bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Potential of PHAs in Tissue Engineering Applications: A Review of Chemical Modification Methods
Authors: Chaber Paweł , Andrä-Żmuda Silke , Śmigiel-Gac Natalia , Zięba Magdalena , Dawid Kamil , Martinka Maksymiak Magdalena , Adamus Grażyna
Published: November 2024

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of polyesters produced by many microbial species. These naturally occurring polymers are widely used in tissue engineering because of their in vivo degradability and excellent biocompatibility. The best studied among them is poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its copolymer with 3-hydroxyvaleric acid (PHBV). Despite their superior properties, PHB and PHBV suffer from high crystallinity, poor mechanical properties, a slow resorption rate, and inherent hydrophobicity. Not only are PHB and PHBV hydrophobic, but almost all members of the PHA family struggle because of this characteristic. One can overcome the limitations of microbial polyesters by modifying their bulk or surface chemical composition. Therefore, researchers have put much effort into developing methods for the chemical modification of PHAs. This paper explores a rarely addressed topic in review articles—chemical methods for modifying the structure of PHB and PHBV to enhance their suitability as biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Different chemical strategies for improving the wettability and mechanical properties of PHA scaffolds are discussed in this review. The properties of PHAs that are important for their applications in tissue engineering are also discussed.
Research on the Principle and Suppression Method of Micro-Vibration Generation in a Spatial Optoelectronic Mechanism
Authors: Gao Bo , Yang Hongtao , Chen Weining , Wang Hao , Qi Zimiao , Liu Yang
Published: November 2024

This paper designs a spatial photoelectric scanning mechanism that utilizes the large transmission ratio and reverses the self-locking performance of worm gears and gears. The institution uses a stepper motor to drive the worm gear component, thereby driving the worm gear to drive the alarm camera for spatial alarm imaging work. The stepper motor provides the driving force for motion, and, simultaneously, the alarm camera image can be compared with the star map to achieve position feedback. Therefore, this mechanism can achieve closed-loop control without angle measuring devices, achieving the lightweight design of the photoelectric scanning mechanism. Although this driving mechanism has many advantages, due to the micro-vibration formed by the gear backlash between teeth during the operation of the worm gear and worm, micro-vibrations are generated in the system, which can interfere with satellites with high precision requirements and affect their normal operation. This paper analyzes and experimentally verifies the principle of micro-vibrations in the worm gear and worm movement mechanism, and takes a certain photoelectric scanning turntable as an example to suppress micro-vibrations. The micro-vibration momentum level has been reduced from 7 N (at its peak) to 3.5 N (at its peak), with the number of targets increased by 50%, resulting in an effective suppression effect.
Exploring the Impact of Battery Charge Reduction Rate and the Placement of Chargers on AGV Operation
Authors: Gade Marius , Schedel Matthias , Feng Yuming , Davidrajuh Reggie
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a simulation model to study the effect of the battery charging rate of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) on the overall output of a toy car production environment. This paper uses Modular Petri Nets for modeling and the General Petri Net Simulator (GPenSIM) for model implementation on MATLAB and simulation. The main focus of this paper is to analyze the operational efficiency of AGVs under varying conditions, such as the impact of battery charge reduction rates and the strategic placement of Charging Stations within the production line. By employing Modular Petri Nets implemented with GPenSIM, this paper presents a detailed model that captures the dynamics (movements and interactions) of AGVs in a simulated manufacturing environment. The model is also extensible, as newer functionalities can be added to it as Petri Modules. This paper specifically focuses on two critical operational parameters: (a) the number of AGVs and their battery charge reduction rate; (b) the number of Charging Stations. In summary, the goal, aim, and novelty of this paper is to provide a simpler yet effective model to practitioners so that they can study and experiment without needing advanced mathematical skills.
Dynamic Performance Analysis of Gas Film Floating Ring Seals Based on the Reynolds–Bernoulli Small-Perturbation Model
Authors: Zhu Shuhai , Ma Runmei , Li Shuangxi , Li Shicong
Published: November 2024

Gas film floating ring seals are extensively utilized in aircraft engines, and precise analysis of gas film performance is crucial for ensuring reliable seal design. For this reason, this paper proposes the Reynolds–Bernoulli small-perturbation (RBSP) model to analyze the performance of the gas film based on the conservation of mechanical energy. Through experimental verification and comparison with other analytical models, the results of the RBSP model calculations are both reliable and more broadly applicable. Analyses using the finite element method revealed that the differential pressure effect of Poiseuille flow and the dynamic pressure effect of Couette flow are the primary factors enabling the floating ring to overcome resistance and establish a non-contact seal. Additionally, an appropriate sealing clearance and an increased width of the floating ring could significantly enhance the dynamic performance of the seal. The research findings offer a dependable performance analysis method for designers of gas film floating ring seals.
Probabilistic Uncertain Linguistic VIKOR Method for Teaching Reform Plan Evaluation for the Core Course “Big Data Technology and Applications” in the Digital Economy Major
Authors: Wu Wenshuai
Published: November 2024

