bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative Clinical Examination for Assessing Pelvic and Para-Aortic Lymph Node Involvement in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mimoun Camille , Benifla Jean Louis , Fauconnier Arnaud , Huchon Cyrille
Published: August 2020

After the publication of the Lymphadenectomy in Ovarian Neoplasms (LION) trial results, lymphadenectomy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer with primary complete cytoreductive surgery is considered indicated only for women with suspicious lymph nodes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative clinical examination for detecting lymph node metastases in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer during primary complete cytoreductive surgery. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched for January 1990 to May 2019 for studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative clinical examination for detecting lymph node metastases in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer during primary complete cytoreductive surgery, with histology as the gold standard. Methodological quality was assessed by using the QUADAS-2 tool. Pooled diagnostic accuracy was calculated, and hierarchical summary receiver operating curve was constructed. The potential sources of heterogeneity were analyzed by meta-regression analysis. Deek’s funnel plot test for publication bias and Fagan’s nomogram for clinical utility were also used. This meta-analysis included five studies involving 723 women. The pooled sensitivity of intraoperative clinical examination for detecting lymph node metastases was 0.79, 95% CI (0.67–0.87), and its specificity 0.85, 95% CI (0.67–0.94); the area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating curve was 0.86, 95% CI (0.83–0.89). In the meta-regression analysis, patient sample size, mean age, and type of cancer included were significant covariates explaining the potential sources of heterogeneity. Deek’s funnel plot test showed no evidence of publication bias (p = 0.25). Fagan’s nomogram indicated that intraoperative clinical examination increased the post-test probability of lymph node metastases to 79% when it was positive and reduced it to 16% when negative. This meta-analysis shows that the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative clinical examination during primary complete cytoreductive surgery for detecting lymph node metastases in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer is good.
Deep Brain Stimulation Is Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression
Authors: Hitti Frederick L. , Yang Andrew I. , Cristancho Mario A. , Baltuch Gordon H.
Published: August 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability and a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Approximately 30–40% of patients fail to achieve clinical remission with available pharmacological treatments, a clinical course termed treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Numerous studies have investigated deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a therapy for TRD. We performed a meta-analysis to determine efficacy and a meta-regression to compare stimulation targets. We identified and screened 1397 studies. We included 125 citations in the qualitative review and considered 26 for quantitative analysis. Only blinded studies that compared active DBS to sham stimulation (k = 12) were included in the meta-analysis. The random-effects model supported the efficacy of DBS for TRD (standardized mean difference = −0.75, <0 favors active stimulation; p = 0.0001). The meta-regression did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between stimulation targets (p = 0.45). While enthusiasm for DBS treatment of TRD has been tempered by recent randomized trials, this meta-analysis reveals a significant effect of DBS for the treatment of TRD. Additionally, the majority of trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of DBS for this indication. Further trials are required to determine the optimal stimulation parameters and patient populations for which DBS would be effective. Particular attention to factors including electrode placement technique, patient selection, and long-term follow-up is essential for future trial design.
Occurrence, Composition, and Relationships in Marine Plastic Debris on the First Long Beach Adjacent to the Land-Based Source, South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wei Shan-Shan , Zhang Ji-Biao , Ou Zhou , Yang Yu-Qin , Wang Ming-Yue
Published: August 2020

Land-based sources are the key sources of plastic debris, and mismanaged plastic debris can eventually enter the ocean via marine beaches. In this study, the spatial distribution and amount of plastic debris in the land-based source input zone of First Long Beach (FLB), China, which is a major tourist attraction, were first investigated. By using field investigation, sand samples were collected from two sections on FLB adjacent to land-based sources in December 2019, and the plastic debris in the sand samples was quantified and characterized in the laboratory. The amount of plastic debris ranged from 2 to 82 particles/m2 on this marine sand beach. There was a significant difference in plastic debris amount between the transects along the land-based source input zone (p < 0.05) due to the impacts of wind, ocean currents, and waves. The most abundant size of plastics was 0.5–2.5 cm (44.4%). Moreover, the most common color was white (60.9%). The most abundant shape of plastic debris fell into the fragment category (76.2%). The plastic debris amounts were significantly correlated with multiple sizes. Our results show that land-based wastewater discharge is a large plastic debris source on FLB under coastal water tide variation. Reduction strategies should be carried out by tracing the various land-based sources of plastic debris.
Distributed Propulsion Systems for Shallow Draft Vessels
Authors: Illes Ladislav , Kalina Tomas , Jurkovic Martin , Luptak Vladimir
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of distributed propulsion systems used on inland and coastal navigation in shallow water. Five layouts were assessed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The hull/propulsion layout cases have been analyzed for discrete flow speed values in the range 0–6 m/s. All cases have been examined under restricted draft conditions in shallow water with a minimum of 0.3 m under keel clearance (UKC) and under unrestricted draft conditions in deep water. The results show that distributed propulsion consisting of 6 or 8 (in some cases, even more) units produces noticeable higher thrust effects in shallow water than the traditional layout. Under restricted conditions, the thrust increase between two distributed layouts with different numbers of propulsors is higher, in contrast to deep water, where differences in performance are not so significant.
Future Directions—Engaged Scholarship and the Climate Crisis
Authors: Kiers A. Haven , de la Peña David , Napawan N. Claire
Published: August 2020

