hernández Cristina , Fernández-Villar Alberto
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: The diversity of patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as the variability in mutations makes it essential to improve molecular characterization. Objective: Describe clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics MPE in a Caucasian population. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of patients with NSCLC diagnosis who had undergone a molecular study from 1 January 2018–31 December 2022. Univariate analysis was performed to compare patient characteristics between the group with and without MPE and molecular biomarkers. Results: A total of 400 patients were included; 53% presented any biomarker and 29% had MPE.PDL1, which was the most frequent. EGFR mutation was associated with women (OR:3.873) and lack of smoking (OR:5.105), but not with MPE. Patients with pleural effusion were older and had lower ECOG. There was no significant difference in the presence of any biomarker. We also did not find an association between the presence of specific mutations and MPE (22.4% vs. 18%, p = 0.2), or PDL1 expression (31.9% vs. 35.9%, p = 0.3). Being younger constituted a protective factor for the presence of MPE (OR:0.962; 95% CI 0.939–0.985, p = 0.002), as well as ECOG ≤ 1 (OR:0.539; 95% CI 0.322–0.902, p = 0.01). Conclusions: This is the first study that describes the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of MPE patients due to NSCLC in a Caucasian population. Although overall we did not find significant differences in the molecular profile between patients with MPE and without effusion, EGFR mutation was associated with a tendency towards pleural progression.
Repositioning Canagliflozin for Mitigation of Aluminium Chloride-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease: Involvement of TXNIP/NLRP3 Inflammasome Axis, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and SIRT1/HMGB1 Signalling
Authors: Elariny Hemat A. , Kabel Ahmed M. , Selim Heba Mohammed Refat M. , Helal Azza I. , Abdelrahman Doaa , Borg Hany M. , Elkady Mennatallah A. , Dawood Lamees M. , El-Badawy Mohamed F. , Almalawi Haifa Faisal A. , Arafa El-Shaimaa A. , Alsufyani Shuruq E. , Arab Hany H.
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world. Due to failure of the traditional drugs to produce a complete cure for AD, the search for new safe and effective lines of therapy has attracted the attention of ongoing research. Canagliflozin is an anti-diabetic agent with proven efficacy in the treatment of neurological disorders in which mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy play a pathophysiological role. Elucidation of the potential effects of different doses of canagliflozin on AD induced by aluminium chloride in rats and exploration of the molecular mechanisms that may contribute to these effects were the primary objectives of the current study. Materials and Methods: In a rat model of AD, the effect of three different doses of canagliflozin on the behavioural, biochemical, and histopathological alterations induced by aluminium chloride was assessed. Results: Canagliflozin administered to aluminium chloride-treated animals induced dose-dependent normalisation in the behavioural tests, augmentation of the antioxidant defence mechanisms, inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome signalling, modulation of the SIRT1/HMGB1 axis, interference with the pro-inflammatory and the pro-apoptotic mechanisms, and restoration of the mitochondrial functions and autophagy in the hippocampal tissues to approximately baseline values. In addition, canagliflozin exhibited an interesting dose-dependent ability to repress aluminium chloride-induced histopathological changes in the brain. Conclusions: The effects of canagliflozin on oxidative stress, mitochondrial functions, inflammatory pathways, and autophagy signals may open new gates towards the mitigation of the pathologic features of AD.
