bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Perovskite Terahertz Photoconductive Antenna
Authors: Obraztsov Petr A. , Bulgakova Vladislava V. , Chizhov Pavel A. , Ushakov Alexander A. , Gets Dmitry S. , Makarov Sergey V. , Bukin Vladimir V.
Published: January 2021

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites, while well examined for photovoltaic applications, remain almost completely unexplored in the terahertz (THz) range. These low-cost hybrid materials are extremely attractive for THz applications because their optoelectronic properties can be chemically engineered with relative ease. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the first attempt to apply solution-processed polycrystalline films of hybrid perovskites for the development of photoconductive terahertz emitters. By using the widely studied methylammonium-based perovskites MAPbI3 and MAPbBr3, we fabricate and characterize large-aperture photoconductive antennas. The work presented here examines polycrystalline perovskite films excited both above and below the bandgap, as well as the scaling of THz emission with the applied bias field and the optical excitation fluence. The combination of ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy and terahertz emission experiments allows us to determine the still-debated room temperature carrier lifetime and mobility of charge carriers in halide perovskites using an alternative noninvasive method. Our results demonstrate the applicability of hybrid perovskites for the development of scalable THz photoconductive devices, making these materials competitive with conventional semiconductors for THz emission.
First-Principle Insight into Ga-Doped MoS2 for Sensing SO2, SOF2 and SO2F2
Authors: Hou Wenjun , Mi Hongwan , Peng Ruochen , Peng Shudi , Zeng Wen , Zhou Qu
Published: January 2021

First-principle calculations were carried out to simulate the three decomposition gases (SO2, SOF2, and SO2F2) of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) on Ga-doped MoS2 (Ga-MoS2) monolayer. Based on density functional theory (DFT), pure MoS2 and multiple gas molecules (SF6, SO2, SOF2, and SO2F2) were built and optimized to the most stable structure. Four types of Ga-doped positions were considered and it was found that Ga dopant preferred to be adsorbed by the top of Mo atom (TMo). For the best adsorption effect, two ways of SO2, SOF2, and SO2F2 to approach the doping model were compared and the most favorable mode was selected. The adsorption parameters of Ga-MoS2 and intrinsic MoS2 were calculated to analyze adsorption properties of Ga-MoS2 towards three gases. These analyses suggested that Ga-MoS2 could be a good gas-sensing material for SO2 and SO2F2, while it was not suitable for SOF2 sensing due to its weak adsorption. This work provides a theoretical basis for the development of Ga-MoS2 materials with the hope that it can be used as a good gas-sensing material for electrical equipment.
Randomised Controlled Trial of Nutritional Supplement on Bone Turnover Markers in Indian Premenopausal Women
Authors: Umarji Pramod B. , Verma Pankaj , Garg Vivek , Schini Marian , Eastell Richard
Published: January 2021

Young Indian women may be at risk of poor bone health due to malnutrition. The aim of this study was to examine the effects on bone metabolism of a nutritional supplement in women aged 25 to 44. The nutritional supplement was a protein-rich beverage powder fortified with multi-micronutrients including calcium (600 mg), vitamin D (400 IU), and vitamin K (55 mcg) per daily serving, while a placebo supplement was low-protein non-fortified isocaloric beverage powder. This 6-month randomised, controlled trial showed favorable changes in bone turnover markers (decreased) and calcium homeostasis; such changes in older adults have been associated with slowing of bone loss and reduced fracture risk. For example, serum CTX decreased by about 30% and PINP by about 20% as a result of the increase in calcium intake. There were also changes in the ratio of carboxylated to undercarboxylated osteocalcin and such changes have been linked to a slowing of bone loss in older subjects. For example, the ratio increased by about 60% after 3 months as a result in the improvement in vitamin K status. Finally, there were improvements in the status of B vitamins, and such changes have been associated with reductions in homocysteine, but it is uncertain whether this would affect fracture risk. The product was generally well tolerated. This study shows the nutritional supplement holds promise for improved bone health among young Indian women.
Clinical Significance of Probiotics for Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Yamaguchi Tadashi , Tsuji Shoji , Akagawa Shohei , Akagawa Yuko , Kino Jiro , Yamanouchi Sohsaku , Kimata Takahisa , Hashiyada Masaki , Akane Atsushi , Kaneko Kazunari
Published: January 2021

