bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between the Desire for Breast Augmentation and Instagram Engagement: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Young Polish Women
Authors: Skrzypczak Tomasz , Błachnio Klaudia , Górnicki Tomasz , Kmieć Justyna , Ciąder Agnieszka , Biernikiewicz Małgorzata , Majchrowska Marzena , Sobieszczańska Małgorzata , Szymala-Pędzik Małgorzata , Kałka Dariusz
Published: September 2021

The impact of social media on the eagerness to undergo aesthetic breast surgery is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association between Instagram engagement and the willingness to undergo breast augmentation. Women aged between 19–34 years old participated in an online survey. Of the 1560 respondents, 1226 (78.59%) met the inclusion criteria. BMI, bra type, bra cup size, education, and level of activity on Instagram increased the willingness to undergo breast augmentation (OR = 1.520, p = 0.020). Moreover, concurrent Snapchat use (OR = 1.348, p = 0.024) and the number of published posts on a respondent’s Instagram accounts (reference, n > 26; 0 < n ≤ 26; OR = 0.708, p = 0.009; lack of posts (n = 0): OR = 0.702, p = 0.155) were significant drivers of the respondents’ willingness. Fashion (OR = 0.730, p = 0.021), design/architecture (OR = 0.730, p = 0.022), and models (OR = 0.623, p = 0.004) were the searched content categories that increased the desire for breast augmentation. Positive and negative feeling scores that were triggered by Instagram content were correlated with BREAST-Q scores. We concluded that Instagram is a commonly used social network service among young women, and it may drive a desire for breast augmentation. Further analyses of Instagram preferences may help assess the willingness to undergo breast surgery, and in turn assist in tailoring marketing campaigns.
Housing Instability and Depression among US Mothers Following a Nonmarital Birth
Authors: Oh Sehun , Zapcic Ian , Vaughn Michael G. , Salas-Wright Christopher P. , Kim Yeonwoo
Published: September 2021

Mothers who had a nonmarital birth experience multiple risk factors for depression, including housing instability. Yet, important questions remain about the extent of long-term housing instability and its association with future depression among at-risk mothers. Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data, we examine cumulative housing instability over a 15-year period following nonmarital birth and its association with maternal depression. Based on a sample of 2279 mothers who had a nonmarital birth in 20 major US cities between 1998–2000, we examined their 15-year residential moves and housing arrangements. Then, we tested the associations between the cumulative residential moves and major depressive episodes (MDE) in Year 15 using logistic regression analysis. One in every four mothers had six or more residential moves in 15 years following a nonmarital birth. For each additional move, mothers reported up to 27.9% higher odds of having a past-year MDE in Year 15, translating into the prevalence increases from 6.0% (zero move) to 20.6% (10 moves). Our findings suggest that greater attention should be paid to housing needs among mothers following a nonmarital birth, including temporary housing assistance and more fundamental programs to reduce housing instability as preventive mental health services.
“Help in a Heartbeat?”: A Systematic Evaluation of Mobile Health Applications (Apps) for Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Mack Chiara , Terhorst Yannik , Stephan Mirjam , Baumeister Harald , Stach Michael , Messner Eva-Maria , Bengel Jürgen , Sander Lasse B.
Published: September 2021

For patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) lifestyle changes and disease management are key aspects of treatment that could be facilitated by mobile health applications (MHA). However, the quality and functions of MHA for CHD are largely unknown, since reviews are missing. Therefore, this study assessed the general characteristics, quality, and functions of MHA for CHD. Hereby, the Google Play and Apple App stores were systematically searched using a web crawler. The general characteristics and quality of MHA were rated with the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) by two independent raters. From 3078 identified MHA, 38 met the pre-defined criteria and were included in the assessment. Most MHA were affiliated with commercial companies (52.63%) and lacked an evidence-base. An overall average quality of MHA (M = 3.38, SD = 0.36) was found with deficiencies in information quality and engagement. The most common functions were provision of information and CHD risk score calculators. Further functions included reminders (e.g., for medication or exercises), feedback, and health management support. Most MHA (81.58%) had one or two functions and MHA with more features had mostly higher MARS ratings. In summary, this review demonstrated that a number of potentially helpful MHA for patients with CHD are commercially available. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence documenting their usability and clinical potential. Since it is difficult for patients and healthcare providers to find suitable and high-quality MHA, databases with professionally reviewed MHA are required.
Associations of Emotional Behavior with Nutritional Status and Lifestyle Habits among Schoolchildren Aged 5–10 Years in Sri Lanka
Authors: Shinsugi Chisa , Gunasekara Deepa , Takimoto Hidemi
Published: September 2021