Climate change has the potential to disrupt ecosystem services and further exacerbate the effects of human activities on natural resources. This has significant implications for educational institutions and the populations they serve. As the current crop of landscape architecture students struggles to define its role within the climate crisis and its related social and political underpinnings, a core mission of colleges and universities moving forward should be to provide students with applied knowledge about how climate change affects the landscape. This goes beyond coursework in climate science or policy; for landscape architecture students to be leaders in the response to climate change, they need applied, practical skills. An ever-growing body of the literature focuses on landscape design strategies for climate change adaptation; however, few frameworks integrate these strategies with the hands-on experience students will need to face real-world challenges after graduation. Educational institutions have the potential to utilize their campuses as demonstration sites for applied ecosystem research programs and actively engage students with the design, implementation, politics, and ongoing stewardship of these landscapes. This paper uses a case study methodology to understand how experiential and public-engaged learning pedagogies contribute to student preparedness to address climate change. It examines three cases of engaged learning at the University of California, Davis campus and attributes their impact to intentional connections with research, to the delegation of responsibility; to the openness of spaces for experimentation, and to self-reflection that connects climate with everyday behavior. By promoting experiential learning programs that require students to actively use their heads and their hands to construct and sustainably manage their own campus landscapes, service-learning studios and internships can provide opportunities for students to address the real scenarios of climate crisis and resilience.
Diurnal Regulation of In Vivo Localization and CO2-Fixing Activity of Carboxysomes in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942
Authors: Sun Yaqi , Huang Fang , Dykes Gregory F. , Liu Lu-Ning
Published: August 2020

Carboxysomes are the specific CO2-fixing microcompartments in all cyanobacteria. Although it is known that the organization and subcellular localization of carboxysomes are dependent on external light conditions and are highly relevant to their functions, how carboxysome organization and function are actively orchestrated in natural diurnal cycles has remained elusive. Here, we explore the dynamic regulation of carboxysome positioning and carbon fixation in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 in response to diurnal light-dark cycles, using live-cell confocal imaging and Rubisco assays. We found that carboxysomes are prone to locate close to the central line along the short axis of the cell and exhibit a greater preference of polar distribution in the dark phase, coupled with a reduction in carbon fixation. Moreover, we show that deleting the gene encoding the circadian clock protein KaiA could lead to an increase in carboxysome numbers per cell and reduced portions of pole-located carboxysomes. Our study provides insight into the diurnal regulation of carbon fixation in cyanobacteria and the general cellular strategies of cyanobacteria living in natural habitat for environmental acclimation.
Rhabdovirus Infection Is Dependent on Serine/Threonine Kinase AP2-Associated Kinase 1
Authors: Luo Jun , Zhang Yue , Wang Yang , Liu Qing , Chen Luman , Zhang Boyue , Luo Yongwen , Huang Shile , Guo Xiaofeng
Published: August 2020

Rabies virus (RABV) causes a fatal neurological disease in both humans and animals. Understanding the mechanism of RABV infection is vital for prevention and therapy of virulent rabies infection. Our previous proteomics analysis based on isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation to identify factors revealed that RABV infection enhanced AP-2-associated protein kinase 1 (AAK1) in N2a cells. In this study, to further confirm the role of AAK1, we showed that RABV infection increased the transcription and expression of AAK1 in N2a cells. AAK1 knockdown significantly decreased RABV infection in both N2a and BHK-21 cells. AAK1 knockout inhibited RABV infection in N2a cells. Furthermore, inhibition of AAK1 kinase activity using sunitinib decreased RABV infection. However, AAK1 overexpression did not change RABV infection in vitro. Therapeutic administration of sunitinib did not significantly improve the survival rate of mice following lethal RABV challenge. In addition, AAK1 knockdown decreased infection in N2a cells by vesicular stomatitis virus, which is another rhabdovirus. These results indicate that rhabdovirus infection is dependent on AAK1 and inhibition of AAK1 is a potential strategy for the prevention and therapy of rabies.
Moisture Influence on Compressive Strength of Calcium Silicate Masonry Units–Experimental Assessment and Normative Calculations
Authors: Garbalińska Halina , Strzałkowski Jarosław , Stolarska Agata
Published: August 2020