We previously reported that a decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut is a potential cause of regulatory T cell (Treg) abnormalities in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Therefore, we hypothesized that administration of butyrate-producing bacteria might reduce INS relapse and the need for immunosuppressants in these patients. Twenty patients in remission from INS (median age 5.3 years, 15 boys) were enrolled in the study and assigned to receive either daily oral treatment with a preparation of 3 g Clostridium butyricum or no probiotic treatment. The number of relapses and requirement for immunosuppressive agents were compared between the two groups. In the probiotic treatment group, analyses of the gut microbiota and Treg measurements were also performed. Probiotic-treated patients experienced fewer INS relapses per year compared with non-probiotic-treated patients (p = 0.016). Further, administration of rituximab in the probiotic treatment group was significantly less frequent compared with the non-probiotic-treated group (p = 0.025). In the probiotic treatment group, analyses before and after probiotic treatment revealed the significant increases in the relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria (p = 0.017) and blood Treg counts (p = 0.0065). Thus, oral administration of butyrate-producing bacteria during INS remission may reduce the frequency of relapse and the need for immunosuppressive agents.
Taxonomic Composition and Diversity of the Gut Microbiota in Relation to Habitual Dietary Intake in Korean Adults
Authors: Noh Hwayoung , Jang Hwan-Hee , Kim Gichang , Zouiouich Semi , Cho Su-Yeon , Kim Hyeon-Jeong , Kim Jeongseon , Choe Jeong-Sook , Gunter Marc J. , Ferrari Pietro , Scalbert Augustin , Freisling Heinz
Published: January 2021

We investigated associations of habitual dietary intake with the taxonomic composition and diversity of the human gut microbiota in 222 Koreans aged 18–58 years in a cross-sectional study. Gut microbiota data were obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing on DNA extracted from fecal samples. The habitual diet for the previous year was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. After multivariable adjustment, intake of several food groups including vegetables, fermented legumes, legumes, dairy products, processed meat, and non-alcoholic beverages were associated with major phyla of the gut microbiota. A dietary pattern related to higher α-diversity (HiαDP) derived by reduced rank regression was characterized by higher intakes of fermented legumes, vegetables, seaweeds, and nuts/seeds and lower intakes of non-alcoholic beverages. The HiαDP was positively associated with several genera of Firmicutes such as Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium (all p < 0.05). Among enterotypes identified by principal coordinate analysis based on the β-diversity, the Ruminococcus enterotype had higher HiαDP scores and was strongly positively associated with intakes of vegetables, seaweeds, and nuts/seeds, compared to the two other enterotypes. We conclude that a plant- and fermented food-based diet was positively associated with some genera of Firmicutes (e.g., Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium) reflecting better gut microbial health.
Calcium Supplements and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
Authors: Myung Seung-Kwon , Kim Hong-Bae , Lee Yong-Jae , Choi Yoon-Jung , Oh Seung-Won
Published: January 2021

Background: Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs) have reported controversial findings regarding the associations between calcium supplements on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between them. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the bibliographies of relevant articles for double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs in November, 2020. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of cardiovascular disease were calculated using a random effects model. The main outcomes were CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and cerebrovascular disease. Results: A total of 13 double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs (14,692 participants in an intervention group and 14,243 participants in a control group) were included in the final analysis. Calcium supplements significantly increased the risk of CVD (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06–1.25, I2 = 0.0%, n = 14) and CHD (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05–1.28, I2 = 0.0%, n = 9) in double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs, specifically in healthy postmenopausal women. In the subgroup meta-analysis, dietary calcium intake of 700–1000 mg per day or supplementary calcium intake of 1000 mg per day significantly increased the risk of CVD and CHD. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis found that calcium supplements increased a risk of CVD by about 15% in healthy postmenopausal women.
High Plasma Docosahexaenoic Acid Associated to Better Prognoses of Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Matsuo Naoaki , Miyoshi Toru , Takaishi Atsushi , Kishinoue Takao , Yasuhara Kentaro , Tanimoto Masafumi , Nakano Yukari , Onishi Nobuhiko , Ueeda Masayuki , Ito Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

The clinical relevance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in heart failure remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PUFA levels and the prognosis of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This retrospective study included 140 hospitalized patients with acute decompensated HFpEF (median age 84.0 years, 42.9% men). The patients’ nutritional status was assessed, using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and their plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) were measured before discharge. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. During a median follow-up of 23.3 months, the primary outcome occurred in 37 patients (26.4%). A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that lower DHA and DGLA levels, but not EPA or AA levels, were significantly associated with an increase in all-cause death (log-rank; p < 0.001 and p = 0.040, respectively). A multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed that DHA levels were significantly associated with the incidence of all-cause death (HR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06–0.44, p = 0.001), independent of the GNRI. Our results suggest that low plasma DHA levels may be a useful predictor of all-cause mortality and potential therapeutic target in patients with acute decompensated HFpEF.
Quercetin Alleviates Oxidative Damage by Activating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Signaling in Porcine Enterocytes
Authors: Jia Hai , Zhang Yunchang , Si Xuemeng , Jin Yuhang , Jiang Da , Dai Zhaolai , Wu Zhenlong
Published: January 2021