We aimed to examine the relationships of lifestyle habits and nutritional status with emotional behavior among schoolchildren in Sri Lanka. Five hundred and eight schoolchildren (195 boys and 313 girls) aged 5–10 years were included. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Nutritional status was used for body mass index-for-age z-score. Breakfast consumption, daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), wake-up time, and bedtime were considered lifestyle habits. The mean total difficulties score ± standard deviation was 12.0 ± 5.3, and the mean prosocial behavior score was 7.4 ± 1.9. In total, 89.2% children ate breakfast, and 41.3% engaged in at least 60 min of MVPA per day. After adjustment for confounding factors, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that breakfast skipping was associated with high scores on conduct problems (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50 to 5.77, p < 0.01) and that late bedtime was related to low prosocial behavior scores (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.17 to 5.03, p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that promoting regular lifestyle habits helps reduce psychological difficulties in schoolchildren. However, further research, including longitudinal studies, are required to identify the mechanism underlying this relationship.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Metabolic Syndrome by Age and Gender in a Spanish Working Population
Authors: Abbate Manuela , Pericas Jordi , Yañez Aina M. , López-González Angel A. , De Pedro-Gómez Joan , Aguilo Antoni , Morales-Asencio José M. , Bennasar-Veny Miquel
Published: September 2021

Lower socio-economic status (SES) is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence, possibly affecting women more than men, although evidence in Spain is still limited. The present cross-sectional study analyzed the association between MS and SES by age and gender among 42,146 working adults living in the Balearic Islands (Spain). Prevalence was higher in men (9.4% by ATP-III; 12.3% by IDF) than women (3.8% by ATP-III; 5.7% by IDF) and in the lower social class (7.9% by ATP-III; 10.7% by IDF) than the higher (4.1% by ATP-III; 5.9% by IDF). The SES gradient in MS prevalence was larger in women (PR 95% CI: 3.38, 2.50–4.58 by ATP-III; 3.06, 2.43–3.86 by IDF) than in men (1.23, 1.06–1.41 by ATP-III; 1.15, 1.03–1.30 by IDF) and was already evident from early adulthood, reaching the highest ratio at the late stages of middle adulthood (4.34, 1.11–16.98). Among men, it was significant during the late stages of early adulthood only (1.80, 1.19–2.73). Lower SES influenced MS prevalence in both genders, however, women seemed more affected than men. From a public health perspective, SES could be strongly associated with the burden of MS; in an effort to reduce its prevalence, public health policies should focus on gender differences in socio-economic inequality and consider women with low socio-economic resources as a priority.
Safety, Feasibility, and Impact of Enalapril on Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Health in Preterm Infants with Systemic Hypertension and Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Stanford Amy H. , Reyes Melanie , Rios Danielle R. , Giesinger Regan E. , Jetton Jennifer G. , Bischoff Adrianne R. , McNamara Patrick J.
Published: September 2021

Neonatal hypertension has been increasingly recognized in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); of note, a sub-population of these infants may have impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, warranting timely treatment to minimize long term repercussions. In this case series, enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, was started in neonates with systemic hypertension and echocardiography signs of LV diastolic dysfunction. A total of 11 patients were included with birth weight of 785 ± 239 grams and gestational age of 25.3 (24, 26.1) weeks. Blood pressure improvement was noticed within 2 weeks of treatment. Improvement in LV diastolic function indices were observed with a reduction in Isovolumic Relaxation Time (IVRT) from 63.1 ± 7.2 to 50.9 ± 7.4 msec and improvement in the left atrium size indexed to aorta (LA:Ao) from1.73 (1.43, 1.88) to 1.23 (1.07, 1.29). Neonatal systemic hypertension is often underappreciated in ex-preterm infants and may be associated with important maladaptive cardiac changes with long term implications. It is biologically plausible that identifying and treating LV diastolic dysfunction in neonates with systemic hypertension may have a positive modulator effect on cardiovascular health in childhood and beyond.
Reliability of the Preliminary OMERACT Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis MRI Score (OMERACT JAMRIS-SIJ)
Authors: Otobo Tarimobo M. , Herregods Nele , Jaremko Jacob L. , Sudol-Szopinska Iwona , Maksymowych Walter P. , Meyers Arthur B. , Weiss Pamela , Tse Shirley , Paschke Joel , Moineddin Rahim , Haroon Nigil , Tzaribachev Nikolay , Appenzeller Simone , Papakonstantinou Olympia , Kirkhus Eva , van Rossum Marion A. J. , Carrino John , Conaghan Philip G. , Tolend Mirkamal , Stimec Jennifer , Jans Lennart , Lambert Robert G. , Rumsey Dax , Doria Andrea S.
Published: September 2021

