bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Full-Body HPE for Activity Recognition from RGB Frames Only
Authors: Neili Boualia Sameh , Essoukri Ben Amara Najoua
Published: January 2021

Human Pose Estimation (HPE) is defined as the problem of human joints’ localization (also known as keypoints: elbows, wrists, etc.) in images or videos. It is also defined as the search for a specific pose in space of all articulated joints. HPE has recently received significant attention from the scientific community. The main reason behind this trend is that pose estimation is considered as a key step for many computer vision tasks. Although many approaches have reported promising results, this domain remains largely unsolved due to several challenges such as occlusions, small and barely visible joints, and variations in clothing and lighting. In the last few years, the power of deep neural networks has been demonstrated in a wide variety of computer vision problems and especially the HPE task. In this context, we present in this paper a Deep Full-Body-HPE (DFB-HPE) approach from RGB images only. Based on ConvNets, fifteen human joint positions are predicted and can be further exploited for a large range of applications such as gesture recognition, sports performance analysis, or human-robot interaction. To evaluate the proposed deep pose estimation model, we apply it to recognize the daily activities of a person in an unconstrained environment. Therefore, the extracted features, represented by deep estimated poses, are fed to an SVM classifier. To validate the proposed architecture, our approach is tested on two publicly available benchmarks for pose estimation and activity recognition, namely the J-HMDBand CAD-60datasets. The obtained results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method based on ConvNets and SVM and prove how deep pose estimation can improve the recognition accuracy. By means of comparison with state-of-the-art methods, we achieve the best HPE performance, as well as the best activity recognition precision on the CAD-60 dataset.
Thai Tattoo Wisdom’s Representation of Knowledge by Ontology
Authors: Chansanam Wirapong , Tuamsuk Kulthida , Kwiecien Kanyarat , Sutthiprapa Kittiya , Supnithi Thepchai
Published: January 2021

Sak Yan Ontology (SYO) models knowledge derived from Thai tattoos in the design of cultural heritage preservation planning. Ontology Development 101 is a technique of ontology model creation. The aims of this study are to share the performance of ontology development and ontology evaluation. The study is specifically focused on validation from domain experts and automation evaluated using the OOPS! tools (OntOlogy Pitfall Scanner is a tool that helps detect some of the most common pitfalls appearing when developing ontologies). The results obtained from OOPS! show that SYO is devoid of critical errors; however, it does have one critical, three important, and three minor problems. Four of the problems are fixed, whereas the others are continuous. The combination of automatic and human validation methodologies improves the quality of the ontology being modeled. The tools enhance the traditional methodology with quicker, easier, and smaller amounts of subjective analysis. In conclusion, for the reparation movement, solutions for the above problems are suggested.
Transversus abdominis Plane Block for Improved Early Postoperative Pain Management after Periacetabular Osteotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Löchel Jannis , Janz Viktor , Leopold Vincent Justus , Krämer Michael , Wassilew Georgi I.
Published: January 2021

Background: Patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) may experience significant postoperative pain due to the extensive approach and multiple osteotomies. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on reducing opioid consumption and improving clinical outcome in PAO patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a two-group randomized-controlled trial in 42 consecutive patients undergoing a PAO for symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The study group received an ultrasound-guided TAP block with 20 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine prior to surgery. The control group did not receive a TAP block. All patients received a multimodal analgesia with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (etoricoxib and metamizole) and an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with piritramide (1.5 mg bolus, 10 min lockout-time). The primary endpoint was opioid consumption within 48 h after surgery. Secondary endpoints were pain scores, assessment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), measurement of the quality of recovery using patient-reported outcome measure and length of hospital stay. Forty-one patients (n = 21 TAP block group, n = 20 control group) completed the study, per protocol. One patient was lost to follow-up. Thirty-three were women (88.5%) and eight men (19.5%). The mean age at the time of surgery was 28 years (18–43, SD ± 7.4). All TAP blocks were performed by an experienced senior anaesthesiologist and all operations were performed by a single, high volume surgeon. Results: The opioid consumption in the TAP block group was significantly lower compared to the control group at 6 (3 mg ± 2.8 vs. 10.8 mg ± 5.6, p < 0.0001), 24 (18.4 ± 16.2 vs. 30.8 ± 16.4, p = 0.01) and 48 h (29.1 mg ± 30.7 vs. 54.7 ± 29.6, p = 0.04) after surgery. Pain scores were significantly reduced in the TAP block group at 24 h after surgery. There were no other differences in secondary outcome parameters. No perioperative complication occurred in either group. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided TAP block significantly reduces the perioperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing PAO.
Surgical Interventions in Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19. A Review of Seven Months of Experience Working in a COVID-19 Dedicated Centre
Authors: Rymarowicz Justyna , Pędziwiatr Michał , Major Piotr , Donohue Bryan , Ciszek Karol , Nowakowski Michał
Published: January 2021

