bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Assessment of the Transversal Rupture Strength (TRS) and Hardness of WC-Co Specimens Made via Additive Manufacturing and Sinter-HIP
Authors: Jucan Ovidiu-Darius , Gădălean Rareş-Vasile , Chicinaş Horea-Florin , Bâlc Nicolae , Popa Cătălin-Ovidiu
Published: May 2023

This study is focused on the mechanical properties of WC-Co composites obtained via Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) using PA12 as a binder. The as-printed samples were thermally debonded and sintered, first in a vacuum, and then sinter-HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressure) at 1400 °C, using 50 bar Ar, which has led to relative densities up to 66%. Optical metallographic images show a microstructure consisting of WC, with an average grain size in the range of 1.4–2.0 µm, with isolated large grains, in a well-distributed Co matrix. The shrinkage of the samples was 43%, with no significant shape distortion. The printing direction of the samples significantly impacts the transversal rupture strength (TRS). Nevertheless, the mechanical strength was low, with a maximum of 612 MPa. SEM images of the fracture surface of TRS samples show the presence of defects that constitute the cause of the low measured values. The hardness values position the obtained composites in the medium coarse classical cemented carbides range. The results were also related to the amount of free Co after sintering, close to the initial one, as assessed by magnetic measurements, indicating a low degree of interaction with PA12 decomposition products.
A Cohort Study of Gastric Fluid and Urine Metabolomics for the Prediction of Survival in Severe Prematurity
Authors: Besiri Konstantia , Begou Olga , Deda Olga , Bataka Evmorfia , Nakas Christos , Gika Helen , Kontou Angeliki , Agakidou Eleni , Sarafidis Kosmas
Published: May 2023

Predicting survival in very preterm infants is critical in clinical medicine and parent counseling. In this prospective cohort study involving 96 very preterm infants, we evaluated whether the metabolomic analysis of gastric fluid and urine samples obtained shortly after birth could predict survival in the first 3 and 15 days of life (DOL), as well as overall survival up to hospital discharge. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling was used. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate significant metabolites and their prognostic value. Differences in several metabolites were identified between survivors and non-survivors at the time points of the study. Binary logistic regression showed that certain metabolites in gastric fluid, including arabitol, and succinic, erythronic and threonic acids, were associated with 15 DOL and overall survival. Gastric glyceric acid was also associated with 15 DOL survival. Urine glyceric acid could predict survival in the first 3 DOL and overall survival. In conclusion, non-surviving preterm infants exhibited a different metabolic profile compared with survivors, demonstrating significant discrimination with the use of GC-MS-based gastric fluid and urine analyses. The results of this study support the usefulness of metabolomics in developing survival biomarkers in very preterm infants.
An Optimal Shaped Sensor Array Derivation
Authors: Dibiase Marco , De Marchi Luca
Published: May 2023

In Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications, the Direction of Arrival (DoA) estimation of Guided Waves (GW) on sensor arrays is often used as a fundamental means to locate Acoustic Sources (AS) generated by damages growth or undesired impacts in thin-wall structures (e.g., plates or shells). In this paper, we consider the problem of designing the arrangement and shape of piezo-sensors in planar clusters in order to optimize the DoA estimation performance in noise-affected measurements. We assume that: (i) the wave propagation velocity is unknown, (ii) the DoA is estimated via the time delays of wavefronts between sensors, and (iii) the maximum value of the time delays is limited. The optimality criterion is derived basing on the Theory of Measurements. The sensor array design is so that the DoA variance is minimized in an average sense by exploiting the Calculus of Variations. In this way, considering a three-sensor cluster and a monitored angles sector of 90°, the optimal time delays–DoA relations are derived. A suitable re-shaping procedure is used to impose such relations and, at the same time, to induce the same spatial filtering effect between sensors so that the sensor acquired signals are equal except for a time-shift. In order to achieve the last aim, the sensors shape is realized by exploiting a technique called Error Diffusion, which is able to emulate piezo-load functions with continuously modulated values. In this way, the Shaped Sensors Optimal Cluster (SS-OC) is derived. A numerical assessment via Green’s functions simulations shows improved performance in DoA estimation by means of the SS-OC when compared to clusters realized with conventional piezo-disk transducers.
The Impact of the Female Genital Microbiota on the Outcome of Assisted Reproduction Treatments
Authors: Cocomazzi Giovanna , De Stefani Silvia , Del Pup Lino , Palini Simone , Buccheri Matteo , Primiterra Mariangela , Sciannamè Natale , Faioli Raffaele , Maglione Annamaria , Baldini Giorgio Maria , Baldini Domenico , Pazienza Valerio
Published: May 2023

The vaginal microbiota plays a critical role in the health of the female genital tract, and its composition contributes to gynecological disorders and infertility. Lactobacilli are the dominant species in the female genital tract: their production of lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins prevents the invasion and growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Several factors such as hormonal changes, age of reproduction, sexual practices, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and antimicrobial drugs use can cause imbalance and dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota. This review aims to highlight the impact of the vaginal microbiota in Assisted Reproductive Technology techniques (ART) and it examines the factors that influence the vaginal microbiota, the consequences of dysbiosis, and potential interventions to restore a healthy female genital tract.
Effects of Different Yeast Selenium Levels on Rumen Fermentation Parameters, Digestive Enzyme Activity and Gastrointestinal Microflora of Sika Deer during Antler Growth
Authors: Sun Weili , Shi Hongpeng , Gong Chengyan , Liu Keyuan , Li Guangyu
Published: May 2023