This paper primarily assesses the scale of adverse changes to the compressive strength of different types of silicates due to the influence of moisture. The study covers three groups of silicate units of different strength classes—15, 20 and 25—obtained from three different manufacturers. It was demonstrated that in all studied groups, moisture significantly decreased the compressive strength by about 30–40%. In addition, microstructural studies were conducted to analyze the relationship between the specific porosity structure of each group of silicate bricks and their compressive strength. On the basis of SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDS (Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy) analysis, the elemental composition of individual silicates was determined and the contact zone between the aggregate and the binder was determined, which largely influenced the obtained compressive strength of each silicates. Next, the study referred to the utility of the normative procedure used to determine the strength class of samples with different geometries and at different moisture concentrations. The results of the calculations showed the high accuracy of the normative-based assessment of strength class, regardless of the manufacturer and the moisture values during examination.
Towards Functional Parts by Binder Jetting Calcium-Sulphate with Thermal Treatment Post-Processing
Authors: Castro-Sastre María Ángeles , Fernández-Abia Ana Isabel , Piep Janik , Rodríguez-González Pablo , Barreiro Joaquín
Published: August 2020

The objective of our research is to improve the properties of calcium-sulphate hemihydrate parts printed by binder jetting. In this paper, we show the thermal treatment results when using temperature time ramps on binder-jetted ceramic parts without infiltrating. The results show that the mechanical properties of printed parts are improved substantially. Two different thermal cycles were investigated for their effect on the dehydration process of CaSO4·½H2O using infrared analysis. The thermal-treated samples were compared with respect to porosity, surface roughness, compression strength and dimensional and weight variation. The proposed thermal treatment significantly improves the compression strength in a short time, guaranteeing dimensional stability while providing a good surface. This improvement in mechanical properties offers a great chance for using binder-jetted parts as functional components, for example, in the casting field or the medical sector (scaffolds).
Biodegradable and Drug-Eluting Inorganic Composites Based on Mesoporous Zinc Oxide for Urinary Stent Applications
Authors: Laurenti Marco , Grochowicz Marta , Dragoni Elena , Carofiglio Marco , Limongi Tania , Cauda Valentina
Published: August 2020

Conventional technologies for ureteral stent fabrication suffer from major inconveniences such as the development of encrustations and bacteria biofilm formation. These drawbacks typically lead to the failure of the device, significant patient discomfort and an additional surgery to remove and replace the stent in the worst cases. This work focuses on the preparation of a new nanocomposite material able to show drug elution properties, biodegradation and eventually potential antibacterial activity. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or the crosslinked poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels were prepared by the radical polymerization method and combined with a biodegradable and antibacterial filling agent, i.e., flower-like Zinc Oxide (ZnO) micropowders obtained via the hydrothermal route. The physico-chemical analyses revealed the correct incorporation of ZnO within the hydrogel matrix and its highly mesoporous structure and surface area, ideal for drug incorporation. Two different anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen and Diclofenac) were loaded within each composite and the release profile was monitored up to two weeks in artificial urine (AU) and even at different pH values in AU to simulate pathological conditions. The addition of mesoporous ZnO micropowders to the hydrogel did not negatively affect the drug loading properties of the hydrogel and it was successfully allowed to mitigate undesirable burst-release effects. Furthermore, the sustained release of the drugs over time was observed at neutral pH, with kinetic constants (k) as low as 0.05 h−1. By exploiting the pH-tunable swelling properties of the hydrogel, an even more sustained release was achieved in acidic and alkaline conditions especially at short release times, with a further reduction of burst effects (k ≈ 0.01–0.02 h−1). The nanocomposite system herein proposed represents a new material formulation for preparing innovative drug eluting stents with intrinsic antibacterial properties.
Durability of Fibre-Reinforced Calcium Aluminate Cement (CAC)–Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) Blended Mortar after Sulfuric Acid Attack
Authors: Fan Wei , Zhuge Yan , Ma Xing , Chow Christopher W. K. , Gorjian Nima , Oh Jeong-A , Duan Weiwei
Published: August 2020

Concrete wastewater infrastructures are important to modern society but are susceptible to sulfuric acid attack when exposed to an aggressive environment. Fibre-reinforced mortar has been adopted as a promising coating and lining material for degraded reinforced concrete structures due to its unique crack control and excellent anti-corrosion ability. This paper aims to evaluate the performance of polyethylene (PE) fibre-reinforced calcium aluminate cement (CAC)–ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) blended strain-hardening mortar after sulfuric acid immersion, which represented the aggressive sewer environment. Specimens were exposed to 3% sulfuric acid solution for up to 112 days. Visual, physical and mechanical performance such as water absorption ability, sorptivity, compressive and direct tensile strength were evaluated before and after sulfuric acid attack. In addition, micro-structure changes to the samples after sulfuric acid attack were also assessed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to further understand the deterioration mechanism. The results show that overall fibre-reinforced calcium aluminate cement (CAC)-based samples performed significantly better than fibre-reinforced ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based samples as well as mortar samples in sulfuric acid solution in regard to visual observations, penetration depth, direct tensile strength and compressive reduction. Gypsum generation in the cementitious matrix of both CAC and OPC-based systems was the main reason behind the deterioration mechanism after acid attack exposure. Moreover, laboratory sulfuric acid testing has been proven for successfully screening the cementitious material against an acidic environment. This method can be considered to design the service life of concrete wastewater pipes.
Detection of Micro-Cracks in Metals Using Modulation of PZT-Induced Lamb Waves
Authors: Lee Sang Eon , Hong Jung-Wuk
Published: August 2020