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made changes to the traditional way of performing surgical consultations. The aim of the present study was to assess the need for surgical care performed by various surgical specialties among patients infected with COVID-19 hospitalized in a COVID-19 dedicated hospital. All surgical consultations performed for patients infected with COVID-19 in a COVID dedicated hospital in a seven month period were evaluated. Data on demographics, surgical specialty, consult reason, procedure performed, and whether it was a standard face to face or teleconsultation were gathered. Out of 2359 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital in the seven month period, 229 (9.7%) required surgical care. Out of those 108 consultations that did not lead to surgery, 71% were managed by telemedicine. A total of 36 patients were operated on while suffering from COVID-19. Out of them, only three patients admitted primarily for COVID-19 pneumonia underwent emergency surgery. The overall mortality among those operated on was 16.7%. Conclusions: Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 may require surgical care from various surgical specialties, especially during peaks of the pandemic. However, they rarely require a surgical procedure and only occasionally require major surgery. A significant portion of potentially surgical problems could be managed by teleconsultations.
Referral Patterns for Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Rashu Elias Badal , Werge Mikkel Parsberg , Hetland Liv Eline , Junker Anders Ellekaer , Jensen Majken Karoline , Gluud Lise Lotte
Published: January 2021

The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing. This study evaluates the referral pattern of patients with NAFLD. A cohort study evaluating all patients with NAFLD referred to a single Gastroenterology Department from January 2017 to June 2020. Electronic patient referral letters were reviewed, and patients with NAFLD were diagnosed using standardized tests as part of a prospective cohort study. Predictors of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with significant (≥F2) fibrosis were evaluated in logistic regression analyses. In total, 323 (18.6%) of 1735 patients referred to the Gastro Unit during the study period were diagnosed with NAFLD. Patients were referred from general practitioners (62.5%) or other hospital departments (37.5%). Most referral letters included information suggesting a possible diagnosis of NAFLD (patient history, blood tests, or diagnostic imaging) or used the nonspecific general diagnosis suspected disease (Z.038). Out of 110 patients referred for a liver biopsy, 71 (22%) had NASH with significant fibrosis (F2 n = 39, F3 n = 19, F4 n = 13). Thirty-nine of these patients were referred from the primary sector. A logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age and gender) including all 323 patients showed that type 2 diabetes was the only significant independent predictor of NASH with fibrosis.
Functional Properties of Low-Modulus PMMA Bone Cements Containing Linoleic Acid
Authors: Robo Céline , Wenner David , Ubhayasekera S. J. Kumari A. , Hilborn Jöns , Öhman-Mägi Caroline , Persson Cecilia
Published: January 2021

Acrylic bone cements modified with linoleic acid are a promising low-modulus alternative to traditional high-modulus bone cements. However, several key properties remain unexplored, including the effect of autoclave sterilization and the potential use of low-modulus cements in other applications than vertebral augmentation. In this work, we evaluate the effect of sterilization on the structure and stability of linoleic acid, as well as in the handling properties, glass transition temperature, mechanical properties, and screw augmentation potential of low-modulus cement containing the fatty acid. Neither 1H NMR nor SFC-MS/MS analysis showed any detectable differences in autoclaved linoleic acid compared to fresh one. The peak polymerization temperature of the low-modulus cement was much lower (28–30 °C) than that of the high-modulus cement (67 °C), whereas the setting time remained comparable (20–25 min). The Tg of the low-modulus cement was lower (75–78 °C) than that of the high-stiffness cement (103 °C). It was shown that sterilization of linoleic acid by autoclaving did not significantly affect the functional properties of low-modulus PMMA bone cement, making the component suitable for sterile production. Ultimately, the low-modulus cement exhibited handling and mechanical properties that more closely match those of osteoporotic vertebral bone with a screw holding capacity of under 2000 N, making it a promising alternative for use in combination with orthopedic hardware in applications where high-stiffness augmentation materials can result in undesired effects.
Learning-Based Coordination Model for On-the-Fly Self-Composing Services Using Semantic Matching
Authors: Ben Mahfoudh Houssem , Caselli Ashley , Di Marzo Serugendo Giovanna
Published: January 2021

Forecasts announce that the number of connected objects will exceed 20 billion by 2025. Objects, such as sensors, drones or autonomous cars participate in pervasive applications of various domains ranging from smart cities, quality of life, transportation, energy, business or entertainment. These inter-connected devices provide storage, computing and activation capabilities currently under-exploited. To this end, we defined “Spatial services”, a new generation of services seamlessly supporting users in their everyday life by providing information or specific actions. Spatial services leverage IoT, exploit devices capabilities (sensing, acting), the data they locally store at different time and geographic locations, and arise from the spontaneous interactions among those devices. Thanks to a learning-based coordination model, and without any pre-designed composition, reliable and pertinent spatial services dynamically and fully automatically arise from the self-composition of available services provided by connected devices. In this paper, we show how we extended our learning-based coordination model with semantic matching, enhancing syntactic self-composition with semantic reasoning. The implementation of our coordination model results in a learning-based semantic middleware. We validated our approach on various experiments: deployments of the middleware in various settings; instantiation of a specific scenario and various other case studies; experiments with hundreds of synthetic services; and specific experiments for setting up key learning parameters. We also show how the learning-based coordination model using semantic matching favours service composition, by exploiting three ontological constructions (is-a, isComposedOf, and equivalentTo), de facto removing the syntactic barrier preventing pertinent compositions to arise. Spatial services arise from the interactions of various objects, provide complex and highly adaptive services to users in seamless way, and are pertinent in a variety of domains such as smart cities or emergency situations.
Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Composites with MWCNT for the Construction Applications
Authors: Lojka Michal , Lauermannová Anna-Marie , Sedmidubský David , Pavlíková Milena , Záleská Martina , Pavlík Zbyšek , Pivák Adam , Jankovský Ondřej
Published: January 2021