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of different selenium supplemental levels on rumen fermentation microflora of sika deer at the velvet antler growth stage. A total of 20 5-year-old, healthy sika deer at the velvet antler growth stage with an average body weight of (98.08 ± 4.93) kg were randomly divided into 4 groups, and each group was fed in a single house. The SY1 group was the control group, and the SY2 group, SY3 group and SY4 group were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.3, 1.2 and 4.8 mg/kg selenium, respectively. The pretest lasted for 7 days, and the formal trial period lasted for 110 days. The results show that: At the velvet antler growth stage, the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of sika deer in the SY2 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01). The digestibility of cellulose and crude fiber of sika deer in the SY2 group was significantly higher than those in the SY3 and SY4 groups (p < 0.01) and significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The contents of acetic acid and propionic acid in the rumen fluid of sika deer in the SY2 group were significantly higher than those in the SY1 group (p < 0.05). Digestive enzyme analysis of rumen fluid at the velvet antler growth stage showed that the activity of protease in rumen fluid in the SY2 group was significantly lower than those in the SY1 group and SY4 group (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes in the SY2 group was significantly higher than that in the SY1 group (p < 0.05) and extremely significantly higher than those in the SY3 and SY4 groups (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis between yeast selenium level and bacterial abundance showed that the yeast selenium content in rumen fluid was significantly positively correlated with Butyrivibrio and Succiniclasticum (p < 0.01). Further verification of bacterial flora functioning showed that the SY2 group was more inclined to the degradation and utilization of fiber. In conclusion, 0.3 mg/kg selenium supplementation can increase the abundance of Prevotella ruminicola and Fibrobacter succinogenes in the rumen of sika deer and improve the degradation of fibrous substances by mediating the catabolite repression process.
Complete Biodegradation of Diclofenac by New Bacterial Strains: Postulated Pathways and Degrading Enzymes
Authors: Mohamed Mahmoud S. M. , Asair Ayan A. , Fetyan Nashwa A. H. , Elnagdy Sherif M.
Published: May 2023

The accumulation of xenobiotic compounds in different environments interrupts the natural ecosystem and induces high toxicity in non-target organisms. Diclofenac is one of the commonly used pharmaceutical drugs that persist in the environment due to its low natural degradation rate and high toxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate potential diclofenac-degrading bacteria, detect the intermediate metabolites formed, and determine the enzyme involved in the degradation process. Four bacterial isolates were selected based on their ability to utilize a high concentration of diclofenac (40 mg/L) as the sole carbon source. The growth conditions for diclofenac degradation were optimized, and bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (S1), Alcaligenes aquatilis (S2), Achromobacter spanius (S11), and Achromobacter piechaudii (S18). The highest percentage of degradation was recorded (97.79 ± 0.84) after six days of incubation for A. spanius S11, as analyzed by HPLC. To detect and identify biodegradation metabolites, the GC-MS technique was conducted for the most efficient bacterial strains. In all tested isolates, the initial hydroxylation of diclofenac was detected. The cleavage step of the NH bridge between the aromatic rings and the subsequent cleavage of the ring adjacent to or in between the two hydroxyl groups of polyhydroxylated derivatives might be a key step that enables the complete biodegradation of diclofenac by A. piechaudii S18, as well as P. aeruginosa S1. Additionally, the laccase, peroxidase, and dioxygenase enzyme activities of the two Achromobacter strains, as well as P. aeruginosa S1, were tested in the presence and absence of diclofenac. The obtained results from this work are expected to be a useful reference for the development of effective detoxification bioprocesses utilizing bacterial cells as biocatalysts. The complete removal of pharmaceuticals from polluted water will stimulate water reuse, meeting the growing worldwide demand for clean and safe freshwater.
The Impact of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on the Prokaryotic Community Composition and Selected Bacterial Strains Based on Microcosm Experiments
Authors: Farkas Rózsa , Mireisz Tamás , Toumi Marwene , Abbaszade Gorkhmaz , Sztráda Nóra , Tóth Erika
Published: May 2023