Rosiridin Protects Against Aluminum Chloride-Induced Memory Impairment via Modulation of BDNF/NFκB/PI3K/Akt Pathway in Rats
Authors: Alqarni Sana Saeed , Afzal Muhammad , Alharbi Khalid Saad , Alenezi Sattam Khulaif , Alsahli Tariq G. , Zaidi Shafqat , Altyar Ahmed Essam , Ghaboura Nehmat , Kazmi Imran , Mantargi Mohammad Jaffar Sadiq , Imam Faisal
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Rosiridin is a monoterpene with outstanding monoamine inhibitory activity that is useful to treat depressive episodes and rapid-onset dementia. The current investigation aims to evaluate the neurologically protective impact of rosiridin, which opposes aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and causes memory dysfunction in rats. Materials and Methods: Memory impairment was developed in Wistar rats by administering AlCl3 (100 mg/kg p.o.) orally for 42 days and then supplemented with rosiridin at 10 and 20 mg/kg/p.o. Upon completion of the investigation, the behavior factor was performed utilizing the Y-maze, Morris Water Maze, and open field tests. Estimating numerous biological factors, such as nitric oxide (NO), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde MDA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase levels (BuChE), antioxidants (glutathione GSH, catalase CAT, and superoxide dismutases SODs) and neurotransmitter (serotonin-5HT, dopamine-DA, acetylcholine-Ach) in the brain. Furthermore, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF), nuclear factor kappa B (NFᴋB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and pAkt were assessed in the diffused brain cells. Results: The rosiridin-treated group significantly improved in terms of behavioral parameters, including in the Y-maze, Morris Water Maze, and open field tests. Further, rosiridin restored biochemical parameters, including NO, oxidative stress AChE, BuChE, antioxidants, neurotransmitters, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, BNDF, NFᴋB, PI3K, and pAkt compared to AlCl3. Conclusions: The current investigation reveals that rosiridin could ameliorate the impairment of memory that AlCl3 causes in rats via improvements in behavioral and restored biochemical parameters.
Two Novel Bacterial Species, Rhodanobacter lycopersici sp. nov. and Rhodanobacter geophilus sp. nov., Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Solanum lycopersicum with Plant Growth-Promoting Traits
Authors: Woo Haejin , Kim Inhyup , Chhetri Geeta , Park Sunho , Lee Hyunji , Yook Subin , Seo Taegun
Published: November 2024

Two novel bacterial species were isolated from the rhizosphere of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato plant), both exhibiting plant growth-promoting properties. Two isolated strains, Rhodanobacter lycopersici sp. nov. Si-cT and Rhodanobacter geophilus sp. nov. S2-gT, were classified through a polyphasic approach, confirming their novel status within the Rhodanobacter genus. The strains demonstrated a remarkable tolerance to extreme pH conditions, with R. lycopersici Si-cT surviving in pH 3.0–13.0 and R. geophilus S2-gT tolerating pH 2.0–13.0. Additionally, both strains exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including indole-3-acetic acid and ammonia production, phosphate solubilization, and siderophore formation. These characteristics suggest that the two strains may play an important role in promoting plant growth, especially in soils with variable pH levels. However, since the direct impact on plant growth was not experimentally tested, the potential of these bacteria for agricultural applications remains to be confirmed through further research. This study expands our understanding of the diversity within the Rhodanobacter genus and provides insights into the potential use of these novel species in sustainable agriculture.
Co-Design and Refinement of Curriculum-Based Foodbot Factory Intervention to Support Elementary School Nutrition Education
Authors: Brown Jacqueline Marie , Rita Nicholas , Franco-Arellano Beatriz , LeSage Ann , Arcand JoAnne
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: School-based nutrition education interventions can support the development of children’s food literacy and healthy eating habits. The Foodbot Factory serious game was developed to support school nutrition education based on Canada’s Food Guide and Ontario curriculum. The objective of this research was to refine the Foodbot Factory intervention to include curriculum-based lesson plans that had a high-level of acceptability by stakeholders to support implementation by teachers in classrooms. Methods: A co-design approach was used to engage teacher and dietitian stakeholders in developing five lesson plans for the intervention, who contributed to creating the intervention content in three stages. The stages included reviewing and providing feedback on the initial draft of the lesson plans, participating in facilitated discussion rounds to come to a consensus on the changes required, and completing a final review of the intervention’s acceptability. Qualitative data included notes on the lesson plans and recordings from meetings that were analyzed thematically. Results: During the first co-design stage, major revisions were suggested for two-fifths of the lessons by stakeholders. Further stakeholder suggestions were discussed and integrated into the intervention from facilitated discussions, improving the lesson plan content and intervention feasibility. All stakeholders agreed that the final version of the intervention was acceptable and would support classroom nutrition education. Five lesson plans were created and compiled into a unit plan, containing additional teaching resources, to support nutrition education with Foodbot Factory. Conclusions: The co-design process greatly improved the Foodbot Factory intervention and its feasibility for classroom implementation. Including diverse stakeholder perspectives led to unique and different insights to improve the intervention.