The ultrasonic modulation technique, developed by inspecting the nonlinearity from the interactions of crack surfaces, has been considered very effective in detecting fatigue cracks in the early stage of the crack development due to its high sensitivity. The wave modulation is the frequency shift of a wave passing through a crack and does not occur in intact specimens. Various parameters affect the modulation of the wave, but quantitative analysis for each variable has not been comprehensively conducted due to the complicated interaction of irregular crack surfaces. In this study, specimens with a constant crack width are manufactured, and the effects of various excitation parameters on modulated wave generation are analyzed. Based on the analysis, an effective crack detection algorithm is proposed and verified by applying the algorithm to fatigue cracks. For the quantitative analysis, tests are repeatedly conducted by varying parameters. As a result, the excitation intensity shows a strong linear relationship with the amount of modulated waves, and the increase of modulated wave is expected as crack length increases. However, the change in the dynamic characteristics of the specimen with the crack length is more dominant in the results. The excitation frequency is the most dominant variable to generate the modulated waves, but a direct correlation is not observed as it is difficult to measure the interaction of crack surfaces. A numerical analysis technique is developed to accurately simulate the movement and interaction of the crack surface. The crack detection algorithm, improved by using the observations from the quantitative analyses, can distinguish the occurrence of modulated waves from the ambient noises, and the state of the specimens is determined by using two nonlinear indexes.
Influence of Myrrh Extracts on the Properties of PLA Films and Melt-Spun Multifilament Yarns
Authors: Bolskis Evaldas , Adomavičiūtė Erika , Griškonis Egidijus , Norvydas Valdas
Published: August 2020

A possible approach for providing new properties for textiles is the insertion of natural ingredients into the textile product during the process of its manufacture. Myrrh has long been used in medicine as an antibacterial and antifungal material. Polylactide (PLA) is a thermoplastic synthetic biopolymer obtained from renewable resources—and due its biodegradability, is also widely used in medicine. In this study, films and multifilament yarns from modified biodegradable PLA granules with ethanolic and aqueous myrrh extracts were developed and characterized. Optical microscopy was used to determine the surface morphology of PLA/myrrh multifilament yarns. Tensile tests, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were applied to determine, consequently, mechanical, optical properties and degree of crystallinity of PLA/myrrh films and multifilament yarns. The chemical composition of PLA/myrrh multifilament yarns was estimated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy method. The results showed that it is possible to form PLA melt-spun multifilament yarns with myrrh extract. The type of myrrh extract (ethanolic or aqueous) has a significant influence on the mechanical and optical properties of the PLA films and melt-spun yarns. The mechanical properties of PLA films and melt-spun multifilament yarns formed from PLA granules with aqueous myrrh extract decreased 19% and 21% more than PLA with ethanolic extract, respectively. Analysis of UV-vis spectra showed that, due to the yellow hue, the reflectance of PLA films and melt-spun PLA multifilament yarns modified with myrrh extracts decreased exponentially. The DSC test showed that multifilament yarns from PLA modified with aqueous extract had the highest degree of crystallization.
Integrated Computational Material Design for PMC Manufacturing with Trapped Rubber
Authors: Blinzler Brina J. , Khalili Pooria , Ahlström Johan
Published: August 2020

As the use of continuous fiber polymer matrix composites expands into new fields, there is a growing need for more sustainable manufacturing processes. An integrated computational material design framework has been developed, which enables the design of tailored manufacturing systems for polymer matrix composite materials as a sustainable alternative to achieving high-quality components in high-rate production. Trapped rubber processing achieves high pressures during polymer matrix composite processing, utilizing the thermally induced volume change of a nearly incompressible material inside a closed cavity mold. In this interdisciplinary study, the structural analysis, material science and manufacturing engineering perspectives are all combined to determine the mold mechanics, and the manufacturing process in a cohesive and iterative design loop. This study performs the coupled thermo-mechanical analysis required to simulate the transients involved in composite manufacturing and the results are compared with a previously developed test method. The internal surface pressure and temperatures are computed, compared with the experimental results, and the resulting design process is simulated. Overall, this approach maintains high-quality consolidation during curing while allowing for the possibility for custom distributions of pressures and temperatures. This can lead to more sustainable manufacturing by reducing energy consumption and improving throughput.
Characterization and Electronic Properties of Heptazine Layers: Towards Promising Interfacial Materials for Organic Optoelectronics
Authors: Ibrahim Zamkoye Issoufou , El Gbouri Houda , Antony Remi , Ratier Bernard , Bouclé Johann , Galmiche Laurent , Trigaud Thierry , Audebert Pierre
Published: August 2020