The reform of the teaching plan for the core course “big data technology and applications” in the digital economy major has become a globally recognized challenge. Qualitative data, fuzzy and uncertain information, a complex decision-making environment, and various impact factors create significant difficulties in formulating effective responses to teaching reform plans. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a precision evaluation technology for teaching reform plans in the core course “big data technology and applications”, to address the challenges of uncertainty and fuzziness in complex decision-making environments. In this study, an extended VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method based on a probabilistic uncertain linguistic term set (PULTS), which is presented for teaching reform plan evaluation. The extended probabilistic uncertain linguistic VIKOR method can effectively and accurately capture the fuzziness and uncertainty of complex decision-making processes. In addition, PULTS is integrated into the VIKOR method to express decision-makers’ fuzzy language preference information in terms of probability. A case study is conducted to verify and test the extended method, and the research results demonstrate that it is highly effective for decision-making regarding teaching reform plans to foster the high-quality development of education, especially in uncertain and fuzzy environments. Furthermore, parameter and comparative analyses verify the effectiveness of the extended method. Finally, the paper outlines directions for future research.
Some New Bivariate Properties and Characterizations Under Archimedean Copula
Authors: Guan Qingyuan , Jiang Peihua , Liu Guangyu
Published: November 2024

This paper considers comparing properties and characterizations of the bivariate functions under Archimedean copula. It is shown that some results of the usual stochastic order for the bivariate functions in the independent case are generalized to the Archimedean copula-linked dependent case, and we also derive some characterizations of different bivariate functions composed by Archimedean copula-linked dependent random variables. These results generalize some existing results in the literature and bring conclusions closer to reality. Two applications in scheduling problems are also provided to illustrate the main results.
Proximal Contractions for Multivalued Mappings with an Application to 2D Volterra Integral Equations
Authors: Ahmad Haroon , Younis Mudasir , Gündoǧdu Hami , Barley Nisha , Patel Vijay Kumar
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we delve into the ideas of Geraghty-type proximal contractions and their relation to multivalued, single-valued, and self mappings. We begin by introducing the notions of (ψω)MCP-proximal Geraghty contraction and rational (ψω)RMCP-proximal Geraghty contraction for multivalued mappings, aimed at establishing coincidence point results. To enhance our understanding and illustrate the concepts, practical examples are provided with each definition. This study extends these contractions to single-valued mappings with the introduction of (ψω)SCP-proximal Geraghty contraction and rational (ψω)RSCP-proximal Geraghty contraction, supported by relevant examples to reinforce the main results. Then, we explore (ψω)SFP Geraghty contraction and rational (ψω)RSFP contraction for self-mappings, obtaining fixed point theorems and clearly illustrating them through examples. Finally, we apply the theoretical framework developed to investigate the existence and uniqueness of solutions to certain two-dimensional Volterra integral equations. Specifically, we consider the transformation of first-kind Volterra integral equations, which play crucial roles in modeling memory in diverse scientific fields like biology, physics, and engineering. This approach provides a powerful tool for solving difficult integral equations and furthering applied mathematics research.
The Capped Separable Difference of Two Norms for Signal Recovery
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Wang Gui
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a novel capped separable difference of two norms (CSDTN) method for sparse signal recovery, which generalizes the well-known minimax concave penalty (MCP) method. The CSDTN method incorporates two shape parameters and one scale parameter, with their appropriate selection being crucial for ensuring robustness and achieving superior reconstruction performance. We provide a detailed theoretical analysis of the method and propose an efficient iteratively reweighted ℓ1 (IRL1)-based algorithm for solving the corresponding optimization problem. Extensive numerical experiments, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and synthetic signal recovery tasks, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CSDTN method. Our method outperforms existing methods in terms of recovery accuracy and robustness. These results highlight the potential of CSDTN in various signal-processing applications.
Pareto Approximation Empirical Results of Energy-Aware Optimization for Precedence-Constrained Task Scheduling Considering Switching Off Completely Idle Machines
Authors: Castán Rocha José Antonio , Santiago Alejandro , García-Ruiz Alejandro H. , Terán-Villanueva Jesús David , Martínez Salvador Ibarra , Treviño Berrones Mayra Guadalupe
Published: November 2024

Recent advances in cloud computing, large language models, and deep learning have started a race to create massive High-Performance Computing (HPC) centers worldwide. These centers increase in energy consumption proportionally to their computing capabilities; for example, according to the top 500 organization, the HPC centers Frontier, Aurora, and Super Computer Fugaku report energy consumptions of 22,786 kW, 38,698 kW, and 29,899 kW, respectively. Currently, energy-aware scheduling is a topic of interest to many researchers. However, as far as we know, this work is the first approach considering the idle energy consumption by the HPC units and the possibility of turning off unused units entirely, driven by a quantitative objective function. We found that even when turning off unused machines, the objectives of makespan and energy consumption still conflict and, therefore, their multi-objective optimization nature. This work presents empirical results for AGEMOEA, AGEMOEA2, GWASFGA, MOCell, MOMBI, MOMBI2, NSGA2, and SMS-EMOA. The best-performing algorithm is MOCell for the 400 real scheduling problem tests. In contrast, the best-performing algorithm is GWASFGA for a small-instance synthetic testbed.
Cross-View Multi-Scale Re-Identification Network in the Perspective of Ground Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Yin Wenji , Peng Yueping , Hao Hexiang , Han Baixuan , Ye Zecong , Liu Wenchao
Published: November 2024