The Frequency of Meal-Replacement Products Drinking and All-Cause, CVD, and Cancer Mortality
Authors: Zhao Yuxuan , Li Aolin , Yang Haiming , Xiao Meng , Song Mingyu , Shao Zilun , Jiao Rong , Pang Yuanjie , Gao Wenjing , Huang Tao , Lv Jun , Li Liming , Yu Canqing , Sun Dianjianyi
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Our study aimed to assess the associations between meal-replacement (MR) drinking and risks of all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality. Methods: The study was based on 6770 adults aged 20 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) 2003–2006 with linked mortality data from the National Death Index for linked mortality records (until 31 December 2019). Respondents were categorized into four groups according to the frequency of MR drinking: ≤1 time per month (seldom), 2–3 times per month (monthly), 1–6 times per week (weekly), and ≥1 time per day (daily). The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of MR drinking with all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression models. Likelihood ratio tests were used to find potential interactions of MR drinking with age, sex, and BMI. Results: During a median follow-up of 14.4 years, a total of 1668 death events were recorded among the study population. Compared to respondents who seldom drank MR, daily and weekly drinkers had greater risks of all-cause mortality (aHRs and 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.52 [1.17–1.97] for daily; 1.54 [1.24–1.91] for weekly). Stratified analyses indicated that the effects of MR on all-cause mortality were different between females and males and were more substantial among females (P for interaction: 0.003; daily female drinkers vs. daily male drinkers: 2.01 [1.40–2.90] vs. 1.24 [0.85–1.81]; weekly female drinkers vs. weekly male drinkers: 1.68 [1.26–2.24] vs. 1.36 [0.97–1.91]). Conclusions: Daily and weekly MR drinking might increase the risk of all-cause mortality.
Protein Consumption and Risk of CVD Among U.S. Adults: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Tark Ji Yun , Li Ruosha , Yu Bing , Wood Alexis C. , Padhye Nikhil S. , de Oliveira Otto Marcia C.
Published: November 2024

Background: Although some randomized trials have reported beneficial effects of protein intake on cardiometabolic risk factors, evidence from prospective studies have not supported a strong link between protein intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. It is also unclear whether diversity in protein intake plays a role in CVD risk. Objective: We investigated prospective associations of (1) protein intake, overall and by food source and (2) diversity of protein sources with risk of CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. Methods: In a multi-ethnic cohort of 5879 U.S. adults (45–84 years), who were free of CVD at baseline, protein intake was assessed at baseline (2000–2002) using a validated 120-item food frequency questionnaire. Two different aspects of protein diversity were assessed including count (number of protein food consumed at least once/week) and dissimilarity (diversity of the attributes of the protein sources consumed). Relationships with incident CVD outcomes through 2019 were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and comorbidity factors. Results: During 83,430 person-years, 1045 CVD cases were identified, including 668 CHD and 332 stroke cases. In multivariable models, we found no significant associations between protein intake, overall and by food source, with incident CVD, CHD, or stroke. Protein count, but not protein dissimilarity, was weakly associated with CVD risk. We found no significant associations between diversity of consumption of animal or plant food source and CVD outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest protein consumption may not significantly impact CVD risk in middle-aged adults.