For the first time, an original compound belonging to the heptazine family has been deposited in the form of thin layers, both by thermal evaporation under vacuum and spin-coating techniques. In both cases, smooth and homogeneous layers have been obtained, and their properties evaluated for eventual applications in the field of organic electronics. The layers have been fully characterized by several concordant techniques, namely UV-visible spectroscopy, steady-state and transient fluorescence in the solid-state, as well as topographic and conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM) used in Kelvin probe force mode (KPFM). Consequently, the afferent energy levels, including Fermi level, have been determined, and show that these new heptazines are promising materials for tailoring the electronic properties of interfaces associated with printed electronic devices. A test experiment showing an improved electron transfer rate from a tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) photo-active layer in presence of a heptazine interlayer is finally presented.
Synthesis of Silver Nanoplates with the Assistance of Natural Polymer (Sodium Alginate) Under 0 °C
Authors: Yang Pengfei , Liang Yu , Zhang Daxiao , Zhang Jin , Li Shijie , Liu Weiguo
Published: August 2020

Some special conditions are important for chemical syntheses, such as high temperature and the medium used; unfortunately, uncontrollable influences are introduced during the process, resulting in unexpectedly low repeatability. Herein, we report a facile, environmentally friendly, stable, and repeatable methodology for synthesizing silver nanoplates (SNPs) at 0 °C that overcomes these issues and dramatically increases the yield. This method mainly employs sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium alginate (SA) as the surface stabilizer and assistant, respectively. Consequently, we produced hexagonal nanoplates and tailed nanoplates, and the characterization showed that SA dominates the clear and regular profiles of nanoplates at 0 °C. The tailed nanoplates, over time, showed the growth of heads and the dissolving of tails, and inclined to the nanoplates without tails. The synthesis method for SNPs used in this study—0 °C without media—showed high repeatability. We confirmed that these special conditions are not required for the synthesis of silver nanostructures (SNSs). Furthermore, we constructed a new method for preparing noble metal nanostructures and proved the possibility of preparing metal nanostructures at 0 °C.
Fast Response Isopropanol Sensing Properties with Sintered BiFeO3 Nanocrystals
Authors: Xu Hongxiang , Xu Junhua , Wei Junlin , Zhang Yamei
Published: August 2020

BiFeO3 nanocrystals were applied as the sensing material to isopropanol. The isopropanol sensor based on BiFeO3 nanocrystals shows excellent gas-sensing properties at the optimum working temperature of 240 °C. The sensitivity of as-prepared sensor to 100 ppm isopropanol is 31 and its response and recovery time is as fast as 6 and 17 s. The logarithmic curves of the sensitivity and concentration of BiFeO3 sensors are a very good linear in the low detection range of 2–100 ppm. In addition, the gas sensing mechanism is also discussed. The results suggest that the BiFeO3 nanomaterial can be potentially applied in isopropanol gas detection.
Analysis of Surface Microgeometry Created by Electric Discharge Machining
Authors: Bartkowiak Tomasz , Mendak Michał , Mrozek Krzysztof , Wieczorowski Michał
Published: August 2020

The objective of this work is to study the geometric properties of surface topographies of hot-work tool steel created by electric discharge machining (EDM) using motif and multiscale analysis. The richness of these analyses is tested through calculating the strengths of the correlations between discharge energies and resulting surface characterization parameters, focusing on the most representative surface features—craters, and how they change with scale. Surfaces were created by EDM using estimated energies from 150 to 9468 µJ and measured by focus variation microscope. The measured topographies consist of overlapping microcraters, of which the geometry was characterized using three different analysis: conventional with ISO parameters, and motif and multiscale curvature tensor analysis. Motif analysis uses watershed segmentation which allows extraction and geometrically characterization of each crater. Curvature tensor analysis focuses on the characterization of principal curvatures and their function and their evolution with scale. Strong correlations (R2 > 0.9) were observed between craters height, diameter, area and curvature using linear and logarithmic regressions. Conventional areal parameter related to heights dispersion were found to correlate stronger using logarithmic regression. Geometric characterization of process-specific topographic formations is considered to be a natural and intuitive way of analyzing the complexity of studied surfaces. The presented approach allows extraction of information directly relating to the shape and size of topographic features of interest. In the tested conditions, the surface finish is mostly affected and potentially controlled by discharge energy at larger scales which is associated with sizes of fabricated craters.
Extended CT Void Analysis in FDM Additive Manufacturing Components
Authors: Hernandez-Contreras Adriana , Ruiz-Huerta Leopoldo , Caballero-Ruiz Alberto , Moock Verena , Siller Hector R.
Published: August 2020