Traditional Re-Identification (Re-ID) schemes often rely on multiple cameras from the same perspective to search for targets. However, the collaboration between fixed cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is gradually becoming a new trend in the surveillance field. Facing the significant perspective differences between fixed cameras and UAV cameras, the task of Re-ID is facing unprecedented challenges. In the setting of a single perspective, although significant advancements have been made in person Re-ID models, their performance markedly deteriorates when confronted with drastic viewpoint changes, such as transitions from aerial to ground-level perspectives. This degradation in performance is primarily attributed to the stark variations between viewpoints and the significant differences in subject posture and background across various perspectives. Existing methods focusing on learning local features have proven to be suboptimal in cross-perspective Re-ID tasks. The reason lies in the perspective distortion caused by the top-down viewpoint of drones, and the richer and more detailed texture information observed from a ground-level perspective, which leads to notable discrepancies in local features. To address this issue, the present study introduces a Multi-scale Across View Model (MAVM) that extracts features at various scales to generate a richer and more robust feature representation. Furthermore, we incorporate a Cross-View Alignment Module (AVAM) that fine-tunes the attention weights, optimizing the model’s response to critical areas such as the silhouette, attire textures, and other key features. This enhancement ensures high recognition accuracy even when subjects change posture and lighting conditions. Extensive experiments conducted on the public dataset AG-ReID have demonstrated the superiority of our proposed method, which significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art techniques.
Masticatory and Neck Muscles’ Isometric Endurance and Their Relation to Upper Limb Isometric Grip Strength in Sport Climbers—Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Baszczowski Michał , Dolina Aleksandra , Zawadka Magdalena , Ginszt Michał , Czarnecki Adam , Ginszt Agata , Gawda Piotr
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Sport climbing’s popularity has grown with its inclusion in the Olympics and increased accessibility. Understanding the relationship between hand dominance, grip strength, endurance, and the involvement of masticatory and neck muscles can provide valuable insights into the neuromuscular adaptations specific to sport climbing, potentially aiding performance optimization and injury prevention in intermediate and advanced climbers. This study analyzes if the dominant hand has greater isometric endurance and isometric manual grip strength parameters than the non-dominant one and examines its relation to the masticatory and neck muscles in intermediate and advanced sport climbers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 41 participants who were divided into two groups according to the IRCRA classification. A level 2 (Lv2) group consisting of 18 climbers and a level 3 (Lv3) group consisting of 23 climbers were identified. First, isometric manual grip strength and isometric endurance were measured using a dynamometer following the protocol of the first three and the last three repetitions (PC3) and the first six and the last six repetitions (PC6). Next, masticatory and neck muscle activity was assessed using surface electromyography, following the same protocol. Results: Greater activity of the temporalis muscle was observed on the non-dominant side in the advanced climber’s group (p = 0.045). The decrease in bioelectric activity was lower on the dominant side in group Lv3 compared to Lv2. In intermediate climbers, the bioelectrical activity of the masseter muscles in PC3 was greater on the non-dominant side, and in PC6, was greater on the dominant side. The digastric muscles showed a greater decrease in isometric endurance on the non-dominant side. Conclusions: Advanced climbers demonstrated greater isometric endurance and isometric manual grip strength parameters in both dominant and non-dominant hands compared to intermediate climbers. The masticatory muscles exhibited higher electromyographic activity on the non-dominant side in the masseter muscles and higher electromyographic activity on the dominant side in the temporalis muscles and digastric muscles.
Transformation of Mackinawite to Interlayered Greigite-Pyrrhotite and Pyrite in the Gaoping Submarine Canyon Sediments off Southwestern Taiwan
Authors: Huang Ko-Chun , Jiang Wei-Teh
Published: November 2024

