bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A KGE Based Knowledge Enhancing Method for Aspect-Level Sentiment Classification
Authors: Yu Haibo , Lu Guojun , Cai Qianhua , Xue Yun
Published: October 2022

ALSC (Aspect-level Sentiment Classification) is a fine-grained task in the field of NLP (Natural Language Processing) which aims to identify the sentiment toward a given aspect. In addition to exploiting the sentence semantics and syntax, current ALSC methods focus on introducing external knowledge as a supplementary to the sentence information. However, the integration of the three categories of information is still challenging. In this paper, a novel method is devised to effectively combine sufficient semantic and syntactic information as well as use of external knowledge. The proposed model contains a sentence encoder, a semantic learning module, a syntax learning module, a knowledge enhancement module, an information fusion module and a sentiment classifier. The semantic information and syntactic information are respectively extracted via a self-attention network and a graphical convolutional network. Specifically, the KGE (Knowledge Graph Embedding) is employed to enhance the feature representation of the aspect. Then, the attention-based gate mechanism is taken to fuse three types of information. We evaluated the proposed model on three benchmark datasets and the experimental results establish strong evidence of high accuracy.
On Generalizing Divide and Conquer Parallel Programming Pattern
Authors: Niculescu Virginia
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: Structuring is important in parallel programming in order to master its complexity, and this structuring could be achieved through programming patterns and skeletons. Divide-and-conquer computation is essentially defined by a recurrence relation that links the solution of a problem to the solutions of subproblems of the same type, but of smaller sizes. This pattern allows the specification of different types of computations, and so it is important to provide a general specification that comprises all its cases. We intend to prove that the divide-and-conquer pattern could be generalized such that to comprise many of the other parallel programming patterns, and in order to prove this, we provide a general formulation of it. (2) Methods: Starting from the proposed generalized specification of the divide-and-conquer pattern, the computation of the pattern is analyzed based on its stages: decomposition, base-case and composition. Examples are provided, and different execution models are analyzed. (3) Results: a general functional specification is provided for a divide-and-conquer pattern and based on it, and we prove that this general formulation could be specialized through parameters’ instantiating into other classical parallel programming patterns. Based on the specific stages of the divide-and-conquer, three classes of computations are emphasized. In this context, an equivalent efficient bottom-up computation is formally proved. Associated models of executions are emphasized and analyzed based on the three classes of divide-and-conquer computations. (4) Conclusion: A more general definition of the divide-and-conquer pattern is provided, and this includes an arity list for different decomposition degrees, a level of recursion, and also an alternative solution for the cases that are not trivial but allow other approaches (sequential or parallel) that could lead to better performance. Together with the associated analysis of patterns equivalence and optimized execution models, this provides a general formulation that is useful both at the semantic level and implementation level.
Low Dissipative Entropic Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Ilyin Oleg
Published: October 2022

In the entropic lattice Boltzmann approach, the stability properties are governed by the parameter α, which in turn affects the viscosity of a flow. The variation of this parameter allows one to guarantee the fulfillment of the discrete H-theorem for all spatial nodes. In the ideal case, the alteration of α from its normal value in the conventional lattice Boltzmann method (α=2) should be as small as possible. In the present work, the problem of the evaluation of α securing the H-theorem and having an average value close to α=2 is addressed. The main idea is to approximate the H-function by a quadratic function on the parameter α around α=2. The entropy balance requirement leads to a closed form expression for α depending on the values of the H-function and its derivatives. To validate the proposed method, several benchmark problems are considered: the Sod shock tube, the propagation of shear, acoustic waves, and doubly shear layer. It is demonstrated that the obtained formula for α yields solutions that show very small excessive dissipation. The simulation results are also compared with the essentially entropic and Zhao–Yong lattice Boltzmann approaches.
Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits Analysis of Remanufacturing Strategies for Used Products
Authors: Gong Qingshan , Xiong Yurong , Jiang Zhigang , Zhang Xugang , Hu Mingmao , Cao Zhanlong
Published: October 2022

