bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nordic Walking Rather Than High Intensity Interval Training Reduced Myostatin Concentration More Effectively in Elderly Subjects and the Range of This Drop Was Modified by Metabolites of Vitamin D
Authors: Micielska Katarzyna , Flis Marta , Kortas Jakub Antoni , Rodziewicz-Flis Ewa , Antosiewicz Jędrzej , Wochna Krystian , Lombardi Giovanni , Ziemann Ewa
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent self-isolation exacerbated the problem of insufficient amounts of physical activity and its consequences. At the same time, this revealed the advantage of vitamin D. Thus, there was a need to verify the effects of those forms of training that can be performed independently. In this study, we examined the effects of Nordic walking (NW) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) with regard to the impact of the metabolite vitamin D. We assigned 32 overweight adults (age = 61 ± 12 years) to one of two training groups: NW = 18 and HIIT = 14. Body composition assessment and blood sample collection were conducted before starting the training programs and a day after their completion. NW training induced a significant decrease in myostatin (p = 0.05) concentration; however, the range was dependent on the baseline concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. This drop was accompanied by a significant negative correlation with the decorin concentration. Unexpectedly, NW caused a decrement in both forms of osteocalcin: undercarboxylated (Glu-OC) and carboxylated-type (Gla-OC). The scope of Glu-OC changes was dependent on a baseline concentration of 25(OH)D2 (r = −0.60, p = 0.01). In contrast, the HIIT protocol did not induce any changes. Overall results revealed that NW diminished the myostatin concentration and that this effect is more pronounced among adults with a sufficient concentration of vitamin D metabolites.
Effect of Postoperative Coffee Consumption on Postoperative Ileus after Abdominal Surgery: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Miki Atsushi , Koizumi Masaru , Kotani Kazuhiko , Sata Naohiro
Published: December 2021

Background: Previous systematic reviews have not clarified the effect of postoperative coffee consumption on the incidence of postoperative ileus (POI) and the length of hospital stay (LOS). We aimed to assess its effect on these postoperative outcomes. Methods: Studies evaluating postoperative coffee consumption were searched using electronic databases until September 2021 to perform random-effect meta-analysis. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were also compared. Results: Thirteen trials (1246 patients) and nine ongoing trials were included. Of the 13 trials, 6 were on colorectal surgery, 5 on caesarean section, and 2 on gynecological surgery. Coffee reduced the time to first defecation (mean difference (MD) −10.1 min; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −14.5 to −5.6), POI (risk ratio 0.42; 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.69); and LOS (MD −1.5; 95% CI = −2.7 to −0.3). This trend was similar in colorectal and gynecological surgeries. Coffee had no adverse effects. There was no difference in POI or LOS between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee (p > 0.05). The certainty of evidence was low to moderate. Conclusion: This review showed that postoperative coffee consumption, regardless of caffeine content, likely reduces POI and LOS after colorectal and gynecological surgery.
Biology of Perseverative Negative Thinking: The Role of Timing and Folate Intake
Authors: Eszlari Nora , Bruncsics Bence , Millinghoffer Andras , Hullam Gabor , Petschner Peter , Gonda Xenia , Breen Gerome , Antal Peter , Bagdy Gyorgy , Deakin John Francis William , Juhasz Gabriella
Published: December 2021

Past-oriented rumination and future-oriented worry are two aspects of perseverative negative thinking related to the neuroticism endophenotype and associated with depression and anxiety. Our present aim was to investigate the genomic background of these two aspects of perseverative negative thinking within separate groups of individuals with suboptimal versus optimal folate intake. We conducted a genome-wide association study in the UK Biobank database (n = 72,621) on the “rumination” and “worry” items of the Eysenck Personality Inventory Neuroticism scale in these separate groups. Optimal folate intake was related to lower worry, but unrelated to rumination. In contrast, genetic associations for worry did not implicate specific biological processes, while past-oriented rumination had a more specific genetic background, emphasizing its endophenotypic nature. Furthermore, biological pathways leading to rumination appeared to differ according to folate intake: purinergic signaling and circadian regulator gene ARNTL emerged in the whole sample, blastocyst development, DNA replication, and C-C chemokines in the suboptimal folate group, and prostaglandin response and K+ channel subunit gene KCNH3 in the optimal folate group. Our results point to possible benefits of folate in anxiety disorders, and to the importance of simultaneously taking into account genetic and environmental factors to determine personalized intervention in polygenic and multifactorial disorders.
Strategies to Mitigate Chemotherapy and Radiation Toxicities That Affect Eating
Authors: Anderson Peter M. , Thomas Stefanie M. , Sartoski Shauna , Scott Jacob G. , Sobilo Kaitlin , Bewley Sara , Salvador Laura K. , Salazar-Abshire Maritza
Published: December 2021

