bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Segmental Abutting Esophagus-Sparing Technique to Reduce Severe Esophagitis in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Concurrent Hypofractionated Thoracic Radiation and Chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Jianyang , Han Fei , Ma Yuchao , Yang Yufan , Wu Yuqi , Han Zimin , Xie Xuejie , Dai Jianrong , Bi Nan , Wang Luhua
Published: February 2023

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of segmental abutting esophagus-sparing (SAES) radiotherapy on reducing severe acute esophagitis in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Thirty patients were enrolled from the experimental arm (45 Gy in 3 Gy daily fractions in 3 weeks) of an ongoing phase III trial (NCT 02688036). The whole esophagus was divided into the involved esophagus and the abutting esophagus (AE) according to the distance from the edge of the clinical target volume. All dosimetric parameters were significantly reduced for the whole esophagus and AE. The maximal and mean doses of the esophagus (47.4 ± 1.9 Gy and 13.5 ± 5.8 Gy, respectively) and AE (42.9 ± 2.3 Gy and 8.6 ± 3.6 Gy, respectively) in the SAES plan were significantly lower than those (esophagus 48.0 ± 1.9 Gy and 14.7± 6.1 Gy, AE 45.1 ± 2.4 Gy and 9.8 ± 4.2 Gy, respectively) in the non-SAES plan. With a median follow-up of 12.5 months, only one patient (3.3%) developed grade 3 acute esophagitis, and no grade 4–5 events happened. SAES radiotherapy has significant dosimetric advantages, which are successfully translated into clinical benefits and provide good feasibility for dose escalation to improve local control and prognosis in the future.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Thymol Octanoate, a Promising Hybrid Molecule
Authors: Sánchez Daniel Alberto , Tonetto Gabriela Marta , Ferreira María Luján
Published: February 2023

Interest in the synthesis and application of thymol esters has increased in recent years due to the numerous applications associated with its biological activities. The enzymatic synthesis of thymol octanoate by esterification of thymol and octanoic acid was explored using soluble lipases and immobilized lipase biocatalysts in solvent-free systems. Candida antarctica lipase B in its soluble form was the most active biocatalyst for this reaction. Different thymol and lipase feeding strategies were evaluated to maximize thymol octanoate production. The results suggest that there could be lipase inhibition by the ester product of the reaction. In this way, the optimal reaction condition was given using a thymol/acid molar ratio of 1:4 mol/mol. Under these conditions the conversion of thymol was close to 94% and the lipase maintained more than 90% of its initial activity after the reaction, showing the potential of the enzyme to be used in successive reaction cycles.
Adsorption Efficiency and Photocatalytic Activity of Silver Sulfide Nanoparticles Deposited on Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Neelgund Gururaj M. , Aguilar Sanjuana Fabiola , Jimenez Erica A. , Ray Ram L.
Published: February 2023

A multimode, dual functional nanomaterial, CNTs-Ag2S, comprised of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silver sulfide (Ag2S) nanoparticles, was prepared through the facile hydrothermal process. Before the deposition of Ag2S nanoparticles, hydrophobic CNTs were modified to become hydrophilic through refluxing with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids. The oxidized CNTs were employed to deposit the Ag2S nanoparticles for their efficient immobilization and homogenous distribution. The CNTs-Ag2S could adsorb toxic Cd(II) and completely degrade the hazardous Alizarin yellow R present in water. The adsorption efficiency of CNTs-Ag2S was evaluated by estimating the Cd(II) adsorption at different concentrations and contact times. The CNTs-Ag2S could adsorb Cd(II) entirely within 80 min of the contact time, while CNTs and Ag2S could not pursue it. The Cd(II) adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order, and chemisorption was the rate-determining step in the adsorption process. The Weber−Morris intraparticle pore diffusion model revealed that intraparticle diffusion was not the sole rate-controlling step in the Cd(II) adsorption. Instead, it was contributed by the boundary layer effect. In addition, CNTs-Ag2S could completely degrade alizarin yellow R in water under the illumination of natural sunlight. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) model showed that the degradation of alizarin yellow R proceeded with pseudo-first-order kinetics. Overall, CNTs-Ag2S performed as an efficient adsorbent and a competent photocatalyst.
DFT Investigations of the Reaction Mechanism of Dimethyl Carbonate Synthesis from Methanol and CO on Various Cu Species in Y Zeolites
Authors: Zhou Yuan , Zhang Guoqiang , Song Ya , Yu Shirui , Zhao Jingjing , Zheng Huayan
Published: February 2023

In this study, a density functional theory method is employed to investigate the reaction mechanisms of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) formation, through oxidative carbonylation of methanol, on four types of Y zeolites doped with Cu+, Cu2+, Cu2O and CuO, respectively. A common chemical route is found for these zeolites and identified as, first, the adsorbed CH3OH is oxidized to CH3O species; subsequently, CO inserts into CH3O to CH3OCO, which reacts with CH3O to form DMC rapidly; and finally, the adsorbed DMC is released into the gas phase. The rate-limiting step on Cu2+Y zeolite is identified as oxidation of CH3OH to CH3O with activation barrier of 66.73 kJ·mol−1. While for Cu+Y, Cu2O-Y and CuO-Y zeolites, the rate-limiting step is insertion of CO into CH3O, and the corresponding activation barriers are 63.73, 60.01 and 104.64 kJ·mol−1, respectively. For Cu+Y, Cu2+Y and Cu2O-Y zeolites, adsorbed CH3OH is oxidized to CH3O with the presence of oxygen, whereas oxidation of CH3OH on CuO-Y is caused by the lattice oxygen of CuO. The order of catalytic activities of these four types of zeolites with different Cu states follows Cu+Y ≈ Cu2O-Y > Cu2+Y > CuO-Y zeolite. Therefore, CuY catalysts with Cu+ and Cu2O as dominated Cu species are beneficial to the formation of DMC.
Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide in the Liquid Phase: Influence of the Synthetic Methods on Characteristics and Activity of Hydrogenation Catalysts
Authors: Sheikh Kalim A. , Drexler Ricki , Zevaco Thomas A. , Sauer Jörg , Bender Michael
Published: February 2023

