bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticancer Activity, Reduction Mechanism and G-Quadruplex DNA Binding of a Redox-Activated Platinum(IV)–Salphen Complex
Authors: Vigna Vincenzo , Scoditti Stefano , Spinello Angelo , Mazzone Gloria , Sicilia Emilia
Published: December 2022

Aiming at reducing the unselective cytotoxicity of Pt(II) chemotherapeutics, a great deal of effort has been concentrated into the design of metal-containing drugs with different anticancer mechanisms of action. Inert Pt(IV) prodrugs have been proposed to be a valid alternative as they are activated by reduction directly into the cell releasing active Pt(II) species. On the other hand, a promising strategy for designing metallodrugs is to explore new potential biological targets rather than canonical B-DNA. G-quadruplex nucleic acid, obtained by self-assembly of guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences, has recently been considered an attractive target for anticancer drug design. Therefore, compounds capable of binding and stabilizing this type of DNA structure would be greatly beneficial in anticancer therapy. Here, computational analysis reports the mechanism of action of a recently synthesized Pt(IV)–salphen complex conjugating the inertness of Pt(IV) prodrugs with the ability to bind G-quadruplexes of the corresponding Pt(II) complex. The reduction mechanism of the Pt(IV) complex with a biological reducing agent was investigated in depth by means of DFT, whereas classical MD simulations were carried out to shed light into the binding mechanism of the released Pt(II) complex. The results show that the Pt(IV) prodrug may be reduced by both inner- and outer-sphere mechanisms, and the active Pt(II) complex, as a function of its protonation state, stabilizes the G-quadruplex DNA prevalently, either establishing π-stacking interactions with the terminal G-tetrad or through electrostatic interactions along with H-bonds formation.
Synthesis of a Tetrahedral Metal–Organic Supramolecular Cage with Dendritic Carbazole Arms
Authors: Lianglu Juanzi , Hu Weinan , Zhu Xinju , Zhang Hong-Yu , Shi Linlin , Hao Xin-Qi , Song Mao-Ping
Published: December 2022

In recent years, incredible endeavors have been devoted to the design and self-assembly of discrete metal–organic cages (MOCs) with expanding intricacy and functionality. The controlled synthesis of metal–organic supramolecular cages with large branched chains remains an interesting and challenging work in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, a tetrahedral metal–organic supramolecular cage (ZnII4L4) containing 12 dendritic carbazole arms is unprecedentedly constructed through coordination-driven subcomponent self-assembly and characterized in different ways. Interestingly, tetrahedral supramolecular Cage-1 exhibited the potential for aggregation-induced emission (AIE) performance and stimulus-responsive luminescence features, and it achieved color-tunable photoluminescence due to the introduction of dendritic carbazole arms. Crucially, owing to the great photophysical properties of Cage-1 in solution, Cage-1 was enabled to act as a fluorescent ink for the vapor-responsive recording and wiping of information.
Application of the NanoString nCounter System as an Alternative Method to Investigate Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Host Plant Responses to Plasmodiophora brassicae
Authors: Zhou Qinqin , Galindo-González Leonardo , Hwang Sheau-Fang , Strelkov Stephen E.
Published: December 2022

Clubroot, caused by the soilborne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, is an important disease of canola (Brassica napus) and other crucifers. The recent application of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies to study P. brassicae–host interactions has generated large amounts of gene expression data, improving knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and host resistance. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis has been widely applied to examine the expression of a limited number of genes and to validate the results of RNA-seq studies, but may not be ideal for analyzing larger suites of target genes or increased sample numbers. Moreover, the need for intermediate steps such as cDNA synthesis may introduce variability that could affect the accuracy of the data generated by qPCR. Here, we report the validation of gene expression data from a previous RNA-seq study of clubroot using the NanoString nCounter System, which achieves efficient gene expression quantification in a fast and simple manner. We first confirm the robustness of the NanoString system by comparing the results with those generated by qPCR and RNA-seq and then discuss the importance of some candidate genes for resistance or susceptibility to P. brassicae in the host. The results show that the expression of genes measured using NanoString have a high correlation with the values obtained using the other two technologies, with R > 0.90 and p < 0.01, and the same expression patterns for most genes. The three methods (qPCR, RNA-seq, and NanoString) were also compared in terms of laboratory procedures, time, and cost. We propose that the NanoString nCounter System is a robust, sensitive, highly reproducible, and simple technology for gene expression analysis. NanoString could become a common alternative to qPCR to validate RNA-seq data or to create panels of genes for use as markers of resistance/susceptibility when plants are challenged with different P. brassicae pathotypes.
5′-Chalcogen-Substituted Nucleoside Pyrophosphate and Phosphate Monoester Analogues: Preparation and Hydrolysis Studies
Authors: Mikkola Satu , Eguaogie Olga , Nieminen Anu , Conlon Patrick F. , Jakeman David L. , Moore Keith , Lane Ian C. , Vyle Joseph S.
Published: December 2022