Iron monosulfides and neoformed pyrite below the sulfate–methane transition zone (SMTZ) of rapidly accumulating turbiditic sediments from the Gaoping submarine canyon off southwestern Taiwan were examined by SEM-EDS-EBSD, HRTEM, and HAADF STEM to investigate their microstructural characteristics and processes of formation and transformation. Within a few meters below the SMTZ, mackinawite (Mkw) is largely replaced by interlayered greigite-pyrrhotite (Grg-Po) with {111}Grg//{001}Po and ⟨110⟩Grg//⟨110⟩Po, followed by pyrite neoformation in clusters of disseminated matrix grains consisting of coalescing pyrite microcrystals, arrays of polycrystalline interlayer pyrite grains between the cleavage planes of layer silicates, with each grain’s core having inclusions of interlayered Grg-Po locally containing relict Mkw, and amassed pyrite microcrystals on the surface of porous interlayered Grg-Po micronodules. In the deeper sediments, neoformed pyrite is absent and Mkw is largely preserved, with partial replacement by interlayered Grg-Po having an overall topotactic relationship of ⟨110⟩Grg//⟨110 ⟩Po//⟨100⟩Mkw and {111}Grg//(001)Po//~{011}Mkw and a sharp reaction front without transitional profiles. The mineral grain boundaries and structural discontinuities with Mkw resulting from extensive interlayering between Grg {111} cubic close-packed segments and Po {001} hexagonal close-packed layers could serve as conduits for fluid flow and mass transport to drive the replacement reaction. The conversion of Mkw to metastable interlayered Grg-Po is inferred to occur through interface-coupled dissolution–reprecipitation processes associated with partial oxidation while the partial replacement of interlayered Grg-Po ± minor relict Mkw by pyrite microcrystals with irregular grain boundaries and orientations probably occurred via a dissolution–precipitation mechanism. Mkw could be initially formed by sulfate reduction driven by anaerobic oxidation of methane in reactive iron-rich sediments in paleo-SMTZs and subsequently transformed into interlayered Grg-Po followed by pyrite neoformation in the sulfidization front below the SMTZ or recent SMTZs in the Gaoping submarine canyon sediments.
Genetic Type and Formation Evolution of Mantle-Derived Olivine in Ultramafic Xenolith of Damaping Basalt, Northern North China Block
Authors: Zhang Cun , Yang Fan , Li Zengsheng , Bagas Leon , Niu Lu , Zhu Xinyi , Li Jianjun
Published: November 2024

Olivine in deep-seated ultramafic xenoliths beneath the North China Block serves as a crucial proxy for decoding the compositions, properties, and evolution of the lithospheric mantle. Here, we conduct an investigation on olivine (including gem-grade) hosted in ultramafic xenoliths from Damaping basalt in the northern part of the North China Block. This contribution presents the results from petrographic, Raman spectroscopic, and major and trace elemental studies of olivine, with the aim of characterising the formation environment and genetic type of the olivine. The analysed olivine samples are characterised by high Mg# values (close to 91%) possessing refractory to fertile features and doublet bands with unit Raman spectra beams of 822 and 853 cm−1, which are indicative of a forsterite signature. Major and trace geochemistry of olivine indicates the presence of mantle xenolith olivine. All the analytical olivine assays ≤0.1 wt % CaO, ~40 wt % SiO2, and ≤0.05 wt % Al2O3. Furthermore, olivine displays significantly different concentrations of Ti, Y, Sc, V, Co, and Ni. The Ni/Co values in olivine range from 21.21 to 22.98, indicating that the crystallisation differentiation of basic magma relates to oceanic crust recycling. The V/Sc values in mantle/xenolith olivine vary from 0.54 to 2.64, indicating a more oxidised state of the mantle. Rare earth element (REE) patterns show that the LREEs and HREEs of olivine host obviously differentiated characteristics. The HREE enrichments of olivine and the LREE depletion of clinopyroxene further assert that the mantle in the Damaping area underwent partial melting. The wide variations of Mg# values in olivine and the Cr# values in clinopyroxene, along with major element geochemistry indicate transitional characteristics of different peridotite xenoliths. This is possibly indicative of a newly accreted lithospheric mantle interaction with an old lithospheric mantle at the time of the basaltic eruption during the Paleozoic to Cenozoic.
Experimental Study on the Influence of Rotational Speed on Grinding Efficiency for the Vertical Stirred Mill
Authors: Tang Biliang , Cheng Bo , Song Xianzhou , Ji Haonan , Li Yijiang , Wang Zhaohua
Published: November 2024

The rotational speed of the agitator is one of the important parameters that affect the grinding efficiency of the vertical stirred mill. Increasing the speed will improve the grinding effect, but it will increase energy consumption, and determining a reasonable speed setting is a system issue. The effects of different speeds on energy consumption, product particle size, and grinding efficiency were analyzed in this study. An experimental vertical stirred mill was used to grind iron ore, and five different speed parameters from 175 rpm to 350 rpm were set as variables. It was found that increasing the rotational speed will increase the grinding effect, but it will trigger more energy consumption. A new evaluation index to comprehensively reflect the grinding efficiency of the mill, which was defined as the ability of a mill to grind the same product per unit of time and energy consumption, was proposed. The grinding efficiency was calculated when the particle size of iron ore powder decreased to −45, −38, and −28 μm at different speeds. It can be seen that the growth rate of energy consumption is faster than that of the percentage of particle size, which leads to a continuous decrease in grinding efficiency with the increase in rotational speed. If high processing capacity is pursued within a certain period of time, high speed can be chosen, but it will result in energy loss. On the contrary, the low speed can be chosen, if considering grinding economy.
Advances in Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Environmental Catalysis
Authors: Qi Jian , Liu Hui
Published: November 2024