This study reports the reliability of the juvenile idiopathic arthritis magnetic resonance imaging scoring system (JAMRIS-SIJ). The study comprised of eight raters—two rheumatologists and six radiologists—and 30 coronal T1 and Short-Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) MRI scans of patients with enthesitis-related juvenile spondylarthritis. The median age of patients was 15 years with a mean disease duration of 5 years and 22 (73.3%) of the sample were boys. The inter-rater agreement of scores for each of the JAMRIS-SIJ items was calculated using a two-way random effect, absolute agreement, and single rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1). The ICC was interpreted together with kurtosis, since the ICC is also affected by the distribution of scores in the sample. The eight-rater, single measure inter-rater ICC (and kurtosis) values for JAMRIS-SIJ inflammation and damage components were the following: bone marrow edema (BME), 0.76 (1.2); joint space inflammation, 0.60 (1.8); capsulitis, 0.58 (9.2); enthesitis, 0.20 (0.1); ankylosis, 0.89 (35); sclerosis, 0.53 (4.6); erosion, 0.50 (6.5); fat lesion, 0.40 (21); backfill, 0.38 (38). The inter-rater reliability for BME and ankylosis scores was good and met the a priori set ICC threshold, whereas for the other items it was variable and below the selected threshold. Future directives should focus on refinement of the scores, definitions, and methods of interpretation prior to validation of the JAMRIS-SIJ through the assessment of its measurement properties.
The Prevalence of β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies in Kuwaiti Premarital Screening Program: An 11-Year Experience
Authors: Rouh AlDeen Najat , Osman Asmaa A , Alhabashi Monira J , Al Khaldi Rasha , Alawadi Hassan , Alromh Maha K , Alyafai Eiman G , Akbulut-Jeradi Nagihan
Published: September 2021

This study aims to estimate the prevalence rates of β-thalassemia and Sickle cell disorders in the adult population screened (n = 275,819) as part of the Kuwaiti National Premarital Screening Program. All the individuals who applied for a marriage license during the years 2009 and 2020 were covered by the program. A network of four reception centers in the Ministry of Health facilities and one Premarital Diagnostic Laboratory (PDL) in Maternity Hospital were involved in performing all investigations for hemoglobinopathies. The total number of individuals identified with β-thal trait was 5861 (2.12%), while 22 individuals (0.008%) were diagnosed with β-thal disease. A total of 5003 subjects (1.81%) were carrying the Sickle cell trait, while 172 subjects (0.062%) had Sickle cell disease including Sickle cell anemia (SCA). Results showed that the program succeeded indeed in preventing the marriage of 50.4% of risky couples by issuing unsafe marriage certificates. Yet more efforts are needed to improve the program’s main objective of decreasing high-risk marriages. In particular, health care systems should be ameliorated in a way to intensify the counselling mechanism for the high-risk couples, strengthen the awareness of the general population and induce earlier age screening policies.
A Wind Tunnel Experimental Study of Icing on NACA0012 Aircraft Airfoil with Silicon Compounds Modified Polyurethane Coatings
Authors: Przybyszewski Bartlomiej , Kozera Rafal , Krawczyk Zuzanna D. , Boczkowska Anna , Dolatabadi Ali , Amer Adham , Sztorch Bogna , Przekop Robert E.
Published: September 2021

Ice formation on the aerodynamic surfaces of an aircraft is regarded as a major problem in the aerospace industry. Ice accumulation may damage parts, sensors and controllers and alter the aerodynamics of the airplane, leading to a range of undesired consequences, including flight delays, emergency landings, damaged parts and increased energy consumption. There are various approaches to reducing ice accretion, one of them being the application of icephobic coatings. In this work, commercially available polyurethane-based coatings were modified and deposited on NACA 0012 aircraft airfoils. A hybrid modification of polyurethane (PUR) topcoats was adopted by the addition of nanosilica and three-functional spherosilicates (a variety of silsesqioxane compound), which owe their unique properties to the presence of three different groups. The ice accretion on the manufactured nanocomposites was determined in an icing wind tunnel. The tests were performed under three different icing conditions: glaze ice, rime ice and mixed ice. Furthermore, the surface topography and wetting behavior (static contact angle and contact angle hysteresis) were investigated. It was found that the anti-icing properties of polyurethane nanocomposite coatings strongly depend on the icing conditions under which they are tested. Moreover, the addition of nanosilica and spherosilicates enabled the reduction of accreted ice by 65% in comparison to the neat topcoat.
Pilot Demonstration of Hot Sheet Metal Forming Using 3D Printed Dies
Authors: Pujante Jaume , González Borja , Garcia-Llamas Eduard
Published: September 2021

Since the popularization of press hardening in the early noughties, die and tooling systems have experienced considerable advances, with tool refrigeration as an important focus. However, it is still complicated to obtain homogeneous cooling and avoid hot spot issues in complex geometries. Additive Manufacturing allows designing cavities inside the material volume with little limitation in terms of channel intersection or bore entering and exit points. In this sense, this technology is a natural fit for obtaining surface-conforming cooling channels: an attractive prospect for refrigerated tools. This work describes a pilot experience in 3D-printed press hardening tools, comparing the performance of additive manufactured Maraging steel 1.2709 to conventional wrought hot work tool steel H13 on two different metrics: durability and thermal performance. For the first, wear studies were performed in a controlled pilot plant environment after 800 hot stamping strokes in an omega tool configuration. On the second, a demonstrator tool based on a commercial tool with hot spot issues, was produced by 3D printing including surface-conformal cooling channels. This tool was then used in a pilot press hardening line, in which tool temperature was analyzed and compared to an equivalent tool produced by conventional means. Results show that the Additive Manufacturing technologies can be successfully applied to the production of press hardening dies, particularly in intricate geometries where new cooling channel design strategies offer a solution for hot spots and inhomogeneous thermal loads.
Fibers of Thermoplastic Copolyamides with Carbon Nanotubes for Electromagnetic Shielding Applications
Authors: Latko-Durałek Paulina , Bertasius Povilas , Macutkevic Jan , Banys Juras , Boczkowska Anna
Published: September 2021