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the term for a number of processes for joining materials to build physical components from a digital 3D model. AM has multiple advantages over other construction techniques, such as freeform, customization, and waste reduction. However, AM components have been evaluated by destructive and non-destructive testing and have shown mechanical issues, such as reduced resistance, anisotropy and voids. The build direction affects the mechanical properties of the built part, including voids of different characteristics. The aim of this work is an extended analysis of void shape by means of X-ray computed tomography (CT) applied to fused deposition modeling (FDM) samples. Furthermore, a relation between the tensile mechanical properties and digital void measurements is established. The results of this work demonstrate that void characteristics such as quantity, size, sphericity and compactness show no obvious variations between the samples. However, the angle between the main void axis and the mechanical load axis α shows a relation for FDM components: when its mean value μ(α) is around 80 (degrees) the yield strength and Young’s modulus are reduced. These results lead to the formulation of a novel criterion that predicts the mechanical behavior of AM components.
The Effect of Incorporating Silica Stone Waste on the Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Concretes
Authors: Abbasi Saeid , Jannaty Mohammad Hemen , Faraj Rabar H. , Shahbazpanahi Shahriar , Mosavi Amir
Published: August 2020

Incorporating various industrial waste materials into concrete has recently gained attention for sustainable construction. This paper, for the first time, studies the effects of silica stone waste (SSW) powder on concrete. The cement of concrete was replaced with 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the SSW powder. The mechanical properties of concrete, such as compressive and tensile strength, were studied. Furthermore, the microstructure of concrete was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDX), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) tests. Compressive and tensile strength of samples with 5% SSW powder was improved up to 18.8% and 10.46%, respectively. As can be observed in the SEM images, a reduced number of pores and higher density in the matrix can explain the better compressive strength of samples with 5% SSW powder.
MINE: Identifying Top-k Vital Nodes in Complex Networks via Maximum Influential Neighbors Expansion
Authors: Huang Xinyu , Chen Dongming , Wang Dongqi , Ren Tao
Published: August 2020

Identifying vital nodes in complex networks is of paramount importance in understanding and controlling the spreading dynamics. Currently, this study is facing great challenges in dealing with big data in many real-life applications. With the deepening of the research, scholars began to realize that the analysis on traditional graph model is insufficient because many nodes in a multilayer network share connections among different layers. To address this problem both efficiently and effectively, a novel algorithm for identifying vital nodes in both monolayer and multilayer networks is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a node influence measure is employed to determine the initial leader of a local community. Subsequently, the community structures are revealed via the Maximum Influential Neighbors Expansion (MINE) strategy. Afterward, the communities are regarded as super-nodes for an iteratively folding process till convergence, in order to identify influencers hierarchically. Numerical experiments on 32 real-world datasets are conducted to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, which shows superiority to the competitors. Furthermore, we apply the proposed algorithm in the graph of adjacencies derived from the maps of China and USA. The comparison and analysis of the identified provinces (or states) suggest that the proposed algorithm is feasible and reasonable on real-life applications.
Preparation, Supramolecular Aggregation and Immunological Activity of the Bona Fide Vaccine Adjuvant Sulfavant S
Authors: Manzo Emiliano , Fioretto Laura , Gallo Carmela , Ziaco Marcello , Nuzzo Genoveffa , D’Ippolito Giuliana , Borzacchiello Assunta , Fabozzi Antonio , De Palma Raffaele , Fontana Angelo
Published: August 2020

In aqueous conditions, amphiphilic bioactive molecules are able to form self-assembled colloidal structures modifying their biological activity. This behavior is generally neglected in preclinical studies, despite its impact on pharmacological development. In this regard, a significative example is represented by a new class of amphiphilic marine-inspired vaccine adjuvants, collectively named Sulfavants, based on the β-sulfoquinovosyl-diacylglyceride skeleton. The family includes the lead product Sulfavant A (1) and two epimers, Sulfavant R (2) and Sulfavant S (3), differing only for the stereochemistry at C-2 of glycerol. The three compounds showed a significant difference in immunological potency, presumably correlated with change of the aggregates in water. Here, a new synthesis of diastereopure 3 was achieved, and the study of the immunomodulatory behavior of mixtures of 2/3 proved that the bizarre in vitro response to 1–3 effectively depends on the supramolecular aggregation states, likely affecting the bioavailability of agonists that can effectively interact with the cellular targets. The evidence obtained with the mixture of pure Sulfavant R (2) and Sulfavant S (3) proves, for the first time, that supramolecular organization of a mixture of active epimers in aqueous solution can bias evaluation of their biological and pharmacological potential.
New Biscembranoids Sardigitolides A–D and Known Cembranoid-Related Compounds from Sarcophyton digitatum: Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Bioactivities
Authors: Huang Tzu-Yin , Huang Chiung-Yao , Chao Chih-Hua , Lin Chi-Chien , Dai Chang-Feng , Su Jui-Hsin , Sung Ping-Jyun , Wu Shih-Hsiung , Sheu Jyh-Horng
Published: August 2020