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of multiple gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of natural product quercetin on diquat-induced oxidative stress in porcine enterocytes and underlying mechanisms. Intestinal porcine epithelial cell line 1 (IPEC-1) cells pretreated with or without quercetin (5 μM, 24 h) were incubated with vehicle or diquat (100 μM) for 6 h. The results showed that diquat treatment induced apoptosis in a caspase-3-dependent manner, as accompanied by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, increased mitochondrial depolarization, and reduced the abundance of tight junction proteins. These adverse effects of diquat were remarkably abrogated by quercetin administration. Further study indicated that the protective effect of quercetin was associated with elevated protein abundance of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) content. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of quercetin on diquat-induced oxidative damage were abolished by all-trans-retinoic acid (Atra), a specific inhibitor of Nrf2, indicating a Nrf2-dependent regulation manner. The results show that quercetin attenuates diquat-induced cell injury by promoting protein abundance of Nrf2 and regulating GSH-related redox homeostasis in enterocytes. These findings provide new insights into a function role of quercetin in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
Effects of a Protein-Rich, Low-Glycaemic Meal Replacement on Changes in Dietary Intake and Body Weight Following a Weight-Management Intervention—The ACOORH Trial
Authors: Röhling Martin , Stensitzky Andrea , Oliveira Camila , Beck Andrea , Braumann Klaus , Halle Martin , Führer-Sakel Dagmar , Kempf Kerstin , McCarthy David , Predel Hans , Schenkenberger Isabelle , Toplak Hermann , Berg Aloys
Published: January 2021

Although meal replacement can lead to weight reduction, there is uncertainty whether this dietary approach implemented into a lifestyle programme can improve long-term dietary intake. In this subanalysis of the Almased Concept against Overweight and Obesity and Related Health Risk (ACOORH) study (n = 463), participants with metabolic risk factors were randomly assigned to either a meal replacement-based lifestyle intervention group (INT) or a lifestyle intervention control group (CON). This subanalysis relies only on data of participants (n = 119) who returned correctly completed dietary records at baseline, and after 12 and 52 weeks. Both groups were not matched for nutrient composition at baseline. These data were further stratified by sex and also associated with weight change. INT showed a higher increase in protein intake related to the daily energy intake after 12 weeks (+6.37% [4.69; 8.04] vs. +2.48% [0.73; 4.23], p < 0.001) of intervention compared to CON. Fat and carbohydrate intake related to the daily energy intake were more strongly reduced in the INT compared to CON (both p < 0.01). After sex stratification, particularly INT-women increased their total protein intake after 12 (INT: +12.7 g vs. CON: −5.1 g, p = 0.021) and 52 weeks (INT: +5.7 g vs. CON: −16.4 g, p = 0.002) compared to CON. Protein intake was negatively associated with weight change (r = −0.421; p < 0.001) after 12 weeks. The results indicate that a protein-rich dietary strategy with a meal replacement can improve long-term nutritional intake, and was associated with weight loss.
miRNA-Based Therapeutics in the Era of Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Huemer Florian , Leisch Michael , Geisberger Roland , Zaborsky Nadja , Greil Richard
Published: January 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to complementary target regions on gene transcripts. Thus, miRNAs fine-tune gene expression profiles in a cell-type-specific manner and thereby regulate important cellular functions, such as cell growth, proliferation and cell death. MiRNAs are frequently dysregulated in cancer cells by several mechanisms, which significantly affect the course of the disease. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on how dysregulated miRNAs contribute to cancer and how miRNAs can be exploited as predictive factors and therapeutic targets, particularly in regard to immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapies.
Semi-Crystalline Copolymer Hydrogels as Smart Drug Carriers: In Vitro Thermo-Responsive Naproxen Release Study
Authors: Ilić-Stojanović Snežana , Nikolić Ljubiša , Nikolić Vesna , Petrović Slobodan , Oro Violeta , Mitić Žarko , Najman Stevo
Published: January 2021

In this study, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) hydrogels were synthesized using free radical initiated copolymerization method. Four hydrogels with different cross-linker concentrations were prepared. Semi-crystalline, cross-linked copolymer networks were confirmed by FTIR, SEM and XRD analysis. Variation of swelling behaviour was monitored gravimetrically and thermo-responsiveness has been noticed. An application of synthesized thermo-responsive hydrogels as carriers for the modulated release of anti-inflammatory model drug was investigated. Moreover, naproxen loading into these hydrogels was also determined using FTIR, SEM and XRD techniques and release was analyzed using HPLC method at simulated physiological conditions. Swelling kinetic and mechanism of water transport, as well as diffusion of naproxen through the hydrogels were analyzed. Thus, the aim of this work was to study various compositions of obtained hydrogels and their possibility of application as a thermo-responsive carrier for prolonged naproxen release in order to evaluate as a potential candidate for drug carrier in future pharmaceutical applications.
Selective Laser Sintering of Solid Oral Dosage Forms with Copovidone and Paracetamol Using a CO2 Laser
Authors: Gueche Yanis A. , Sanchez-Ballester Noelia M. , Bataille Bernard , Aubert Adrien , Leclercq Laurent , Rossi Jean-Christophe , Soulairol Ian
Published: January 2021