Novel sulfur and selenium substituted 5′,5′-linked dinucleoside pyrophate analogues were prepared in a vibration ball mill from the corresponding persilylated monophosphate. The chemical hydrolysis of pyrophosphorochalcogenolate-linked dimers was studied over a wide pH-range. The effect of the chalcogeno-substitution on the reactivity of dinucleoside pyrophosphates was surprisingly modest, and the chemical stability is promising considering the potential therapeutic or diagnostic applications. The chemical stability of the precursor phosphorochalcogenolate monoesters was also investigated. Hydrolytic desilylation of these materials was effected in aqueous buffer at pH 3, 7 or 11 and resulted in phosphorus-chalcogen bond scission which was monitored using 31P NMR. The rate of dephosphorylation was dependent upon both the nature of the chalcogen and the pH. The integrity of the P-S bond in the corresponding phosphorothiolate was maintained at high pH but rapidly degraded at pH 3. In contrast, P-Se bond cleavage of the phosphoroselenolate monoester was rapid and the rate increased with alkalinity. The results obtained in kinetic experiments provide insight on the reactivity of the novel pyrophosphates studied as well as of other types of thiosubstituted biological phosphates. At the same time, these results also provide evidence for possible formation of unexpectedly reactive intermediates as the chalcogen-substituted analogues are metabolised.
Myxococcus xanthus Encapsulin as a Promising Platform for Intracellular Protein Delivery
Authors: Gabashvili Anna N. , Chmelyuk Nelly S. , Sarkisova Viktoria A. , Melnikov Pavel A. , Semkina Alevtina S. , Nikitin Aleksey A. , Abakumov Maxim A.
Published: December 2022

Introducing a new genetically encoded material containing a photoactivatable label as a model cargo protein, based on Myxococcus xanthus (Mx) encapsulin system stably expressed in human 293T cells. Encapsulin from Mx is known to be a protein-based container for a ferritin-like cargo in its shell which could be replaced with an exogenous cargo protein, resulting in a modified encapsulin system. We replaced Mx natural cargo with a foreign photoactivatable mCherry (PAmCherry) fluorescent protein and isolated encapsulins, containing PAmCherry, from 293T cells. Isolated Mx encapsulin shells containing photoactivatable label can be internalized by macrophages, wherein the PAmCherry fluorescent signal remains clearly visible. We believe that a genetically encoded nanocarrier system obtained in this study, can be used as a platform for controllable delivery of protein/peptide therapeutics in vitro.
Decreased Expression of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Suppresses Murine Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Park Bomina , Sardar Pasha Sheik Pran Babu , Sishtla Kamakshi L. , Hartman Gabriella D. , Qi Xiaoping , Boulton Michael E. , Corson Timothy W.
Published: December 2022

Neovascular or “wet” age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a leading cause of blindness among older adults. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a major pathological feature of nAMD, in which abnormal new blood vessel growth from the choroid leads to irreversible vision loss. There is a critical need to develop novel therapeutic strategies to address limitations of the current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor biologics. Previously, we identified soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) as a possible therapeutic target for CNV through a forward chemical genetic approach. The purpose of this study was to validate sEH as a target by examining retinal expression of sEH protein and mRNA by immunohistochemistry and RNAscope in situ hybridization, respectively, and to assess the efficacy of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector designed to knock down the sEH gene, Ephx2, in the murine laser-induced (L-) CNV model. nAMD patient postmortem eye tissue and murine L-CNV showed overexpression of sEH in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells. Ephx2 knockdown significantly reduced CNV and normalized mRNA expression levels of CNV-related inflammatory markers. Thus, this study further establishes sEH as a promising therapeutic target against CNV associated with nAMD.
Meta-Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Dynamics after Myocardial Infarction Using RNA-Sequencing Transcriptomic Database
Authors: Ortega María , Ríos-Navarro César , Gavara Jose , de Dios Elena , Perez-Solé Nerea , Marcos-Garcés Victor , Ferrández-Izquierdo Antonio , Bodí Vicente , Ruiz-Saurí Amparo
Published: December 2022

Extracellular matrix (ECM) changes after myocardial infarction (MI) need precise regulation, and next-generation sequencing technologies provide omics data that can be used in this context. We performed a meta-analysis using RNA-sequencing transcriptomic datasets to identify genes involved in post-MI ECM turnover. Eight studies available in Gene Expression Omnibus were selected following the inclusion criteria. We compare RNA-sequencing data from 92 mice submitted to permanent coronary ligation or sham, identifying differentially expressed genes (p-value < 0.05 and Log2FoldChange ≥ 2). Functional enrichment analysis was performed based on Gene Ontology biological processes (BPs). BPs implicated in response to extracellular stimulus, regulation of ECM organization, and ECM disassembly were detected soon after ischemia onset. ECM disassembly occurred between days one to seven post-MI, compared with ECM assembly from day seven onwards. We identified altered mRNA expression of 19 matrix metalloproteinases and four tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases at post-infarcted ECM remodeling and altered transcriptomic expression of 42 genes encoding 26 collagen subunits at the fibrotic stage. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis using RNA-sequencing datasets to evaluate post-infarcted cardiac interstitium healing, revealing previously unknown mechanisms and molecules actively implicated in ECM remodeling post-MI, which warrant further validation.
Natural Taxanes: From Plant Composition to Human Pharmacology and Toxicity
Authors: Nižnanský Ľuboš , Osinová Denisa , Kuruc Roman , Hengerics Szabó Alexandra , Szórádová Andrea , Masár Marián , Nižnanská Žofia
Published: December 2022