In this contribution, composite materials based on magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) used as an additive were prepared and characterized. The prepared composites contained 0.5 and 1 wt.% of MWCNTs, and these samples were compared with the pure MOC Phase 5 reference. The composites were characterized using a broad spectrum of analytical methods to determine the phase and chemical composition, morphology, and thermal behavior. In addition, the basic structural parameters, pore size distribution, mechanical strength, stiffness, and hygrothermal performance of the composites, aged 14 days, were also the subject of investigation. The MWCNT-doped composites showed high compactness, increased mechanical resistance, stiffness, and water resistance, which is crucial for their application in the construction industry and their future use in the design and development of alternative building products.
Special Issue: Advanced Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposites and Hybrid Materials
Authors: Silvestre Armando J. D. , Freire Carmen S. R. , Vilela Carla
Published: January 2021

The gamut of natural polymers, from polysaccharides to proteins, exhibit peculiar features and multiple functionalities that are being exploited to engineer advanced nanocomposites and hybrid materials [...]
Nylon 6 Nanofiber Web-Based Signal Transmission Line Treated with PEDOT:PSS and DMSO Treatment
Authors: Shin Sungeun , Lee Eugene , Cho Gilsoo
Published: January 2021

Highly conductive nylon 6 nanofiber webs, incorporating poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), were prepared for textile-based signal transmission lines. To improve the electrical performance of the textiles, they were optimized by the number of coating cycles and the solvent treatment step. The nanofiber web coated four times with PEDOT:PSS showed a six-times reduction in sheet resistance compared to that of once. In addition, the sample treated with both adding and dipping of DMSO showed a significant decrease of 83 times in sheet resistance compared to the sample without treatment of DMSO. Using samples with excellent electrical conductivity, the waveforms of the signal in the time domain were analyzed and shown to have an amplitude and phase almost identical to that of the conventional copper wire. As a result of the S21 characteristic curve, selected textiles were available up to the 15 MHz frequency bandwidth. In the FE-SEM image, it was observed that the surface of the coated sample was generally covered with PEDOT:PSS, which was distinguished from the untreated sample. These results demonstrate that the nanofiber web treated with the optimized conditions of PEDOT:PSS and DMSO can be applied as promising textile-based signal transmission lines for smart clothing.
The Impact of Ground Tire Rubber Oxidation with H2O2 and KMnO4 on the Structure and Performance of Flexible Polyurethane/Ground Tire Rubber Composite Foams
Authors: Hejna Aleksander , Olszewski Adam , Zedler Łukasz , Kosmela Paulina , Formela Krzysztof
Published: January 2021

The use of waste tires is a very critical issue, considering their environmental and economic implications. One of the simplest and the least harmful methods is conversion of tires into ground tire rubber (GTR), which can be introduced into different polymer matrices as a filler. However, these applications often require proper modifications to provide compatibility with the polymer matrix. In this study, we examined the impact of GTR oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate on the processing and properties of flexible polyurethane/GTR composite foams. Applied treatments caused oxidation and introduction of hydroxyl groups onto the surface of rubber particles, expressed by the broad range of their hydroxyl numbers. It resulted in noticeable differences in the processing of the polyurethane system and affected the structure of flexible composite foams. Treatment with H2O2 resulted in a 31% rise of apparent density, while the catalytic activity of potassium ions enhanced foaming of system decreased density by 25% and increased the open cell content. Better mechanical performance was noted for H2O2 modifications (even by 100% higher normalized compressive strength), because of the voids in cell walls and incompletely developed structure during polymerization, accelerated by KMnO4 treatment. This paper shows that modification of ground tire rubber is a very promising approach, and when properly performed may be applied to engineer the structure and performance of polyurethane composite foams.
Laboratory Evaluation of the Performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt as an Ungrooved Runway Surface
Authors: Jamieson Sean , White Greg
Published: January 2021