The operating environment and using conditions of mechanical products are complex and diverse, which has caused a large number of mechanical products to be unable to be remanufactured or have low-remanufacturability. Such products are often ignored by remanufacturing companies and society, which aggravates environmental pollution and waste of resources. Therefore, this article provides a decision-making model for two strategies of complete machine remanufacturing (CMR) and part remanufacturing (PR) for used products with low-remanufacturability. Firstly, from the perspective of the remanufacturing process under the existing technical conditions, the economic, environmental, and social benefits of different remanufacturing solutions are analyzed. Secondly, the entropy method is used to weigh the economic, environmental, and social benefits to reduce the model error, and the linear regression method is used to find the comprehensive benefits of its different remanufacturing strategies. Finally, through the decision-making research on the remanufacturing strategies of the used machine tool CA6180, the results show that the tested machine tool should choose the remanufacturing strategy of PR and put it on the market. Moreover, the decision-making strategy proposed in this paper helps to realize a resource-saving and environment-friendly manufacturing ecology and provides a new perspective for remanufacturing research.
Forecasting Applied to the Electricity, Energy, Gas and Oil Industries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Todorov Ivan Borisov , Sánchez Lasheras Fernando
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a literature review in which methodologies employed for the forecast of the price of stock companies and raw materials in the fields of electricity, oil, gas and energy are studied. This research also makes an analysis of which data variables are employed for training the forecasting models. Three scientific databases were consulted to perform the present research: The Directory of Open Access Journals, the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute and the Springer Link. After running the same query in the three databases and considering the period from January 2017 to December 2021, a total of 1683 articles were included in the analysis. Of these, only 13 were considered relevant for the topic under study. The results obtained showed that when compared with other areas, few papers focus on the forecasting of the prices of raw materials and stocks of companies in the field under study. Furthermore, most make use of either machine learning methodologies or time series analysis. Finally, it is also remarkable that some not only make use of existing algorithms but also develop and test new methodologies.
Quantum Communication with Polarization-Encoded Qubits under Majorization Monotone Dynamics
Authors: Czerwinski Artur
Published: October 2022

Quantum communication can be realized by transmitting photons that carry quantum information. Due to decoherence, the information encoded in the quantum state of a single photon can be distorted, which leads to communication errors. In particular, we consider the impact of majorization monotone dynamical maps on the efficiency of quantum communication. The mathematical formalism of majorization is revised with its implications for quantum systems. The discrimination probability for two arbitrary orthogonal states is used as a figure of merit to track the quality of quantum communication in the time domain.
Preprocessing Enhancement Method for Spatial Domain Steganalysis
Authors: Duan Xueming , Zhang Chunying , Ma Yingshuo , Liu Shouyue
Published: October 2022

In the field of steganalysis, in recent years, the research focus has mostly been on optimizing the structures of neural networks, while the application of high-pass filters is still limited to the simple selection of filters and simple adjustment of the number of filters. In this paper, we propose a method to enhance the assistance and contribution of high-pass filters to the detection capability of a spatial domain steganalysis model, which mainly contains the preprocessing enhancement of high-pass filters and cross-layer enhancement of high-pass filters, and we construct a preprocessing enhancement model, the HPF-Enhanced Model, for spatial domain steganalysis, based on Yedroudj-Net. In the experimental part, we find the best preprocessing enhancement method through various validations, and we compare the HPF-Enhanced Model with the classical models. The results show that the proposed enhancement method can bring a significant improvement, and they also show that the preprocessing enhancement method can help to reduce the model size, and it thus can be used to construct a lightweight spatial domain steganalysis model with strong performance.
Nonlinear Frequency-Modulated Waveforms Modeling and Optimization for Radar Applications
Authors: Xu Zhihuo , Wang Xiaoyue , Wang Yuexia
Published: October 2022

Conventional radars commonly use a linear frequency-modulated (LFM) waveform as the transmitted signal. The LFM radar is a simple system, but its impulse-response function produces a −13.25 dB sidelobe, which in turn can make the detection of weak targets difficult by drowning out adjacent weak target information with the sidelobe of a strong target. To overcome this challenge, this paper presents a modeling and optimization method for non-linear frequency-modulated (NLFM) waveforms. Firstly, the time-frequency relationship model of the NLFM signal was combined by using the Legendre polynomial. Next, the signal was optimized by using a bio-inspired method, known as the Firefly algorithm. Finally, the numerical results show that the advantages of the proposed NLFM waveform include high resolution and high sensitivity, as well as ultra-low sidelobes without the loss of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use NLFM signals for target-velocity improvement measurements. Importantly, the results show that mitigating the sidelobe of the radar waveform can significantly improve the accuracy of the velocity measurements.
An Intrusion Detection System Based on Genetic Algorithm for Software-Defined Networks
Authors: Zhao Xuejian , Su Huiying , Sun Zhixin
Published: October 2022