Oxygenate fuels are a promising solution to urban air pollution, reducing soot emissions by big margins. Formaldehyde is a major building block for the synthesis of oxygen-rich fuels. Herein we report the synthesis, characterisation and testing of ruthenium on alumina catalysts for the methanol-mediated CO hydrogenation towards oxygenates with the formaldehyde oxidation state. We varied the synthesis parameters and could see interesting correlation between synthesis parameters, final metal loading, crystallite sizes and catalyst activity. The catalysts were tested in a high-pressure three-folded reactor plant in the CO hydrogenation in methanolic media. Interesting relationships between catalyst synthesis, structure and activity could be gained from these experiments.
MicroRNA Profiles in Intestinal Epithelial Cells in a Mouse Model of Sepsis
Authors: Caidengbate Siqingaowa , Akama Yuichi , Banerjee Anik , Mokmued Khwanchanok , Kawamoto Eiji , Gaowa Arong , McCullough Louise D. , Shimaoka Motomu , Lee Juneyoung , Park Eun Jeong
Published: February 2023

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory disorder that leads to the dysfunction of multiple organs. In the intestine, the deregulation of the epithelial barrier contributes to the development of sepsis by triggering continuous exposure to harmful factors. However, sepsis-induced epigenetic changes in gene-regulation networks within intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) remain unexplored. In this study, we analyzed the expression profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) in IECs isolated from a mouse model of sepsis generated via cecal slurry injection. Among 239 miRNAs, 14 miRNAs were upregulated, and 9 miRNAs were downregulated in the IECs by sepsis. Upregulated miRNAs in IECs from septic mice, particularly miR-149-5p, miR-466q, miR-495, and miR-511-3p, were seen to exhibit complex and global effects on gene regulation networks. Interestingly, miR-511-3p has emerged as a diagnostic marker in this sepsis model due to its increase in blood in addition to IECs. As expected, mRNAs in the IECs were remarkably altered by sepsis; specifically, 2248 mRNAs were decreased, while 612 mRNAs were increased. This quantitative bias may be possibly derived, at least partly, from the direct effects of the sepsis-increased miRNAs on the comprehensive expression of mRNAs. Thus, current in silico data indicate that there are dynamic regulatory responses of miRNAs to sepsis in IECs. In addition, the miRNAs that were increased with sepsis had enriched downstream pathways including Wnt signaling, which is associated with wound healing, and FGF/FGFR signaling, which has been linked to chronic inflammation and fibrosis. These modifications in miRNA networks in IECs may lead to both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in sepsis. The four miRNAs discovered above were shown to putatively target LOX, PTCH1, COL22A1, FOXO1, or HMGA2, via in silico analysis, which were associated with Wnt or inflammatory pathways and selected for further study. The expressions of these target genes were downregulated in sepsis IECs, possibly through posttranscriptional modifications of these miRNAs. Taken together, our study suggests that IECs display a distinctive miRNA profile which is capable of comprehensively and functionally reshaping the IEC-specific mRNA landscape in a sepsis model.
Host Cell Restriction Factors Blocking Efficient Vector Transduction: Challenges in Lentiviral and Adeno-Associated Vector Based Gene Therapies
Authors: Coroadinha Ana Sofia
Published: February 2023

Gene therapy relies on the delivery of genetic material to the patient’s cells in order to provide a therapeutic treatment. Two of the currently most used and efficient delivery systems are the lentiviral (LV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Gene therapy vectors must successfully attach, enter uncoated, and escape host restriction factors (RFs), before reaching the nucleus and effectively deliver the therapeutic genetic instructions to the cell. Some of these RFs are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells, while others are cell-specific, and others still are expressed only upon induction by danger signals as type I interferons. Cell restriction factors have evolved to protect the organism against infectious diseases and tissue damage. These restriction factors can be intrinsic, directly acting on the vector, or related with the innate immune response system, acting indirectly through the induction of interferons, but both are intertwined. The innate immunity is the first line of defense against pathogens and, as such cells derived from myeloid progenitors (but not only), are well equipped with RFs to detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In addition, some non-professional cells, such as epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, play major roles in pathogen recognition. Unsurprisingly, foreign DNA and RNA molecules are among the most detected PAMPs. Here, we review and discuss identified RFs that block LV and AAV vector transduction, hindering their therapeutic efficacy.
Blocking EREG/GPX4 Sensitizes Head and Neck Cancer to Cetuximab through Ferroptosis Induction
Authors: Jehl Aude , Conrad Ombline , Burgy Mickaël , Foppolo Sophie , Vauchelles Romain , Ronzani Carole , Etienne-Selloum Nelly , Chenard Marie-Pierre , Danic Aurélien , Dourlhes Thomas , Thibault Claire , Schultz Philippe , Dontenwill Monique , Martin Sophie
Published: February 2023