Not only are solutions to energy and environmental issues essential in long-term planning for the Earth’s ecological balance and sustainable economic development, they also represent an urgent issue posing a direct threat to human health [...]
Correction: Brandão et al. Genotoxicity and Gene Expression in the Rat Lung Tissue following Instillation and Inhalation of Different Variants of Amorphous Silica Nanomaterials (aSiO2 NM). Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 1502
Authors: Brandão Fátima , Costa Carla , Bessa Maria João , Dumortier Elise , Debacq-Chainiaux Florence , Hubaux Roland , Salmon Michel , Laloy Julie , Stan Miruna S. , Hermenean Anca , Gharbia Sami , Dinischiotu Anca , Bannuscher Anne , Hellack Bryan , Haase Andrea , Fraga Sónia , Teixeira João Paulo
Published: November 2024

In the original publication [...]
Adherence to MIND Diet and Risk of Recurrent Depressive Symptoms: Prospective Whitehall II Cohort Study
Authors: Arshad Husnain , Recchia Daisy , Head Jenny , Holton Kathleen , Norton Joanna , Kivimaki Mika , Akbaraly Tasnime N.
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study examined the association between adherence to the Mediterranean dietary approaches to stop hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, its components, and recurrent depressive symptoms (DepSs). Methods: The analyses included 4824 participants (73% men, mean age = 61; SD = 5.9) from the British Whitehall II cohort study. The MIND diet scores were derived from a validated 127-item food frequency questionnaire in 2002–2004. DepSs were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (score ≥ 16) or by use of antidepressant drugs, and recurrence was defined as having DepSs in at least two of the four repeated measurements in the 2002–2004, 2007–2009, 2012–2013, and 2015–2016 follow-up phases. Results: Recurrent DepSs were observed in 13.3% of the participants over 13 years of follow-up. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants in the highest tertile of the MIND diet score (where a higher score represents a higher diet quality) had 26% lower odds of experiencing recurrent DepSs (OR = 0.74; 95% CI 0.58–0.93) compared to those in the lowest tertile. In mutually adjusted analyses of 14 MIND diet components in relation to recurrent DepSs, independent associations were observed for green leafy vegetables (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45–0.78), other vegetables (OR = 0.43, 95% CI:0.24–0.77), and berries (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61–0.89). Conclusions: In this British prospective cohort, good adherence to the MIND diet, particularly to the recommendations for vegetables and berries, was associated with a lower risk of recurrent depressive symptoms, independent of socio-economic, health behavior, and health status factors, including baseline cognitive impairment and antecedents of DepSs.
The Impact of Minerals on Female Fertility: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kapper Celine , Stelzl Patrick , Oppelt Peter , Ganhör Clara , Gyunesh Ayberk Alp , Arbeithuber Barbara , Rezk-Füreder Marlene
Published: November 2024

Female fertility and reproductive system disorders are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, physiological, and environmental factors. Minerals have emerged as crucial yet often overlooked elements that impact fertility and the prevalence of reproductive system disorders. Background/Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of minerals in female fertility, focusing on key areas such as oocyte quality, ovulation, embryo development, oxidative stress, miscarriage, hormonal regulation, environmental exposure, and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies, case-control studies, nested case-control, and observational studies examining mineral supplementation and nutrition in women planning pregnancy or utilizing assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs). Relevant literature was sourced from multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, using keywords related to minerals and female fertility. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NCO) for non-randomized studies and the Risk of Bias (RoB) tool for RCTs. This systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO (registration number is CDR 42024547656). Results: From an initial pool of 20,830 records, 39 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The studies addressed various reproductive outcomes influenced by minerals: embryo development, oocyte quality, oxidative stress, miscarriage, hormonal regulation, IVF outcomes, environmental exposure, and minerals as biomarkers. The analysis revealed that minerals like selenium, zinc, and copper are essential for maintaining reproductive health, while exposure to toxic metals such as cadmium and lead is detrimental. Conclusions: This review highlights the crucial role of both mineral supplementation and serum mineral status in female fertility. The findings provide key insights for clinicians to improve reproductive health through targeted mineral intake and monitoring. Further research is needed to refine guidelines for supplementation and serum levels in women with fertility issues.
Effects of Forming Lactoferrin–Milk Protein Complexes on Lactoferrin Functionality and Intestinal Development in Infancy
Authors: Jiang Rulan , Du Xiaogu , Lönnerdal Bo
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein with multiple bioactivities, including promotion of cell proliferation and differentiation, immunomodulation, and antimicrobial activity. Lf, a basic glycoprotein, can bind to α-lactalbumin (α-Lac), an acidic whey protein. The current study aimed to evaluate whether Lf forms protein complexes with α-Lac and proteins/peptides from whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) and nonfat bovine milk powder (MP) and whether forming protein complexes influences resistance to gastrointestinal digestion and affects the bioactivities of Lf in human intestinal epithelial cells (HIECs and differentiated Caco-2 cells). Methods: Lf was blended with α-Lac, WPH, or MP. Assays were conducted to evaluate the bioactivities of proteins (Lf, α-Lac, WPH, or MP) and Lf–protein blends on HIECs and Caco-2 cells. Results: (1) Lf forms complexes with α-Lac and proteins/peptides from WPH and MP; (2) compared with Lf alone, complexed Lf shows greater resistance to in vitro digestion; (3) forming protein complexes does not affect Lf’s binding to the Lf receptor or its uptake by HIECs; and (4) forming protein complexes does not impact Lf’s bioactivities, including the promotion of cell proliferation and differentiation, reduction of cell permeability by upregulating tight-junction proteins, immune modulation through the regulation of IL-18, inhibition of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli growth, and modulation of immune responses to EPEC infection. Conclusions: Lf forms complexes with α-Lac and other milk proteins/peptides from WPH and MP in protein blends, and forming complexes does not affect the functionalities of Lf.
Dietary Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Is Associated with Blood Glucose and Diabetes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Coelho-Júnior Hélio José , Álvarez-Bustos Alejandro , Picca Anna , Calvani Riccardo , Rodriguez-Mañas Leocadio , Landi Francesco , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: November 2024

Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine the cross-sectional associations between the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and cardiometabolic risk factors in a large sample of Italian community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Longevity Check-up 8+ (Lookup 8+) is an ongoing project that started in June 2015. The project is conducted in unconventional settings (e.g., exhibitions, malls, and health promotion campaigns) across Italy with the aim of fostering the adoption of healthy lifestyles in the general population. For the present study, participants were eligible if they were 65+ years and provided written informed consent. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and blood glucose and cholesterol levels were assessed. A 12-item food frequency questionary was used to estimate the dietary intake of PUFAs, which included omega-3 (α-linolenic acid [ALA], eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) and omega-6 fatty acids. Results: Data of 4461 older adults (♀56%, mean age: 72.9 years, mean body mass index [BMI]: 26.1 kg/m2, blood glucose: 109 mg/dL, total blood cholesterol: 198.5 mg/dL, ALA: 8.8%, EPA: 16.0%, and DHA: 26.1%) were cross-sectionally analyzed. Multilinear regression results indicated that a high consumption of EPA, DHA, and DHA+EPA was negatively and significantly associated with glucose levels. Furthermore, binary regression analysis indicated that the dietary intake of ALA and omega-6 PUFAs was inversely and significantly associated with the prevalence of diabetes. In contrast, BMI values were positively associated with ALA and omega-6 PUFAs, and negatively with the consumption of EPA and DHA+EPA. Conclusions: Findings of the present study indicate that the dietary intake of PUFAs was cross-sectionally, inversely, and significantly associated with blood glucose levels and the prevalence of diabetes in a large sample of Italian community-dwelling older adults.
Carotenoid Interactions with PCSK9: Exploring Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Strategies
Authors: Medoro Alessandro , Scapagnini Giovanni , Brogi Simone , Jafar Tassadaq Hussain , Trung Truong Tan , Saso Luciano , Davinelli Sergio
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the potential of green algae-derived carotenoids as natural inhibitors of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 promotes the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby increasing blood cholesterol levels and elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Methods/Results: We screened the pharmacophore fit score of 27 carotenoids with PCSK9 and identified 14 that were analyzed for binding affinity and molecular interactions. Astaxanthin, siphonaxanthin, and prasinoxanthin were identified as the top candidates, demonstrating strong binding affinity (−10.5, −10.3, and −9.4 Kcal/mol, respectively) and stable interactions with several known key residues within the active site of PCSK9, including Pro-331, Arg-357, Cys-358, Val-359, Asp-360, Ile-416, Leu-436, Thr-437, Pro-438, Leu-440, Arg-458, Val-460, Trp-461, Arg-476, Cys-477, Ala-478, Ala-649, Val-650, and Asp-651. Density functional theory analysis confirmed the stability of astaxanthin and its favorable electronic properties, suggesting its potential as an effective inhibitor. Molecular dynamics simulations of the PCSK9–astaxanthin complex revealed sustained structural stability and key interactions critical for maintaining the functional integrity of the protein. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that specific carotenoids, particularly astaxanthin, may offer a cost-effective alternative to existing PCSK9 inhibitors, providing a potential approach for managing cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. Pre-clinical and clinical validations are required to confirm the therapeutic potential of these compounds.
Evaluation of Dutasteride-Loaded Liposomes and Transfersomes for Follicular-Targeting for Androgenic Alopecia Topical Treatment
Authors: Andrade Jayanaraian F. M. , Matos Breno N. , Rocho Rafael V. , Barbalho Geisa N. , Cunha-Filho Marcilio , Gelfuso Guilherme M. , Gratieri Taís
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Although androgenic alopecia is the most prevalent among non-cicatricial alopecia, it still lacks an effective and safe treatment. Dutasteride (DUT) shows promising results in hair regrowth; however, oral DUT intake causes serious sexual adverse events. Hence, we produced liposomes with different bilayer structures and evaluated the capability of such systems in increasing DUT accumulation in the hair follicles. Methods: In vitro skin penetration tests were performed with porcine ear skin, and the follicular targeting factor (Tf) was calculated as the ratio between DUT amount in HFs and DUT recovered from the sum of all skin layers. Results: While the stiffer DUT-loaded liposome was not able to target the hair follicles in 12 h (Tf = 0.15), a DUT-loaded liposome with an edge activator in its composition, i.e., transfersomes, promoted better control over DUT release and a higher Tf (0.32) (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Transfersomes present higher affinity with DUT providing a better controlled release; hence, they are a better option for DUT follicle targeting compared to liposomes. Further formulation optimizations are needed aiming to prolong such targeting effect.
Quantifying Microplastic Leaching from Paper Cups: A Specklegram Image Analytical Approach
Authors: Rithwiq Mankuzhy Anilkumar , Anju Abraham Puthuparambil , Swapna Mohanachandran Nair Sindhu , Sankararaman Sankaranarayana Iyer
Published: November 2024