Impact of Dietary Fatty Acid Composition on the Intestinal Microbiota and Fecal Metabolism of Rats Fed a High-Fructose/High-Fat Diet
Authors: Zhao Zhihao , Zhong Lihuang , Zhou Pengfei , Deng Yuanyuan , Liu Guang , Li Ping , Zeng Jiarui , Zhang Yan , Tang Xiaojun , Zhang Mingwei
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: An inappropriate intake of dietary fats can disrupt the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota, affect the host’s metabolic status, and increase the risk of chronic diseases. The impact of dietary fat types on the composition and metabolic functionality of the intestinal microbiota has become a research focus over recent years. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of regular peanut oil (PO) and high-oleic-acid peanut oil (HOPO) on the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota. Methods: A dietary intervention test was conducted on SD rats fed a high-fat/high-fructose (HFF) diet. The composition and metabolic functionality of the intestinal microbiota of the experimental rats were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and fecal metabolomics. Results: Compared with saturated fat, PO and HOPO enhanced the diversity of intestinal microbiota in HFF diet-fed rats. Compared with PO, HOPO significantly increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Harryflintia (p < 0.05), which are able to generate butyrate and acetate. Compared with saturated fat, 318 and 271 fecal biomarkers were identified in PO and HOPO groups, respectively. In contrast, 68 fecal biomarkers were identified between the PO and HOPO groups. The inhibition of harmful proteolytic fermentation in the colon may represent the main regulatory mechanism. With regard to metabolic status, HOPO provided better control of body weight and insulin sensitivity than PO. Conclusions: Compared with saturated fat, peanut oils better regulated the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota. In addition, HOPO exhibited better regulatory effects than PO.
Towards Treating Multiple Sclerosis Progression
Authors: Häusler Darius , Weber Martin S.
Published: November 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). In most patients, the disease starts with an acute onset followed by a remission phase, subsequent relapses and a later transition to steady chronic progression. In a minority of patients, this progressive phase develops from the beginning. MS relapses are characterized predominantly by the de novo formation of an inflammatory CNS lesion and the infiltration of immune cells, whereas the pathological features of MS progression include slowly expanding lesions, global brain atrophy and an inflammatory response predominantly mediated by macrophages/microglia. Importantly, this CNS-intrinsic pathophysiology appears to initiate early during the relapsing–remitting disease phase, while it turns into the key clinical MS feature in later stages. Currently approved disease-modifying treatments for MS are effective in modulating peripheral immunity by dampening immune cell activity or preventing the migration of immune cells into the CNS, resulting in the prevention of relapses; however, they show limited success in halting MS progression. In this manuscript, we first describe the pathological mechanisms of MS and summarize the approved therapeutics for MS progression. We also review the treatment options for progressive MS (PMS) that are currently under investigation. Finally, we discuss potential targets for novel treatment strategies in PMS.
Aniline Derivatives Containing 1-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazole System as Potential Drug Candidates: Pharmacokinetic Profile Prediction, Lipophilicity Analysis Using Experimental and In Silico Studies
Authors: Chrobak Elwira , Bober-Majnusz Katarzyna , Wyszomirski Mirosław , Zięba Andrzej
Published: November 2024

Background: The triazole ring is an attractive structural unit in medicinal chemistry, and chemical compounds containing this type of system in their structure exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activity. They are used in the development of new pharmaceuticals. One of the basic parameters considered in the initial phase of designing potential drugs is lipophilicity, which affects the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of drugs. Methods: The study aimed to assess the lipophilicity of fifteen new triazole derivatives of aniline using reversed phase thin layer chromatography (RP-TLC) and free web servers. Based on in silico methods, the drug similarity and pharmacokinetic profile (ADMET) of synthesized molecules were assessed. Results: A relationship was observed between the structure of the title compound, including the position of substitution in the aniline ring, and the experimental values of lipophilicity parameters (logPTLC). Most of the algorithms used to determine theoretical logP values showed less sensitivity to structural differences of the tested molecules. All obtained derivatives satisfy the drug similarity rules formulated by Lipinski, Ghose and Veber. Moreover, in silico analysis of the ADME profile showed favorable values of parameters related to absorption.