(1) Background: Epiregulin (EREG) is a ligand of EGFR and ErB4 involved in the development and the progression of various cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Its overexpression in HNSCC is correlated with short overall survival and progression-free survival but predictive of tumors responding to anti-EGFR therapies. Besides tumor cells, macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts shed EREG in the tumor microenvironment to support tumor progression and to promote therapy resistance. Although EREG seems to be an interesting therapeutic target, no study has been conducted so far on the consequences of EREG invalidation regarding the behavior and response of HNSCC to anti-EGFR therapies and, more specifically, to cetuximab (CTX); (2) Methods: EREG was silenced in various HNSCC cell lines. The resulting phenotype (growth, clonogenic survival, apoptosis, metabolism, ferroptosis) was assessed in the absence or presence of CTX. The data were confirmed in patient-derived tumoroids; (3) Results: Here, we show that EREG invalidation sensitizes cells to CTX. This is illustrated by the reduction in cell survival, the alteration of cell metabolism associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the initiation of ferroptosis characterized by lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation and the loss of GPX4. Combining ferroptosis inducers (RSL3 and metformin) with CTX drastically reduces the survival of HNSCC cells but also HNSCC patient-derived tumoroids; (4) Conclusions: The loss of EREG might be considered in clinical settings as a predictive biomarker for patients that might undergo ferroptosis in response to CTX and that might benefit the most from the combination of ferroptosis inducers and CTX.
Hypergravity Increases Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability to Fluorescent Dextran and Antisense Oligonucleotide in Mice
Authors: Dubayle David , Vanden-Bossche Arnaud , Peixoto Tom , Morel Jean-Luc
Published: February 2023

The earliest effect of spaceflight is an alteration in vestibular function due to microgravity. Hypergravity exposure induced by centrifugation is also able to provoke motion sickness. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is the crucial interface between the vascular system and the brain to ensure efficient neuronal activity. We developed experimental protocols of hypergravity on C57Bl/6JRJ mice to induce motion sickness and reveal its effects on the BBB. Mice were centrifuged at 2× g for 24 h. Fluorescent dextrans with different sizes (40, 70 and 150 kDa) and fluorescent antisense oligonucleotides (AS) were injected into mice retro-orbitally. The presence of fluorescent molecules was revealed by epifluorescence and confocal microscopies in brain slices. Gene expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR from brain extracts. Only the 70 kDa dextran and AS were detected in the parenchyma of several brain regions, suggesting an alteration in the BBB. Moreover, Ctnnd1, Gja4 and Actn1 were upregulated, whereas Jup, Tjp2, Gja1, Actn2, Actn4, Cdh2 and Ocln genes were downregulated, specifically suggesting a dysregulation in the tight junctions of endothelial cells forming the BBB. Our results confirm the alteration in the BBB after a short period of hypergravity exposure.
Molecular Mechanisms of Nemorosone-Induced Ferroptosis in Cancer Cells
Authors: Fernández-Acosta Roberto , Hassannia Behrouz , Caroen Jurgen , Wiernicki Bartosz , Alvarez-Alminaque Daniel , Verstraeten Bruno , Van der Eycken Johan , Vandenabeele Peter , Vanden Berghe Tom , Pardo-Andreu Gilberto L.
Published: February 2023

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death-driven by excessive peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of membranes. A growing body of evidence suggests the induction of ferroptosis as a cutting-edge strategy in cancer treatment research. Despite the essential role of mitochondria in cellular metabolism, bioenergetics, and cell death, their function in ferroptosis is still poorly understood. Recently, mitochondria were elucidated as an important component in cysteine-deprivation-induced (CDI) ferroptosis, which provides novel targets in the search for new ferroptosis-inducing compounds (FINs). Here, we identified the natural mitochondrial uncoupler nemorosone as a ferroptosis inducer in cancer cells. Interestingly, nemorosone triggers ferroptosis by a double-edged mechanism. In addition to decreasing the glutathione (GSH) levels by blocking the System xc cystine/glutamate antiporter (SLC7A11), nemorosone increases the intracellular labile Fe2+ pool via heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) induction. Interestingly, a structural variant of nemorosone (O-methylated nemorosone), having lost the capacity to uncouple mitochondrial respiration, does not trigger cell death anymore, suggesting that the mitochondrial bioenergetic disruption via mitochondrial uncoupling is necessary for nemorosone-induced ferroptosis. Our results open novel opportunities for cancer cell killing by mitochondrial uncoupling-induced ferroptosis.
Role of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells in Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Hsiao Jen-Hsiang T. , Tanglay Onur , Li Anne A. , Strobbe Aysha Y. G. , Kim Woojin Scott , Halliday Glenda M. , Fu YuHong
Published: February 2023