The study proposes a novel speckle interferometric method for detecting and quantifying microplastic leaching from paper cups, addressing concerns raised by the World Health Organization regarding human health risks. Hot water at varying temperatures is placed in 36 paper cups from different manufacturers, and the specklegrams of the paper cups’ interior surface are recorded. The quantity of microplastics leached into water is estimated by the Neubauer chamber method, which increases with rising water temperature. Surface morphology analysis through atomic force microscopic images reveals thermal-induced melting and smearing of microplastics, decreasing roughness parameters. Co-occurrence matrix analysis of specklegrams correlates image parameters—inertia moment, homogeneity, energy, contrast, and entropy—with the microplastics count, showing surface modifications and altered pixel intensity distribution with increasing water temperature. Regression equations based on image parameters establish a strong correlation with the microplastics count, that are validated against the Neubauer chamber method. The study indicates contrast as the potential sensitive specklegram feature for microplastics detection and quantification.
Automated Characterization of Intrastromal Corneal Cuts Induced by Two Femtosecond Laser Systems Using OCT Imaging
Authors: Mehrjoo Masoud , Khamar Pooja , Darzi Soodabeh , Verma Shwetabh , Shetty Rohit , Arba Mosquera Samuel
Published: November 2024

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has gained momentum on segmenting anterior corneal substructures, such as treatment-induced flaps and lenticule cuts created by femtosecond lasers. However, recent semi-automated methods rely on manual markers, which can introduce bias and variability. In this work, we present an automated algorithm designed to overcome the limitations in the geometric quantification of intrastromal cuts produced by two different femtosecond lasers, using a unique imaging system. Our analysis, conducted on peri-operative segmentations of goat eyes, aims to demonstrate the method’s potential for contributing to ongoing efforts and enhancing clinical outcomes in refractive surgery treatment.
Performance Optimization Approach of Polymer-Modified Asphalt Mixtures with PET and PE Waste
Authors: Jexembayeva Assel , Konkanov Marat , Aruova Lyazat , Kirgizbayev Akpan , Zhaksylykova Lailya
Published: November 2024

Road infrastructure sustainability and pavement performance may be increased by using waste materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene waste (PE waste) in polymer-modified asphalt mixtures. As seen by a more pronounced rise in the softening point, which exceeds 110 °C with 8% PE waste, PET was found to improve the tensile strength, resistance to cracking, and thermal stability of asphalt mixes. PE waste also increases ductility up to 4% PE waste, beyond which the combination becomes more brittle, and dramatically decreases penetration, strengthening the asphalt’s resistance to deformation. Additionally, bitumen treated with PE waste is more workable than asphalt without PET, even though bitumen treated with PE waste had a viscosity of up to 4500 Pa. Complex shear modules decreased as the PE waste and PET content increased. PET, on the other hand, increases the binder’s overall stiffness, elasticity, and tensile strength. Nevertheless, when PET content rises, ductility steadily decreases. Previous studies concentrated on the effects of each component separately, and this paper fills this knowledge gap by investigating the combined effects of PET and PE waste. The results indicate that the highest compressive strength (7.5 MPa) was obtained with 6% PE + 2% PET, while the highest tensile strength (1.40 MPa) was achieved with a balanced mix of 4% PE waste + 4% PET. Additionally, the viscosity of asphalt is increased by PET and PE waste, enhancing its performance at high temperatures. These findings demonstrate how combining PET and PE waste improves the mechanical and thermal characteristics of asphalt, providing a balance between stiffness and flexibility, a crucial feature for durable road materials under a variety of circumstances.
A Mixture Fraction Approach to Predict Polymer Burning
Authors: Shaklein Artem , Karpov Alexander , Trubachev Stanislav , Morar Gabriela , Balobanov Nikita , Mitriukova Ekaterina
Published: November 2024