Polymer composites containing carbon nanofillers are extensively developed for electromagnetic shielding applications, where lightweight and flexible materials are required. One example of the microwave absorbers can be thermoplastic fibers fabricated from copolyamide hot melt adhesives and 7 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, as presented in this paper. A broadband dielectric spectroscopy confirmed that the addition of carbon nanotubes significantly increased microwave electrical properties of the thin (diameter about 100 μm) thermoplastic fibers. Moreover, the dielectric properties are improved for the thicker fibers, and they are almost stable at the frequency range 26–40 GHz and not dependent on the temperature. The variances in the dielectric properties of the fibers are associated with the degree of orientation of carbon nanotubes and the presence of bundles, which were examined using a high-resolution scanning microscope. Analyzing the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite fibers, as an effect of the carbon nanotubes addition, an improvement in the stiffness of the fibers was observed, together with a decrease in the fibers’ elongation and tensile strength.
Accelerated Aging Behavior in Alkaline Environments of GFRP Reinforcing Bars and Their Bond with Concrete
Authors: Rolland Arnaud , Benzarti Karim , Quiertant Marc , Chataigner Sylvain
Published: September 2021

This study investigates the durability of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars (rebars) and their bond in concrete. Accelerated aging tests were first conducted on bare rebars that were either subjected to direct immersion in an alkaline solution or previously embedded in concrete before immersion in the solution (indirect immersion). Accelerated aging was conducted at different temperatures of the solution (20 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C) and for various periods up to 240 days. Residual tensile properties were determined for rebars subjected to direct immersion and served as input data of a predictive Arrhenius model. A large decrease in the residual tensile strength assigned to the alkali-attack of glass fibers was extrapolated in the long term, suggesting that direct immersion is very severe compared to actual service conditions. Short-beam tests were also performed on rebars conditioned under direct/indirect immersion conditions, but did not reveal any significant evolution of the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). In a second part, bond tests were performed on pull-out specimens after immersion in the alkaline solution at different temperatures, in order to assess possible changes in the concrete/GFRP bond properties over aging. Results showed antagonistic effects, with an initial increase in bond strength assigned to a confinement effect of the rebar resulting from changes in the concrete properties over aging, followed by a decreasing trend possibly resulting from interfacial degradation. Complementary characterizations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were also carried out to evaluate the effects of aging on the physical/microstructural properties of GFRPs.
Doppler Ultrasonography of the Fetal Tibial Artery in High-Risk Pregnancy and Its Value in Predicting and Monitoring Fetal Hypoxia in IUGR Fetuses
Authors: Norvilaitė Kristina , Ramašauskaitė Diana , Bartkevičienė Daiva , Žaliūnas Bronius , Kurmanavičius Juozas
Published: September 2021

Background and Objectives: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the term used to describe a fetus whose estimated weight is less than the 10th percentile of its age growth curve. IUGR is the second most common cause of perinatal death. In many cases there is a deficiency in the standardization of optimal management, prenatal follow-up and timing of delivery. Doppler examination is the most sensitive test that can assess the condition of the fetus and indicate fetal intrauterine hypoxia. Numerous studies of the fetal intrauterine state focus on the umbilical artery and the fetal cerebral blood vessels, while the peripheral arteries have so far received insufficient attention. Materials and Methods: We present a case of an IUGR fetus monitored with a non-stress test (NST) and a Doppler examination of the fetal arteries (tibial, umbilical, middle cerebral and uterine) and the ductus venosus. In this case the first early sign of fetal hypoxia was revealed by blood flow changes in the tibial artery. Results: We hypothesize that peripheral vascular changes (in the tibial artery) may more accurately reflect the onset of deterioration in the condition of the IUGR fetus, such that peripheral blood flow monitoring ought to be employed along with other techniques already in use. Conclusion: This paper describes the clinical presentation of an early detection of late IUGR hypoxia and claims that blood flow changes in the tibial artery signal the worsening of the fetus’s condition.
Immediate Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Knee Extensor Tendon Stiffness in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients
Authors: Tsai Shih-Ting , Li Cyuan-Fong , Chi Kai-Chiao , Ko Li-Wei , Stevenson Cory , Chen Yi-Jen , Chen Chia-Hsin
Published: September 2021