Piperine as an Herbal Alternative for the Prevention of Drug-Induced Liver Damage Caused by Paracetamol
Authors: Coelho Aline Meireles , Queiroz Isabela Ferreira , Perucci Luiza Oliveira , Menezes Tatiana Prata , Lima Wanderson Geraldo , Talvani André , Costa Daniela Caldeira
Published: November 2024

Background/Objective: Hepatic drug intoxication is becoming increasingly common with the increasing use of chronic medications. Piperine has emerged as a promising alternative for protecting the liver against drug-induced injury. We evaluated the prophylactic effects of piperine in C57BL/6 mice with an acute liver injury induced by a paracetamol (APAP) overdose. Methods: Piperine was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg (P20) or 40 mg/kg (P40) for eight consecutive days before the animals were exposed to a hepatotoxic dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg). The animals were euthanized 3 h after the paracetamol overdose. Results: The prophylactic treatment with piperine (P20 and P40) maintained the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the biomarkers of oxidative damage (TBARS and carbonylated proteins), which were statistically similar to those for the control group. The extent of hepatocyte necrosis and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) levels were lower than those in the group exposed to liver injury (APAP group). Piperine modulated the gene expression of CYP2E1 (cytochrome P4502E1) and the inflammasome pathway (NLRP3, CASP-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), which play a crucial role in the inflammatory response. In the P40 group, the degree of hepatic hyperemia was similar to that in the control group, as was the increase in metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity. Conclusion: Piperine has demonstrated beneficial and promising effects for the prevention of liver injury resulting from paracetamol-induced drug intoxication.
Assessing the Impact of a Leadership Development Programme for Community Pharmacy Neighbourhood Leads in South East London
Authors: Royle Finlay , Guard Sarah , Micallef Ricarda
Published: November 2024

Community pharmacists continue to deliver a growing number of services, with an increased need for collaborative work between local teams in community settings. In South East London, the Integrated Care Board and Pharmacy Alliance have invested in the development of community pharmacy neighbourhood leads (CPNLs), who represent community pharmacies in a locality and provided a tailored five-session leadership course that ran between November 2023 and March 2024, covering theory and implementation. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of the CPNLs and other colleagues who participated in the leadership development programme. Participants were asked to complete an evaluation survey after each session, along with individual interviews taking place with those who volunteered. Ethical approval was received. There was a total of 37 participants at the sessions, and 7 participated in an interview. Overall confidence increased throughout the course, with males statistically more confident than females. Relationships with new stakeholders also increased throughout the course. The proposed actions after each session echoed the topics covered, with planning meetings being prioritised. The interviews highlighted new opportunities identified and being acted on, a greater understanding of the role, and an increase in confidence and key relationships. Barriers in the role included time for meetings. Overall, investment in the CPNL role showed that learning from the programme was applied in practice, with an increase in confidence and understanding of the role and improved local relationships. The findings from this study can be used by others to support community pharmacy transformation and integration.
Phase Space Formulation of Light Propagation on Tilted Planes
Authors: Gioia Patrick , Gilles Antonin , El Rhammad Anas , Vũ Ngọc San
Published: November 2024

The solution of the Helmholtz equation describing the propagation of light in free space from a plane to another can be described by the angular spectrum operator, which acts in the frequency domain. Many applications require this operator to be generalized to handle tilted source and target planes, which has led to research investigating the implications of these adaptations. However, the frequency domain representation intrinsically limits the understanding the way the signal is transformed through propagation. Instead, studying how the operator maps the space–frequency components of the wavefield provides essential information that is not available in the frequency domain. In this work, we highlight and exploit the deep relation between wave optics and quantum mechanics to explicitly describe the symplectic action of the tilted angular spectrum in phase space, using mathematical tools that have proven their efficiency for quantum particle physics. These derivations lead to new algorithms that open unprecedented perspectives in various domains involving the propagation of coherent light.