Material suitability needs to be considered for the 3D printing of solid oral dosage forms (SODFs). This work aims to assess the suitability of a CO2 laser (λ = 10.6 μm) for selective laser sintering of SODFs containing copovidone and paracetamol. First, physicochemical characterization of powders (two grades of copovidone, two grades of paracetamol and their mixtures at various proportions) was conducted: particle size distribution, morphology, infrared absorbance, flowability, and compactness. Then, printing was launched, and printability of the powders was linked to their physicochemical characteristics. The properties of the sintered SODFs were evaluated (solid state, general aspect, porosity, hardness, drug content and release). Hence, it was found that as copovidone absorbs at the laser’s wavelength, sintering was feasible without using an absorbance enhancer. Also, flowability, which mainly depends on the particle size, represents the first control line for “sinterability” as a fair flow is at least required. Low compactness of copovidone and mixtures reduces the mechanical properties of the SODFs but also increases porosity, which can modulate drug release. Moreover, the drug did not undergo degradation and demonstrated a plasticizer effect by lowering the heating temperature. In conclusion, this work proves the applicability of CO2 laser SLS printer to produce SODFs.
Clinical Efficacy and Nephrotoxicity of Colistin Alone versus Colistin Plus Vancomycin in Critically Ill Patients Infected with Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Katip Wasan , Oberdorfer Peninnah
Published: January 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant concern worldwide. The mortality rate of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) is increasing, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). Thus, the objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of colistin plus vancomycin for the treatment of critically ill patients with CRAB in Chiang Mai University Hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients in the ICU with CRAB infection who received colistin alone or colistin-vancomycin combination therapy at Chiang Mai University Hospital. A total of 365 critically ill patients met the inclusion criteria. The results in this study showed that after propensity score matching, colistin plus vancomycin showed no significant differences in the 30-day mortality compared to colistin alone. Likewise, for colistin plus vancomycin, compared with colistin therapy alone, there were no significant differences in the clinical response, microbiological response and nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, colistin plus vancomycin was no significant differences in 30-day mortality, clinical response, microbiological response compared to colistin alone for infections due to CRAB. The nephrotoxicity rates were similar for both groups, so colistin combination with vancomycin was not necessary for the management of infection caused by CRAB.
Nucleation Points: The Forgotten Parameter in the Synthesis of Hydrogel-Coated Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Sepúlveda Adolfo , Picard-Lafond Audrey , Marette André , Boudreau Denis
Published: January 2021

The implementation of gold-hydrogel core-shell nanomaterials in novel light-driven technologies requires the development of well-controlled and scalable synthesis protocols with precisely tunable properties. Herein, new insights are presented concerning the importance of using the concentration of gold cores as a control parameter in the seeded precipitation polymerization process to modulate—regardless of core size—relevant fabrication parameters such as encapsulation yield, particle size and shrinkage capacity. Controlling the number of nucleation points results in the facile tuning of the encapsulation process, with yields reaching 99% of gold cores even when using different core sizes at a given particle concentration. This demonstration is extended to the encapsulation of bimodal gold core mixtures with equally precise control on the encapsulation yield, suggesting that this principle could be extended to encapsulating cores composed of other materials. These findings could have a significant impact on the development of stimuli-responsive smart materials.
Adamantane Functionalized Poly(2-oxazoline)s with Broadly Tunable LCST-Behavior by Molecular Recognition
Authors: Van Guyse Joachim F. R. , Bera Debaditya , Hoogenboom Richard
Published: January 2021

Smart or adaptive materials often utilize stimuli-responsive polymers, which undergo a phase transition in response to a given stimulus. So far, various stimuli have been used to enable the modulation of drug release profiles, cell-interactive behavior, and optical and mechanical properties. In this respect, molecular recognition is a powerful tool to fine-tune the stimuli-responsive behavior due to its high specificity. Within this contribution, a poly(2-oxazoline) copolymer bearing adamantane side chains was synthesized via triazabicyclodecene-catalyzed amidation of the ester side chains of a poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline-stat-2-methoxycarbonylpropyl-2-oxazoline) statistical copolymer. Subsequent complexation of the pendant adamantane groups with sub-stoichiometric amounts (0–1 equivalents) of hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin or β-cyclodextrin enabled accurate tuning of its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) over an exceptionally wide temperature range, spanning from 30 °C to 56 °C. Furthermore, the sharp thermal transitions display minimal hysteresis, suggesting a reversible phase transition of the complexed polymer chains (i.e., the β-cyclodextrin host collapses together with the polymers) and a minimal influence by the temperature on the supramolecular association. Analysis of the association constant of the polymer with hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin via 1H NMR spectroscopy suggests that the selection of the macrocyclic host and rational polymer design can have a profound influence on the observed thermal transitions.
Light-Responsive Polymeric Micellar Nanoparticles with Enhanced Formulation Stability
Authors: Kim Kyoung Nan , Oh Keun Sang , Shim Jiwook , Schlaepfer Isabel R. , Karam Sana D. , Lee Jung-Jae
Published: January 2021