Background and Objectives: Whole body vibration is widely used to enhance muscle performance, but evidence of its effects on the tendon stiffness of the knee extensor tendon in stroke remains inconclusive. Our study was aimed to determine the difference in patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs in stroke patients and to investigate the immediate effect of whole body vibration on tendon stiffness. Materials and Methods: The patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness of first-ever hemiplegic stroke patients was evaluated with elastography to compare the differences between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs. After one 20 min session of whole body vibration exercise in the standing position, tendon stiffness was again measured to evaluate the immediate effects of whole body vibration on tendon stiffness. Results: The results showed no significant differences in the tendon stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs. However, significant associations were found between the tendon stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons and knee extensor spasticity on the hemiparetic side (ρ = 0.62; p = 0.044). There were no significant changes in tendon stiffness after a single session of whole body vibration. Conclusions: In conclusion, knee extensor tendon stiffness in hemiparetic limbs is positively correlated to the degree of knee extensor spasticity in stroke patients. However, a single session of whole body vibration does not alter tendon stiffness.
Ultrasound Imaging in Sport-Related Muscle Injuries: Pitfalls and Opportunities
Authors: Paoletta Marco , Moretti Antimo , Liguori Sara , Snichelotto Francesco , Menditto Ilaria , Toro Giuseppe , Gimigliano Francesca , Iolascon Giovanni
Published: September 2021

Muscle injuries occur frequently in athletes, accounting for more than one-third of sport-related trauma. Athletes most affected by these injuries are those practicing football and track and field, with hamstrings and gastrocnemius-soleus as the mainly involved sites. Muscle injuries lead to loss of competitions, long recovery times and risk of re-injury with a consequent increase of the management costs. It is therefore advisable to make an accurate and timely diagnosis to establish appropriate interventions for proper healing in the shortest time. In this context, ultrasound imaging is widely used for diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders because of several advantages including absence of radiation, portability, good spatial resolution, and the ability to perform dynamic tests. The aim of this review is to address the role of US in the evaluation of athletes with muscle injuries. US may play a pivotal role for the management of sport-related muscle injuries because it is fast and relatively cheap, allowing dynamic muscle assessment and time series evaluation of the healing process.
Reactors for Process Intensification: Recent Advances and Key Applications
Authors: Alique David
Published: September 2021

Coupling industrial development and environmental protection is one of the most important challenges for the coming years [...]
Possibilities of Additive Technologies for the Manufacturing of Tooling from Corrosion-Resistant Steels in Order to Protect Parts Surfaces from Thermochemical Treatment
Authors: Metel Alexander , Tarasova Tatiana , Gutsaliuk Evgenii , Khmyrov Roman , Egorov Sergei , Grigoriev Sergey
Published: September 2021

The structure and physical–mechanical properties of products made from powders of corrosion-resistant steel 12X18H10T by the laser-beam powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) and subsequent ion-plasma nitriding in the work were investigated. Comparative studies of the physical mechanical properties of specimens made by the LB-PBF and conventional method from steel of the same grade were carried out. The density of the specimens and the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) after the LB-PBF are almost the same as those of the conventionally manufactured specimens. Our analysis of the obtained dilatograms in the temperature range from 20 to 600 °C showed that the CLTE of steel after the LB-PBF is within acceptable limits (18.6 × 10−6 1/°C). Their hardness, tensile strength, yield strength and elongation are higher than those of a conventionally manufactured specimen. The phase composition and structure of specimens of steel 12X18H10T made by the LB-PBF after the process of ion-plasma nitriding were investigated. The obtained results show that the mode of ion-plasma nitriding used in this case (stage 1—570 °C for 36 h; stage 2—540 °C for 12 h) does not lead to deterioration of the characteristics of the selected steel. A technological process for the manufacture of modified tooling from 12X18H10T steel by the LB-PBF was developed. It protects the surfaces that are not subject to nitriding and makes it possible to obtain a uniform high-quality nitrided layer on the working surface of the part made from spheroidal graphite iron.
High-Entropy Alloys Properties Prediction Model by Using Artificial Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Choi Sanggyu , Yi Sung , Kim Junghan , Shin Byungsue , Hyun Soongkeun
Published: September 2021

A new approach method has been studied for the efficient and accurate prediction of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) properties. The artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm was employed to predict the mechanical properties such as yield strength, microstructure, and elongation of the alloy by training from the mole fraction and post-process information that has an influence on the mechanical properties. The mean error rate of prediction for the yield strength was 19.6%. Microstructure predictions were consistent for all test data. On the other hand, the ANN model trained only with mole fraction data had a yield strength prediction error of 33.9%. Omission of post-process data caused a decrease in the accuracy. In addition, the prediction was performed with the lasso regression model in the same way. The mean error rate of the lasso model trained with only a mole fraction was 26.1%. The lasso model trained with a mole fraction and post-process data had a yield strength prediction error of 31.1%. The linear regression equation showed limitations, as the accuracy decreased as the number of independent variables increased. As there are more variables affecting metal properties, the ANN approach is more advantageous, and the more data there are, the more accuracy increases, making it possible to design HEAs alloys that are simpler and more efficient than conventional methods. This approach predicted HEAs properties using only mole fraction and post-processing information, without the need to use conventional physicochemical theories or perform derived complex calculations.
Metabolomics Reveals That Bisphenol Pollutants Impair Protein Synthesis-Related Pathways in Daphnia magna
Authors: Oliveira Pereira Erico A. , Labine Lisa M. , Kleywegt Sonya , Jobst Karl J. , Simpson André J. , Simpson Myrna J.
Published: September 2021