Many airports are surfaced with grooved Marshall-designed dense graded asphalt. Grooving is required to satisfy regulatory aircraft skid resistance requirements, but introduces the risk of groove-related distress, such as groove closure. Consequently, airports seek an ungrooved runway surface option that performs similarly to dense graded asphalt but allows grooving to be avoided. Stone mastic asphalt is the most viable ungrooved runway surface solution and has been used on runways in Europe and China. However, before being accepted as an ungrooved runway surface in Australia, stone mastic asphalt must be shown to meet regulatory runway aircraft skid resistance requirements, and to otherwise perform similarly to typical dense graded asphalt mixtures for runway surfacing, including deformation resistance, fatigue cracking resistance and durability. Based on laboratory performance-related testing, 10-mm and 14-mm sized stone mastic asphalt mixtures, produced with four different aggregate sources, were found to generally meet the airport asphalt performance requirements. The 14 mm mixture was found to perform better than the 10 mm mixture, particularly regarding surface macrotexture and deformation resistance. It was concluded that airports should consider 14 mm sized stone mastic asphalt as an ungrooved runway surface in the future.
Potential for and Distribution of Enzymatic Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Environmental Microorganisms
Authors: Hou Liyuan , Majumder Erica L.-W.
Published: January 2021

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the main polymer types of plastic wastes and is known to be resistant to biodegradation, resulting in PS waste persistence in the environment. Although previous studies have reported that some microorganisms can degrade PS, enzymes and mechanisms of microorganism PS biodegradation are still unknown. In this study, we summarized microbial species that have been identified to degrade PS. By screening the available genome information of microorganisms that have been reported to degrade PS for enzymes with functional potential to depolymerize PS, we predicted target PS-degrading enzymes. We found that cytochrome P4500s, alkane hydroxylases and monooxygenases ranked as the top potential enzyme classes that can degrade PS since they can break C–C bonds. Ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases may be able to break the side-chain of PS and oxidize the aromatic ring compounds generated from the decomposition of PS. These target enzymes were distributed in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, suggesting a broad potential for PS biodegradation in various earth environments and microbiomes. Our results provide insight into the enzymatic degradation of PS and suggestions for realizing the biodegradation of this recalcitrant plastic.
Advanced Structural and Technological Method of Reducing Distortion in Thin-Walled Welded Structures
Authors: Horajski Piotr , Bohdal Lukasz , Kukielka Leon , Patyk Radoslaw , Kaldunski Pawel , Legutko Stanislaw
Published: January 2021

The article presents an innovative method of reducing welding distortions of thin-walled structures by introducing structural and technological changes. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated on the example of welding the stub pipes to the outer surface of a thin-walled tank with large dimensions, made of steel 1.4301 with a wall thickness of 1.5 × 10−3 (m). During traditional Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), distortions of the base are formed, the flatness deviation of which was 11.9 × 10−3 (m) and exceeded the permissible standards. As a result of structural and technological changes, not only does the joint stiffness increase, but also a favorable stress state is introduced in the flange, which reduces the local welding stresses. Numerical models were developed using the finite element method (FEM), which were used to analyze the residual stresses and strains pre-welding, in extruded flanges, in transient, and post-welding. The results of the calculations for various flanges heights show that there is a limit height h = 9.2 × 10−3 (m), above which flange cracks during extrusion. A function for calculating the flange height was developed due to the required stress state. The results of numerical calculations were verified experimentally on a designed and built test stand for extrusion the flange. The results of experimental research confirmed the results of numerical simulations. For further tests, bases with a flange h = 6 × 10−3 (m) were used, to which a stub pipe was welded using the GTAW method. After the welding process, the distortion of the base was measured with the ATOS III scanner (GOM a Zeiss company, Oberkochen, Germany). It has been shown that the developed methodology is correct, and the introduced structural and technological changes result in a favorable reduction of welding stresses and a reduction in the flatness deviation of the base in the welded joint to 0.39 × 10−3 (m), which meets the requirements of the standards.
Mapping of the Micro-Mechanical Properties of Human Root Dentin by Means of Microindentation
Authors: Kucher Michael , Dannemann Martin , Modler Niels , Bernhard Martina Romy , Hannig Christian , Weber Marie-Theres
Published: January 2021