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a debilitating movement disorder with unknown etiology. Patients present characteristic parkinsonism and/or cerebellar dysfunction in the clinical phase, resulting from progressive deterioration in the nigrostriatal and olivopontocerebellar regions. MSA patients have a prodromal phase subsequent to the insidious onset of neuropathology. Therefore, understanding the early pathological events is important in determining the pathogenesis, which will assist with developing disease-modifying therapy. Although the definite diagnosis of MSA relies on the positive post-mortem finding of oligodendroglial inclusions composed of α-synuclein, only recently has MSA been verified as an oligodendrogliopathy with secondary neuronal degeneration. We review up-to-date knowledge of human oligodendrocyte lineage cells and their association with α-synuclein, and discuss the postulated mechanisms of how oligodendrogliopathy develops, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells as the potential origins of the toxic seeds of α-synuclein, and the possible networks through which oligodendrogliopathy induces neuronal loss. Our insights will shed new light on the research directions for future MSA studies.
PGRMC1 Ablation Protects from Energy-Starved Heart Failure by Promoting Fatty Acid/Pyruvate Oxidation
Authors: Lee Sang R. , Mukae Moeka , Jeong Kang Joo , Park Se Hee , Shin Hi Jo , Kim Sang Woon , Won Young Suk , Kwun Hyo-Jung , Baek In-Jeoung , Hong Eui-Ju
Published: February 2023

Heart failure (HF) is an emerging epidemic with a high mortality rate. Apart from conventional treatment methods, such as surgery or use of vasodilation drugs, metabolic therapy has been suggested as a new therapeutic strategy. The heart relies on fatty acid oxidation and glucose (pyruvate) oxidation for ATP-mediated contractility; the former meets most of the energy requirement, but the latter is more efficient. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation leads to the induction of pyruvate oxidation and provides cardioprotection to failing energy-starved hearts. One of the non-canonical types of sex hormone receptors, progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1), is a non-genomic progesterone receptor associated with reproduction and fertility. Recent studies revealed that Pgrmc1 regulates glucose and fatty acid synthesis. Notably, Pgrmc1 has also been associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy, as it reduces lipid-mediated toxicity and delays cardiac injury. However, the mechanism by which Pgrmc1 influences the energy-starved failing heart remains unknown. In this study, we found that loss of Pgrmc1 inhibited glycolysis and increased fatty acid/pyruvate oxidation, which is directly associated with ATP production, in starved hearts. Loss of Pgrmc1 during starvation activated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which induced cardiac ATP production. Pgrmc1 loss increased the cellular respiration of cardiomyocytes under low-glucose conditions. In isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury, Pgrmc1 knockout resulted in less fibrosis and low heart failure marker expression. In summary, our results revealed that Pgrmc1 ablation in energy-deficit conditions increases fatty acid/pyruvate oxidation to protect against cardiac damage via energy starvation. Moreover, Pgrmc1 may be a regulator of cardiac metabolism that switches the dominance of glucose-fatty acid usage according to nutritional status and nutrient availability in the heart.
Solvent-Assisted Adsorption of Cellulose on a Carbon Catalyst as a Pretreatment Method for Hydrolysis to Glucose
Authors: Shrotri Abhijit , Eguchi Kiko , Mahardiani Lina , Kobayashi Hirokazu , Yamashita Masakuni , Yagita Hiroshi , Fukuoka Atsushi
Published: February 2023

Cellulose hydrolysis to glucose using a heterogeneous catalyst is a necessary step in producing bio-based chemicals and polymers. The requirement for energy-intensive pretreatments, such as ball milling, to increase the reactivity of cellulose is one of the major issues in this area. Here, we show that by using solvent-assisted adsorption as a pretreatment step, cellulose can be adsorbed on the surface of a carbon catalyst. For adsorption pretreatment, phosphoric acid (H3PO4) performed better than other solvents such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), tetrabutylammonium fluoride/dimethyl sulfoxide (TBAF/DMSO) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMMI]Cl). Hydrolysis after the adsorption of cellulose and the removal of H3PO4 produced a 73% yield of glucose. Partial hydrolysis of cellulose in H3PO4 before adsorption increased the final glucose yield. The glucose yield was proportional to the number of weakly acidic functional groups on the carbon catalyst, indicating the reaction was heterogeneously catalyzed. In a preliminary lab-scale life-cycle analysis (LCA), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per kg of glucose produced through the hydrolysis of cellulose were calculated. The H3PO4-assisted adsorption notably reduces GHG emissions compared to the previously reported ball milling pretreatment.
Revealing the History and Mystery of RNA-Seq
Authors: Gondane Aishwarya , Itkonen Harri M.
Published: February 2023

Advances in RNA-sequencing technologies have led to the development of intriguing experimental setups, a massive accumulation of data, and high demand for tools to analyze it. To answer this demand, computational scientists have developed a myriad of data analysis pipelines, but it is less often considered what the most appropriate one is. The RNA-sequencing data analysis pipeline can be divided into three major parts: data pre-processing, followed by the main and downstream analyses. Here, we present an overview of the tools used in both the bulk RNA-seq and at the single-cell level, with a particular focus on alternative splicing and active RNA synthesis analysis. A crucial part of data pre-processing is quality control, which defines the necessity of the next steps; adapter removal, trimming, and filtering. After pre-processing, the data are finally analyzed using a variety of tools: differential gene expression, alternative splicing, and assessment of active synthesis, the latter requiring dedicated sample preparation. In brief, we describe the commonly used tools in the sample preparation and analysis of RNA-seq data.
Cloning of Three Cytokinin Oxidase/Dehydrogenase Genes in Bambusa oldhamii
Authors: Hsieh Chun-Yen , Hsieh Lu-Sheng
Published: February 2023

Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) catalyzes the irreversible breakdown of active cytokinins, which are a class of plant hormones that regulate cell division. According to conserved sequences of CKX genes from monocotyledons, PCR primers were designed to synthesize a probe for screening a bamboo genomic library. Cloned results of three genes encoding cytokinin oxidase were named as follows: BoCKX1, BoCKX2, and BoCKX3. In comparing the exon-intron structures among the above three genes, there are three exons and two introns in BoCKX1 and BoCKX3 genes, whereas BoCKX2 contains four exons and three introns. The amino acid sequence of BoCKX2 protein shares 78% and 79% identity with BoCKX1 and BoCKX3 proteins, respectively. BoCKX1 and BoCKX3 genes are particularly closely related given that the amino acid and nucleotide sequence identities are more than 90%. These three BoCKX proteins carried putative signal peptide sequences typical of secretion pathway, and a GHS-motif was found at N-terminal flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) binding domain, suggesting that BoCKX proteins might covalently conjugate with an FAD cofactor through a predicted histidine residue.
Seborrheic Keratosis Caused by Human Papillomavirus Type 20 Ameliorated by Zinc Oxide Ointment
Authors: Kondo Makoto , Matsushima Yoshiaki , Nakanishi Takehisa , Iida Shohei , Habe Koji , Yamanaka Keiichi
Published: February 2023

A 91-year-old woman visited our department with scattered small nodule lesions and multiple pules or plaques with a stuck-on appearance. The lesions were intractable and resistant to several treatments. Immunodeficiency was excluded by examinations including a CT scan, white blood cell (WBC) counts, natural killer and neutrophil function assays, and IgG titers against human papillomavirus (HPV) 20. HPV20 was identified using the PCR method. The finding of the skin biopsy showed an irritated type of feature of seborrheic keratosis. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining of the lesion revealed that both TNF-α and IFN-ɤ were produced at the skin lesions. The patient‘s serum zinc level was slightly low. We noticed that zinc deficiency has been reported to decrease the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells, which play an important role in eliminating virus-infected cells and tumor cells. Finally, zinc oxide ointment was found to improve the lesions dramatically. HPV20 causes tumors only in immunodeficient patients or in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). In EV, EVER1- or EVER2-encoding membrane proteins, of which are related to zinc transport protein-1 expressed on the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, were mutated, leading to increased susceptibility to various viral and bacterial infections due to the decreased intracellular zinc concentration. We speculated that the reduction in local zinc concentration was ameliorated by using zinc oxide ointment, resulting in the recovery from HPV20 infection.
Controlled Release of β-CD-Encapsulated Thyme Essential Oil from Whey Protein Edible Packaging
Authors: Lanciu Dorofte Andreea , Dima Cristian , Ceoromila Alina , Botezatu Andreea , Dinica Rodica , Bleoanca Iulia , Borda Daniela
Published: February 2023

Whey edible films (EFs) functionalized with essential oils have a high potential to be used on various foods due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Encapsulation is applied for a better retention of volatiles in EFs; however, the functional properties of EFs are modified. The properties of EFs containing thyme essential oil (TEO) encapsulated by co-precipitation in β-CD, developed in three formulae, with inclusion complexes (EF/IC1, EF/IC2, and EF/IC3, respectively) in 15:85, 26:74, and 35:65 mass ratios were studied. Thymol is the main volatile in the ICs with TEO/β-CD (50%–60% of the total volatiles). In comparison with EF/TEO, all three formulae with EF/ICs had better, but similar, WVPs (p > 0.05). The EF/IC2 displayed a different FTIR profile than EF/IC1 and EF/IC3, suggesting a smaller number of free functional groups. The EF/IC2 showed better transparency in comparison with EF/IC1 and EF/IC3. All EF/ICs moderately inhibited R. glutinis, with the strongest activity registered by EF/IC3 (p < 0.05), but did not inhibit G. candidum, while showing a strong antibacterial activity against B. cereus. All EF/ICs inhibited 65%–70% of the total free radicals. The EF/ICs ensured a gradual release of VOCs in food simulants, with a higher rate in 95% ethanol than in water. These results have demonstrated the properties of EF/ICs with TEO/β-CD as bioactive packaging systems for foods.
Effect of Strain Levels on the Corrosion Resistance of an Enamel-Coated Steel Rebar
Authors: Tang Fujian , Cui Hao , Li Gang , Yang Shangtong
Published: February 2023

The effect of strain levels on the corrosion resistance of an enamel-coated steel rebar is experimentally investigated in this study. Enamel coating was applied on the surface of a steel rebar by using the wet process. A strain gauge was attached on the surface of the coated steel rebar to record the strain levels and a plastic container was mounted for electrochemical corrosion tests. A stress-corrosion test set-up was designed to conduct corrosion and tensile tests simultaneously. The strain levels considered include 0 µε, 300 µε, 600 µε, 900 µε and 1200 µε, and the electrochemical techniques employed include open circuit potential, linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The microstructure of the enamel coating was also examined with scanning electron microscopy. Results show that the enamel coating has a thickness of ~150 µm, and there are some air bubbles in the coating. The average corrosion current density of the uncoated steel rebar decreases from 18.64 µA/cm2 to 14.39 µA/cm2 in NaCl solution due to the generation of corrosion products. The corrosion current density of the enamel-coated steel rebar gradually increases from 0.49 µA/cm2 when the strain is zero to 0.65 µA/cm2 as strain reaches 1200 µε, which is almost 40 times lower than that of the uncoated steel rebar. Impedance spectrum results show that the corrosion resistance of enamel coating decreases with an increase in the tensile strain level; however, it still protects steel rebar from corrosion to some degree.
Evaluation of Steel Slag Optimal Replacement in Asphalt Mixture under Microwave Heating Based on 3D Polyhedral Aggregate Electromagnetic-Thermal Meso-Model
Authors: Huang Siyang , Ye Yong , Liu Yuhong , Zheng Baojing , Luo Wei
Published: February 2023