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are increasingly recognized as potential environmental contaminants that may induce toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. This 3-week microcosm experiment explores the acute impacts of NSAIDs, including diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBU), and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), on bacterial communities using a wide range of these substances (200–6000 ppm). The results showed that the NSAID-treated microcosms had higher cell count values than control samples, though the diversity of microbial communities decreased. The isolated heterotrophic bacteria mostly belonged to Proteobacteria, particularly Klebsiella. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed that NSAIDs altered the structure of the bacterial community composition, with the proportion of Proteobacteria aligning with the selective cultivation results. Bacteria had higher resistance to IBU/ASA than to DCF. In DCF-treated microcosms, there has been a high reduction of the number of Bacteroidetes, whereas in the microcosms treated with IBU/ASA, they have remained abundant. The numbers of Patescibacteria and Actinobacteria have decreased across all NSAID-treated microcosms. Verrucomicrobia and Planctomycetes have tolerated all NSAIDs, even DCF. Cyanobacteria have also demonstrated tolerance to IBU/ASA treatment in the microcosms. The archaeal community structure was also impacted by the NSAID treatments, with Thaumarchaeota abundant in all microcosms, especially DCF-treated microcosms, while Nanoarchaeota is more typical of IBU/ASA-treated microcosms with lower NSAID concentrations. These results indicate that the presence of NSAIDs in aquatic environments could lead to changes in the composition of microbial communities.
Influence of the Probiotic L. reuteri on Periodontal Clinical Parameters after Nonsurgical Treatment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ochôa Carlota , Castro Filipe , Bulhosa José Frias , Manso Conceição , Fernandes Juliana Campos Hasse , Fernandes Gustavo Vicentis Oliveira
Published: May 2023

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the actual efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) on the periodontal clinical parameters when used concomitantly to the nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Searches were conducted through PubMed Central, Online Knowledge Library, Science Direct, Scielo, and Cochrane databases from 2012 to 2022. The focused question was “In patients with periodontitis, will the probiotic L. reuteri, when administrated as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treatment, compared to the nonsurgical periodontal treatment alone, result in better clinical outcomes?” The following information was extracted from the articles: author and year of publication, type of study, follow-up, sample size and number of defects, and clinical characteristics and details. All included studies were qualitatively assessed using the Critical Appraisal tools according to the Joanna Briggs Institute. Twenty-four articles were full-text reading, but only 9 articles were included. The number of patients enrolled was 287, aged between 18 and 56 years. All periodontal parameters were evaluated. The “follow-up” varied (14, 40, 84, 90, 180, and 360 days). Most articles supported the clinical benefits of L. reuteri as an adjunct to SRP compared to SRP alone. A common finding at the beginning period was thatno statistically different results were observed between the test and control groups; otherwise, at the last period, a significant improvement was found in favor of the probiotic use (p = 0.001) for all the clinical parameters. The use of L. reuteri as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treatment may result in significantly better clinical outcomes than nonsurgical periodontal treatment alone; but the conclusion must be carefully interpreted because of the heterogeneity found among the studies.
Efficacy and Safety of Two-Drug Regimens That Are Approved from 2018 to 2022 for the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Disease and Its Opportunistic Infections
Authors: Sivanandy Palanisamy , Ng Yujie Jess , Chandirasekaran Kanini , Hong Seng Ooi , Azhari Wasi Nur Azrida
Published: May 2023

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of virus that targets the body’s immune cells. HIV infection can be divided into three phases: acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-infected people are immunosuppressed and at risk of developing opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, and Salmonella infection. The two types of HIV are known as HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the predominant and more common cause of AIDS worldwide, with an estimated 38 million people living with HIV-1 while an estimated 1 to 2 million people live with HIV-2. No effective cures are currently available for HIV infection. Current treatments emphasise the drug’s safety and tolerability, as lifelong management is needed to manage HIV infection. The goal of this review is to study the efficacy and safety of newly approved drugs from 2018 to 2022 for the treatment of HIV by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA). The drugs included Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine, Fostemsavir, Doravirine, and Ibalizumab. From the review, switching to doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DOR/3TC/TDF) was shown to be noninferior to the continuation of the previous regimen, efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (EFV/FTC/TDF) in virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1. However, DOR/3TC/TDF had shown a preferable safety profile with lower discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs), lower neuropsychiatric AEs, and a preferable lipid profile. Ibalizumab was also safe, well tolerated, and had been proven effective against multiple drug-resistant strains of viruses.
Temporal Changes of the Oral and Fecal Microbiota after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats by 16S rRNA Sequencing
Authors: Wang Shujuan , Shang Yanjie , Pi Zhiyun , Zhou Ziqi , Zhang Xiangyan , Ren Lipin , Liang Weibo , Guo Yadong , Cai Jifeng , Zhang Changquan
Published: May 2023

A mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can increase the risk of neurodegenerative-related disease, and serious long-term outcomes are often overlooked. In forensic science, the accurate identification of mTBIs can directly affect the application of evidence in practice cases. Recent research has revealed that the oral cavity and fecal microbiota play a fundamental role in deeply interconnecting the gut and brain injury. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the temporal changes of the oral cavity and fecal bacterial communities with damage identification and post-injury time estimation after mTBI. In this study, we analyzed the oral cavity and fecal bacterial communities in mTBI rats under 12 different post-injury times (sham, 0 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, 10 d, and 14 d post-injury) using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. The sequence results revealed bacteria belonging to 36 phyla, 82 classes, 211 orders, 360 families, 751 genera, and 1398 species. Compared to the sham group, the relative abundance of the bacterial communities varied markedly in the post-injury groups. Importantly, our data demonstrated that Fusobacteria, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae might be the potential candidates for mTBI identification, and 2 h post-injury was a critical time point to explore the temporal changes of mTBI injury-time estimation. The results also provide new ideas for mTBI treatment in the clinic.
Evaluation of Legume–Rhizobial Symbiotic Interactions Beyond Nitrogen Fixation That Help the Host Survival and Diversification in Hostile Environments
Authors: Goyal Ravinder K. , Habtewold Jemaneh Z.
Published: May 2023