Chemical examination from the cultured soft coral Sarcophyton digitatum resulted in the isolation and structural identification of four new biscembranoidal metabolites, sardigitolides A–D (1–4), along with three previously isolated biscembranoids, sarcophytolide L (5), glaucumolide A (6), glaucumolide B (7), and two known cembranoids (8 and 9). The chemical structures of all isolates were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Additionally, in order to discover bioactivity of marine natural products, 1–8 were examined in terms of their inhibitory potential against the upregulation of inflammatory factor production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage J774A.1 cells and their cytotoxicities against a limited panel of cancer cells. The anti-inflammatory results showed that at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, 6 and 8 inhibited the production of IL-1β to 68 ± 1 and 56 ± 1%, respectively, in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages J774A.1. Furthermore, sardigitolide B (2) displayed cytotoxicities toward MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines with the IC50 values of 9.6 ± 3.0 and 14.8 ± 4.0 µg/mL, respectively.
Effects of Nitrogen Availability on the Antioxidant Activity and Carotenoid Content of the Microalgae Nephroselmis sp
Authors: Coulombier Noémie , Nicolau Elodie , Le Déan Loïc , Barthelemy Vanille , Schreiber Nathalie , Brun Pierre , Lebouvier Nicolas , Jauffrais Thierry
Published: August 2020

Nephroselmis sp. was previously identified as a species of interest for its antioxidant properties owing to its high carotenoid content. In addition, nitrogen availability can impact biomass and specific metabolites’ production of microalgae. To optimize parameters of antioxidant production, Nephroselmis sp. was cultivated in batch and continuous culture conditions in stirred closed photobioreactors under different nitrogen conditions (N-repletion, N-limitation, and N-starvation). The aim was to determine the influence of nitrogen availability on the peroxyl radical scavenging activity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay) and carotenoid content of Nephroselmis sp. Pigment analysis revealed a specific and unusual photosynthetic system with siphonaxanthin-type light harvesting complexes found in primitive green algae, but also high lutein content and xanthophyll cycle pigments (i.e., violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin), as observed in most advanced chlorophytes. The results indicated that N-replete conditions enhance carotenoid biosynthesis, which would correspond to a higher antioxidant capacity measured in Nephroselmis sp. Indeed, peroxyl radical scavenging activity and total carotenoids were higher under N-replete conditions and decreased sharply under N-limitation or starvation conditions. Considering individual carotenoids, siphonaxanthin, neoxanthin, xanthophyll cycle pigments, and lycopene followed the same trend as total carotenoids, while β-carotene and lutein stayed stable regardless of the nitrogen availability. Carotenoid productivities were also higher under N-replete treatment. The peroxyl radical scavenging activity measured with ORAC assay (63.6 to 154.9 µmol TE g−1 DW) and the lutein content (5.22 to 7.97 mg g−1 DW) were within the upper ranges of values reported previously for other microalgae. Furthermore, contents of siphonaxanthin ere 6 to 20% higher than in previous identified sources (siphonous green algae). These results highlight the potential of Nephroselmis sp. as a source of natural antioxidant and as a pigment of interest.
Gracilosulfates A–G, Monosulfated Polyoxygenated Steroids from the Marine Sponge Haliclona gracilis
Authors: Shubina Larisa K. , Makarieva Tatyana N. , Denisenko Vladimir A. , Popov Roman S. , Dyshlovoy Sergey A. , Grebnev Boris B. , Dmitrenok Pavel S. , von Amsberg Gunhild , Stonik Valentin A.
Published: August 2020

Seven new polyoxygenated steroids belonging to a new structural group of sponge steroids, gracilosulfates A–G (1–7), possessing 3β-O-sulfonato, 5β,6β epoxy (or 5(6)-dehydro), and 4β,23-dihydroxy substitution patterns as a common structural motif, were isolated from the marine sponge Haliclona gracilis. Their structures were determined by NMR and MS methods. The compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 inhibited the expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in 22Rv1 tumor cells.
Asthma: New Integrative Treatment Strategies for the Next Decades
Authors: Arteaga-Badillo Diego A. , Portillo-Reyes Jacqueline , Vargas-Mendoza Nancy , Morales-González José A. , Izquierdo-Vega Jeannett A. , Sánchez-Gutiérrez Manuel , Álvarez-González Isela , Morales-González Ángel , Madrigal-Bujaidar Eduardo , Madrigal-Santillán Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Asthma is a chronic disease whose main anatomical–functional alterations are grouped into obstruction, nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity, inflammation and airway remodeling. Currently, the Global Initiative of Asthma 2020 (GINA 2020) suggests classifying it into intermittent cases, slightly persistent, moderately persistent and severely persistent, thus determining the correct guidelines for its therapy. In general, the drugs used for its management are divided into two groups, those with a potential bronchodilator and the controlling agents of inflammation. However, asthmatic treatments continue to evolve, and notable advances have been made possible in biological therapy with monoclonal antibodies and in the relationship between this disease and oxidative stress. This opens a new path to dietary and herbal strategies and the use of antioxidants as a possible therapy that supports conventional pharmacological treatments and reduces their doses and/or adverse effects. This review compiles information from different published research on risk factors, pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis and the main treatments; likewise, it synthesizes the current evidence of herbal medicine for its control. Studies on integrative medicine (IM) therapies for asthmatic control are critically reviewed. An integrative approach to the prevention and management of asthma warrants consideration in clinical practice. The intention is to encourage health professionals and scientists to expand the horizons of basic and clinical research (preclinical, clinical and integrative medicine) on asthma control.
Predictive Factors for the First Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Elderly from Western Romania
Authors: Marincu Iosif , Bratosin Felix , Vidican Iulia , Cerbu Bianca , Turaiche Mirela , Tirnea Livius , Timircan Madalina
Published: August 2020