Background: Cancer and its therapy is commonly associated with a variety of side effects that impact eating behaviors that reduce nutritional intake. This review will outline potential causes of chemotherapy and radiation damage as well as approaches for the amelioration of the side effects of cancer during therapy. Methods: Information for clinicians, patients, and their caregivers about toxicity mitigation including nausea reduction, damage to epithelial structures such as skin and mucosa, organ toxicity, and education is reviewed. Results: How to anticipate, reduce, and prevent some toxicities encountered during chemotherapy and radiation is detailed with the goal to improve eating behaviors. Strategies for health care professionals, caregivers, and patients to consider include (a) the reduction in nausea and vomiting, (b) decreasing damage to the mucosa, (c) avoiding a catabolic state and muscle wasting (sarcopenia), and (d) developing therapeutic alliances with patients, caregivers, and oncologists. Conclusions: Although the reduction of side effects involves anticipatory guidance and proactive team effort (e.g., forward observation, electronic interactions, patient reported outcomes), toxicity reduction can be satisfying for not only the patient, but everyone involved in cancer care.
Opioid Dosage Levels, Concurrent Risk Factors and Self-Perceptions among Chronic Pain, Opioid-Managed Individuals at Elevated Risk for Opioid Overdose
Authors: Ellis Matthew S. , Kasper Zachary A. , Gold Mark , Cicero Theodore J.
Published: December 2021

While current opioid prescribing guidelines highlight a dose-response relationship between therapeutic management and overdose risk, other concurrent risk factors have also been identified. However, there is little data in assessing the relationship between risk factor prevalence, associated provider communication, and subsequent perceptions of overdose risk among chronic pain, opioid-managed (CPOM) patients. An online questionnaire was distributed in June 2020 to a sample of CPOM individuals (n = 190) treated with an opioid prescription at or above 50 daily MME, or any dosage alongside benzodiazepines. CPOM individuals reported a mean daily MME of 470, with half (52.6%) receiving a concurrent benzodiazepine prescription. All patients reported past month alcohol use, and 67.4% indicated a risk-elevating diagnosed medical condition. In assessing provider communication, 41.6% reported no discussion focusing on the risks of one’s opioid therapy. Subsequently, 62.1% perceived themselves as having “no risk”, and 60.0% were “not at all concerned” (60.0%) about experiencing an opioid overdose. Organizational policies should focus on implementing consistent methods of patient education regarding overdose risk, as well as assessments of behaviors or characteristics that my increase an individual’s risk of opioid overdose. These policies should also include other forms of evidence-based overdose risk prevention such as co-prescriptions of naloxone.
Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Potential Restorative Treatment for Cartilage Defects: A PRISMA Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Meng Henry , Lu Victor , Khan Wasim
Published: December 2021

Cartilage defects are a predisposing factor for osteoarthritis. Conventional therapies are mostly palliative and there is an interest in developing newer therapies that target the disease’s progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested as a promising therapy to restore hyaline cartilage to cartilage defects, though the optimal cell source has remained under investigation. A PRISMA systematic review was conducted utilising five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science) which identified nineteen human studies that used adipose tissue-derived MSC (AMSC)-based therapies, including culture-expanded AMSCs and stromal vascular fraction, to treat cartilage defects. Clinical, imaging and histological outcomes, as well as other relevant details pertaining to cartilage regeneration, were extracted from each study. Pooled analysis revealed a significant improvement in WOMAC scores (mean difference: −25.52; 95%CI (−30.93, −20.10); p < 0.001), VAS scores (mean difference: −3.30; 95%CI (−3.72, −2.89); p < 0.001), KOOS scores and end point MOCART score (mean: 68.12; 95%CI (62.18, 74.05)), thus showing improvement. The studies in this review demonstrate the safety and efficacy of AMSC-based therapies for cartilage defects. Establishing standardised methods for MSC extraction and delivery, and performing studies with long follow-up should enable future high-quality research to provide the evidence needed to bring AMSC-based therapies into the market.
Association between Statin Use and Gastric Cancer: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a National Health Screening Cohort in Korea
Authors: Kwon Mi Jung , Kang Ho Suk , Kim Joo-Hee , Kim Ji Hee , Kim Se Hoon , Kim Nan Young , Nam Eun Sook , Min Kyueng-Whan , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: December 2021

Concerns about the hazards of statins on the development and mortality of stomach cancers remain controversial. Here, we investigated the likelihood of incident gastric cancers and related mortality depending on statin exposure, statin type, and the duration of use. This nested case–control-designed study was composed of 8798 patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer and matched with 35,192 controls at a 1:4 ratio based on propensity scores of age, sex, residential area, and income from the Korean National Health Insurance Service—Health Screening Cohort database (2002–2015). Propensity score overlap weighting was adjusted to balance the baseline covariates. Overlap propensity score-weighted logistic regression analyses were assessed to determine associations of the prior use of statins (any statin, hydrophilic statins vs. lipophilic statins) with incident gastric cancer and its mortality depending on the medication duration (<180 days, 180–545 days, and >545 days) after adjusting for multiple covariates. After adjustment, the use of any statin, hydrophilic statins, or lipophilic statins showed significant associations with lower odds for incident stomach cancer when used for a short-term period (180–545 days) (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81–0.86, p = 0.002; OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.66–0.92, p = 0.004; and OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84–0.99, p = 0.039, respectively) compared to the control group. Hydrophilic statin use for 180–545 days was associated with 53% lower overall mortality (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.29–0.77). In subgroup analyses, beneficial effects on both cancer development and mortality persisted in patients ≥65 years old, patients with normal blood pressure, and patients with high fasting glucose levels. There were no such associations with long-term statin use (>545 days). Thus, the current nationwide cohort study suggests that prior short-term statin use may have anti-gastric cancer benefits in elderly patients with hyperglycemia.
New Method for the Monitoring of Antidepressants in Oral Fluid Using Dried Spot Sampling
Authors: Soares Sofia , Rosado Tiago , Barroso Mário , Gallardo Eugenia
Published: December 2021