A mixture fraction approach was applied to predict the combustion behavior of polymeric materials. In comparison to the combustion of gaseous mixtures, the presence of solid fuels complicates the description of the combustion. Accurate predictions of burning characteristics can only be achieved through the proper resolution of heat and mass transfer between the gas-phase flame and the solid fuel. We focused on a model case of flame spread over a solid fuel surface. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was selected as a polymeric material. An approach was proposed to account for heat loss from the gas phase to the solid material through calculations of counterflow diffusion flames with the flame positioned closely to the fuel supply. A combination of these solutions was applied to restore temperature and species mass fractions from tabulated chemistry. An analysis of the numerical results from previous studies on flame spread over PMMA, based on one-step combustion reaction and calculating the chemical source term at each time step, demonstrated a monotonic distribution of the mixture fraction in the flame region between the fuel and oxidizer streams. The shape of the flame tip was satisfactorily resolved using the proposed approach that employs a skeletal chemical mechanism for gas-phase combustion consisting of 29 species and 33 reactions. However, the heat flux from the flame to the solid fuel was overpredicted, resulting in higher flame spread rates compared to experimental data and previous calculations. Preliminary results show a promising opportunity for the mixture fraction approach to describe the combustion behavior of polymers. An analysis showed that oversimplifying the heat transfer process in the flame tip area is a main source of prediction inaccuracies. Multidimensional heat transfer has to be properly incorporated into a tabulated chemistry approach. Several potential directions for future work have been outlined.
Lignin-Furanic Rigid Foams: Enhanced Methylene Blue Removal Capacity, Recyclability, and Flame Retardancy
Authors: Duarte Hugo , Brás João , Hassani El Mokhtar Saoudi , Aliaño-Gonzalez María José , Magalhães Solange , Alves Luís , Valente Artur J. M. , Eivazi Alireza , Norgren Magnus , Romano Anabela , Medronho Bruno
Published: November 2024

Worldwide, populations face issues related to water and energy consumption. Water scarcity has intensified globally, particularly in arid and semiarid regions. Projections indicate that by 2030, global water demand will rise by 50%, leading to critical shortages, further intensified by the impacts of climate change. Moreover, wastewater treatment needs further development, given the presence of persistent organic pollutants, such as dyes and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the continuous increase in energy demand and rising prices directly impact households and businesses, highlighting the importance of energy savings through effective building insulation. In this regard, tannin-furanic foams are recognized as promising sustainable foams due to their fire resistance, low thermal conductivity, and high water and chemical stability. In this study, tannin and lignin rigid foams were explored not only for their traditional applications but also as versatile materials suitable for wastewater treatment. Furthermore, a systematic approach demonstrates the complete replacement of the tannin-furan foam phenol source with two lignins that mainly differ in molecular weight and pH, as well as how these parameters affect the rigid foam structure and methylene blue (MB) removal capacity. Alkali-lignin-based foams exhibited notable MB adsorption capacity (220 mg g−1), with kinetic and equilibrium data analysis suggesting a multilayer adsorption process. The prepared foams demonstrated the ability to be recycled for at least five adsorption-desorption cycles and exhibited effective flame retardant properties. When exposed to a butane flame for 5 min, the foams did not release smoke or ignite, nor did they contribute to flame propagation, with the red glow dissipating only 20 s after flame exposure.
Fabrication of Oil-Absorbing Porous Sponges via 3D Electrospinning of Recycled Expanded Polystyrene with Functional Additive
Authors: Kim Taegyun , Kang Seung Min , Kim Kanghyun , Kim Geon Hwee
Published: November 2024

In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) porous sponge capable of oil–water separation was fabricated using recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) through 3D electrospinning, by adding phosphoric acid to the electrospinning solution. The fabrication process was a rapid and efficient single-step process to produce the 3D sponge. In addition, the additive’s concentration was also optimized for oil absorption. The fabricated EPS sponge was highly effective in oil–water separation due to its excellent hydrophobic and oleophilic properties. This demonstrates its potential as a sustainable and efficient absorbent to address ongoing oil pollution issues. Moreover, the performance of the recycled EPS sponge was found to be comparable to that of sponges made from virgin polystyrene, suggesting the feasibility of using recycled materials for the production of high-value products. This research presents an efficient method for fabricating 3D sponges from recycled materials, contributing to environmental protection and resource recycling.
Formulation of Epoxy Prepregs, Synthesization Parameters, and Resin Impregnation Approaches—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Somarathna Yashoda , Herath Madhubhashitha , Epaarachchi Jayantha , Islam Md Mainul
Published: November 2024

Prepregs are resin-impregnated, expensive composites mainly limited to high-end applications within the aeronautical, defense, automotive, and energy sectors. Prepreg technology is mainly protected by trade secrets, resulting in limited studies on prepreg resin matrix development and recent advancements. Three key parameters for epoxy resin matrix development including B-staging, viscosity, and tackiness, and their control strategies are discussed in detail. The B-stage is defined as the partially cured stage of epoxy prepregs and is extremely important for prepreg layup, pot life, and final performances. The three key parameters are interrelated and accurately controlled, and, hence, resin development plays a huge role in the prepreg development process. This review also discusses the measuring techniques of the parameters in detail. Based on the resin impregnation techniques and B-stage control, two approaches are proposed to develop the prepreg resin formulations: conventional resin impregnation and viscosity-controlled resin impregnation. The approaches would be extremely useful, especially for advancing beyond the existing prepreg applications and developing smart materials and functional composites through advanced resin modification strategies.