Replacing conventional aggregate with steel slag waste can boost the microwave absorption properties of asphalt mixtures and reduce pollution to protect the environment. In order to achieve the best healing in steel slag asphalt mixture, the optimum particle size and content of steel slag are essential. For this purpose, a high-efficiency algorithm for the random growth and placement of convex polyhedron aggregate is proposed in this paper. The limestone aggregate is replaced with an equal volume of steel slag, and a three-dimensional mesoscale random model of steel slag asphalt mixture is developed. The process of microwave heating is simulated by FEM. The numerical simulations are compared with the reported experimental data, which proves that the model is reliable (R2 = 99.40%). Both the volume average temperature and the uniformity of temperature distribution indicate that the steel slag replacement rate of 60% at 4.75–9.5 mm and 60% at 9.5–13.2 mm is optimal, among which the heat transfer of 4.75–9.5 mm steel slag is more uniform, and the temperature gradient is lower. Steel slag can dramatically increase the heating rate of an asphalt mixture, and the peak of the temperature gradient is around the boundary of steel slag. The reflection properties of steel slag may be related to the dielectric constant, permeability, and particle size. Excess steel slag will cause overheating in most zones of the specimen and will also depress the absorption efficiency of microwaves. The coefficient of variance for spherical (0.36) and polyhedral (0.32) aggregate specimen temperatures indicates that the aggregate’s shape has a negligible effect on the heat transfer of asphalt mixtures.
Experimental Study on Preparation of Dry-Mixed Mortar from Coal Gangue
Authors: Cheng Yue , Zhu Haijie , Zhang Shengjun , Wu Huiyong , Cong Junjun , Luo Yuqing
Published: February 2023

In this experiment, the influence of coal gangue as the admixture on the performance of dry-mixed mortar was studied, and the results were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The effects of different ways of crushing, particle size distribution, coal gangue, cement, admixture, and water content on the water retention, consistency, and 7 d compressive strength of dry-mixed mortar were investigated. The results show that the optimum content of hammer crushing of coal gangue through 3 mm sieve and cement is 83% and 17% of the total mass (W/W), respectively, the admixture content of 1# compound is 0.2 g/kg, and the amount of water is in the range of 194~200 mL/kg. At this time, the consistency can reach 91.5 mm, the water retention rate can reach 92.11%, and the 7 d compressive strength can reach 10.6 MPa, which meets the requirements of dry-mixed mortar for ordinary plastering and masonry mortar (GB-T 25181-2019).
Cyclic Oxidation Behavior of Conventional and Niobium-Modified MAR-M246 Superalloy at 900 and 1000 °C
Authors: de Faria Cunha Filipe Augusto , de Andrade Reis Rodrigo , Gonçalves Samantha Pinto , Fernandes Frederico Augusto Pires , Baldan Renato , de Sousa Malafaia Artur Mariano
Published: February 2023

Nickel-based superalloys have excellent properties at high temperatures, which makes them appropriate for applications such as turbocharges and aeronautic gas turbines. MAR-M246 is a superalloy developed for these kinds of applications. The objective of this work was to study the total replacement of Ta by Nb in atomic percentage for this superalloy, regarding the oxidation resistance. Although both elements have the same role (form the γ’ precipitates) in nickel-based superalloys, Ta is more expensive than Nb. Thus, this replacement leads to the possibility of a price reduction. This work studied both conventional MAR-M246(Ta) and experimental MAR-M246(Nb) on cyclic oxidation tests at 900 and 1000 °C for up to 180 cycles. The oxide products were characterized by SEM/EDS and XRD analysis. The products of oxidation were mainly TiO2, Al2O3, Cr2O3, NiO, and Ni(Co)Cr2O4. Mass gain variation per unit area was stable for both materials and temperatures. However, spalled areas were detected for tests performed at 1000 °C. The results obtained here suggest that use of Nb instead of Ta can be considered regarding high temperature oxidation for MAR-M246 superalloy.
Analysis of Social Acceptance for the Use of Digital Identities
Authors: Friedhoff Tim , Au Cam-Duc , Ladnar Nadine , Stein Dirk , Zureck Alexander
Published: February 2023

According to a study by the German Federal Printing Office (2022), every European lives with 90 digital identities on average, and the trend is rising. The German government has launched the innovation competition “Digital Identities Showcase” to select and promote identity projects for data security and sovereignty. The funding amount is 50 million EUR to develop software, research practical use cases and implement them by 2024. Of course, this large sum presupposes acceptance for the use of such digital identities, especially against the backdrop of critical opinions from the media and society, as already outlined in a Canadian study. However, there is little academic research on blockchain technology, but almost no article on the use of digital identities based on blockchain technology. This paper conducts a quantitative study on the social acceptance of digital identities using a questionnaire-based survey with 324 German participants on the social acceptance of the use of digital identities. The result of the study is that social acceptance of the use of digital identities is significantly influenced by demographics, citizens’ experience with blockchain products, affinity with financial products and privacy concerns.
Feasibility and Acceptance of Augmented and Virtual Reality Exergames to Train Motor and Cognitive Skills of Elderly
Authors: Goumopoulos Christos , Drakakis Emmanouil , Gklavakis Dimitris
Published: February 2023