Biologically active taxanes, present in small- to medium-sized evergreen conifers of various Taxus species, are widely used for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, but mostly for their antitumour effects used in the treatment of solid tumours of the breast, ovary, lung, bladder, prostate, oesophagus and melanoma. More of the substances found in Taxus plant extracts have medical potential. Therefore, at the beginning of this review, we describe the methods of isolation, identification and determination of taxanes in different plant parts. One of the most important taxanes is paclitaxel, for which we summarize the pharmacokinetic parameters of its different formulations. We also describe toxicological risks during clinical therapy such as hypersensitivity, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, haematological, skin and renal toxicity and toxicity to the respiratory system. Since the effect of the drug-form PTX is enhanced by various Taxus spp. extracts, we summarize published clinical intoxications and all fatal poisonings for the Taxus baccata plant. This showed that, despite their significant use in anticancer treatment, attention should also be focused on the risk of fatal intoxication due to ingestion of extracts from these plants, which are commonly found in our surroundings.
Transcriptome Analysis and Screening of Genes Associated with Flower Size in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Authors: Zhang Yiyao , Zhang Aining , Yang Wenhui , Jia Xinyi , Fu Qingjun , Zhao Tingting , Jiang Jingbin , Li Jingfu , Yang Huanhuan , Xu Xiangyang
Published: December 2022

Flower development is not only an important way for tomato reproduction but also an important guarantee for tomato fruit production. Although more and more attention has been paid to the study of flower development, there are few studies on the molecular mechanism and gene expression level of tomato flower development. In this study, RNA-seq analysis was performed on two stages of tomato flower development using the Illumina sequencing platform. A total of 8536 DEGs were obtained by sequencing, including 3873 upregulated DEGs and 4663 down-regulated DEGs. These differentially expressed genes are related to plant hormone signaling, starch and sucrose metabolism. The pathways such as pentose, glucuronate interconversion, and Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis are closely related and mainly involved in plant cellular and metabolic processes. According to the enrichment analysis results of DEGs, active energy metabolism can be inferred during flower development, indicating that flower development requires a large amount of energy and material supply. In addition, some plant hormones, such as GA, may also have effects on flower development. Combined with previous studies, the expression levels of Solyc02g087860 and three of bZIPs were significantly increased in the full flowering stage compared with the flower bud stage, indicating that these genes may be closely related to flower development. These genes were previously reported in Arabidopsis but not in tomatoes. Our next work will conduct a detailed functional analysis of the identified bZIP family genes to characterize their association with tomato flower size. This study will provide new genetic resources for flower formation and provide a basis for tomato yield breeding.
Role of Adiponectin in Cardiovascular Diseases Related to Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders
Authors: Han Wen , Yang Shuxian , Xiao Haiyan , Wang Min , Ye Jingxue , Cao Li , Sun Guibo
Published: December 2022

Lifestyle changes have led to increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD); therefore, potential targets against CVD should be explored to mitigate its risks. Adiponectin (APN), an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, has numerous beneficial effects against CVD related to glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, including regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, increasing insulin sensitivity, reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, protection of myocardial cells, and improvement in endothelial cell function. These effects demonstrate the anti-atherosclerotic and antihypertensive properties of APN, which could aid in improving myocardial hypertrophy, and reducing myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury and myocardial infarction. APN can also be used for diagnosing and predicting heart failure. This review summarizes and discusses the role of APN in the treatment of CVD related to glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and explores future APN research directions and clinical application prospects. Future studies should elucidate the signaling pathway network of APN cardiovascular protective effects, which will facilitate clinical trials targeting APN for CVD treatment in a clinical setting.
Root-Zone Restriction Regulates Soil Factors and Bacterial Community Assembly of Grapevine
Authors: Zahid Muhammad Salman , Hussain Muzammil , Song Yue , Li Jiajia , Guo Dinghan , Li Xiangyi , Song Shiren , Wang Lei , Xu Wenping , Wang Shiping
Published: December 2022