Transcriptomic Profile of Tef (Eragrostis tef) in Response to Drought
Authors: Ramirez-Gonzales Lorena , Cannarozzi Gina , Rindisbacher Abiel , Jäggi Lea , Schneider Regula , Weichert Annett , Plaza-Wüthrich Sonia , Chanyalew Solomon , Assefa Kebebew , Tadele Zerihun
Published: November 2024

The threat to world food security posed by drought is ever increasing. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an allotetraploid cereal crop that is a staple food for a large population in the Horn of Africa. While the grain of tef provides quality food for humans, its straw is the most palatable and nutritious feed for livestock. In addition, the tef plant is resilient to several biotic and abiotic stresses, especially to drought, making it an ideal candidate to study the molecular mechanisms conferring these properties. The transcriptome expression of tef leaf collected from plants grown under drought conditions was profiled using RNA-Seq and key genes were verified using RT-qPCR. This study revealed that tef exhibits a complex molecular network involving membrane receptors and transcription factors that regulate drought responses. We identified target genes related to hormones like ABA, auxin, and brassinosteroids and genes involved in antioxidant activity. The findings were compared to physiological measurements such as changes in stomatal conductance and contents of proline, chlorophyll and carotenoid. The insights gained from this work could play vital role in enhancing drought tolerance in other economically important cereals such as maize and rice.
Diaspore Dimorphism, Awn Hygroscopicity and Adaptive Significance in a Winter Annual Bromus tectorum (Poaceae)
Authors: Yan Jiayue , Li Qian , Zhang Bo
Published: November 2024

Bromus tectorum, a winter annual plant, produces dimorphic diaspores: complex diaspores with multi-awns and simple diaspores with one awn. However, there is no information available about the role of awns and the germination characteristics of dimorphic diaspores. Dispersal germination and awns hygroscopicity of the dimorphic diaspores were assessed. The complex diaspore with multi-awns can easily be dispersed long distances from the mother plant by mammals. The simple diaspores with one awn are tightly attached to the mother plant. Caryopses from the two types of diaspores exhibited non-deep physiological dormancy at maturity, which can be released by dry storage and GA3 treatment. The awns have hygroscopic activity and can move in response to changes in moisture, moving the complex diaspore (the seed) into the soil. The seedling emergence from complex diaspores was significantly higher than those from simple diaspores at all burial depths. Germination of caryopses on the soil surface was poor. The optimal planting depth for both types of diaspores’ emergence is 1–2 cm. The distinct characteristics of dimorphic diaspores and the beneficial influence of hygroscopic awns on dispersal, germination, and seedling establishment have significant ecological implications for B. tectorum’s successful reproduction in unpredictable cold deserts.
Enhancing Across-Population Genomic Prediction for Maize Hybrids
Authors: Yu Guangning , Li Furong , Wang Xin , Zhang Yuxiang , Zhou Kai , Yang Wenyan , Guan Xiusheng , Zhang Xuecai , Xu Chenwu , Xu Yang
Published: November 2024

In crop breeding, genomic selection (GS) serves as a powerful tool for predicting unknown phenotypes by using genome-wide markers, aimed at enhancing genetic gain for quantitative traits. However, in practical applications of GS, predictions are not always made within populations or for individuals that are genetically similar to the training population. Therefore, exploring possibilities and effective strategies for across-population prediction becomes an attractive avenue for applying GS technology in breeding practices. In this study, we used an existing maize population of 5820 hybrids as the training population to predict another population of 523 maize hybrids using the GBLUP and BayesB models. We evaluated the impact of optimizing the training population based on the genetic relationship between the training and breeding populations on the accuracy of across-population predictions. The results showed that the prediction accuracy improved to some extent with varying training population sizes. However, the optimal size of the training population differed for various traits. Additionally, we proposed a population structure-based across-population genomic prediction (PSAPGP) strategy, which integrates population structure as a fixed effect in the GS models. Principal component analysis, clustering, and Q-matrix analysis were used to assess the population structure. Notably, when the Q-matrix was used, the across-population prediction exhibited the best performance, with improvements ranging from 8 to 11% for ear weight, ear grain weight and plant height. This is a promising strategy for reducing phenotyping costs and enhancing maize hybrid breeding efficiency.
A Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Drilling Fluid Rheology on Cutting Migration in Horizontal Wells at Different Drilling Fluid Temperatures
Authors: Chen Ye , Li Wenzhe , Wang Xudong , Wu Pengcheng , Wan Xiumei , Wang Zhiqiang , Li Jinhui , Sun Xiaofeng
Published: November 2024

In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been made in the exploration of deep to ultra-deep oil and gas reserves onshore in China. These conventional deep to ultra-deep reservoirs are typically buried at depths exceeding 4500 m, with bottom-hole temperatures surpassing 150 °C. The high temperatures at the bottom of the well are more likely to cause deterioration in drilling fluid properties, altering its rheological properties and reducing cutting transport efficiency, which can lead to wellbore cleaning issues. In this paper, the numerical simulation method is used to analyze the influence of cutting particle size, drilling fluid flow rate, drill pipe rotation speed, and drill pipe eccentricity on the annular cutting concentration under different wellbore drilling fluid temperature conditions. The results show that at the same cutting particle size, as the drilling fluid temperature increases, the cutting concentration in the annulus increases sharply. The increase is the largest when the particle size is 3 mm, and when the drilling fluid temperature is 220 °C, the cutting concentration increases by 79.7% compared to at 200 °C and by 279% compared to at 180 °C. When the flow rate increases from 0.5 m/s to 1.0 m/s, the annular cutting concentration at drilling fluid temperatures of 220 °C and 200 °C decreases by 70.5% and 50.4%, respectively. The higher the drilling fluid temperature, the better the cutting removal effect when increasing the drill pipe rotation speed. However, when the rotation speed exceeds 120 rpm, the change in cutting concentration with increasing rotation speed becomes insignificant. When the drill pipe eccentricity is small, an increase in drilling fluid temperature leads to a significant rise in annular cutting concentration. However, when the drill pipe eccentricity is large, changes in drilling fluid temperature have a smaller impact on cutting concentration. The research findings can provide engineering guidance and theoretical support for the design of drilling fluid hydraulic parameters for cutting transport and rheological parameters in high-temperature wellbores.
Genesis of an Inorganic CO2 Gas Reservoir in the Dehui–Wangfu Fault Depression, Songliao Basin, China
Authors: Liu Changli , Yu Yunliang , Cai Hongchen , Liu Yingchun , Gao Xiangwei
Published: November 2024

This study systematically examines the origins and formation mechanisms of inorganic CO2 gas reservoirs located within the Dehui–Wangfu Fault in the southeastern uplift region of the Songliao Basin. The research aims to clarify the primary sources of inorganic CO2, along with its migration and accumulation processes. The identification of the Wanjinta gas reservoir within the Dehui–Wangfu Fault Zone, abundant in inorganic CO2, has sparked significant interest in the pivotal roles of volcanism and tectonic activity in gas generation and concentration. To analyze the release characteristics of CO2, this study conducted degassing experiments on volcanic and volcaniclastic rock samples from various boreholes within the fault trap. It evaluated CO2 release behaviors and controlling factors across varying temperatures (150 °C to 600 °C) and particle sizes (20, 40, and 100 µm). The findings indicated a negative correlation between CO2 release and particle size, with a notable transition at 300 °C—marking this temperature as critical for the release of adsorbed and lattice gases. Moreover, volcaniclastic rocks exhibited higher CO2 release compared to volcanic rocks, attributable to their larger specific surface area and higher porosity. At 600 °C, the decomposition of the rock crystal structure results in substantial gas escape. These observations suggest that the inorganic CO2 in this area derives not only from mantle sources but is also influenced by crustal components. Elevated temperatures prompted by tectonic activity and magmatic intrusion facilitated the degassing of the surrounding rocks, allowing released CO2 to migrate upwards through the fracture system and accumulate in the shallow crust, ultimately forming a gas reservoir. This study enhances the understanding of volcanic rock’s roles in inorganic CO2 gas generation and migration, highlighting the fracture system’s critical controlling influence on gas transport and aggregation. The findings indicate that inorganic CO2 gas reservoirs in the Dehui–Wangfu Fault Zone primarily originate from mantle sources with a mixture of crustal gases. This discovery offers new theoretical insights and practical guidance for the exploration and development of gas reservoirs in the Songliao Basin and similar regions.