Light-sensitive polymeric micelles have recently emerged as promising drug delivery systems for spatiotemporally controlled release of payload at target sites. Here, we developed diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ)-conjugated micellar nanoparticles that showed a change in polarity of the micellar core from hydrophobic to hydrophilic under UV light, releasing the encapsulated anti-cancer drug, doxetaxel (DTX). The micelles exhibited a low critical micelle concentration and high stability in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution due to the hydrophobic and π–π stacking interactions in the micellar core. Cell studies showed enhanced cytotoxicity of DTX-loaded micellar nanoparticles upon irradiation. The enhanced stability would increase the circulation time of the micellar nanoparticles in blood, and enhance the therapeutic effectiveness for cancer therapy.
Incorporating MXene into Boron Nitride/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Composite Films to Enhance Thermal and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Lee Seonmin , Kim Jooheon
Published: January 2021

Aggregated boron nitride (ABN) is advantageous for increasing the packing and thermal conductivity of the matrix in composite materials, but can deteriorate the mechanical properties by breaking during processing. In addition, there are few studies on the use of Ti3C2 MXene as thermally conductive fillers. Herein, the development of a novel composite film is described. It incorporates MXene and ABN into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to achieve a high thermal conductivity. Polysilazane (PSZ)-coated ABN formed a heat conduction path in the composite film, and MXene supported it to further improve the thermal conductivity. The prepared polymer composite film is shown to provide through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivities of 1.51 and 4.28 W/mK at total filler contents of 44 wt.%. The composite film is also shown to exhibit a tensile strength of 11.96 MPa, which is much greater than that without MXene. Thus, it demonstrates that incorporating MXene as a thermally conductive filler can enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of composite films.
Temperature Profile in Rubber Injection Molding: Application of a Recently Developed Testing Method to Improve the Process Simulation and Calculation of Curing Kinetics
Authors: Traintinger Martin , Kerschbaumer Roman Christopher , Lechner Bernhard , Friesenbichler Walter , Lucyshyn Thomas
Published: January 2021

Injection molding of rubber compounds is an easily conducted yet sophisticated method for rubber processing. Simulation software is used to examine the optimal process conditions, identify failure scenarios, and save resources. Due to the complexity of the entire process, various aspects have to be considered in the numerical approach. This contribution focused on a comparison of process simulations with various definitions of the material’s inlet temperature, ranging from a stepwise increase, but constant temperature, to an exact axial mass temperature profile prior to injection. The latter was obtained with a specially designed, unique test stand consisting of a plasticizing cylinder equipped with pressure sensors, a throttle valve for pressure adjustments, and a measurement bar with thermocouples for the determination of the actual state of the mass temperature. For the verification of the theoretical calculations, practical experiments were conducted on a rubber injection molding machine equipped with the mold used in the simulation. The moldings, obtained at different vulcanization time, were characterized mechanically and the results were normalized to a relative degree of cure in order to enable comparison of the real process and the simulation. Considering the actual state of the mass temperature, the simulation showed an excellent correlation of the measured and calculated mass temperatures in the cold runner. Additionally, the relative degree of cure was closer to reality when the mass temperature profile after dosing was applied in the simulation.
Binary and Ternary Vanadium Oxides: General Overview, Physical Properties, and Photochemical Processes for Environmental Applications
Authors: Monfort Olivier , Petrisková Patrícia
Published: January 2021

This review article is a comprehensive report on vanadium oxides which are interesting materials for environmental applications. Therefore, a general overview of vanadium and its related oxides are presented in the first two parts. Afterwards, the physical properties of binary and ternary vanadium oxides in single and mixed valence states are described such as their structural, optical, and electronic properties. Finally, the use of these vanadium oxides in photochemical processes for environmental applications is detailed, especially for the production of hydrogen by water splitting and the degradation of organic pollutants in water using photocatalytic and photo-Fenton processes. The scientific aim of such a review is to bring a comprehensive tool to understand the photochemical processes triggered by vanadium oxide based materials where the photo-induced properties are thoroughly discussed based on the detailed description of their intrinsic properties.
Biocatalytic Approach for Novel Functional Oligoesters of ε-Caprolactone and Malic Acid
Authors: Dreavă Diana Maria , Benea Ioana Cristina , Bîtcan Ioan , Todea Anamaria , Șișu Eugen , Puiu Maria , Peter Francisc
Published: January 2021