Root-zone restriction induces physiological stress on roots, thus limiting the vegetative and enhancing reproductive development, which promotes fruit quality and growth. Numerous bacterial-related growth-promoting, stress-mitigating, and disease-prevention activities have been described, but none in root-restricted cultivation. The study aimed to understand the activities of grapevine bacterial communities and plant-bacterial relationships to improve fruit quality. We used High-throughput sequencing, edaphic soil factors, and network analysis to explore the impact of restricted cultivation on the diversity, composition and network structure of bacterial communities of rhizosphere soil, roots, leaves, flowers and berries. The bacterial richness, diversity, and networking were indeed regulated by root-zone restriction at all phenological stages, with a peak at the veraison stage, yielding superior fruit quality compared to control plants. Moreover, it also handled the nutrient availability in treated plants, such as available nitrogen (AN) was 3.5, 5.7 and 0.9 folds scarcer at full bloom, veraison and maturity stages, respectively, compared to control plants. Biochemical indicators of the berry have proved that high-quality berry is yielded in association with the bacteria. Cyanobacteria were most abundant in the phyllosphere, Proteobacteria in the rhizosphere, and Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the endosphere. These bacterial phyla were most correlated and influenced by different soil factors in control and treated plants. Our findings are a comprehensive approach to the implications of root-zone restriction on the bacterial microbiota, which will assist in directing a more focused procedure to uncover the precise mechanism, which is still undiscovered.
A Study on the Protective Effect of sRAGE-MSCs in a Rodent Reperfusion Model of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Bayarsaikhan Delger , Bayarsaikhan Govigerel , Lee Jaewon , Lee Bonghee
Published: December 2022

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the major leading causes of death in humans globally. Recently, increased levels of recruited macrophages and AGE-albumin were observed in the hearts of humans and animals with acute myocardial infarction. Thus, the purposes of this study were to investigate whether the elevated levels of AGE-albumin from activated macrophage cells are implicated in ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte death and to develop therapeutic strategies for AMI based on its underlying molecular mechanisms with respect to AGEs. The present study demonstrated that activated macrophages and AGE-albumin were observed in heart tissues obtained from humans and rats with AMI incidences. In the cellular model of AMI, it was found that increased expression of AGE-albumin was shown to be co-localized with macrophages, and the presence of AGE-albumin led to increased expression of RAGE through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. After revealing cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by toxicity of the AGE-RAGE system, sRAGE-secreting MSCs were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 platform to investigate the therapeutic effects of sRAGE-MSCs in an AMI rat model. Gene-edited sRAGE-MSCs showed greater therapeutic effects against AMI pathogenesis in rat models compared to mock MSCs, and promising results of the functional improvement of stem cells could result in significant improvements in the clinical management of cardiovascular diseases.
Structural Study of Model Rhodium(I) Carbonylation Catalysts Activated by Indole-2-/Indoline-2-Carboxylate Bidentate Ligands and Kinetics of Iodomethane Oxidative Addition
Authors: Elmakki Mohammed A. E. , Alexander Orbett Teboho , Venter Gertruida J. S. , Venter Johan Andries , Roodt Andreas
Published: December 2022

The rigid-backbone bidentate ligands Indoline-2-carboxylic acid (IndoliH) and Indole-2-carboxylic acid (IndolH) were evaluated for rhodium(I). IndoliH formed [Rh(Indoli)(CO)(PPh3)] (A2), while IndolH yielded the novel dinuclear [Rh1(Indol’)(CO)(PPh3)Rh2(CO)(PPh3)2] (B2) complex (Indol’ = Indol2−), which were characterized by SCXRD. In B2, the Rh1(I) fragment [Rh1(Indol’)(CO)(PPh3)] (bidentate N,O-Indol) exhibits a square-planar geometry, while Rh2(I) shows a ‘Vaska’-type trans-[O-Rh2(PPh3)2(CO)] configuration (bridging the carboxylate ‘oxo’ O atom of Indol2−). The oxidative addition of MeI to A2 and B2 via time-resolved FT-IR, NMR, and UV/Vis analyses indicated only Rh(III)-alkyl species (A3/B3) as products (no migratory insertion). Variable temperature kinetics confirmed an associative mechanism for A2 via an equilibrium-based pathway (ΔH≠ = (21 ± 1) kJ mol−1; ΔS≠ = (−209 ± 4) J K−1mol−1), with a smaller contribution from a reverse reductive elimination/solvent pathway. The dinuclear complex B2 showed the oxidative addition of MeI only at Rh1(I), which formed a Rh(III)-alkyl, but cleaved the bridged Rh2(I) site, yielding trans-[RhI(PPh3)2(I)(CO)] (5B) as a secondary product. A significantly smaller negative activation entropy [ΔH≠ = (73.0 ± 1.2) kJ mol−1; ΔS≠ = (−21 ± 4) J K−1mol−1] via a more complex/potential interchange mechanism (the contribution of ΔS≠ to the Gibbs free energy of activation, ΔG≠, only ±10%) was inferred, contrary to the entropy-driven oxidative addition of MeI to A2 (the contribution of ΔS≠ to ΔG≠ ± 75%).
Barth Syndrome: Psychosocial Impact and Quality of Life Assessment
Authors: Bath Anandbir , Akbilgic Oguz , Wilbanks David , Patel Jay , Wallen Morgan , Haji Shereen , Das Arnab , Alexander John , Pour-Ghaz Issa , Alkhatib Deya , Huang Yonglin , Lontok Erik , Jefferies John
Published: December 2022