The extensive knowledge of root dentin’s mechanical properties is necessary for the prediction of microstructural alterations and the teeth’s deformations as well as their fracture behavior. Standardized microindentation tests were applied to apical, medial, and cervical root sections of a mandibular human first molar to determine the spatial distribution of the hard tissue’s properties (indentation modulus, indentation hardness, Martens hardness, indentation creep). Using an indentation mapping approach, the inhomogeneity of mechanical properties in longitudinal as well as in transversal directions were measured. As a result, the tooth showed strongly inhomogeneous material properties, which depended on the longitudinal and transversal positions. In the transversal cutting planes of the cervical, medial, apical sections, the properties showed a comparable distribution. A statistical evaluation revealed an indentation modulus between 12.2 GPa and 17.8 GPa, indentation hardness between 0.4 GPa and 0.64 GPa and an indentation creep between 8.6% and 10.7%. The established standardized method is a starting point for further investigations concerning the intensive description of the inhomogeneous mechanical properties of human dentin and other types of dentin.
Impact of Layer Thickness and Storage Time on the Properties of 3D-Printed Dental Dies
Authors: Sabbah Aya , Romanos Georgios , Delgado-Ruiz Rafael
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of printing layer thickness on the repeatability and surface roughness of 3D-printed dies and detect the effect of layer thickness and storage time on the dimensional stability of 3D-printed dies. One stereolithography (STL) file of an upper molar prepared for a full ceramic crown was used to print three groups of dies: 25 µm, 50 µm, and 100 µm. Repeatability was evaluated by linear and area measurements with a digital caliper and a digital metrology microscope. Dimensional stability was analyzed at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year of storage time. Surface roughness parameters were measured with a 3D confocal laser scanning microscope. Statistics were completed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests, p < 0.05. Printing time decreased as layer thickness increased. All groups showed high repeatability and comparable surface roughness while showing differences in their linear dimensions and surface areas. At the 3 week storage interval, dimensional changes were observed in all groups. Within this experimental study’s constraints, it can be concluded that changing the 3D-printing layer thickness does not affect the repeatability or the surface roughness of the product; meanwhile, changes to the layer thickness and storage time influence the dimensional stability of 3D-printed dies.
Highly Ordered TiO2 Nanotube Arrays with Engineered Electrochemical Energy Storage Performances
Authors: Cao Wangzhu , Chen Kunfeng , Xue Dongfeng
Published: January 2021

Nanoscale engineering of regular structured materials is immensely demanded in various scientific areas. In this work, vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays were grown by self-organizing electrochemical anodization. The effects of different fluoride ion concentrations (0.2 and 0.5 wt% NH4F) and different anodization times (2, 5, 10 and 20 h) on the morphology of nanotubes were systematically studied in an organic electrolyte (glycol). The growth mechanisms of amorphous and anatase TiO2 nanotubes were also studied. Under optimized conditions, we obtained TiO2 nanotubes with tube diameters of 70–160 nm and tube lengths of 6.5–45 μm. Serving as free-standing and binder-free electrodes, the kinetic, capacity, and stability performances of TiO2 nanotubes were tested as lithium-ion battery anodes. This work provides a facile strategy for constructing self-organized materials with optimized functionalities for applications.
Hemp Fiber Reinforced Red Mud/Fly Ash Geopolymer Composite Materials: Effect of Fiber Content on Mechanical Strength
Authors: Taye Eyerusalem A. , Roether Judith A. , Schubert Dirk W. , Redda Daniel T. , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: January 2021

Novel hemp fiber reinforced geopolymer composites were fabricated. The matrix was a new geopolymer based on a mixture of red mud and fly ash. Chopped, randomly oriented hemp fibers were used as reinforcement. The mechanical properties of the geopolymer composite, such as diametral tensile (DTS) (or Brazilian tensile) strength and compressive strength (CS), were measured. The geopolymer composites reinforced with 9 vol.% and 3 vol.% hemp fiber yielded average DTS values of 5.5 MPa and average CS values of 40 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies were carried out to evaluate the microstructure and fracture surfaces of the composites. The results indicated that the addition of hemp fiber is a promising approach to improve the mechanical strength as well as to modify the failure mechanism of the geopolymer, which changed from brittle to “pseudo-ductile”.
Nanometals-Containing Polymeric Membranes for Purification Processes
Authors: Rabajczyk Anna , Zielecka Maria , Cygańczuk Krzysztof , Pastuszka Łukasz , Jurecki Leszek
Published: January 2021

A recent trend in the field of membrane research is the incorporation of nanoparticles into polymeric membranes, which could produce synergistic effects when using different types of materials. This paper discusses the effect of the introduction of different nanometals such as silver, iron, silica, aluminum, titanium, zinc, and copper and their oxides on the permeability, selectivity, hydrophilicity, conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antiviral and antibacterial properties of polymeric membranes. The effects of nanoparticle physicochemical properties, type, size, and concentration on a membrane’s intrinsic properties such as pore morphology, porosity, pore size, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, membrane surface charge, and roughness are discussed, and the performance of nanocomposite membranes in terms of flux permeation, contaminant rejection, and antifouling capability are reviewed. The wide range of nanocomposite membrane applications including desalination and removal of various contaminants in water-treatment processes are discussed.
Current Treatment Options for Cervical Leiomyomas: A Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Ferrari Federico , Forte Sara , Valenti Gaetano , Ardighieri Laura , Barra Fabio , Esposito Valentina , Sartori Enrico , Odicino Franco
Published: January 2021