The increase in the consumption of antidepressants is a public health problem worldwide, as these are a class of compounds widely used in the treatment of several illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. This work aimed to develop and optimize a method for the quantification of a number of antidepressants and their metabolites (fluoxetine, venlafaxine, O-desmethylvenlafaxine, citalopram, sertraline, and paroxetine) in 100 µL of oral fluid using the dried saliva spots (DSS) sampling approach and gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The method was validated, presenting linearity within the studied range, with detection and quantification limits ranging between 10 and 100 ng/mL, and coefficients of determination (R2) of at least 0.99 for all analytes. Recoveries were between approximately 13 and 46%. The analysis of precision and accuracy presented acceptable coefficients of variation and relative errors, considering the criteria usually accepted in the validation of bioanalytical procedures. The method herein described is the first to be reported using DSS for the extraction of antidepressants, proving to be a sensitive, simple, and fast alternative to conventional techniques, and capable of being routinely applied in clinical and forensic toxicology scenarios.
Advanced Hydrogels for the Controlled Delivery of Insulin
Authors: Mansoor Shazia , Kondiah Pierre P. D. , Choonara Yahya E.
Published: December 2021

Insulin is a peptide hormone that is key to regulating physiological glucose levels. Its molecular size and susceptibility to conformational change under physiological pH make it challenging to orally administer insulin in diabetes. The most effective route for insulin delivery remains daily injection. Unfortunately, this results in poor patient compliance and increasing the risk of micro- and macro-vascular complications and thus rising morbidity and mortality rates in diabetics. The use of 3D hydrogels has been used with much interest for various biomedical applications. Hydrogels can mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and retain large quantities of water with tunable properties, which renders them suitable for administering a wide range of sensitive therapeutics. Several studies have demonstrated the fixation of insulin within the structural mesh of hydrogels as a bio-scaffold for the controlled delivery of insulin. This review provides a concise incursion into recent developments for the safe and effective controlled delivery of insulin using advanced hydrogel platforms with a special focus on sustained release injectable formulations. Various hydrogel platforms in terms of their methods of synthesis, properties, and unique features such as stimuli responsiveness for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes mellitus are critically appraised. Key criteria for classifying hydrogels are also outlined together with future trends in the field.
Abdominoplasty Skin-Based Dressing for Deep Wound Treatment—Evaluation of Different Methods of Preparation on Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Groth Dawid , Poplawska Izabela , Tynecka Marlena , Grubczak Kamil , Holl Jordan , Starosz Aleksandra , Janucik Adrian , Borkowska Klaudia , Juchniewicz Dorota , Hady Hady Razak , Czaban Slawomir , Reszec Joanna , Kaminski Artur , Czech Tomasz , Kowalewski Cezary , Fiedor Piotr , Zimek Zbigniew , Lewandowska Hanna , Oldak Tomasz , Moniuszko Marcin , Eljaszewicz Andrzej
Published: December 2021

The management of hard-to-heal wounds is a significant clinical challenge. Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) have been successfully introduced to enhance the healing process. Here, we aimed to develop protocol for the preparation of novel ADMs from abdominoplasty skin. We used three different decellularization protocols for skin processing, namely, 1M NaCl and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, in ADM1); 2M NaCl and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, in ADM1); and a combination of recombinant trypsin and Triton X-100 (in hADM 3). We assessed the effectiveness of decellularization and ADM’s structure by using histochemical and immunochemical staining. In addition, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of novel ADMs in a murine model of wound healing. Furthermore, targeted transcriptomic profiling of genes associated with wound healing was performed. First, we found that all three proposed methods of decellularization effectively removed cellular components from abdominoplasty skin. We showed, however, significant differences in the presence of class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA class I ABC), Talin 1/2, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (NG2). In addition, we found that protocols, when utilized differentially, influenced the preservation of types I, III, IV, and VII collagens. Finally, we showed that abdominoplasty skin-derived ADMs might serve as an effective and safe option for deep wound treatment. More importantly, our novel dressing (ADM1) improves the kinetics of wound closure and scar maturation in the proliferative and remodeling phases of wound healing. In conclusion, we developed a protocol for abdominoplasty skin decellularization suitable for the preparation of biological dressings. We showed that different decellularization methods affect the purity, structure, and therapeutic properties of ADMs.
Enhanced Skin Delivery of Therapeutic Peptides Using Spicule-Based Topical Delivery Systems
Authors: Zhang Chi , Duan Jiwen , Huang Yongxiang , Chen Ming
Published: December 2021