Biocatalysis has developed in the last decades as a major tool for green polymer synthesis. The particular ability of lipases to catalyze the synthesis of novel polymeric materials has been demonstrated for a large range of substrates. In this work, novel functional oligoesters were synthesized from ε-caprolactone and D,L/L-malic acid by a green and sustainable route, using two commercially available immobilized lipases as catalysts. The reactions were carried out at different molar ratios of the comonomers in organic solvents, but the best results were obtained in solvent-free systems. Linear and cyclic oligomeric products with average molecular weights of about 1500 Da were synthesized, and the formed oligoesters were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The oligoester synthesis was not enantioselective in the studied reaction conditions. The operational stability of both biocatalysts (Novozyme 435 and GF-CalB-IM) was excellent after reutilization in 13 batch reaction cycles. The thermal properties of the reaction products were investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The presence of polar pendant groups in the structure of these oligomers could widen the possible applications compared to the oligomers of ε-caprolactone or allow the conversion to other functional materials.
Validation of the Interreligious Forms of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale in Taiwan: Perspectives from Selected University Students
Authors: del Castillo Fides , Edara Inna Reddy , Ching Gregory , del Castillo Clarence Darro
Published: January 2021

This study validated three versions of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRSi-7, -14, and -20), which propose an adequate assessment tool for the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing in Taiwan’s society. The sample (N = 331) was drawn from the selected undergraduate university students of the country. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha values were calculated for the five subscales (ideology, intellect, experience, private and public practice) of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale. The factor structure of the interreligious Centrality of Religiosity Scale was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The current study utilized the CRSi-14 model 3 as the basis for later analysis. All items have loaded significantly in the different subscales with internal consistency within the acceptable values. Findings show that the selected Taiwanese youth are religious.
Sea Surface Salinity Response to Tropical Cyclones Based on Satellite Observations
Authors: Sun Jingru , Vecchi Gabriel , Soden Brian
Published: January 2021

Multi-year records of satellite remote sensing of sea surface salinity (SSS) provide an opportunity to investigate the climatological characteristics of the SSS response to tropical cyclones (TCs). In this study, the influence of TC winds, rainfall and preexisting ocean stratification on SSS evolution is examined with multiple satellite-based and in-situ data. Global storm-centered composites indicate that TCs act to initially freshen the ocean surface (due to precipitation), and subsequently salinify the surface, largely through vertical ocean processes (mixing and upwelling), although regional hydrography can lead to local departure from this behavior. On average, on the day a TC passes, a strong SSS decrease is observed. The fresh anomaly is subsequently replaced by a net surface salinification, which persists for weeks. This salinification is larger on the right (left)-hand side of the storm motion in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere, consistent with the location of stronger turbulent mixing. The influence of TC intensity and translation speed on the ocean response is also examined. Despite having greater precipitation, stronger TCs tend to produce longer-lasting, stronger and deeper salinification especially on the right-hand side of the storm motion. Faster moving TCs are found to have slightly weaker freshening with larger area coverage during the passage, but comparable salinification after the passage. The ocean haline response in four basins with different climatological salinity stratification reveals a significant impact of vertical stratification on the salinity response during and after the passage of TCs.
Spatio-Temporal Variations and Driving Forces of Harmful Algal Blooms in Chaohu Lake: A Multi-Source Remote Sensing Approach
Authors: Ma Jieying , Jin Shuanggen , Li Jian , He Yang , Shang Wei
Published: January 2021

Harmful algal blooms (hereafter HABs) pose significant threats to aquatic health and environmental safety. Although satellite remote sensing can monitor HABs at a large-scale, it is always a challenge to achieve both high spatial and high temporal resolution simultaneously with a single earth observation system (EOS) sensor, which is much needed for aquatic environment monitoring of inland lakes. This study proposes a multi-source remote sensing-based approach for HAB monitoring in Chaohu Lake, China, which integrates Terra/Aqua MODIS, Landsat 8 OLI, and Sentinel-2A/B MSI to attain high temporal and spatial resolution observations. According to the absorption characteristics and fluorescence peaks of HABs on remote sensing reflectance, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) algorithm for MODIS, the floating algae index (FAI) and NDVI combined algorithm for Landsat 8, and the NDVI and chlorophyll reflection peak intensity index (ρchl) algorithm for Sentinel-2A/B MSI are used to extract HAB. The accuracies of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), floating algae index (FAI), and chlorophyll reflection peak intensity index (ρchl) are 96.1%, 95.6%, and 93.8% with the RMSE values of 4.52, 2.43, 2.58 km2, respectively. The combination of NDVI and ρchl can effectively avoid misidentification of water and algae mixed pixels. Results revealed that the HAB in Chaohu Lake breaks out from May to November; peaks in June, July, and August; and more frequently occurs in the western region. Analysis of the HAB’s potential driving forces, including environmental and meteorological factors of temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours, and wind, indicated that higher temperatures and light rain favored this HAB. Wind is the primary factor in boosting the HAB’s growth, and the variation of a HAB’s surface in two days can reach up to 24.61%. Multi-source remote sensing provides higher observation frequency and more detailed spatial information on a HAB, particularly the HAB’s long-short term changes in their area.
Application of Optical Remote Sensing in Rubber Plantations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Azizan Fathin Ayuni , Kiloes Adhitya Marendra , Astuti Ike Sari , Abdul Aziz Ammar
Published: January 2021