Background and objectives: Cervical leiomyomas are a rare benign disease. Although they are mainly treated surgically, currently, there is not a standardized treatment for cervical leiomyomas. This study aims to summarize current literature evidence about treatment options for cervical leiomyomas. Materials and methods: A systematic research of the literature was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library, including observational prospective and retrospective studies, case series and case reports. We collected data regarding studies related to treatment options for cervical leiomyomas, evaluating the following aspects: study design, population, treatment type, rate of surgical complications, and fertility outcome. Results: According to literature research, 38 articles were included. Among 214 patients, the weighted average age was 39.4 years-old; 23 patients were pregnant. Most of the leiomyomas (78%) were extracervical; in 22% of cases (29 patients) were intracervical; 188 patients (88%) received surgical treatment, 6 (3%) received exclusive conservative management and 21 (10%) underwent interventional radiology treatment. One hundred twenty-seven patients (67.5%) underwent myomectomy, while 54 (28.7%) and 7 (3.7%) hysterectomy and trachelectomy, respectively. Cervical myomectomy was performed by open surgery in 21 out of 127 cases (16.5%), while in 92 (72.4%) and 6 (4.7%) patients the surgical approach was performed by traditional and robot-assisted laparoscopy, respectively. The total rate of surgical complications was 5.6%. Conclusion: Surgery is the primary therapeutic option for cervical leiomyomas with a low rate of surgical complications. Interventional radiology techniques have reported promising but still limited results.
The Influence of Cooling Rate on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AlSi9Cu3
Authors: Žbontar Matic , Petrič Mitja , Mrvar Primož
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the size and the distribution of microstructural constituents and their cooling rate, as well as the correlation between the mechanical properties and the cooling rate of AlSi9Cu3 aluminum alloy when cast in high-pressure die casting (HPDC) conditions. In other words, the ultimate goal of the research was to determine the mechanical properties for a casting at different cooling rates. Castings with different wall thicknesses were chosen, and different cooling rates were assumed for each one. Castings from industrial technological practice were systematically chosen, and probes were extracted from those castings for the characterization of their mechanical properties. Special non-standard cylinders were created on which compressive tests were carried out. The uniqueness of this research lies in the fact that the diameters of the designed cylinders were in direct correlation to the actual wall thickness of the castings. This is important because the solidification of metal in the die cavity is complex, in that the cooling rates are higher on the surface of the casting than in the center. Local in-casting cooling rates were determined using numerical simulations. It was discovered that with increasing cooling rates from 60 K/s to 125 K/s the values for strength at 5% deformation increased on average from 261 MPa to 335 MPa.
Fatigue Behavior of Zr58Cu15.46Ni12.74Al10.34Nb2.76Y0.5 Bulk Metallic Glass Fabricated by Industrial-Grade Zirconium Raw Material
Authors: Zhou Shichao , Zhang Tao , Li Lugee , Yang Jiedan , Zhang Min , Wang Chengyong , Zhang Yong
Published: January 2021

In this work, the fatigue behavior of a low-cost Zr58Cu15.46Ni12.74Al10.34Nb2.76Y0.5 (at%) bulk metallic glass (BMG) fabricated by industrial-grade Zirconium raw material was investigated under three-point bending loading mode. X-ray, fatigue tests under different stress amplitude and fatigue fractography were conducted in order to characterize the amorphous structure, fatigue stress-life (S-N) curve and fracture mechanism, respectively. It is found that the X-ray diffraction (XRD) result showed a fully amorphous structure due to high glass-forming ability, cracks initiated from inclusions near the rectangular corners at tensile surfaces and the fatigue endurance limit (~168 MPa) and fatigue ratio (~0.13) termed as fatigue endurance limit divided by ultimate tensile strength in stress amplitude were comparable to the similar BMG prepared by high pure raw materials.
Microstructural and Corrosion Properties of Ti-to-Zr Dissimilar Alloy Joints Brazed with a Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni Amorphous Filler Alloy
Authors: Lee Si-Young , Lee Hyun-Jun , Baek Jong-Hee , Park Sung Soo , Lee Jung Gu
Published: January 2021

Titanium and Zircaloy-4 dissimilar alloys were brazed with a zirconium-titanium-copper-nickel amorphous filler alloy, and the resulting joint structures as well as their corrosion properties were examined. The microstructure of the brazed joints was investigated according to brazing holding time at 850 °C, and the corrosion property was analyzed by potentiodynamic polarization. During brazing, joints were produced by diffusion-induced isothermal solidification of the molten filler alloy. At a relatively brief brazing holding time of 5 min, a large segregation zone consisting of an active α-phase and a nobler intermetallic phase was generated in the joint center, which suffered from micro-galvanic corrosion. The presence of alloyed titanium deteriorated the nobility of the α-zirconium phase near the joint and induced galvanic coupling with cathodic base metals, resulting in massive localized corrosion. This localized corrosion caused the pitting behavior at the applied potential of −51.1~187.5 mV during anodic polarization. With a brazing holding time of 20 min, the concentration of the alloying elements was homogenized to eliminate the electrochemical potential difference and minimize the galvanic corrosion susceptibility of the joint region. This homogeneous joint resulted in a highly passive corrosion behavior comparable to that of the titanium base metal.
Flexible Five-in-One Microsensor for Real-Time Wireless Microscopic Diagnosis inside Electric Motorcycle Fuel Cell Stack Range Extender
Authors: Lee Chi-Yuan , Chen Chia-Hung , Lee Ti-Ju , Cheong John-Shong , Liu Yi-Cheng , Chen Yu-Chun
Published: January 2021