This study reports two therapeutic peptides, insulin (INS, as a hydrophilic model peptide) and cyclosporine A (CysA, as a hydrophobic one), that can be administrated through a transdermal or dermal route by using spicule-based topical delivery systems in vitro and in vivo. We obtained a series of spicules with different shapes and sizes from five kinds of marine sponges and found a good correlation between the skin permeability enhancement induced by these spicules and their aspect ratio L/D. In the case of INS, Sponge Haliclona sp. spicules (SHS) dramatically increased the transdermal flux of INS (457.0 ± 32.3 ng/cm2/h) compared to its passive penetration (5.0 ± 2.2 ng/cm2/h) in vitro. Further, SHS treatment slowly and gradually reduced blood glucose to 13.1 ± 6.3% of the initial level in 8 h, while subcutaneous injection resulted in a rapid blood glucose reduction to 15.9 ± 1.4% of the initial level in 4 h, followed by a rise back to 75.1 ± 24.0% of the initial level in 8 h. In the case of CysA, SHS in combination with ethosomes (SpEt) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the accumulation of CysA in viable epidermis compared to other groups. Further, SpEt reduced the epidermis thickness by 41.5 ± 9.4% in 7 days, which was significantly more effective than all other groups. Spicule-based topical delivery systems offer promising strategies for delivering therapeutic peptides via a transdermal or dermal route.
Evolutionary Analysis of the YABBY Gene Family in Brassicaceae
Authors: Lu Yun-Hai , Alam Intikhab , Yang Yan-Qing , Yu Ya-Cen , Chi Wen-Chao , Chen Song-Biao , Chalhoub Boulos , Jiang Li-Xi
Published: December 2021

The YABBY gene family is one of the plant transcription factors present in all seed plants. The family members were extensively studied in various plants and shown to play important roles in plant growth and development, such as the polarity establishment in lateral organs, the formation and development of leaves and flowers, and the response to internal plant hormone and external environmental stress signals. In this study, a total of 364 YABBY genes were identified from 37 Brassicaceae genomes, of which 15 were incomplete due to sequence gaps, and nine were imperfect (missing C2C2 zinc-finger or YABBY domain) due to sequence mutations. Phylogenetic analyses resolved these YABBY genes into six compact clades except for a YAB3-like gene identified in Aethionema arabicum. Seventeen Brassicaceae species each contained a complete set of six basic YABBY genes (i.e., 1 FIL, 1 YAB2, 1 YAB3, 1 YAB5, 1 INO and 1 CRC), while 20 others each contained a variable number of YABBY genes (5–25) caused mainly by whole-genome duplication/triplication followed by gene losses, and occasionally by tandem duplications. The fate of duplicate YABBY genes changed considerably according to plant species, as well as to YABBY gene type. These YABBY genes were shown to be syntenically conserved across most of the Brassicaceae species, but their functions might be considerably diverged between species, as well as between paralogous copies, as demonstrated by the promoter and expression analysis of YABBY genes in two Brassica species (B. rapa and B. oleracea). Our study provides valuable insights for understanding the evolutionary story of YABBY genes in Brassicaceae and for further functional characterization of each YABBY gene across the Brassicaceae species.
Antioxidant Phenylpropanoid Glycosides from Ginkgo biloba Fruit and Identification of a New Phenylpropanoid Glycoside, Ginkgopanoside
Authors: Alishir Akida , Kim Ki Hyun
Published: December 2021

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae), well-known as the oldest living plant species and often referred to as a “living fossil,” is a famous medicinal plant that has been used in multiple countries to improve numerous illnesses, including anxiety, dementia, peripheral artery disease, and eye problems. We conducted a phytochemical exploration of G. biloba fruit, commonly consumed as a functional food as part of an ongoing natural product chemical research for the discovery of bioactive phytochemicals with novel structures. The natural product chemical analysis of the methanol extract of G. biloba fruit using column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography separation under the guidance of a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based analysis identified six phenylpropanoid glycosides (1–6), including one new compound, ginkgopanoside (1). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data and LC/MS analysis, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was established by chemical reactions followed by the application of Snatzke’s method. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities of the isolated compounds 1–6 and the aglycone 1a of 1 were evaluated, and we found that compounds 1–5 exhibited antioxidant activities with IC50 values in the range 32.75–48.20 μM, while the aglycone 1a exhibited greater radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 5.23 μM) comparable to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 2.54 μM), a positive control, implying that the present of glucose may decrease the DPPH scavenging activity. These findings provide experimental information that the active phenylpropanoid glycosides could represent natural antioxidants for use in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.
Production of Gynogenic Plants of Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Unpollinated Ovule Culture In Vitro
Authors: Zayachkovskaya Tatyina , Domblides Elena , Zayachkovsky Vladimir , Kan Lyudmila , Domblides Arthur , Soldatenko Alexey
Published: December 2021