Background: Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disease that affects multiple systems and leads to complex clinical manifestations. Although a considerable amount of research has focused on the physical aspects of the disease, less has focused on the psychosocial impact and quality of life (QoL) in BTHS. Methods: The current study investigated caregiver- (n = 10) and self-reported (n = 16) psychological well-being and QoL in a cohort of BTHS-affected patients and families. Participants completed the depression and anxiety components of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Information System (PROMIS) Short Form 8A and Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) surveys at enrollment and again during a follow-up period ranging from 6 to 36 months after baseline. Results: Quality of life changed significantly over time and the various domains with some improvement and some decline. Among the available caregiver-patient dyad data, there was a trend toward discordance between caregiver and self-reported outcomes. Most notably, patients reported improvement in HRQoL, while caregivers reported declines. This suggests that there may be differences in perceived quality of life between the patients and parents, though our study is limited by small sample size. Conclusion: Our study provides valuable insights into the impacts of psychosocial and mental health aspects of BTHS. Implications of these findings include incorporating longitudinal assessment of QoL and screening for psychological symptoms in BTHS care to identify interventions that may drastically impact health status and the course of the disease.
Thrombotic Events during Lenvatinib Treatment: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Denaro Nerina , Garrone Ornella , Ghidini Michele , Tomasello Gianluca , Hahne Jens , Merlano Marco , Locati Laura
Published: December 2022

Lenvatinib is the standard treatment for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). Thromboembolic (TE) side effects are quite rare (1–3% of treated patients) in clinical trials. Nevertheless, patients with predisposing factors are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular adverse events. Reduction of lenvatinib starting dose and cardiologic counselling to provide appropriate supportive therapies are usually recommended for high-risk patients. From 2016 to 2022, we analyzed a series of 16 patients who were consecutively treated at our institution. All except one patient received a reduction in their dosage after two cycles of therapy because of toxicities, and four patients (25%) suffered from TE. The observed incidence in our patient sample seemed to be higher than expected. We hypothesized that our patient sample might be at higher risk probably because of the heavy prior loco-regional treatments performed.
On the Influence of Cavitation Volume Variations on Propeller Broadband Noise
Authors: Föhring Leonie S. , Juhl Peter Møller , Wittekind Dietrich
Published: December 2022

Low-frequency broadband shipping noise causes a growing concern for marine fauna together with the demand for noise reduction. Detailed analyses of the cavitation behaviour in the time domain serve as a prerequisite for steps toward quieter propellers. Underwater noise measurement data from the propeller of a full-scale container vessel are used for the analysis of the cavitation volume behaviour. Sequencing methods, polynomial models, and stochastic evaluation methods feeding Monte Carlo simulations of unsteady sheet cavitation are applied to identify the cause of an often observed, yet unexplained similarity in shipping noise spectra. Characteristic features of the volume evolution are identified to enhance the understanding of noise generation by sheet cavitation.
Ship Air Pollution Estimation by AIS Data: Case Port of Klaipeda
Authors: Rapalis Paulius , Šilas Giedrius , Žaglinskis Justas
Published: December 2022

Ships operating on fossil fuel release pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. Released pollutants have a negative effect on the environment and human health, especially in port cities. For this reason, it is very important to properly evaluate these emissions so they can be managed. The current and most common methodologies for shipping pollution evaluation are used for whole port areas or larger terminals over a long period of time and are not analyzed in terms of detailed activity, which may lead to underestimations in certain areas. This study aims to evaluate emissions from ships in port by combining ships’ technical, AIS and EMEP data that allow us to evaluate emissions in port, not as a singular area source but enables individual ship emissions evaluation at any given point in time. To achieve this emission calculation, an algorithm was compiled by using EMEP/EEA Tier 3 methodology. The developed method presents a way to evaluate emissions in a detailed manner not only for groups of ships but also for individual ships if that is required. This method also lets us analyze shipping emissions’ intensity throughout all port territory and identify the most excessive pollution sources. However, the method adds additional work for researchers because of the huge data arrays required for complex calculations.
A Nonlinear Phase Transition Dynamic Model for Shape Memory Alloys Based Deep Sea Actuators
Authors: Guo Jian , Pan Binbin , Cui Weicheng , Hu Shengbing
Published: December 2022