The focus of research and development on electric motorcycle range extender are system integration and energy regulation and management but the present fuel cell stack range extender still has defects, such as large volume, heavy weight and high cost. Its volume and weight will have a strong impact on the endurance of electric motorcycle. The bipolar plate takes most volume and weight of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack and it is the key component influencing the overall power density and cost. Therefore, how to thin and lighten the bipolar plate and to enhance the performance and life of PEMFC stack is an urgent research subject to be solved for the moment and will be the key to whether the PEMFC stack range extender can be put in the electric motorcycle or not. In addition, the internal temperature, humidity, flow, voltage and current in the operation of PEMFC stack will influence its performance and life and the overall performance and life of fuel cell stack will be directly influenced by different external operating conditions. As nonuniform distribution of temperature, humidity, flow, voltage and current will occur in various regions inside the fuel cell stack, this study will use micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a flexible five-in-one microsensor, which is embedded in the PEMFC stack range extender for real-time wireless microscopic diagnosis and the reliability test is performed, so that the actual operating condition inside the fuel cell stack range extender can be mastered instantly and correctly and the internal information is fed back instantly, the fuel cell stack range extender control system can be modified to the optimum operating parameters immediately, so as to enhance the performance and prolong the lifetime effectively.
A Simple Route of Printing Explosive Crystalized Micro-Patterns by Using Direct Ink Writing
Authors: Brilian Albertus , Soum Veasna , Park Sooyong , Lee Soojin , Kim Jungwook , Kwon Kuktae , Kwon Oh-Sun , Shin Kwanwoo
Published: January 2021

The production of energetic crystalized micro-patterns by using one-step printing has become a recent trend in energetic materials engineering. We report a direct ink writing (DIW) approach in which micro-scale energetic composites composed of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) crystals in selected ink formulations of a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) matrix are produced based on a direct phase transformation from organic, solvent-based, all-liquid ink. Using the formulated RDX ink and the DIW method, we printed crystalized RDX micro-patterns of various sizes and shapes on silicon wafers. The crystalized RDX micro-patterns contained single crystals on pristine Si wafers while the micro-patterns containing dendrite crystals were produced on UV-ozone (UVO)-treated Si wafers. The printing method and the formulated all-liquid ink make up a simple route for designing and printing energetic micro-patterns for micro-electromechanical systems.
Towards Rational Biosurfactant Design—Predicting Solubilization in Rhamnolipid Solutions
Authors: Kłosowska-Chomiczewska Ilona E. , Kotewicz-Siudowska Adrianna , Artichowicz Wojciech , Macierzanka Adam , Głowacz-Różyńska Agnieszka , Szumała Patrycja , Mędrzycka Krystyna , Hallmann Elżbieta , Karpenko Elena , Jungnickel Christian
Published: January 2021

The efficiency of micellar solubilization is dictated inter alia by the properties of the solubilizate, the type of surfactant, and environmental conditions of the process. We, therefore, hypothesized that using the descriptors of the aforementioned features we can predict the solubilization efficiency, expressed as molar solubilization ratio (MSR). In other words, we aimed at creating a model to find the optimal surfactant and environmental conditions in order to solubilize the substance of interest (oil, drug, etc.). We focused specifically on the solubilization in biosurfactant solutions. We collected data from literature covering the last 38 years and supplemented them with our experimental data for different biosurfactant preparations. Evolutionary algorithm (EA) and kernel support vector machines (KSVM) were used to create predictive relationships. The descriptors of biosurfactant (logPBS, measure of purity), solubilizate (logPsol, molecular volume), and descriptors of conditions of the measurement (T and pH) were used for modelling. We have shown that the MSR can be successfully predicted using EAs, with a mean R2val of 0.773 ± 0.052. The parameters influencing the solubilization efficiency were ranked upon their significance. This represents the first attempt in literature to predict the MSR with the MSR calculator delivered as a result of our research.
Anthocyanins, Microbiome and Health Benefits in Aging
Authors: Hair Rachel , Sakaki Junichi R. , Chun Ock K.
Published: January 2021

The percentage of individuals over the age of 60 is projected to reach 22% by 2050; chronic diseases associated with aging can present challenges for these individuals. Anthocyanins and the gut microbiome have each been studied as independent influencers of health. Both these factors have shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular and bone health in individuals, as well as on the prevention or treatment of certain forms of cancers. Anthocyanins have shown to modulate the composition of the gut microbiome and may have overlapping mechanisms in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and aging-associated bone loss. These health outcomes are responsible for the hospitalization and deaths of millions of Americans every year and they cost the United States billions of dollars each year to maintain, prevent and treat. Alternative methods of treatment and prevention are desired since conventional methods (surgical and pharmacological methods, physical therapy, etc.) can be costly and have significant side effects; evidence suggests that anthocyanins and the gut microbiome may be potential avenues for this. This review evaluates the findings of existing literature on the role of anthocyanins and the gut microbiome on health and their potential as a natural therapeutic agent or a target organ to provide an alternative to the conventional methods of disease prevention and treatment.
Pourbaix-Guided Mineralization and Site-Selective Photoluminescence Properties of Rare Earth Substituted B-Type Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals
Authors: Liu Peng , Li Zhengqiang , Yuan Long , Sun Xiaolin , Zhou Yanmin
Published: January 2021