The unique and balanced components of the biochemical composition, together with high antioxidant activity, make the red beet necessary a dietary vegetable crop, much contributing to healthy food ration. The application of the technology for producing gynogenic plants in vitro increases the genetic diversity and significantly reduces the period of time required to obtain the appropriate homozygous lines used to create the F1 hybrids that are demanded in the market. For induction of gynogenesis, we used IMB medium developed by us with the addition of 55 g/L sucrose, 3 g/L phytogel, 200 mg/L ampicillin, and 0.4 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ) and cultured at 28 °C in the dark for 4–6 weeks. Shoot regeneration from embryoids and callus was performed on MS medium with 20 g/L sucrose, 3 g/L phytogel, 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and 0.1 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA3). Immersion of the obtained microshoots with 5–7 well-developed leaves for 10–15 s into concentrated sterile indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution (50 mg/L) followed by their cultivation on solid medium ½ IMB with 2% sucrose and 3 g/L phytogel was the most efficient method for root formation. The addition of silver nitrate (22 mg/L) to the nutrient medium provoked an increase in the number of induced ovules up to nine per Petri dish (up to 25% of induced ovules). Gynogenic development was produced in six out of 11 genotypes studied, and the plants that were then acclimatized to ex vitro conditions were obtained in three genotypes (Nezhnost’, Dobrynya, b/a 128). The evaluation of ploidy of gynogenic plants that was carried out by flow cytometry and direct counting of chromosomes stained with propion-lacmoide revealed that all obtained gynogenic plants were haploids (2n = x = 9).
Effect of Paper and Aluminum Bagging on Fruit Quality of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)
Authors: Zhi Cao , Ali Muhammad Moaaz , Zhang Junya , Shi Meng , Ma Songfeng , Chen Faxing
Published: December 2021

Bagging regulates the fruit microenvironment and improves the quality and market value of fruits. It is a safe and ecofriendly technique to protect fruits from insect/pest infestation and multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current study, the influence of fruit bagging was evaluated on the development and quality of loquat fruits. Fruits from a healthy loquat orchard (Cv. Zaozhong No.6), located in Fujian, China, were enveloped in paper (T1), aluminum (T2), and aluminum–polyethylene bags (T3), while unbagged fruits were maintained as control (T0). In general, fruit bagging improved fruit quality in terms of fruit physiological and biochemical attributes and protected fruits from physical damage. In particular, aluminum–polyethylene bagging enhanced fruit weight, length, and width by 1.37-, 1.18-, and 1.13-fold, respectively. Loquat fruits bagged with paper bags exhibited the maximum soluble sugar and lowest titratable acid content. Fruits treated with paper and aluminum–ethylene bags showed twofold higher sugar–acid ratio as compared to control. Aluminum–polyethylene bagging caused 66.67%, 55.56%, and 33.33% reductions in skin burn, fruit rotting, and black spot of loquat. The fruits bagged in aluminum and aluminum–polyethylene did not show insect or bird damage, while unbagged fruits had 14.70% and 17.65% insect and bird damage, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that paper, aluminum, and aluminum–polyethylene bagging improved fruit health by 75%, 131%, and 144%, respectively, as compared to control. To delineate bagging type-dependent effects, principal component analysis was performed. Paper bagging was positively correlated with fruit firmness, rotting, soluble sugars, sugar–acid ratio, and proline content. Aluminum bagging was highly associated with improvements in titratable acids, cystine, and methionine. Aluminum–polyethylene bags were correlated with fruit weight, size, peel thickness, edible rate, and certain amino acids.
Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone Using bis(N-(N′-butylimidazolium)alkane Dicationic Ionic Liquids as the Metal-Free Catalysts: Polymer Synthesis, Kinetics and DFT Mechanistic Study
Authors: Cheechana Nathaporn , Benchaphanthawee Wachara , Akkravijitkul Natthapol , Rithchumpon Puracheth , Junpirom Thiti , Limwanich Wanich , Punyodom Winita , Kungwan Nawee , Ngaojampa Chanisorn , Thavornyutikarn Praput , Meepowpan Puttinan
Published: December 2021

In this work, we successfully synthesized high thermal stable 1,n-bis(N-(N′-butylimidazolium)alkane bishexafluorophosphates (1,n-bis[Bim][PF6], n = 4, 6, 8, and 10) catalysts in 55–70% yields from imidazole which were applied as non-toxic DILs catalysts with 1-butanol as initiator for the bulk ROP of ε-caprolactone (CL) in the varied ratio of CL/nBuOH/1,4-bis[Bim][PF6] from 200/1.0/0.25–4.0 to 700/1.0/0.25–4.0 by mol%. The result found that the optimal ratio of CL/nBuOH/1,4-bis[Bim][PF6] 400/1.0/0.5 mol% at 120 °C for 72 h led to the polymerization conversions higher than 95%, with the molecular weight (Mw) of PCL 20,130 g mol−1 (Đ~1.80). The polymerization rate of CL increased with the decreasing linker chain length of ionic liquids. Moreover, the mechanistic study was investigated by DFT using B3LYP (6–31G(d,p)) as basis set. The most plausible mechanism included the stepwise and coordination insertion in which the alkoxide insertion step is the rate-determining step.
The Effects of Curcumin Nanoparticles Incorporated into Collagen-Alginate Scaffold on Wound Healing of Skin Tissue in Trauma Patients
Authors: Mobaraki Mohammadmahdi , Bizari Davood , Soltani Madjid , Khshmohabat Hadi , Raahemifar Kaamran , Akbarzade Amirdehi Mehdi
Published: December 2021