Plants often experience unfavorable conditions during their life cycle that impact their growth and sometimes their survival. A temporary phase of such stress, which can result from heavy metals, drought, salinity, or extremes of temperature or pH, can cause mild to enormous damage to the plant depending on its duration and intensity. Besides environmental stress, plants are the target of many microbial pathogens, causing diseases of varying severity. In plants that harbor mutualistic bacteria, stress can affect the symbiotic interaction and its outcome. To achieve the full potential of a symbiotic relationship between the host and rhizobia, it is important that the host plant maintains good growth characteristics and stay healthy under challenging environmental conditions. The host plant cannot provide good accommodation for the symbiont if it is infested with diseases and prone to other predators. Because the bacterium relies on metabolites for survival and multiplication, it is in its best interests to keep the host plant as stress-free as possible and to keep the supply stable. Although plants have developed many mitigation strategies to cope with stress, the symbiotic bacterium has developed the capability to augment the plant’s defense mechanisms against environmental stress. They also provide the host with protection against certain diseases. The protective features of rhizobial–host interaction along with nitrogen fixation appear to have played a significant role in legume diversification. When considering a legume–rhizobial symbiosis, extra benefits to the host are sometimes overlooked in favor of the symbionts’ nitrogen fixation efficiency. This review examines all of those additional considerations of a symbiotic interaction that enable the host to withstand a wide range of stresses, enabling plant survival under hostile regimes. In addition, the review focuses on the rhizosphere microbiome, which has emerged as a strong pillar of evolutionary reserve to equip the symbiotic interaction in the interests of both the rhizobia and host. The evaluation would draw the researchers’ attention to the symbiotic relationship as being advantageous to the host plant as a whole and the role it plays in the plant’s adaptation to unfavorable environmental conditions.
Galleria mellonella—A Model for the Study of aPDT—Prospects and Drawbacks
Authors: Bugyna Larysa , Kendra Samuel , Bujdáková Helena
Published: May 2023

Galleria mellonella is a promising in vivo model insect used for microbiological, medical, and pharmacological research. It provides a platform for testing the biocompatibility of various compounds and the kinetics of survival after an infection followed by subsequent treatment, and for the evaluation of various parameters during treatment, including the host–pathogen interaction. There are some similarities in the development of pathologies with mammals. However, a limitation is the lack of adaptive immune response. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an alternative approach for combating microbial infections, including biofilm-associated ones. aPDT is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, regardless of whether they are resistant to conventional treatment. The main idea of this comprehensive review was to collect information on the use of G. mellonella in aPDT. It provides a collection of references published in the last 10 years from this area of research, complemented by some practical experiences of the authors of this review. Additionally, the review summarizes in brief information on the G. mellonella model, its advantages and methods used in the processing of material from these larvae, as well as basic knowledge of the principles of aPDT.
Phosphate Petrochronology of the Belcina REE Mineralization (Ditrău Alkaline Massif, Romania)
Authors: Klötzli Urs , Burda Jolanta , Tibuleac Paul
Published: May 2023

A notable REE mineralization in Europe is associated with the Ditrău Alkaline Massif (DAM) in the Eastern Carpathians (Romania). It is an expression of the latest hydrothermal phase in the DAM and is found in the form of mineralized carbonate veins cross-cutting the complex in the NW (Jolotca region) and the SE (Belcina region) parts of the DAM. In the Belcina veins monazite-(Ce), xenotime-(Y) and apatite, together with Fe-Mg-rich carbonate, thorite, thorogummite, gedrite and plagioclase are rock-forming. Three different textural and chemical types of the monazite-(Ce) and the xenotime-(Y) document a three-stage evolution. The relative phosphate age succession (from older to younger) thereby is xnt1 > xnt2 (>)+ mnz1 + Fe2O3 + Fe-gedrite > mnz2 + Fe-dolomite (+ plagioclase) > mnz3 + xnt3 + apatite. Phosphate chemistry shows that these crystallized from hydrothermal fluids, whereby each phosphate type follows a separate evolutionary path suggesting growth from (at least) three independent and successive hydrothermal fluids. Chemistry and pathways within the DAM suggest that these hydrothermal fluids could be derived from a subsurface carbonatitic intrusion. Mnz1,2 and xnt1,2 ages are tightly clustered at 215.8 ± 0.7 Ma (Norian, Upper Triassic). The third-generation phosphate ages are younger, but are associated with large analytical uncertainties and did not deliver geologically useful ages. The mean age of ca. 216 Ma is interpreted as the timing of the Belcina REE mineralization, which together with the fluid chemistry, supports a model of the presence of a late-stage, independent carbonatitic intrusion about 10 Ma after the main igneous activity (ca. 235–225 Ma) forming the DAM, synchronous with extension-related magmatism in the region.
Textural and Chemical Characters of Lean Grade Placer Monazite of Bramhagiri Coast, Odisha, India
Authors: Singh Deependra , Basu Suddhasatwa , Mishra Bighnaraj , Prusty Sasmita , Kundu Tonmoy , Rao Raghupatruni
Published: May 2023