The GAME2AWE platform aims to provide a versatile tool for elderly fall prevention through exergames that integrate exercises, and simulate real-world environments and situations to train balance and reaction time using augmented and virtual reality technologies. In order to lay out the research area of interest, a review of the literature on systems that provide exergames for the elderly utilizing such technologies was conducted. The proposed use of augmented reality exergames on mobile devices as a complement to the traditional Kinect-based approach is a method that has been examined in the past with younger individuals in the context of physical activity interventions, but has not been studied adequately as an exergame tool for the elderly. An evaluation study was conducted with seniors, using multiple measuring scales to assess aspects such as usability, tolerability, applicability, and technology acceptance. In particular, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used to assess acceptance and identify factors that influence the seniors’ intentions to use the game platform in the long term, while the correlation between UTAUT factors was also investigated. The results indicate a positive assessment of the above user experience aspects leveraging on both qualitative and quantitative collected data.
Potential Applications of Chitosan-Coated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Degrading Pesticide Residues in Environmental Soils
Authors: Daqa Wafa Mahmoud , Alshoaibi Adil , Ahmed Faheem , Rao Tentu Nageswara
Published: February 2023

The precipitation process was applied to synthesize chitosan-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (chitosan-ZnO NPs). Then, various characterization tools were used such as XDR, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and EDX. The use of these 50 nm chitosan-ZnO NPs in soil decontamination of thifluzamide and difenoconazole pesticide residues is being investigated. In two distinct soils, the effect of catalytic decontamination on pesticide residues was examined (sandy loam and sandy clay soils). The studies required two sets of pesticide concentrations. One set of samples was added to the chitosan-ZnO NPs catalyst, and the other set was studied without the addition of a catalyst. Photocatalytic studies were conducted under the sunlight in July. The soil samples were hand-spread in a glass dish to a height of 5 mm and sprayed with an aqueous solution of pesticide. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., these samples were exposed to sunlight in October 2021. We found that the best concentration of catalyst was 0.05%. The acquired samples were quantified using validated Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography (UFLC) with Photo Diode Array (PDA) detection. Kinetic parameters such as rate constant k and the degradation rate of pesticides DT50 have been calculated using Pesticide Residue Dissipation Data. The findings showed that the tested fungicides degenerate according to pseudo-first-order kinetics. Based on the findings, we concluded that photocatalytic degradation of pesticides in soils are faster than photolysis.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Rhazya stricta Decne Extracts and Their Anti-Microbial and Anti-Oxidant Activities
Authors: Rahman Haji , Rauf Abdur , Khan Shahid Ali , Ahmad Zubair , Alshammari Abdulrahman , Alharbi Metab , Alam Amir , Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul
Published: February 2023

The present study shows the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using a methanolic and aqueous extract of R. stricta. UV–visible spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were used to further characterize the Ag NPs. UV–visible spectra give surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) at 490–560 nm for Ag NPs. The existence of various functional groups existing in biomolecules capping the nanoparticles is indicated by the FTIR spectrum. The average size of Ag NPs is 20–35 nm, while the shape is spherical, as confirmed by FESEM. The plant extract and Ag NPs were evaluated against their antioxidant, antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Salmonella typhi), and antifungal activities (Trichophyton longifusis, Candida albican, and Fusarium solani), where the Ag NPs exhibited superior activity versus the plant extract. The inhibitory effect of NPs against the tested strain was more effective as compared to the crude extract of R. stricta.
Research and Development of Ferroelectric Material
Authors: Macutkevič Jan
Published: February 2023

Ferroelectric materials are widely investigated due their unique dielectric, piezoelectric, piroelectric, electrocaloric and other properties [...]
A Comprehensive First-Principles Investigation of SnTiO3 Perovskite for Optoelectronic and Thermoelectric Applications
Authors: Behera Debidatta , Manzoor Mumtaz , Sharma Ramesh , Salah Mostafa M. , Stich Ivan , Mukherjee Sanat Kumar
Published: February 2023

In this work, the structural, elastic, electronic, thermodynamic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of cubic phase SnTiO3 employing first-principles calculation are examined. The calculations of all parameters via various potentials such as LDA, PBE-GGA, WC-GGA, PBEsol-GGA, mBJ-GGA, nmBJ-GGA, and HSE are performed. The computed band structure yields an indirect bandgap of 1.88 eV with the HSE approach. The optical parameters have been evaluated through absorption, dispersion, and loss function. For cubic phase SnTiO3, the maximum absorption coefficient α(ω) is 173 × 104 (cm)−1 at high energy region 9 eV. The thermoelectric properties of the SnTiO3 have been explored by the Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and power factor employing the BoltzTrap code with temperature and chemical potential. Furthermore, the thermodynamic quantities under high pressure (0–120 GPa) and temperature (0–1200 K) are also calculated.
Experimental Suppression of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) Has Little Impact on the Survival of Eggs to Third Instar of Spring-Generation Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) Due to Buffering Effects of Host-Plant Arthropods
Authors: Hudman Kalynn L. , Stevenson Misty , Contreras Kelsey , Scott Alyx , Kopachena Jeffrey G.
Published: February 2023