Wound healing is a biological process that is mainly crucial for the rehabilitation of injured tissue. The incorporation of curcumin (Cur) into a hydrogel system is used to treat skin wounds in different diseases due to its hydrophobic character. In this study, sodium alginate and collagen, which possess hydrophilic, low toxic, and biocompatible properties, were utilized. Collagen/alginate scaffolds were synthesized, and nanocurcumin was incorporated inside them; their interaction was evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy. Morphological studies investigated structures of the samples studied by FE-SEM. The release profile of curcumin was detected, and the cytotoxic test was determined on the L929 cell line using an MTT assay. Analysis of tissue wound healing was performed by H&E staining. Nanocurcumin was spherical, its average particle size was 45 nm, and the structure of COL/ALG scaffold was visible. The cell viability of samples was recorded in cells after 24 h incubation. Results of in vivo wound healing remarkably showed CUR-COL/ALG scaffold at about 90% (p < 0.001), which is better than that of COL/ALG, 80% (p < 0.001), and the control 73.4% (p < 0.01) groups at 14 days/ The results of the samples’ FTIR indicated that nanocurcumin was well-entrapped into the scaffold, which led to improving the wound-healing process. Our results revealed the potential of nanocurcumin incorporated in COL/ALG scaffolds for the wound healing of skin tissue in trauma patients.
Polymorphic Phases of Supramolecular Liquid Crystal Complexes Laterally Substituted with Chlorine
Authors: Alamro Fowzia S. , Alhaddad Omaima A. , Naoum Magdi M. , Ahmed Hoda A.
Published: December 2021

New supramolecular complexes, based on H-bonding interactions between 4-(pyridin-4-yl) azo-(2-chlorophenyl) 4-alkoxybenzoates (Bn) and 4-[(4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylimino)methyl]benzoic acid (A6), were prepared and their thermal and mesomorphic properties investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in order to confirm their H-bonding interactions. The mesophase behavior of each mixture was examined by DSC and polarized optical microscopy (POM). According to the findings of the study, in all of the designed mixtures, the introduction of laterally polar chlorine atom to the supramolecular complexes produces polymorphic compounds possessing smectic A, smectic C and nematic mesophases, in addition, all products have low melting transitions. Thermal stabilities of the associated phases depend on the position and orientation of the lateral polar Cl− atom as well as the length of terminal flexible alkoxy chain. Comparisons were made between the present lateral Cl− complexes and previously investigated laterally-neat complexes in order to investigate the impact of the addition, nature and orientation of polar substituent on the mesomorphic behavior. The investigations revealed that, the polarity and mesomeric nature of inserted lateral substituent into the base component play an essential role in affecting their mesomorphic properties. Furthermore, for current complexes, induced polymorphic phases have been found by introducing the chlorine atom.
Investigation of the Strength of Plastic Parts Improved with Selective Induction Heating
Authors: Poszwa Przemysław , Muszyński Paweł , Mrozek Krzysztof , Zielinski Michał , Gessner Andrzej , Kowal Michał
Published: December 2021

The use of selective induction heating of molding surfaces allows for better filling of molding cavities and has a positive effect on the properties of molded products. This is particularly important in the production of parts that include flexible hinges, which are thin plastic layers connecting two or more parts of the product. By using hinges, it is possible to expand the use of injection molding products and their capabilities. They are widely used in the production of parts for the electrical engineering industry and for packaging Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). The use of hinges also entails specific reductions in wall thickness. Increases in the shear rate can be expected, which can lead to the degradation of polymers and deterioration of mechanical properties of materials. This paper investigates injection molded flexible hinge parts manufactured with selective induction heating to improve their properties. To verify the efficiency of reduction of material degradation due to high shear rates, open/close tests of elastic hinges were performed. The linear relation between the number of cycles the hinges can withstand, mold temperature and injection time was identified, where mold temperature was the more significant factor.
Effect of Viscosity on Bouncing Dynamics of Elliptical Footprint Drops on Non-Wettable Ridged Surfaces
Authors: Yun Sungchan
Published: December 2021