The present study aims to investigate the textural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of lean grade placer monazite from the Bramhagiri beach sand deposit to assess the possibility for its use in industrial applications. The bulk back dune sand deposit with 18 samples showed the elements uranium and thorium in traces, phosphorus and calcium in minor amounts, and alumina, silica and titanium in major amounts. Since apatite was absent in this placer deposit, P and Ca were attributed to monazite only. Based on the chemical analysis, it was established that the monazite mineral exists in this deposit. The monazite is generally below the −150- to +90-micron size range, and the concentration of the monazite mineral in the bulk back dune sand is around 0.01% by weight. The structural data and complete chemical analysis established that the monazite is Ce-monazite. The monazites with other heavy mineral sands of the Bramhagiri beach placer deposits were derived from the Eastern Ghats, which closely resembles the mineralogical composition of khondalite, charnockite, leptynite and pegmatite groups of rocks. The Eastern Ghats’ provenance appears to be the primary source for the heavy mineral assemblages of the Bramhagiri placer deposit. Thus, these monazite sands are derived from the granulite facies of metamorphic rocks such as khondalites and charnockites from the Eastern Ghats group of rocks. Garnet is the major mineral, following ilmenite and sillimanite. Zircon, rutile and monazite are minor minerals in the deposit. All these minerals are well liberated and have uniform shapes with variable densities and size ranges, with different magnetic, electrical and surface properties. Hence, the occurrences of these heavy minerals are of economic importance. Further, these minerals can be recovered individually for industrial applications.
Gold–Sulfide Mineralization in the Manitanyrd Region, Polar Urals, Russia
Authors: Mayorova Tatiana Petrovna , Kuznetsov Sergei Karpovich , Efanova Ludmila Ivanovna , Sokerina Natalia Vladimirovna
Published: May 2023

This article describes the characteristics of gold–sulfide–quartz and gold–sulfide (gold–arsenic) ore occurrences in the Manitanyrd region of the Polar Urals. Ore occurrences are confined to NE-trending shear zones and have the common features of a geological structure. The host rocks are metamorphosed volcanic and volcanic–sedimentary rocks. We analyzed the mineral and chemical composition of the ore mineralization in all studied ore occurrences, showing that they belong to the same mineral type—pyrite–arsenopyrite, with a variable ratio of the main minerals. Arsenic pyrite is present in all ore occurrences. Two stages of ore formation were distinguished: early gold–pyrite–arsenopyrite with finely dispersed gold and late gold–galena–chalcopyrite–sphalerite with coarse gold, fahlore, and sulfosalts Pb, Cu, Bi, Sb. Native gold of the first generation, finely dispersed in arsenopyrite and pyrite, had an average to high fineness (800‰–1000‰) with a relatively low dispersion. Native gold of the second generation was larger, and its fineness in ore occurrences varied; in one of them, it varied from 300‰ to 950‰, while in others, it varied from 800‰ to 950‰. The isotope composition of sulfur in sulfides (δ34S) ranged between −0.2‰ and −8.0‰. δ34S values of sulfides in the range of −0.2‰ to −3.5‰ were similar to meteorite, indicating the participation of a single deep magmatic source of sulfur in the ore formation. According to the study of fluid inclusions, the formation of ore quartz veins occurs in the temperature range of 467–109 °C. The similarity of the geological–structural, mineralogical–geochemical, and isotope–geochemical features of the gold–sulfide–quartz and gold–sulfide occurrences in the area suggest their formation in a single hydrothermal system.
Comparative Study of Polymer-Grafted BaTiO3 Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Normal ATRP as Well as ATRP and ARGET-ATRP with Sacrificial Initiator with a Focus on Controlling the Polymer Graft Density and Molecular Weight
Authors: Apata Ikeoluwa E. , Tawade Bhausaheb V. , Cummings Steven P. , Pradhan Nihar , Karim Alamgir , Raghavan Dharmaraj
Published: May 2023

Structurally well-defined polymer-grafted nanoparticle hybrids are highly sought after for a variety of applications, such as antifouling, mechanical reinforcement, separations, and sensing. Herein, we report the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted- and poly(styrene) grafted-BaTiO3 nanoparticles using activator regeneration via electron transfer (ARGET ATRP) with a sacrificial initiator, atom transfer radical polymerization (normal ATRP), and ATRP with sacrificial initiator, to understand the role of the polymerization procedure in influencing the structure of nanoparticle hybrids. Irrespective of the polymerization procedure adopted for the synthesis of nanoparticle hybrids, we noticed PS grafted on the nanoparticles showed moderation in molecular weight and graft density (ranging from 30,400 to 83,900 g/mol and 0.122 to 0.067 chain/nm2) compared to PMMA-grafted nanoparticles (ranging from 44,620 to 230,000 g/mol and 0.071 to 0.015 chain/nm2). Reducing the polymerization time during ATRP has a significant impact on the molecular weight of polymer brushes grafted on the nanoparticles. PMMA-grafted nanoparticles synthesized using ATRP had lower graft density and considerably higher molecular weight compared to PS-grafted nanoparticles. However, the addition of a sacrificial initiator during ATRP resulted in moderation of the molecular weight and graft density of PMMA-grafted nanoparticles. The use of a sacrificial initiator along with ARGET offered the best control in achieving lower molecular weight and narrow dispersity for both PS (37,870 g/mol and PDI of 1.259) and PMMA (44,620 g/mol and PDI of 1.263) nanoparticle hybrid systems.
Advancement of Physical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Nanostructured CdS Thin Films toward Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Ismail Walid , Ibrahim Ghada , Habib Mohamed A. , Alduaij Omar K. , Abdelfatah Mahmoud , El-Shaer Abdelhamid
Published: May 2023