The eastern migratory population of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has shown evidence of declines in recent years. During early spring, when the population is at its smallest, red imported fire ants (RIFA) (Solenopsis invicta) have been implicated as having devastating effects on monarch egg and larval survival, but there are no conclusive experimental data to support this contention. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of RIFA on the survival of spring monarch eggs to third instar larvae. Three treatments were analyzed: control plots, RIFA-suppressed plots, and RIFA-enhanced plots. Other host-plant arthropods were also documented. In control plots, monarch survival was unrelated to RIFA abundance on or around the plants. For both years combined, RIFA suppression had little impact on monarch survival. In one of the two years, higher survival occurred in the suppressed treatment, but confidence in this difference was low. In control plots, monarch survival increased with increasing numbers of other arthropods (not including RIFA) on the host plant. Predator pressure did not vary relative to arthropod abundance, and RIFA only occupied plants in large numbers when large numbers of other arthropods were also present. The presence of RIFA did not affect predator pressure. RIFA artificially drawn onto host plants created artificially high predator pressure, and monarch survival was low. Long-term use of bait to control RIFA may not be cost-effective provided surrounding biodiversity is high. Efforts to promote spring monarchs should focus on promoting biodiversity in addition to planting milkweed.
Current Status and Conservation of Springs in Taiwan: Water Quality Assessment and Species Diversity of Aquatic Animals
Authors: Chiu Yuh-Wen , Huang Da-Ji , Shieh Bao-Sen , Gan Ye-Chen , Chen Yi-Chih , Jen Chia-Hung , Lee Lin-Lee , Liang Shih-Hsiung
Published: February 2023

Even though spring ecosystems are ecologically unique and socio-culturally important worldwide, they hardly attract research attention. The aims of this study were to evaluate the environmental status of water quality, and to inventory the species diversity of aquatic animals in 65 springs in Taiwan from 2012 to 2017, of which seven springs were unable to be sampled due the fact that they were dried or sealed up. The environmental status of 58 springs with complete water quality data was assessed by the River Pollution Index (RPI). Based on the RPI, the water quality of these 58 sampled springs was mainly non-/mildly polluted (26 springs, 44.8%) and lightly polluted (23 spring, 39.6%), and nine (15.5%) springs were moderately polluted. However, when applied to springs, the RPI may intensify the pollution rankings because dissolved oxygen is an assessing factor, and hypoxia may naturally be observed in the springs. To avoid this concern, we suggest choosing the concentration of coliform instead of dissolved oxygen content in the RPI when it is applied to springs. During the 6 years of the study period, we collected 48 fish species in 44 springs, 24 gastropoda and bivalve species in 46 springs, 16 shrimp species in 34 springs, and 14 crab species in 18 springs. Within the species collected, 31 fish, 20 gastropoda and bivalves, 12 shrimps, and 14 crabs are native species of Taiwan. They totaled 27.2 to 35% of the known aquatic native species of the island. Thus, springs in Taiwan may be considered to be a conservation hotspot of aquatic animals. Other than native species, exotic aquatic animals also represent threats, as seventeen fishes (35.4%), four gastropoda and bivalves (16.6%), and two shrimps (12.5%) were found in the springs of Taiwan. The springs in Taiwan show diverse and vital ecosystem services, such as delivering social, cultural, and economic value, conserving native and endangered freshwater animals, developing new academic theories, and supplying habitat refugees from climate change. Unfortunately, springs in Taiwan currently are also threatened by multiple anthropogenic disturbances, such as the overconsumption of groundwater by land development and urbanization, deterioration of water quality by agricultural, domestic, and industrial pollution, and inappropriate tourism and management tactics. To restore and sustain the springs in Taiwan, effective strategies and practical measures are urgently required to minimize human-caused threats and revitalize social awareness of springs.
Robust Assessment of Macromolecular Fraction (MMF) in Muscle with Differing Fat Fraction Using Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) Magnetization Transfer Modeling with Measured T1
Authors: Jerban Saeed , Ma Yajun , Tang Qingbo , Fu Eddie , Szeverenyi Nikolaus , Jang Hyungseok , Chung Christine B. , Du Jiang , Chang Eric Y.
Published: February 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely regarded as the most comprehensive imaging modality to assess skeletal muscle quality and quantity. Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging can be used to estimate the fraction of water and macromolecular proton pools, with the latter including the myofibrillar proteins and collagen, which are related to the muscle quality and its ability to generate force. MT modeling combined with ultrashort echo time (UTE-MT modeling) may improve the evaluation of the myotendinous junction and regions with fibrotic tissues in the skeletal muscles, which possess short T2 values and higher bound-water concentration. The fat present in muscle has always been a source of concern in macromolecular fraction (MMF) calculation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of fat fraction (FF) on the estimated MMF in bovine skeletal muscle phantoms embedded in pure fat. MMF was calculated for several regions of interest (ROIs) with differing FFs using UTE-MT modeling with and without T1 measurement and B1 correction. Calculated MMF using measured T1 showed a robust trend, particularly with a negligible error (<3%) for FF < 20%. Around 5% MMF reduction occurred for FF > 30%. However, MMF estimation using a constant T1 was robust only for regions with FF < 10%. The MTR and T1 values were also robust for only FF < 10%. This study highlights the potential of the UTE-MT modeling with accurate T1 measurement for robust muscle assessment while remaining insensitive to fat infiltration up to moderate levels.