A constitutive relation for shape memory alloys (SMAs) that is simple, accurate, and effective is the basis for deep-sea intelligent actuators used in marine engineering applications. The existing kinetic models of phase transition all have common drawbacks, such as sharp change at the turning point of the phase transition, constant phase transition rate, and many variable parameters. In this study, the one-dimensional thermodynamic constitutive equation for SMAs is extended based on the thermodynamic framework of the Boyd–Lagoudas constitutive model. In addition, the traditional phase transition function is replaced by an improved logistic nonlinear function in order to construct the relation for the macroscopic variable-speed phase transition that constitutes deep-sea actuator driving wires. The logistic model is compared to other models and verified by the numerical fitting results of the traditional constitutive model and the experimental data for two scenarios: (1) constant load and (2) constant temperature. The results show that the improved constitutive model has more advantages and better adaptability than the traditional models. Consequently, it can accurately describe the slow and gradual phase transitions in the initial and final regions of the phase transition with fewer variable parameters and has the ability to flexibly adjust the rate of change of the phase transition rate. These results provide important theoretical support for the design of SMA deep-sea actuators used in marine engineering applications.
The Effects of Long-Term Nitrogen Enrichment on Estuarine Benthic-Pelagic Coupling
Authors: Mangan Stephanie , Lohrer Andrew M. , Thrush Simon F. , Ellis Joanne I. , Pilditch Conrad A.
Published: December 2022

Biogeochemical cycling in the marine coastal zone regulates the availability of nitrogen and carbon within soft sediment habitats. However, these pathways are being fundamentally altered by anthropogenic increases in nutrient delivery. Few studies have incorporated long-term enrichment and ecological complexity (in situ experiments), restricting our ability to manage effectively and prevent ecological shifts. This study investigates the influence of sediment nutrient availability (at 3 levels, across 2 seasons) on biogeochemical cycling over a 20-month period in 4 estuaries. Overall, net denitrification rates were highly variable, ranging between 4 and 208 µmol N m−2 h−1. However, no increases were observed with increasing enrichment highlighting the limited capacity for nitrogen removal in response to large increases in bioavailable nitrogen. Additionally, macrofaunal communities and sediment trophic status were shown to have important influences on nitrogen processing. Overall, alterations to ecosystem relationships and the appearance of non-linear responses to increasing nutrient enrichment reveal the vulnerability of estuaries to increasing stressor loads owing to the increased likelihood of reaching a tipping point.
Powder Metallurgy Produced Aligned Long Tungsten Fiber Reinforced Tungsten Composites
Authors: Mao Yiran , Coenen Jan W. , Liu Chao , Terra Alexis , Tan Xiaoyue , Riesch Johann , Höschen Till , Wu Yucheng , Broeckmann Christoph , Linsmeier Christian
Published: December 2022

For the future fusion reactor, tungsten is the main candidate material as the plasma-facing material. However, considering the high thermal stress during operation, the intrinsic brittleness of tungsten is one of the issues. To overcome the brittleness, tungsten fiber reinforces tungsten composites (Wf/W) developed using extrinsic toughening mechanisms. The powder metallurgy process and chemical vapor deposition process are the two production routes for preparing Wf/W. For the powder metallurgy route, due to technical limitations, previous studies focused on short random distributed fiber-reinforced composites. However, for short random fiber composites, the strength and reinforcement effect are considerably limited compared to aligned continuous fiber composites. In this work, aligned long tungsten fiber reinforced tungsten composites have been first time realized based on powder metallurgy processes, by alternately placing tungsten weaves and tungsten powder layers. The produced Wf/W shows significantly improved mechanical properties compared to pure W and conventional short fiber Wf/W.
Lysinibacilli: A Biological Factories Intended for Bio-Insecticidal, Bio-Control, and Bioremediation Activities
Authors: Jamal Qazi Mohammad Sajid , Ahmad Varish
Published: December 2022

Microbes are ubiquitous in the biosphere, and their therapeutic and ecological potential is not much more explored and still needs to be explored more. The bacilli are a heterogeneous group of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Lysinibacillus are dominantly found as motile, spore-forming, Gram-positive bacilli belonging to phylum Firmicutes and the family Bacillaceae. Lysinibacillus species initially came into light due to their insecticidal and larvicidal properties. Bacillus thuringiensis, a well-known insecticidal Lysinibacillus, can control many insect vectors, including a malarial vector and another, a Plasmodium vector that transmits infectious microbes in humans. Now its potential in the environment as a piece of green machinery for remediation of heavy metal is used. Moreover, some species of Lysinibacillus have antimicrobial potential due to the bacteriocin, peptide antibiotics, and other therapeutic molecules. Thus, this review will explore the biological disease control abilities, food preservative, therapeutic, plant growth-promoting, bioremediation, and entomopathogenic potentials of the genus Lysinibacillus.
Rural Energy Communities as Pillar towards Low Carbon Future in Egypt: Beyond COP27
Authors: Abouaiana Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Egypt pays extraordinary attention to climate action, which is gaining momentum, coinciding with reaching the peak of the status quo by hosting the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of Parties (COP27). Renewable energy sources are one of the principal axes of the state’s plan to combat climate change and open new horizons toward decarbonization. Rural commons act as a food basket and are essential to function in urban areas and enhance ecosystem services, even though currently they are facing extraordinary environmental challenges. Therefore, this study aims to restore the function of the rural commons from consumerism to productivity as an energy basket and create a tendency and momentum toward a self-sufficiency dogma by promoting the rural energy community concept from a top-down approach in Egypt. Two steps can articulate this: First, defining the legal key concept and showing its roots in European policies to provide a direction to this research. Second, by analyzing the current Egyptian legalization, laws, efforts, and best practices, those could address, allow, and encourage the concept’s core. The results proved that this is the first research to discuss the concept from the climate–energy–land use perspective, integrated with a previous bottom-up intervention. Meanwhile, it explains the current state of knowledge and a better understanding of the institutional context, showing the high level of coordination of cross sectors and proving that rural energy communities are presented in the bottom-up practices. This can support decisionmakers and paves the way for researchers, academic bodies, and energy experts to explore other insights.
Valuing Ecosystem Services Provided by Pasture-Based Beef Farms in Alentejo, Portugal
Authors: dos Santos Manuel P. , Morais Tiago G. , Domingos Tiago , Teixeira Ricardo F. M.
Published: December 2022