CdS thin films were grown on an FTO substrate at different temperatures, employing the low-cost hydrothermal method. All the fabricated CdS thin films were studied using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, PL spectroscopy, a UV–Vis spectrophotometer, photocurrent, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and Mott–Schottky measurements. According to the XRD results, all the CdS thin films were formed in a cubic (zinc blende) structure with a favorable (111) orientation at various temperatures. The Scherrer equation was used to determine the crystal size of the CdS thin films, which varied from 25 to 40 nm. The SEM results indicated that the morphology of thin films seems to be dense, uniform, and tightly attached to the substrates. PL measurements showed the typical green and red emission peaks of CdS films at 520 nm and 705 nm, and these are attributable to free-carrier recombination and sulfur vacancies or cadmium vacancies, respectively. The optical absorption edge of the thin films was positioned between 500 and 517 nm which related to the CdS band gap. For the fabricated thin films, the estimated Eg was found to be between 2.50 and 2.39 eV. According to the photocurrent measurements, the CdS thin films grown were n-type semiconductors. As indicated by EIS, resistivity to charge transfer (RCT) decreased with temperature, reaching its lowest level at 250 °C. Flat band potential and donor density were found to fluctuate with temperature, from 0.39 to 0.76 V and 4.41 × 1018 to 15.86 × 1018 cm−3, respectively, according to Mott–Schottky measurements. Our results indicate that CdS thin films are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications.
High Performance On-Chip Energy Storage Capacitors with Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer-Deposited Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/Al-Doped Hf0.25Zr0.75O2 Nanofilms as Dielectrics
Authors: He Yuli , Zheng Guang , Zhu Bao , Wu Xiaohan , Liu Wen-Jun , Zhang David Wei , Ding Shi-Jin
Published: May 2023

Concurrently achieving high energy storage density (ESD) and efficiency has always been a big challenge for electrostatic energy storage capacitors. In this study, we successfully fabricate high-performance energy storage capacitors by using antiferroelectric (AFE) Al-doped Hf0.25Zr0.75O2 (HfZrO:Al) dielectrics together with an ultrathin (1 nm) Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 underlying layer. By optimizing the Al concentration in the AFE layer with the help of accurate controllability of the atomic layer deposition technique, an ultrahigh ESD of 81.4 J cm−3 and a perfect energy storage efficiency (ESE) of 82.9% are simultaneously achieved for the first time in the case of the Al/(Hf + Zr) ratio of 1/16. Meanwhile, both the ESD and ESE exhibit excellent electric field cycling endurance within 109 cycles under 5~5.5 MV cm−1, and robust thermal stability up to 200 °C. Thus, the fabricated capacitor is very promising for on-chip energy storage applications due to favorable integratability with the standard complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process.
Green Production of Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ma Chao , Zhang Mengmeng , Ding Yi , Xue Yan , Wang Hongju , Li Pengfei , Wu Dapeng
Published: May 2023

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) with a high energy density have been regarded as a promising energy storage device to harness unstable but clean energy from wind, tide, solar cells, and so on. However, LSBs still suffer from the disadvantages of the notorious shuttle effect of polysulfides and low sulfur utilization, which greatly hider their final commercialization. Biomasses represent green, abundant and renewable resources for the production of carbon materials to address the aforementioned issues by taking advantages of their intrinsic hierarchical porous structures and heteroatom-doping sites, which could attribute to the strong physical and chemical adsorptions as well as excellent catalytic performances of LSBs. Therefore, many efforts have been devoted to improving the performances of biomass-derived carbons from the aspects of exploring new biomass resources, optimizing the pyrolysis method, developing effective modification strategies, or achieving further understanding about their working principles in LSBs. This review firstly introduces the structures and working principles of LSBs and then summarizes recent developments in research on carbon materials employed in LSBs. Particularly, this review focuses on recent progresses in the design, preparation and application of biomass-derived carbons as host or interlayer materials in LSBs. Moreover, outlooks on the future research of LSBs based on biomass-derived carbons are discussed.
Exploiting Blood Transport Proteins as Carborane Supramolecular Vehicles for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Authors: Marforio Tainah Dorina , Mattioli Edoardo Jun , Zerbetto Francesco , Calvaresi Matteo
Published: May 2023