Bisphenols are used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been widely studied and is believed to act as an endocrine disruptor. Bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) have increasingly been employed as replacements for BPA, although previous studies suggested that they yield similar physiological responses to several organisms. Daphnia magna is a common model organism for ecotoxicology and was exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of BPA, BPF, and BPS to investigate disruption to metabolic profiles. Targeted metabolite analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to measure polar metabolites extracted from D. magna, which are linked to a range of biochemical pathways. Multivariate analyses and individual metabolite changes showed similar non-monotonic concentration responses for all three bisphenols (BPA, BPF, and BPS). Pathway analyses indicated the perturbation of similar and distinct pathways, mostly associated with protein synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. Overall, we observed responses that can be linked to a chemical class (bisphenols) as well as distinct responses that can be related to each individual bisphenol type (A, F, and S). These findings further demonstrate the need for using metabolomic analyses in exposure assessment, especially for chemicals within the same class which may disrupt the biochemistry uniquely at the molecular-level.
Metabolic Tumor Microenvironment Characterization of Contrast Enhancing Brain Tumors Using Physiologic MRI
Authors: Stadlbauer Andreas , Marhold Franz , Oberndorfer Stefan , Heinz Gertraud , Zimmermann Max , Buchfelder Michael , Heynold Elisabeth , Kinfe Thomas M.
Published: September 2021

The tumor microenvironment is a critical regulator of cancer development and progression as well as treatment response and resistance in brain neoplasms. The available techniques for investigation, however, are not well suited for noninvasive in vivo characterization in humans. A total of 120 patients (59 females; 61 males) with newly diagnosed contrast-enhancing brain tumors (64 glioblastoma, 20 brain metastases, 15 primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas (PCNSLs), and 21 meningiomas) were examined with a previously established physiological MRI protocol including quantitative blood-oxygen-level-dependent imaging and vascular architecture mapping. Six MRI biomarker maps for oxygen metabolism and neovascularization were fused for classification of five different tumor microenvironments: glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), hypoxia with/without neovascularization, and necrosis. Glioblastoma showed the highest metabolic heterogeneity followed by brain metastasis with a glycolysis-to-OxPhos ratio of approximately 2:1 in both tumor entities. In addition, glioblastoma revealed a significant higher percentage of hypoxia (24%) compared to all three other brain tumor entities: brain metastasis (7%; p < 0.001), PCNSL (8%; p = 0.001), and meningioma (8%; p = 0.003). A more aggressive biological brain tumor behavior was associated with a higher percentage of hypoxia and necrosis and a lower percentage of remaining vital tumor tissue and aerobic glycolysis. The proportion of oxidative phosphorylation, however, was rather similar (17–26%) for all four brain tumor entities. Tumor microenvironment (TME) mapping provides insights into neurobiological differences of contrast-enhancing brain tumors and deserves further clinical cancer research attention. Although there is a long roadmap ahead, TME mapping may become useful in order to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Yellow Emissive Tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) Aluminum by the Incorporation of ZnO Quantum Dots for OLED Applications
Authors: Makki Aya Hekmet , Park Si-Hyun
Published: September 2021

Tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum complexes are of significant interest because of their remarkable optical and electrical properties, both as an emissive layer and electron injection layer. They emit light in the blue and green ranges of the visible spectrum, so for white organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), yellow emission is required as well. In this study, we propose the use of zinc oxide quantum dots to tune the emission color of the complex while maintaining its luminous efficiency. Hence, tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum-zinc oxide nanohybrids with different zinc oxide quantum dots concentrations (10, 20, or 30 wt.%) were synthesized. The structural properties were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction analysis, while the composition and optical characteristics were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence emission spectroscopy. The results show that increased levels of zinc oxide quantum dots lead to a decrease in crystallinity, double hump emission and a slight red shift in emission peaks. Also, at 20 and 30 wt.% of zinc oxide quantum dots concentrations, yellow emission was observed.
Study on Cross-Coupled-Based Sensing Circuits for Nonvolatile Flip-Flops Operating in Near/Subthreshold Voltage Region
Authors: Na Taehui
Published: September 2021

To date, most studies focus on complex designs to realize offset cancelation characteristics in nonvolatile flip-flops (NV-FFs). However, complex designs using switches are ineffective for offset cancelation in the near/subthreshold voltage region because switches become critical contributors to the offset voltage. To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel cross-coupled NMOS-based sensing circuit (CCN-SC) capable of improving the restore yield, based on the concept that the simplest is the best, of an NV-FF operating in the near/subthreshold voltage region. Measurement results using a 65 nm test chip demonstrate that with the proposed CCN-SC, the restore yield is increased by more than 25 times at a supply voltage of 0.35 V, compared to that with a cross-coupled inverter-based SC, at the cost of 18× higher power consumption.
Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on Internal Residual Stresses of Hydrogen-Resistant Steel
Authors: Shang Fengxiang , Kong Jinxing , Du Dongxing , Zhang Zheng , Li Yunhua
Published: September 2021