A SDN (Software-Defined Network) separates the control layer from the data layer to realize centralized network control and improve the scalability and the programmability. SDN also faces a series of security threats. An intrusion detection system (IDS) is an effective means of protecting communication networks against traffic attacks. In this paper, a novel IDS model for SDN is proposed to collect and analyze the traffic which is generally at the control plane. Moreover, network congestion will occur when the amount of data transferred reaches the data processing capacity of the IDS. The suggested IDS model addresses this problem with a probability-based traffic sampling method in which the genetic algorithm (GA) is used to approach the sampling probability of each sampling point. According to the simulation results, the suggested IDS model based on GA is capable of enhancing the detection efficiency in SDNs.
Teacher Professional Development in STEM Education: An Integrated Approach with Real-World Scenarios in Portugal
Authors: Costa Maria Cristina , Domingos António Manuel Dias , Teodoro Vítor Duarte , Vinhas Élia Maria Rodrigues Guedes
Published: October 2022

The implementation of an integrated approach of STEM education with real-life scenarios is crucial to motivate students to learn and to better prepare them for real-world challenges, which is a big challenge for teachers. Therefore, there are implications for teaching practice and consequently the need for professional development. This paper presents an integrated approach of STEM education developed in the context of a collaborative professional development programme implemented in an exclusive online context, provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme aimed at providing teachers with knowledge and skills to develop STEM integrated tasks to be implemented in class. This study used a quantitative–qualitative approach to answer the research questions, using mixed methods to collect data. Participants are primary school teachers who participated in the programme during four months in the school year 2020/2021. Based on data collected from questionnaires, participant observation and teachers’ final reports, it was verified that teachers recognized the importance of obtaining training in STEM education and that this type of professional development was very relevant and improved their knowledge and skills to implement STEM hands-on practices in class. In addition, a case study of a science and mathematics 6th grade teacher is presented to illustrate how she implement integrated STEM tasks in class based on a real-world scenario such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, teachers recognized the importance of this approach and that it increases students’ motivation to learn.
Representative Points from a Mixture of Two Normal Distributions
Authors: Li Yinan , Fang Kai-Tai , He Ping , Peng Heng
Published: October 2022

In recent years, the mixture of two-component normal distributions (MixN) has attracted considerable interest due to its flexibility in capturing a variety of density shapes. In this paper, we investigate the problem of discretizing a MixN by a fixed number of points under the minimum mean squared error (MSE-RPs). Motivated by the Fang-He algorithm, we provide an effective computational procedure with high precision for generating numerical approximations of MSE-RPs from a MixN. We have explored the properties of the nonlinear system used to generate MSE-RPs and demonstrated the convergence of the procedure. In numerical studies, the proposed computation procedure is compared with the k-means algorithm. From an application perspective, MSE-RPs have potential advantages in statistical inference.Our numerical studies show that MSE-RPs can significantly improve Kernel density estimation.
Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia: A Panoramic Review
Authors: Shash Hwazen
Published: October 2022