Carboranes are promising agents for applications in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), but their hydrophobicity prevents their use in physiological environments. Here, by using reverse docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we identified blood transport proteins as candidate carriers of carboranes. Hemoglobin showed a higher binding affinity for carboranes than transthyretin and human serum albumin (HSA), which are well-known carborane-binding proteins. Myoglobin, ceruloplasmin, sex hormone-binding protein, lactoferrin, plasma retinol-binding protein, thyroxine-binding globulin, corticosteroid-binding globulin and afamin have a binding affinity comparable to transthyretin/HSA. The carborane@protein complexes are stable in water and characterized by favorable binding energy. The driving force in the carborane binding is represented by the formation of hydrophobic interactions with aliphatic amino acids and BH-π and CH-π interactions with aromatic amino acids. Dihydrogen bonds, classical hydrogen bonds and surfactant-like interactions also assist the binding. These results (i) identify the plasma proteins responsible for binding carborane upon their intravenous administration, and (ii) suggest an innovative formulation for carboranes based on the formation of a carborane@protein complex prior to the administration.
Engendering High Energy Density LiFePO4 Electrodes with Morphological and Compositional Tuning
Authors: Kubarkov Aleksei V. , Babkin Alexander V. , Drozhzhin Oleg A. , Stevenson Keith J. , Antipov Evgeny V. , Sergeyev Vladimir G.
Published: May 2023

Improving the energy density of Li-ion batteries is critical to meet the requirements of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. In this work, LiFePO4 active material was combined with single-walled carbon nanotubes as the conductive additive to develop high-energy-density cathodes for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The effect of the morphology of the active material particles on the cathodes’ electrochemical characteristics was investigated. Although providing higher packing density of electrodes, spherical LiFePO4 microparticles had poorer contact with an aluminum current collector and showed lower rate capability than plate-shaped LiFePO4 nanoparticles. A carbon-coated current collector helped enhance the interfacial contact with spherical LiFePO4 particles and was instrumental in combining high electrode packing density (1.8 g cm−3) with excellent rate capability (100 mAh g−1 at 10C). The weight percentages of carbon nanotubes and polyvinylidene fluoride binder in the electrodes were optimized for electrical conductivity, rate capability, adhesion strength, and cyclic stability. The electrodes that were formulated with 0.25 wt.% of carbon nanotubes and 1.75 wt.% of the binder demonstrated the best overall performance. The optimized electrode composition was used to formulate thick free-standing electrodes with high energy and power densities, achieving the areal capacity of 5.9 mAh cm−2 at 1C rate.
Quantitative In Situ Monitoring of Cu-Atom Release by Cu2O Nanocatalysts under Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Conditions: New Insights into the Photocorrosion Mechanism
Authors: Zindrou Areti , Deligiannakis Yiannis
Published: May 2023

Cu2O is among the most promising photocatalysts for CO2 reduction, however its photocorrosion remains a standalone challenge. Herein, we present an in situ study of the release of Cu ions from Cu2O nanocatalysts under photocatalytic conditions in the presence of HCO3 as a catalytic substrate in H2O. The Cu-oxide nanomaterials were produced by Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) technology. Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in tandem with analytical Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), we monitored in situ the Cu2+ atom release from the Cu2O nanoparticles in comparison with CuO nanoparticles under photocatalytic conditions. Our quantitative, kinetic data show that light has detrimental effect on the photocorrosion of Cu2O and ensuing Cu2+ ion release in the H2O solution, up to 15.7% of its mass. EPR reveals that HCO3 acts as a ligand of the Cu2+ ions, promoting the liberation of {HCO3-Cu} complexes in solution from Cu2O, up to 27% of its mass. HCO3 alone exerted a marginal effect. XRD data show that under prolonged irradiation, part of Cu2+ ions can reprecipitate on the Cu2O surface, creating a passivating CuO layer that stabilizes the Cu2O from further photocorrosion. Including isopropanol as a hole scavenger has a drastic effect on the photocorrosion of Cu2O nanoparticles and suppresses the release of Cu2+ ions to the solution. Methodwise, the present data exemplify that EPR and ASV can be useful tools to help quantitatively understand the solid–solution interface photocorrosion phenomena for Cu2O.
Metal Contact Induced Unconventional Field Effect in Metallic Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Fedorov Georgy , Hafizi Roohollah , Semenenko Vyacheslav , Perebeinos Vasili
Published: May 2023

One-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising for future nanoelectronics and optoelectronics, and an understanding of electrical contacts is essential for developing these technologies. Although significant efforts have been made in this direction, the quantitative behavior of electrical contacts remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effect of metal deformations on the gate voltage dependence of the conductance of metallic armchair and zigzag CNT field effect transistors (FETs). We employ density functional theory calculations of deformed CNTs under metal contacts to demonstrate that the current-voltage characteristics of the FET devices are qualitatively different from those expected for metallic CNT. We predict that, in the case of armchair CNT, the gate-voltage dependence of the conductance shows an ON/OFF ratio of about a factor of two, nearly independent of temperature. We attribute the simulated behavior to modification of the band structure under the metals caused by deformation. Our comprehensive model predicts a distinct feature of conductance modulation in armchair CNTFETs induced by the deformation of the CNT band structure. At the same time, the deformation in zigzag metallic CNTs leads to a band crossing but not to a bandgap opening.
Antioxidant Nutrients and Risk of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and Type 2 Diabetes: A Swedish Case-Control Study and Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Lampousi Anna-Maria , Löfvenborg Josefin E. , Ahlqvist Emma , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Wolk Alicja , Carlsson Sofia
Published: May 2023