This work aims to measure and value the ecosystem services of grasslands and croplands covered by pasture-based beef farms in Alentejo. It combines pixel-level data from the Portuguese Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services study and farm-level data from 40 farms. Five ecosystem services were considered: soil protection, carbon sequestration, support to extensive animal production, plant food production and fiber production. Two different approaches for service quantification were used: an “average class” method and a “buffer” approach. Double counting issues were avoided by applying a specific methodology developed for this study. The results obtained were similar for both approaches in the case of grasslands, with an average value between 146 and 176 €/ha/year. For croplands, the average service value oscillated between 40 and 166 €/ha/year. Soil protection was the most valuable service, with over 90% of the total value. Extrapolating these results for the entire region, the five ecosystem services were estimated to be worth between 173 M€ (class method) and 223 M€ (buffer approach). These results suggest that pasture-based beef farms in Alentejo help to provide a significant number of ecosystem services with positive environmental effects that are currently not remunerated by the market.
Land Use Changes in the Southeastern United States: Quantitative Changes, Drivers, and Expected Environmental Impacts
Authors: Nedd Ryan , Anandhi Aavudai
Published: December 2022

Land use change analysis provides valuable information for landscape monitoring, managing, and prioritizing large area conservation practices. There has been significant interest in the southeastern United States (SEUS) due to substantial land change from various economic activities since the 1940s. This study uses quantitative data from the Economic Research Service (ERS) for landscape change analysis, addressing land change among five major land types for twelve states in the SEUS from 1945 to 2012. The study also conducted a literature review using the PSALSAR framework to identify significant drivers related to land type changes from research articles within the region. The analysis showed how each land type changed over the period for each state in the time period and the percentage change for the primary drivers related to land use change. The literature review identified significant drivers of land use and land cover change (LULCC) within the SEUS. The associated drivers were categorized into natural and artificial drivers, then further subdivided into eight categories related to land type changes in the region. A schematic diagram was developed to show land type changes that impacted environmental changes from various studies in the SEUS. The results concluded that Forest land accounted for 12% change and agricultural land for 20%; population growth in the region is an average of 2.59% annually. It also concluded that the need for research to understand past land use trends, direction and magnitude of land cover changes is essential. Significant drivers such as urban expansion and agriculture are critical to the impending use of land in the region; their impacts are attributed to environmental changes in the region and must be monitored.
Estimating the Economic Value of Change in Ecosystem Habitat Quality in South Korea Using an Integrated Environmental and Economic Analysis
Authors: Kim Hyun No , Ryu Hwanhee
Published: December 2022

Jeju Island is one of the most prominent ecotourism destinations in South Korea and has steadily been the subject of land-use development. In this study, the economic value and benefits of habitat quality changes on Jeju Island were estimated through an integrated environmental and economic analysis linking the unit values of ecosystem services to the physical habitat quality measures predicted by the InVEST Habitat Quality Model. A choice experiment survey was conducted to estimate the willingness-to-pay for the changes in habitat quality at 12 tourist sites using a hybrid econometric model. The results indicate the presence of heterogeneity in respondents’ preferences for ecotourism destinations. Visitors were most sensitive to changes in the habitat quality level among three attributes: on-site facilities, information and interpretation services, and habitat quality. Based on the willingness-to-pay for each tourist site, the total benefit resulting from the improvement of habitat quality in the 12 tourist sites is substantial. The integrated environmental and economic analysis framework used in this study would effectively produce plausible economic values generated by environmental goods and services. The findings also provide a basis for considering the importance of economic benefits provided by ecosystem services in decision-making.
Particle Therapy: Clinical Applications and Biological Effects
Authors: Kiseleva Viktoriia , Gordon Konstantin , Vishnyakova Polina , Gantsova Elena , Elchaninov Andrey , Fatkhudinov Timur
Published: December 2022