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is a tropical tree crop cultivated for the industrial production of latex. The trees are tall, perennial and long-lived, and are typically grown in plantations. In most rubber-producing countries, smallholders account for more than 85% of plantation area. Traditional practices mean that it can be difficult to monitor rubber plantations for management purposes. To overcome issues associated with monitoring traditional practices, remote sensing approaches have been successfully applied in this field. However, information on this is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to document the current status, history, development and prospects for remote sensing applications in rubber plantations by using the PRISMA framework. The review focuses on the application of optical remote sensing data in rubber. In this paper, we discuss the current role of remote sensing on specific subject areas, namely mapping, change detection, stand age estimation, carbon and biomass assessment, leaf area index (LAI) prediction and disease detection. In addition, we elaborate on the benefits gained and challenges faced while adapting this technology. These include the availability and free access to satellite imagery as the greatest benefit and the presence of clouds as one of the toughest challenges. Finally, we highlighted four potential areas where future work can be done: (1) Advancements in remote sensing data, (2) algorithm enhancements, (3) emerging processing platforms, and (4) application to less studied subject areas. This paper gives insight into strengthening the potential of remote sensing for delivering efficient and long-term services for rubber plantations.
An Integrated Detection Based on a Multi-Parameter Plasmonic Optical Fiber Sensor
Authors: Xiao Gongli , Ou Zetao , Yang Hongyan , Xu Yanping , Chen Jianyun , Li Haiou , Li Qi , Zeng Lizhen , Den Yanron , Li Jianqing
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a multi-parameter integrated detection photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is proposed for its application in detecting temperature, magnetic field, and refractive index. The air holes on both sides of the fiber core were coated with gold film and introduced to the temperature-sensitive medium (PDMS) and magnetic fluid (MF), detecting temperature and magnetic field, respectively. The graphene layer is also presented on the gold film of the D-type side polished surface to improve the sensor sensitivity. The sensor’s critical parameters’ influence on its performance is investigated using a mode solver based on the finite element method (FEM). Simulation results show when the samples refractive index (RI) detection is a range of 1.36~1.43, magnetic field detection is a range of 20~550 Oe, and the temperature detection is a range of 5~55 °C; the maximum sensor’s sensitivity obtains 76,000 nm/RIU, magnetic field intensity sensitivity produces 164.06 pm/Oe, and temperature sensitivity obtains −5001.31 pm/°C.
Non-Contact Measurements of Electrocardiogram and Cough-Associated Electromyogram from the Neck Using In-Pillow Common Cloth Electrodes: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Takano Akira , Ishigami Hiroshi , Ueno Akinori
Published: January 2021

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are associated with nocturnal cough and changes in heart rate. In this work, the authors propose a proof-of-concept non-contact system for performing capacitive electrocardiogram (cECG) and cough-associated capacitive electromyogram (cEMG) measurements using cloth electrodes under a pillowcase. Two electrodes were located along with the approximate vector of lead II ECG and were used for both cECG and cEMG measurements. A signature voltage follower was introduced after each electrode to detect biopotentials with amplitudes of approximately 100 µV. A bootstrapping technique and nonlinear electrical component were combined and implemented in the voltage follower to attain a high input impedance and rapid static discharge. The measurement system was evaluated in a laboratory experiment for seven adult males and one female (average age: 22.5 ± 1.3 yr). The accuracy of R-wave detection for 2-min resting periods was 100% in six subjects, with an overall average of 87.5% ± 30.0%. Clearly visible cEMGs were obtained for each cough motion for all subjects, synchronized with reference EMGs from submental muscle. Although there remains room for improvement in practical use, the proposed system is promising for unobtrusive detection of heart rate and cough over a prolonged period of time.
Affordance-Based Grasping Point Detection Using Graph Convolutional Networks for Industrial Bin-Picking Applications
Authors: Iriondo Ander , Lazkano Elena , Ansuategi Ander
Published: January 2021

Grasping point detection has traditionally been a core robotic and computer vision problem. In recent years, deep learning based methods have been widely used to predict grasping points, and have shown strong generalization capabilities under uncertainty. Particularly, approaches that aim at predicting object affordances without relying on the object identity, have obtained promising results in random bin-picking applications. However, most of them rely on RGB/RGB-D images, and it is not clear up to what extent 3D spatial information is used. Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) have been successfully used for object classification and scene segmentation in point clouds, and also to predict grasping points in simple laboratory experimentation. In the present proposal, we adapted the Deep Graph Convolutional Network model with the intuition that learning from n-dimensional point clouds would lead to a performance boost to predict object affordances. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that GCNs are applied to predict affordances for suction and gripper end effectors in an industrial bin-picking environment. Additionally, we designed a bin-picking oriented data preprocessing pipeline which contributes to ease the learning process and to create a flexible solution for any bin-picking application. To train our models, we created a highly accurate RGB-D/3D dataset which is openly available on demand. Finally, we benchmarked our method against a 2D Fully Convolutional Network based method, improving the top-1 precision score by 1.8% and 1.7% for suction and gripper respectively.
A Superfast Super-Resolution Method for Radar Forward-Looking Imaging
Authors: Huo Weibo , Zhang Qiping , Zhang Yin , Zhang Yongchao , Huang Yulin , Yang Jianyu
Published: January 2021