Antioxidant vitamins C and E are inversely associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We investigated if antioxidants are also associated with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), with low (LADAlow) and high (LADAhigh) autoantibody levels, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and estimates of beta cell function (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We used Swedish case-control data with incident cases of LADA (n = 584) and T2D (n = 1989) and matched population-based controls (n = 2276). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated per one standard deviation higher beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc intakes. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses assessed causality between genetically predicted circulating antioxidants and LADA, T1D, and T2D, using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. Among the antioxidants, vitamins C and E were inversely associated with LADAhigh (OR 0.84, CI 0.73, 0.98 and OR 0.80, CI 0.69, 0.94 respectively), but not with LADAlow or T2D. Vitamin E was also associated with higher HOMA-B and lower HOMA-IR. MR analyses estimated an OR of 0.50 (CI 0.20, 1.25) for the effect of vitamin E on T1D, but did not support causal relationships between antioxidants and either LADA or T2D. In conclusion, vitamin E may have a protective effect on autoimmune diabetes, possibly through preserved beta cell function and less insulin resistance.
Targeting Anti-Inflammatory Pathways to Treat Diabetes-Induced Neuropathy by 6-Hydroxyflavanone
Authors: Akbar Shehla , Subhan Fazal , Akbar Aroosha , Habib Faiza , Shahbaz Naila , Ahmad Ashfaq , Wadood Abdul , Salman Saad
Published: May 2023

It is evident that inflammation and metabolic syndrome instigated by diabetes mellitus can precipitate diabetes-induced neuropathy (DIN) and pain. In order to find an effective therapeutic method for diabetes-related problems, a multi-target-directed ligand model was used. 6-Hydroxyflavanone (6-HF) carrying anti-inflammatory and anti-neuropathic pain potential due to its quadruplicate mechanisms, targeting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and opioid and GABA-A receptors was investigated. The anti-inflammatory potential of the test drug was confirmed utilizing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo tests. A molecular simulation approach was utilized to observe the interaction of 6-HF with the inflammatory enzyme COX-2 as well as opioid and GABA-A receptors. The same was confirmed via in vitro COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory assays. In vivo tests were performed to analyze the thermal anti-nociception in the hot-plate analgesiometer and anti-inflammatory action in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rodents. The potential anti-nociceptive effect of 6-HF was evaluated in the DIN model in rats. The Naloxone and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) antagonists were used to confirm the underlying mechanism of 6-HF. The molecular modeling studies revealed a favorable interaction of 6-HF with the identified protein molecules. In vitro inhibitory studies revealed that 6-HF inhibited the COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes significantly. The 6-HF at dosages of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg substantially reduced heat nociception in a hot plate analgesiometer as well as carrageenan-induced paw edema in rodent models. The authors discovered that 6-HF had anti-nociception properties in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy model. According to the findings of this study, 6-HF was demonstrated to diminish inflammation caused by diabetes as well as its anti-nociception effect in DIN.
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in Diet and Skin in Relation to Stool Microbiota: The Rotterdam Study
Authors: Chen Jinluan , Radjabzadeh Djawad , Medina-Gomez Carolina , Voortman Trudy , van Meurs Joyce B. J. , Ikram M. Arfan , Uitterlinden André G. , Kraaij Robert , Zillikens M. Carola
Published: May 2023

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are involved in age-related diseases, but the interaction of gut microbiota with dietary AGEs (dAGEs) and tissue AGEs in the population is unknown. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the association of dietary and tissue AGEs with gut microbiota in the population-based Rotterdam Study, using skin AGEs as a marker for tissue accumulation and stool microbiota as a surrogate for gut microbiota. Design: Dietary intake of three AGEs (dAGEs), namely carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), N-(5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-ornithine (MGH1), and carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL), was quantified at baseline from food frequency questionnaires. Following up after a median of 5.7 years, skin AGEs were measured using skin autofluorescence (SAF), and stool microbiota samples were sequenced (16S rRNA) to measure microbial composition (including alpha-diversity, beta-dissimilarity, and taxonomic abundances) as well as predict microbial metabolic pathways. Associations of both dAGEs and SAF with microbial measures were investigated using multiple linear regression models in 1052 and 718 participants, respectively. Results: dAGEs and SAF were not associated with either the alpha-diversity or beta-dissimilarity of the stool microbiota. After multiple-testing correction, dAGEs were not associated with any of the 188 genera tested, but were nominally inversely associated with the abundance of Barnesiella, Colidextribacter, Oscillospiraceae UCG-005, and Terrisporobacter, in addition to being positively associated with Coprococcus, Dorea, and Blautia. A higher abundance of Lactobacillus was associated with a higher SAF, along with several nominally significantly associated genera. dAGEs and SAF were nominally associated with several microbial pathways, but none were statistically significant after multiple-testing correction. Conclusions: Our findings did not solidify a link between habitual dAGEs, skin AGEs, and overall stool microbiota composition. Nominally significant associations with several genera and functional pathways suggested a potential interaction between gut microbiota and AGE metabolism, but validation is required. Future studies are warranted, to investigate whether gut microbiota modifies the potential impact of dAGEs on health.