Adaptive Integral Sliding Mode Control with Chattering Elimination Considering the Actuator Faults and External Disturbances for Trajectory Tracking of 4Y Octocopter Aircraft
Authors: Zeghlache Samir , Rahali Hilal , Djerioui Ali , Mekki Hemza , Benyettou Loutfi , Benkhoris Mohamed Fouad
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a control strategy for a 4Y octocopter aircraft that is influenced by multiple actuator faults and external disturbances. The approach relies on a disturbance observer, adaptive type-2 fuzzy sliding mode control scheme, and type-1 fuzzy inference system. The proposed control approach is distinct from other tactics for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles because it can simultaneously compensate for actuator faults and external disturbances. The suggested control technique incorporates adaptive control parameters in both continuous and discontinuous control components. This enables the production of appropriate control signals to manage actuator faults and parametric uncertainties without relying only on the robust discontinuous control approach of sliding mode control. Additionally, a type-1 fuzzy logic system is used to build a fuzzy hitting control law to eliminate the occurrence of chattering phenomena on the integral sliding mode control. In addition, in order to keep the discontinuous control gain in sliding mode control at a small value, a nonlinear disturbance observer is constructed and integrated to mitigate the influence of external disturbances. Moreover, stability analysis of the proposed control method using Lyapunov theory showcases its potential to uphold system tracking performance and minimize tracking errors under specified conditions. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy can significantly reduce the chattering effect and provide accurate trajectory tracking in the presence of actuator faults. Furthermore, the efficacy of the recommended control strategy is shown by comparative simulation results of 4Y octocopter under different failing and uncertain settings.
Relative Radiometric Correction Method Based on Temperature Normalization for Jilin1-KF02
Authors: Huang Shuai , Yang Song , Bai Yang , Sun Yingshan , Zou Bo , Wu Hongyu , Zhang Lei , Li Jiangpeng , Yang Xiaojie
Published: November 2024

The optical remote sensors carried by the Jilin-1 KF02 series satellites have an imaging resolution better than 0.5 m and a width of 150 km. There are radiometric problems, such as stripe noise, vignetting, and inter-slice chromatic aberration, in their raw images. In this paper, a relative radiometric correction method based on temperature normalization is proposed for the response characteristics of sensors and the structural characteristics of optical splicing of Jilin-1 KF02 series satellites cameras. Firstly, a model of temperature effect on sensor output is established to correct the variation of sensor response output digital number (DN) caused by temperature variation during imaging process, and the image is normalized to a uniform temperature reference. Then, the horizontal stripe noise of the image is eliminated by using the sensor scan line and dark pixel information, and the vertical stripe noise of the image is eliminated by using the method of on-orbit histogram statistics. Finally, the method of superposition compensation is used to correct the vignetting area at the edge of the image due to the lack of energy information received by the sensor so as to ensure the consistency of the image in color and image quality. The proposed method is verified by Jilin-1 KF02A on-orbit images. Experimental results show that the image response is uniform, the color is consistent, the average Streak Metrics (SM) is better than 0.1%, Root-Mean-Square Deviation of the Mean Line (RA) and Generalized Noise (GN) are better than 2%, Relative Average Spectral Error (RASE) and Relative Average Spectral Error (ERGAS) are greatly improved, which are better than 5% and 13, respectively, and the relative radiation quality is obviously improved after relative radiation correction.