To reduce the influence of internal residual stress on the processing deformation of thin-walled hydrogen-resistant steel components, combined aging cryogenic and high-temperature treatment was used to eliminate the residual stress, and the effect of cryogenic process parameters on the initial residual stress of the specimens was compared and analyzed based on the contour method. X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to research the mechanism of the effect of cryogenic treatment on the internal residual stress of the specimen. After forging, the internal residual stress distribution of the hydrogen-resistant steel specimens without aging was characterized by tensile stress on the core and compressive stress on both sides, with a stress amplitude of −350–270 MPa. After compound treatment of −130 °C for 10 h and 350 °C for 2 h, the internal residual stress distribution remained unchanged, and the stresses decreased to −150–100 MPa. The internal residual stresses were reduced by 57–63% compared with the untreated specimens. The cryogenic treatment did not cause phase transformation and carbide precipitation of the hydrogen-resistant steel material. Instead, grain refinement and dislocation density depletion were the main reasons for the reduction in internal residual stresses in the specimens.
Integrated Fabrication of Novel Inkjet-Printed Silver Nanoparticle Sensors on Carbon Fiber Reinforced Nylon Composites
Authors: Karaş Büşra , Beedasy Vimanyu , Leong Zhaoyuan , Morley Nicola A. , Mumtaz Kamran , Smith Patrick J.
Published: September 2021

Inkjet-printing technology enables the contactless deposition of functional materials such as conductive inks on surfaces, hence reducing contamination and the risk of substrate damage. In printed electronics, inkjet technology offers the significant advantage of controlling the volume of material deposited, and therefore the fine-tuning of the printed geometry, which is crucial for the performance of the final printed electronics. Inkjet printing of functional inks can be used to produce sensors to detect failure of mechanical structures such as carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC) components, instead of using attached sensors, which are subject to delamination. Here, silver nanoparticle-based strain sensors were embedded directly in an insulated carbon-fiber laminate by using inkjet printing to achieve an optimized conductive and adhesive geometry, forming a piezoresistive strain sensor. Following the inkjet-printing optimization process, the sensor conductivity and adhesion performance were evaluated. Finally, the sensor was quantified by using a bending rig which applied a pre-determined strain, with the response indicating an accurate sensitivity as the resistance increased with an increased strain. The ability to embed the sensor directly on the CFRC prevents the use of interfacial adhesives which is the main source of failure due to delamination.
Toxics or Lures? Biological and Behavioral Effects of Plant Essential Oils on Tephritidae Fruit Flies
Authors: Zeni Valeria , Benelli Giovanni , Campolo Orlando , Giunti Giulia , Palmeri Vincenzo , Maggi Filippo , Rizzo Roberto , Lo Verde Gabriella , Lucchi Andrea , Canale Angelo
Published: September 2021

The family Tephritidae (Diptera) includes species that are highly invasive and harmful to crops. Due to globalization, international trade, and human displacement, their spread is continuously increasing. Unfortunately, the control of tephritid flies is still closely linked to the use of synthetic insecticides, which are responsible for detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Recently, research is looking for alternative and more eco-friendly tools to be adopted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. In this regard, essential oils (EOs) and their main compounds represent a promising alternative to chemical insecticides. EOs are made up of phytoconstituents formed from the secondary metabolism of many plants and can act as attractants or toxics, depending on the dose. Because of this unique characteristic, EOs and their main constituents are promising tools that can be used both in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs and in the “lure and kill” technique, exploiting the attractiveness of the product in the former case and its toxicity in the latter. In this article, current knowledge on the biological and behavioral effects of EOs and their main constituents on tephritid fruit flies is reviewed, mainly focusing on species belonging to the Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, and Zeugodacus genera. The mechanisms of action of EOs, their real-world applications, and challenges related to their use in IPM are critically discussed.
Network Pharmacology-Based Study to Uncover Potential Pharmacological Mechanisms of Korean Thistle (Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum.) Flower against Cancer
Authors: Oh Ki-Kwang , Adnan Md. , Cho Dong-Ha
Published: September 2021

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum. or Korean thistle flower is a herbal plant used to treat tumors in Korean folk remedies, but its essential bioactives and pharmacological mechanisms against cancer have remained unexplored. This study identified the main compounds(s) and mechanism(s) of the C. maackii flower against cancer via network pharmacology. The bioactives from the C. maackii flower were revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS), and SwissADME evaluated their physicochemical properties. Next, target(s) associated with the obtained bioactives or cancer-related targets were retrieved by public databases, and the Venn diagram selected the overlapping targets. The networks between overlapping targets and bioactives were visualized, constructed, and analyzed by RPackage. Finally, we implemented a molecular docking test (MDT) to explore key target(s) and compound(s) on AutoDockVina and LigPlot+. GC-MS detected a total of 34 bioactives and all were accepted by Lipinski’s rules and therefore classified as drug-like compounds (DLCs). A total of 597 bioactive-related targets and 4245 cancer-related targets were identified from public databases. The final 51 overlapping targets were selected between the bioactive targets network and cancer-related targets. With Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, a total of 20 signaling pathways were manifested, and a hub signaling pathway (PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), a key target (Akt1), and a key compound (Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester) were selected among the 20 signaling pathways via MDT. Overall, Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester from the C. maackii flower has potent anti-cancer efficacy by inactivating Akt1 on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
Controlled Drug Delivery Systems: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Adepu Shivakalyani , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: September 2021