Rare-earth labeling in biological apatite could provide critical information for the pathologic transition (osteoclastic) and physiologic regeneration (osteogenesis) of bone and teeth because of their characteristic site-sensitive fluorescence in different coordinative conditions of various tissues in many biological processes. However, the rare-earth labeling method for biological apatites, i.e., carbonated-hydroxyapatite, has been rarely found in the literature. In this paper, we report a Pourbaix-diagram guided mineralizing strategy to controllable carbonation and doping of rare-earth ions in the hydroxyapatite (HA) lattice. The carbonation process of hydroxyapatite was achieved by controllable mineralization in hydrothermal condition with K2CO3 as the carbonate source, which results into the pure B-type carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) with tunable carbonate substitution degree. All of the as-synthesized materials crystalized into P63/m (No. 176) space group with the lattice parameter of a decreases and c increases with the increasing of carbonate content in the reactants. Structural refinement results revealed that the substitution of planar CO32− is superimposed on one of the faces of PO43− tetrahedral sub-units with a rotation angle of 30° in reference to c-axis. All of the hydrothermally synthesized CHA nanocrystals show hexagonal rod-like morphology with the length of 70–110 nm and diameter of 21–35 nm, and the decreasing length/diameter ratio from 3.61 to 2.96 from low to high carbonated level of the samples. Five rare-earth cations, of Pr3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, and Ho3+, were used as possible probe ions that can be doped into either HA or CHA lattice. The site-preference of Tb3+ doping is the same in the crystallographic site of HA and CHA according to characteristic emission peaks of 5D4–7Fj (j = 3–6) transitions in their photoluminescent spectroscopy. Our work provides a controllable carbonation method for rare-earth labeling hydroxyapatite nanomaterials with potential biologically active implant powders for bone repair and tissue regeneration.
Crystallographic and Computational Electron Density of dx2-y2 Orbitals of Azo-Schiff Base Metal Complexes Using Conventional Programs
Authors: Takiguchi Yuji , Onami Yuika , Haraguchi Tomoyuki , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: January 2021

The crystal structures of two azobenzene derivative Schiff base metal complexes (new C44H40CuN6O2 of P-1 and known C44H38MnN6O7 of P21/c abbreviated as Cu and Mn, respectively) were (re-)determined experimentally using conventional X-ray analysis to obtain electron density using a PLATON program. Cu affords a four-coordinated square planar geometry, while Mn affords a hexa-coordinated distorted octahedral geometry whose apical sites are occupied by an acetate ion and water ligands, which are associated with hydrogen bonds. The π-π or CH-π and hydrogen bonding intermolecular interactions were found in both crystals, which were also analyzed using a Hirshfeld surface analysis program. To compare these results with experimental results, a density functional theory (DFT) calculation was also carried out based on the crystal structures to obtain calculated electron density using a conventional Gaussian program. These results revealed that the axial Mn-O coordination bonds of Mn were relatively weaker than the in-plane M-N or M-O coordination bonds.
Dietary Intake Assessment of Pre-Packed Graviera Cheese in Greece and Nutritional Characterization Using the Nutri-Score Front of Pack Label Scheme
Authors: Katsouri Evangelia , Magriplis Emmanuella , Zampelas Antonis , Drosinos Eleftherios H. , Nychas George-John
Published: January 2021

Gravieras are ‘gruyere’ type hard cheeses with a variety of different products and the second highest consumption in Greece. In this study, we present a dietary intake assessment and a nutritional characterization of pre-packed graviera products sold in the Greek market using Nutri-Score Front of Pack Label (FoPL). The nutrient contents of 92 pre-packed graviera products were combined with daily individual consumption data extracted from the Hellenic National Nutrition Health Survey (n = 93), attempting to evaluate the contribution of graviera’s consumption to the Greek diet. The analysis of nutrients’ intake as a Reference Intake (RI) percentage ranked saturated fat first on the nutrients’ intake list, with RI percentage ranging from 36.1 to 109.2% for the 95th percentile of consumption. The respective % RI for energy, total fat, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and salt ranged from 12.7–20.7%, 21.6–50.4%, 0–3.1%, 0–6.1%, 37–57.1% and 6.3–42%. Nutri-Score classified 1% of the products to C—light orange class, 62% to D—orange and 37% to E—dark orange, while no products were classified to A—dark green or B—green classes. The comparison between the Nutri-Score classification and the nutrients’ intake assessment, also separately conducted within the classes, showed a higher salt intake after the consumption of products classified as D—orange and E—dark orange.