Background and objectives: At present, Romania and parts of the European Union are facing an increasingly challenging public health problem consisting of nosocomial Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), mostly in the elderly. Relapse cases have become more frequent, which present higher morbidity and mortality rates than the initial CDI infection. The aim of this study is to determine the predictive factors for recurrence, with the purpose of reducing the exposure of patients diagnosed with CDI, as well as aiming to initiate early treatment. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, we analyze a database from the First Department of Infectious Diseases at the Dr. Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology in Timisoara, looking for patient history of CDI recurrences. We analyzed CDI recurrence in patients aged ≥65 years from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019, identifying 77 cases of CDI recurrence. The determination of predictive factors for recurrence involved the formation of a randomized control group, consisting of 74 patients aged ≥65 years who were diagnosed with C. difficile enterocolitis, but did not suffer a recurrence and survived ≥2 weeks after symptom onset. Results: Immunocompromised status, pre-existing gastrointestinal disease, and fever on initial hospitalization for CDI were all found to be significant independent positive predictive factors for the condition recurring in elderly Romanian patients. Conclusions: As the geriatric population in Romania grows, the national health system becomes increasingly overburdened, both from a financial standpoint and a human resources perspective. The analysis of factors predictive for CDI recurrence is, thus, of the utmost importance, particularly for the early identification of patients most at risk of CDI recurrence. Our findings could help physicians to identify recurrence early, consequently benefitting patients by a rapid intervention with a potential decrease in the associated complications and mortality.
Enhancement of the Fouling Resistance of Zwitterion Coated Ceramic Membranes
Authors: Storms Max , Kadhem Abbas , Xiang Shuting , Bernards Matthew , Gentile Guillermina , Fidalgo de Cortalezzi María
Published: August 2020

Ceramic membranes suffer from rapid permeability loss during filtration of organic matter due to their fouling propensity. To address this problem, iron oxide ultrafiltration membranes were coated with poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA), a superhydrophilic zwitterionic polymer. The ceramic-organic hybrid membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profilometry (OP). Membranes with and without polySBMA coating were subjected to fouling with bovine serum albumin solution. Hydraulic cleaning was significantly more effective for the coated membrane than for the non-coated one, as 56%, 66%, and 100% of the fouling was removed for the first, second, and third filtration cycle, respectively. Therefore, we can highlight the improved cleaning due to an increased fouling reversibility. Although some loss of polymer during operation was detected, it did not affect the improved behavior of the tested membranes.
A Reevaluation of Chitosan-Decorated Nanoparticles to Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier
Authors: Cortés Hernán , Alcalá-Alcalá Sergio , Caballero-Florán Isaac H. , Bernal-Chávez Sergio A. , Ávalos-Fuentes Arturo , González-Torres Maykel , González-Del Carmen Manuel , Figueroa-González Gabriela , Reyes-Hernández Octavio D. , Floran Benjamín , Del Prado-Audelo María L. , Leyva-Gómez Gerardo
Published: August 2020

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a sophisticated and very selective dynamic interface composed of endothelial cells expressing enzymes, transport systems, and receptors that regulate the passage of nutrients, ions, oxygen, and other essential molecules to the brain, regulating its homeostasis. Moreover, the BBB performs a vital function in protecting the brain from pathogens and other dangerous agents in the blood circulation. Despite its crucial role, this barrier represents a difficult obstacle for the treatment of brain diseases because many therapeutic agents cannot cross it. Thus, different strategies based on nanoparticles have been explored in recent years. Concerning this, chitosan-decorated nanoparticles have demonstrated enormous potential for drug delivery across the BBB and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, gliomas, cerebral ischemia, and schizophrenia. Our main objective was to highlight the high potential of chitosan adsorption to improve the penetrability through the BBB of nanoformulations for diseases of CNS. Therefore, we describe the BBB structure and function, as well as the routes of chitosan for crossing it. Moreover, we define the methods of decoration of nanoparticles with chitosan and provide numerous examples of their potential utilization in a variety of brain diseases. Lastly, we discuss future directions, mentioning the need for extensive characterization of proposed nanoformulations and clinical trials for evaluation of their efficacy.