Non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) has been considered less severe than its transfusion-dependent variants. The most common forms of NTDT include β-thalassemia intermedia, hemoglobin E/beta thalassemia, and hemoglobin H disease. Patients with NTDT develop several clinical complications, despite their regular transfusion independence. Ineffective erythropoiesis, iron overload, and hypercoagulability are pathophysiological factors that lead to morbidities in these patients. Therefore, an early and accurate diagnosis of NTDT is essential to ascertaining early interventions. Currently, several conventional management options are available, with guidelines suggested by the Thalassemia International Federation, and novel therapies are being developed in light of the advancement of the understanding of this disease. This review aimed to increase clinicians’ awareness of NTDT, from its basic medical definition and genetics to its pathophysiology. Specific complications to NTDT were reviewed, along with the risk factors for its development. The indications of different therapeutic options were outlined, and recent advancements were reviewed.
Sensitivities and Dependencies of BRAF Mutant Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines with or without PIK3CA Mutations for Discovery of Vulnerabilities with Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Voutsadakis Ioannis A.
Published: October 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer represents a common malignancy and remains incurable in the metastatic stage. Identification of molecular alterations that are present in colorectal cancer has led to the introduction of targeted therapies that improve outcomes. BRAF and PIK3CA mutations are observed in a subset of colorectal cancers. Colorectal cancers bearing BRAF mutations may be treated with specific BRAF inhibitors. These drugs benefit patients with BRAF mutant colorectal cancers but responses are rather brief, and progression is the rule. In contrast, no PI3K inhibitors have proven successful yet in the disease. Thus, new treatments to supplement the currently available drugs would be welcome to further improve survival. Methods: Profiled colorectal cancer cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) were examined for BRAF and PIK3CA mutations and were interrogated for molecular characteristics and concomitant alterations that mirror clinical sample alterations. The Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) project was used for determination of drug sensitivities of BRAF mutated colorectal cell lines with or without concomitant PIK3CA mutations. The Cancer Dependency Map project served as the basis for identification of molecular dependencies and vulnerabilities in these cell lines. Results: CCLE includes 84 colorectal cancer cell lines, which recapitulate the molecular landscape of colorectal cancer. Of these, 23 and 24 cell lines possess BRAF and PIK3CA mutations, respectively. Seven BRAF mutant cell lines have V600E mutations and 14 PIK3CA mutant cell lines have hotspot helical or kinase domain mutations. V600E BRAF mutant cell lines with or without hotspot PIK3CA mutations are heterogeneous in their MSI status and mimic colorectal cancer tissues in other prevalent abnormalities including APC and TP53 mutations. Essential genes for survival include CTNNB1, WRN, and pyrimidine metabolism enzyme CAD. Besides BRAF mutations, BRAF inhibitor sensitivity in colorectal cancer cell lines is conferred by SACS mutations and PRKN locus loss. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer cell lines bearing the frequent BRAF and PIK3CA mutations present many alterations of the parental cancer tissue. Described vulnerabilities represent leads for therapeutic exploration in colorectal cancers with the corresponding alterations.
Staphylococcus epidermidis Pathogenesis: Interplay of icaADBC Operon and MSCRAMMs in Biofilm Formation of Isolates from Pediatric Bacteremia in Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Saghir , Rahman Hazir , Qasim Muhammad , Nawab Javed , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Alsharif Khalaf F. , Alzahrani Fuad M.
Published: October 2022

Background and Objective: Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen from pediatric bacteremia that is commonly isolated. Biofilm is the major virulence factor of S. epidermidis; however, the role of biofilm determinants in biofilm formation is highly contradictory and diverse. The current study aimed to investigate the role of polysaccharide-dependent and polysaccharide-independent pathogenic determinants in biofilm formation under physiological stress conditions. Materials and Methods: The isolates (n = 75) were identified and screened for the icaADBC operon, IS256, and an array of MSCRAMMs (Microbial Surface Component Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules) through PCR analysis. The activity of the icaADBC operon was detected by Congo red assay, and the biofilm formation was analyzed through microtiter plate assay. Results: S. epidermidis isolates produced biofilm (n = 65; 86.6%) frequently. The icaA was the major representative module of the actively expressing icaADBC operon (n = 21; 80.7% sensitivity). The MSCRAMMs, including fbe (n = 59; 90.7%; p = 0.007), and embp (n = 57; 87.6%; p = 0.026), were highly prevalent and associated with biofilm positive S. epidermidis. The prevalence of icaADBC operon in biofilm positive and negative S. epidermidis was not significant (n = 41; 63%; p = 0.429). No significant association was found between IS256 and actively complete icaADBC operon (n = 10; 47.6%; p = 0.294). In the presence of 5% human plasma and glucose stress, S. epidermidis produced a strong biofilm (n = 55; 84.6%). Conclusion: The polysaccharide-dependent biofilm formation is significantly replaced (n = 21; 28%; p = 0.149) by a polysaccharide-independent mechanism (n = 59; 90.7%; p = 0.007), in which the MSCRAMMs might actively play their role. The fibrinogen-binding protein and extracellular matrix-binding protein might be potential anti-biofilm drug targets, markers of rapid diagnosis, and potential vaccine candidates of S. epidermidis involved in pediatric bacteremia.
The Use of Kappa Free Light Chains to Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Arneth Borros , Kraus Jörg
Published: October 2022