The drug delivery system enables the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to achieve a desired therapeutic response. Conventional drug delivery systems (tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, etc.) suffer from poor bioavailability and fluctuations in plasma drug level and are unable to achieve sustained release. Without an efficient delivery mechanism, the whole therapeutic process can be rendered useless. Moreover, the drug has to be delivered at a specified controlled rate and at the target site as precisely as possible to achieve maximum efficacy and safety. Controlled drug delivery systems are developed to combat the problems associated with conventional drug delivery. There has been a tremendous evolution in controlled drug delivery systems from the past two decades ranging from macro scale and nano scale to intelligent targeted delivery. The initial part of this review provides a basic understanding of drug delivery systems with an emphasis on the pharmacokinetics of the drug. It also discusses the conventional drug delivery systems and their limitations. Further, controlled drug delivery systems are discussed in detail with the design considerations, classifications and drawings. In addition, nano-drug delivery, targeted and smart drug delivery using stimuli-responsive and intelligent biomaterials is discussed with recent key findings. The paper concludes with the challenges faced and future directions in controlled drug delivery.
Pharmaceuticals and Their Main Metabolites in Treated Sewage Sludge and Sludge-Amended Soil: Availability and Sorption Behaviour
Authors: Martín Julia , Mejías Carmen , Santos Juan Luis , Aparicio Irene , Alonso Esteban
Published: September 2021

This work evaluated the availability and sorption behaviour of four pharmaceuticals and eight of their metabolites in sewage sludge and sludge-amended soil. Digested sludge and compost were evaluated. The highest levels found in digested sludge corresponded to caffeine (up to 115 ng g−1 dm), ibuprofen (45 ng g−1 dm) and carbamazepine (9.3 ng g−1 dm). The concentrations measured in compost were even lower than in digested sludge. No compound was detected in sludge-amended soils. This fact could be due to the dilution effect after sludge application to soil. Different adsorption capacities in sludge–soil mixtures were measured for the studied compounds at the same spike concentration. In general, except for paraxanthine and 3-hydroxycarbamazepine, the metabolite concentrations measured in the mixtures were almost two-fold lower than those of their parent compounds, which can be explained by their mobility and lixiviation tendency. The log Kd ranged from −1.55 to 1.71 in sludge samples and from −0.29 to 1.18 in soil–sludge mixtures. The log Kd values calculated for compost were higher than those calculated for digested sludge. The obtained results implied that the higher organic carbon content of compost could influence soil contamination when it is applied to soil.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel 1,2,6-Thiadiazinone Kinase Inhibitors as Potent Inhibitors of Solid Tumors
Authors: Kalogirou Andreas S. , East Michael P. , Laitinen Tuomo , Torrice Chad D. , Maffuid Kaitlyn A. , Drewry David H. , Koutentis Panayiotis A. , Johnson Gary L. , Crona Daniel J. , Asquith Christopher R. M.
Published: September 2021

A focused series of substituted 4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-ones was designed and synthesized to probe the anti-cancer properties of this scaffold. Insights from previous kinase inhibitor programs were used to carefully select several different substitution patterns. Compounds were tested on bladder, prostate, pancreatic, breast, chordoma, and lung cancer cell lines with an additional skin fibroblast cell line as a toxicity control. This resulted in the identification of several low single digit micro molar compounds with promising therapeutic windows, particularly for bladder and prostate cancer. A number of key structural features of the 4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-one scaffold are discussed that show promising scope for future improvement.
Effect of Content and Size of Reinforcements on the Grain Evolution of Graphene-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites
Authors: Wu Qi , Cai Pengfei , Long Lianchun
Published: September 2021

Graphene-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (GRAMCs) attract great interest in industries due to their high performance potential. High-temperature processes such as sintering and aging are usually applied during the preparation of GRAMCs, leading to grain coarsening that significantly influences its properties. In this work, a modified 3D Monte Carlo Potts model was proposed to investigate the effect of content and size of graphene on the grain evolution during the heat treatment of GRAMCs. Grain growth with graphene contents from 0.5 wt.% to 4.5 wt.% and sizes from 5 μm to 15 μm were simulated. The grain growth process, final grain size and morphology of the microstructure were predicted. The results indicated that both the content and size of the reinforcements had an impact on the grain evolution. The pinning effect of grain size can be enhanced by increasing the content and decreasing the size of graphene. Agglomeration and self-contacting phenomena of the graphene arose obviously when the contents and sizes were relatively high. The average grain size decreased by 48.77% when the content increased from 0.5 wt.% to 4.5 wt.%. The proposed method and predicted regulations can provide a reference for the design and fabrication of GRAMCs.