An initial drop shape can alter the bouncing dynamics and significantly decrease the residence time on superhydrophobic surfaces. Elliptical footprint drops show asymmetric dynamics owing to a pronounced flow driven by the initial drop shape. However, the fundamental understanding of the effect of viscosity on the asymmetric dynamics has yet to be investigated, although viscous liquid drop impact on textured surfaces is of scientific and industrial importance. Here, the current study focuses on the impact of elliptical footprint drops with various liquid properties (density, surface tension, and viscosity), drop sizes, and impact velocities to study the bouncing dynamics and residence time on non-wettable ridged surfaces numerically by using a volume-of-fluid method. The underlying mechanism behind the variation in residence time is interpreted by analyzing the shape evolution, and the results are discussed in terms of the spreading, retraction, and bouncing. This study provides an insight on possible outcomes of viscous drops impinging on non-wettable surfaces and will help to design the desired spraying devices and macro-textured surfaces under different impact conditions, such as icephobic surfaces for freezing rain or viscous liquids.
Position Output Adaptive Backstepping Control of Electro-Hydraulic Servo Closed-Pump Control System
Authors: Chen Gexin , Liu Huilong , Jia Pengshuo , Qiu Gengting , Yu Haohui , Yan Guishan , Ai Chao , Zhang Jin
Published: December 2021

A nonlinear adaptive backstepping control method was proposed to address the system parameter uncertainty problem in the position control process of an electro-hydraulic servo closed-pump control system. This control strategy fully considers the parameter uncertainty of the nonlinear system and establishes the adaptive rate of the uncertain parameter to adjust the parameter disturbance online in real time, thereby improving the accuracy and robustness of the control system. A pump control system experiment platform was used to verify the feasibility of the controller. The experimental results showed that the proposed control strategy provided a good control effect. The pump control system can be controlled with high precision, with a steady-state control accuracy of ±0.02 mm, which serves as a good foundation for the engineering application and promotion of the pump control system.
Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control of Omnidirectional Mobile Robots with Prescribed Performance
Authors: Huang Jeng-Tze , Chiu Chun-Kai
Published: December 2021

Adaptive fuzzy sliding-mode control design for omnidirectional mobile robots with prescribed performance is presented in this work. First, an error transformation which transforms the constrained variable into an unconstrained one is carried out. Next, a fuzzy logic system (FLS) for approximating the unknown dynamics is constructed. Based on such a model, a nominal adaptive linearizing controller incorporating a serial-parallel model (SPM)-based composite algorithm, which improves the tracking performance of the overall closed-loop system, is synthesized. To solve the so-called “loss of controllability” problem, a smooth-switching algorithm is embedded which hands over the control authority to an auxiliary sliding-mode controller until the danger is safely bypassed. The proposed design ensures the semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded stability of the closed-loop signals. Simulation works demonstrating the validity of the proposed design are presented in the final.
Incompatible Deformation Model of Rocks with Defects around a Thick-Walled Cylinder
Authors: Bao Yingji , Jiang Binsong
Published: December 2021

Before the excavation of underground engineering, joints, fissures, and voids already exist in the rock—that is, there are defects in the rock. Due to the existence of these defects, the rock produces plastic deformation, which can lead to incompatible deformation. Therefore, the classic continuum theory cannot accurately describe the deformation of the rock. In this paper, a relationship between the strain tensor and metric tensor was studied by analyzing the three states of elastic plastic deformation, and the elasto-plastic incompatible model was built. Additionally, the stress and deformation of a thick-walled cylinder under hydrostatic pressure was investigated by using a finite element program written in the FORTRAN language. The results show that the plastic strain is associated with not only deviator stress but also the distribution of defects (represented by the incompatible parameter R). With the value of R increasing, the defects in the rock increased, but the elastic plastic stiffness matrix decreased. Thus, as more rock enters the plastic state, the deformation of the surrounding rock is enlarged.
Overview of Vehicle Exhaust Particle Number Regulations
Authors: Giechaskiel Barouch , Melas Anastasios , Martini Giorgio , Dilara Panagiota
Published: December 2021

Vehicle emissions are a significant source of air pollution in cities. Particulate matter (PM) is a pollutant with adverse health effects. Regulations worldwide determine the PM exhaust emissions of vehicles by gravimetric quantification of the mass deposited on a filter over a test cycle. The introduction of particulate filters as vehicle exhaust gas aftertreatment devices led to low PM emissions. A particle number methodology (counting solid particles > 23 nm), complementary to the PM mass measurement, was developed by the PMP (Particle Measurement Programme) group of the GRPE (Working Party on Pollution and Energy) of the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) during the first decade of the 21st century. The methodology was then introduced in the EU (European Union) regulations for light-duty (2011), heavy-duty (2013), and non-road mobile machinery (2019). In parallel, during the last 15 years, UN (United Nations) regulations and GTRs (Global Technical Regulations) including this methodology were also developed. To address the on-road emissions, the EU introduced RDE (real-driving emissions) testing with PEMS (portable emissions measurement systems) in 2017. Other countries (e.g., China, India) have also started adopting the number methodology. The PMP group recently improved the current laboratory and on-board methodologies and also extended them to a lower particle size (counting solid particles > 10 nm). Due to the rapid evolution of the vehicle exhaust particle number regulations and the lack of a summary in the literature, this paper gives an overview of current and near future regulations. Emphasis is given on the technical specifications and the changes that have taken place over the years.
Global Harmonization of Urbanization Measures: Proceed with Care
Authors: Balk Deborah , Leyk Stefan , Montgomery Mark R. , Engin Hasim
Published: December 2021