Particle therapy is a developing area of radiotherapy, mostly involving the use of protons, neutrons and carbon ions for cancer treatment. The reduction of side effects on healthy tissues in the peritumoral area is an important advantage of particle therapy. In this review, we analyze state-of-the-art particle therapy, as compared to conventional photon therapy, to identify clinical benefits and specify the mechanisms of action on tumor cells. Systematization of published data on particle therapy confirms its successful application in a wide range of cancers and reveals a variety of biological effects which manifest at the molecular level and produce the particle therapy-specific molecular signatures. Given the rapid progress in the field, the use of particle therapy holds great promise for the near future.
Thermo-Mechanical Modelling of Friction Stir Processing of AZ91 Alloy: Using Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics
Authors: Marode Roshan Vijay , Pedapati Srinivasa Rao , Lemma Tamiru Alemu , Janga Venkata Somi Reddy
Published: December 2022

A thermo-mechanical model of friction stir processing (FSP) using the Altair based on meshless Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) was developed and verified experimentally. Process parameters adopted for both experimentation and simulation during the FSP of AZ91 were 1000 rpm tool stirring speed, 40 mm/min tool advancing speed, and 0° tool tilt angle. The numerical analysis predicted the temperature distribution and material movement in the three phases: plunging, dwelling, and traversing. Simulated temperatures during the traversal phase were found to be greater than experimental temperatures using the Ti32 thermal camera as the heat was only transported by friction and plastic deformation. Peak temperatures for all three phases were observed to be in the range of 47% to 87% of the material’s melting point and are in accordance with the findings of the experiments. The SPH mesh-free model was proven to be capable of predicting the in-process thermal-mechanical state variables during and after the process by extracting morphology. The material movement around the tool has been predicted using SPH node tracking, which further anticipates that there was no complete flow of SPH nodes from RS to AS, leaving a gap that must be filled. Post-processed morphology shows inadequacy in the material flow due to lower compressive force. It formed the wormhole at the advancing side’s trailing and was verified experimentally.
Study on the Interaction between Wheel Polygon and Rail Corrugation in High-Speed Railways
Authors: Xu Xiaotian , Cui Xiaolu , Xu Jia , Wen Xiaoxia , Yang Zongchao
Published: December 2022

The wheel polygonization and rail corrugation are typical wheel–rail periodic wear problems, which seriously affect the safe operation of high-speed railways. In the present paper, the interaction between the wheel polygon and the rail corrugation in the long-slope section of high-speed railways is mainly studied based on theory of friction coupling vibration. Firstly, the simulation model of the wheel–rail contact model is established, as well as the polygonal wear of the wheel and the corrugated wear of the rail. Then, the stability analyses of the wheel–rail system with periodic wear are studied, in which the four working conditions of smooth rail–smooth wheel, polygonal wheel–smooth rail, smooth wheel–corrugated rail and polygonal wheel–corrugated rail are compared. Finally, the competition mechanisms between the wheel polygon and rail corrugation under different parameters are discussed, including the wheel–rail friction coefficient and the depth of periodic wear of the wheel–rail system. The numerical results show that both the periodic wear of the wheel and rail with certain relevance will increase the friction coupling vibration of the wheel–rail system, which may aggravate the subsequent relevant wheel polygonal and rail corrugation wear. With the increase of the friction coefficient between wheel and rail, as well as the depth of the wheel polygon and rail corrugation, the vibration trend of the friction coupling vibration of the wheel–rail system increases gradually. Moreover, the proportion of the wheel polygon’s influence on the friction coupling vibration of the wheel–rail system is greater than that of rail corrugation.
Effect of Non-Woven Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Tissue on Fresh and Hardened Properties of Concrete
Authors: Bahij Sifatullah , Omary Safiullah , Steiner Vincent , Feugeas Françoise , Ibrahimkhil Mohammad Hashim
Published: December 2022

This study will investigate the effect of non-woven PET plastic tissue on the fresh, physical, mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and microstructural behaviors of concrete. Including reference specimens, non-woven fabrics were considered in two ways: (a) as a layer with four various configurations of 1-layer, 2-sides, 3-sides, and full wrapping (4-sides) to strengthen specimens, and (b) as (10 × 10) mm cut pieces with three different incorporated percentages of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. Based on the experimental results, mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths) were remarkably improved by applying non-woven sheets as a layer. For instance, the cylindrical compressive and split tensile strengths were improved by 13.40% and 15.12% for the strengthened specimens compared to the reference specimens, respectively. Moreover, control specimens were damaged to many fragments after mechanical testing, but the samples strengthened by such fabrics or containing cut pieces were maintained and not separated into many small parts. The acoustic behavior and thermal conductivity declined by 9.83% and 19.67% with the attachment of tissue on one side and 2-sides, respectively. Acoustic behaviors decreased by 10.0%, 17.60%, and 26.30% and thermal conductivity decreased by 6.60%, 12.10%, and 15.50%, with the incorporation of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% of cut pieces, respectively. Finally, it was discovered that non-woven tissue is advised to enhance particular properties of concrete.