The super-resolution method has been widely used for improving azimuth resolution for radar forward-looking imaging. Typically, it can be achieved by solving an undifferentiable L1 regularization problem. The split Bregman algorithm (SBA) is a great tool for solving this undifferentiable problem. However, its real-time imaging ability is limited to matrix inversion and iterations. Although previous studies have used the special structure of the coefficient matrix to reduce the computational complexity of each iteration, the real-time performance is still limited due to the need for hundreds of iterations. In this paper, a superfast SBA (SFSBA) is proposed to overcome this shortcoming. Firstly, the super-resolution problem is transmitted into an L1 regularization problem in the framework of regularization. Then, the proposed SFSBA is used to solve the nondifferentiable L1 regularization problem. Different from the traditional SBA, the proposed SFSBA utilizes the low displacement rank features of Toplitz matrix, along with the Gohberg-Semencul (GS) representation to realize fast inversion of the coefficient matrix, reducing the computational complexity of each iteration from O(N3) to O(N2). It uses a two-order vector extrapolation strategy to reduce the number of iterations. The convergence speed is increased by about 8 times. Finally, the simulation and real data processing results demonstrate that the proposed SFSBA can effectively improve the azimuth resolution of radar forward-looking imaging, and its performance is only slightly lower compared to traditional SBA. The hardware test shows that the computational efficiency of the proposed SFSBA is much higher than that of other traditional super-resolution methods, which would meet the real-time requirements in practice.
Highly Sensitive Graphene-Au Coated Plasmon Resonance PCF Sensor
Authors: Yang Hongyan , Liu Mengyin , Chen Yupeng , Guo Ling , Xiao Gongli , Liu Houquan , Li Jianqing , Yuan Libo
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a graphene-Au coated photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor in the visible regime. Designing a side-polish D-shaped plane over the PCF’s defect of the periodic air holes can effectively enhance the evanescent field. Graphene on gold can enhance the sensor’s sensitivity because it can stably adsorb biomolecules and increase the propagation constant of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP). Using the finite element method (FEM), we demonstrated that the sensing performance is greatly improved by optimizing the PCF’s geometric structural parameter. The proposed PCF sensor exhibited high performance with a maximum wavelength sensitivity of 4200 nm/RIU, maximum amplitude sensitivity of 450 RIU−1, and refractive index resolution of 2.3 × 10−5 RIU in the sensing range 1.32–1.41. This research provides a potential application for the design a new generation of highly sensitive biosensors.
Integrated Diagnostic Framework for Process and Sensor Faults in Chemical Industry
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Luo Wenjia , Dai Yiyang
Published: January 2021

This study considers the problem of distinguishing between process and sensor faults in nonlinear chemical processes. An integrated fault diagnosis framework is proposed to distinguish chemical process sensor faults from process faults. The key idea of the framework is to embed the cycle temporal algorithm into the dynamic kernel principal component analysis to improve the fault detection speed and accuracy. It is combined with the fault diagnosis method based on the reconstruction-based contribution graph to diagnose the fault variables and then distinguish the two fault types according to their characteristics. Finally, the integrated fault diagnosis framework is applied to the Tennessee Eastman process and acid gas absorption process, and its effectiveness is proved.
RNN- and LSTM-Based Soft Sensors Transferability for an Industrial Process
Authors: Curreri Francesco , Patanè Luca , Xibilia Maria Gabriella
Published: January 2021

The design and application of Soft Sensors (SSs) in the process industry is a growing research field, which needs to mediate problems of model accuracy with data availability and computational complexity. Black-box machine learning (ML) methods are often used as an efficient tool to implement SSs. Many efforts are, however, required to properly select input variables, model class, model order and the needed hyperparameters. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility to transfer the knowledge acquired in the design of a SS for a given process to a similar one. This has been approached as a transfer learning problem from a source to a target domain. The implementation of a transfer learning procedure allows to considerably reduce the computational time dedicated to the SS design procedure, leaving out many of the required phases. Two transfer learning methods have been proposed, evaluating their suitability to design SSs based on nonlinear dynamical models. Recurrent neural structures have been used to implement the SSs. In detail, recurrent neural networks and long short-term memory architectures have been compared in regard to their transferability. An industrial case of study has been considered, to evaluate the performance of the proposed procedures and the best compromise between SS performance and computational effort in transferring the model. The problem of labeled data scarcity in the target domain has been also discussed. The obtained results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed transfer learning methods in the design of nonlinear dynamical models for industrial systems.