By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to be living in cities and towns, a marked increase from today’s level of 55 percent. If the general trend is unmistakable, efforts to measure it precisely have been beset with difficulties: the criteria defining urban areas, cities and towns differ from one country to the next and can also change over time for any given country. The past decade has seen great progress toward the long-awaited goal of scientifically comparable urbanization measures, thanks to the combined efforts of multiple disciplines. These efforts have been organized around what is termed the “statistical urbanization” concept, whereby urban areas are defined by population density, contiguity and total population size. Data derived from remote-sensing methods can now supply a variety of spatial proxies for urban areas defined in this way. However, it remains to be understood how such proxies complement, or depart from, meaningful country-specific alternatives. In this paper, we investigate finely resolved population census and satellite-derived data for the United States, Mexico and India, three countries with widely varying conceptions of urban places and long histories of debate and refinement of their national criteria. At the extremes of the urban–rural continuum, we find evidence of generally good agreement between the national and remote sensing-derived measures (albeit with variation by country), but identify significant disagreements in the middle ranges where today’s urban policies are often focused.
Principles and Practice of Investigating Buried Adobe Features with Ground-Penetrating Radar
Authors: Byram Scott , Sunseri Jun Ueno
Published: December 2021

Because so many ancestral populations, at various times, have lived within the constraints of earthen architectural technology, it has significant representation in building traditions across large temporal and geographic expanses. Adobe, known also as dagga, ferey, cob, and by other names, is a variant in which clays and other sediments are combined with organic materials and formulated into discrete construction components, often in communities of practice for which adobe recipes, preparation, and application are integral to daily intersections of home and community. For archaeologists, community partners, and interested publics who wish to learn more about it, a large portion of this architectural culture is no longer visible above the surface but is accessible through archaeology. Yet low impact sampling, such as probing and test excavation, rarely reveals adobe features. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) allows a tantalizing and non-invasive perspective on subsurface adobe features; increasingly there is a buried structural landscape emerging at sites where adobe architecture prevailed. The case studies presented here from 18th and 19th century sites in central and southern California serve as a guide for further survey.
A Review: Recent Progress in the Design and Development of Nonlinear Radars
Authors: Mishra Ashish , Li Changzhi
Published: December 2021

This paper presents an extensive review of nonlinear response-based radar systems. Nonlinear radars are generally used for clutter suppression purposes. These radars detect the nonlinear response generated by diodes and transistors are used as a tag for target localization. Utilizing the nonlinearity properties of these devices, these radars have been used for purposes including locating humans trapped in earthquakes and avalanches, identifying migratory patterns of animals, examining the flight pattern of bees, and detecting bugs in electronic devices. This paper covers the utilization of these radars in human vital signs monitoring, detecting targets in a clutter-rich environment, etc. State-of-the-art nonlinear radars’ high-level architectures, design challenges, and limitations are discussed here. Recent works and results obtained by the authors are also summarized.
Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Medicane Ianos to Model Microphysics and Initial Conditions Using Satellite Measurements
Authors: Comellas Prat Albert , Federico Stefano , Torcasio Rosa Claudia , D’Adderio Leo Pio , Dietrich Stefano , Panegrossi Giulia
Published: December 2021

Tropical-like cyclone (TLC or medicane) Ianos formed during mid-September 2020 over the Southern Mediterranean Sea, and, during its mature stage on days 17–18, it affected southern Italy and especially Greece and its Ionian islands, where it brought widespread disruption due to torrential rainfall, severe wind gusts, and landslides, causing casualties. This study performs a sensitivity analysis of the mature phase of TLC Ianos with the WRF model to different microphysics parameterization schemes and initial and boundary condition (IBC) datasets. Satellite measurements from the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission-Core Observatory (GPM-CO) dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) sea-surface wind field were used to verify the WRF model forecast quality. Results show that the model is most sensitive to the nature of the IBC dataset (spatial resolution and other dynamical and physical differences), which better defines the primary mesoscale features of Ianos (low-level vortex, eyewall, and main rainband structure) when using those at higher resolution (~25 km versus ~50 km) independently of the microphysics scheme, but with the downside of producing too much convection and excessively low minimum surface pressures. On the other hand, no significant differences emerged among their respective trajectories. All experiments overestimated the vertical extension of the main rainbands and display a tendency to shift the system to the west/northwest of the actual position. Especially among the experiments with the higher-resolution IBCs, the more complex WRF microphysics schemes (Thompson and Morrison) tended to outperform the others in terms of rain rate forecast and most of the other variables examined. Furthermore, WSM6 showed a good performance while WDM6 was generally the least accurate. Lastly, the calculation of the cyclone phase space diagram confirmed that all simulations triggered a warm-core storm, and all but one also exhibited axisymmetry at some point of the studied lifecycle.