Background: The positive implications of using free light chains in diagnosing multiple sclerosis have increasingly gained considerable interest in medical research and the scientific community. It is often presumed that free light chains, particularly kappa and lambda free light chains, are of practical use and are associated with a higher probability of obtaining positive results compared to oligoclonal bands. The primary purpose of the current paper was to conduct a systematic review to assess the up-to-date methods for diagnosing multiple sclerosis using kappa and lambda free light chains. Method: An organized literature search was performed across four electronic sources, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Embase, and MEDLINE. The sources analyzed in this systematic review and meta-analysis comprise randomized clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, retrospective studies, controlled clinical trials, and systematic reviews. Results: The review contains 116 reports that includes 1204 participants. The final selection includes a vast array of preexisting literature concerning the study topic: 35 randomized clinical trials, 21 prospective cohort studies, 19 retrospective studies, 22 controlled clinical trials, and 13 systematic reviews. Discussion: The incorporated literature sources provided integral insights into the benefits of free light chain diagnostics for multiple sclerosis. It was also evident that the use of free light chains in the diagnosis of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and multiple sclerosis is relatively fast and inexpensive in comparison to other conventional state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, e.g., using oligoclonal bands (OCBs).
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in a Young Adult (MIC-A) Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Bajoriunaite Ausrine , Zaveckiene Jurgita , Usaite Akvile , Dobiliene Olivija , Tamosuitis Tomas
Published: October 2022

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS) is a rare but increasingly recognized complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection, usually presenting 2 to 6 weeks after the onset of COVID-19 infection symptoms and affecting mainly children. However, there have been reported several cases of a similar multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A). We describe the case of a previously healthy 28-year-old male who presented with a clinical profile with multiorgan involvement within four weeks after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggestive for multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-A). The clinical presentation included persistent high grade of fever, gastrointestinal and mucocutaneous lesions, lymphadenopathy, elevated cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers, cytopenia and shock. This case report illustrates the wide range of presentations, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of multisystem inflammatory syndrome. The pathophysiology and the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 triggers an abnormal immune response leading to MIS remain poorly understood. Better characterization of MIS-A and early recognition of MIS is important because it is associated with high mortality if left untreated.
Ti3C2 MXene Membranes for Gas Separation: Influence of Heat Treatment Conditions on D-Spacing and Surface Functionalization
Authors: Emerenciano Aline Alencar , do Nascimento Rubens Maribondo , Barbosa Ana Paula Cysne , Ran Ke , Meulenberg Wilhelm Albert , Gonzalez-Julian Jesus
Published: October 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) MXene materials have recently been the focus of membrane research due to their unique properties, such as their single-atomic-layer thickness, flexibility, molecular filtration abilities and microstructural similarities with graphene, which is currently the most efficient precursor material for gas separation applications. In addition, the potential to process nanoscale channels has motivated investigations of parameters which can improve membrane permeability and selectivity. Interlayer spacing and defects, which are still challenging to control, are among the most crucial parameters for membrane performance. Herein, the effect of heat treatment on the d-spacing of MXene nanosheets and the surface functionalization of nanolayers was shown regarding its impact on the gas diffusion mechanism. The distance of the layers was reduced by a factor of over 10 from 0.345 nm to 0.024 nm, the defects were reduced, and the surface functionalization was maintained upon treatment of the Ti3C2 membrane at 500 °C under an Ar/H2 atmosphere as compared to 80 °C under vacuum. This led to a change from Knudsen diffusion to molecular sieving, as demonstrated by single-gas permeation tests at room temperature. Overall, this work shows a simple and promising way to improve H2/CO2 selectivity via temperature treatment under a controlled atmosphere.
Study on the Actuation Properties of Polyurethane Fiber Membranes Filled with PEG-SWNTs Dielectric Microcapsules
Authors: Lu Gang , Shuai Changgeng , Liu Yinsong , Yang Xue
Published: October 2022

Polyurethane dielectric elastomer (PUDE), a typical representative of emerging intelligent materials, has advantages, such as good elasticity and flexibility, fast response speed, high electromechanical conversion efficiency, and strong environmental tolerance. It has promising applications in underwater bionic actuators, but its electromechanical properties should be improved further. In this context, the design of polyethylene glycol (PEG) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNTs) dielectric microcapsules was adopted to balance the problem of contradictions, which conventional dielectric modification methods face between comprehensive properties (e.g., dielectric properties and modulus). Moreover, the dielectric microcapsule was evenly filled into the polyurethane fiber by coaxial spinning technology to enhance the actuation performance and instability of the electrical breakdown threshold of conventional polyurethane dielectric modification. It was revealed that the dielectric microcapsules were oriented in the polyurethane fiber, and the actuation performance of the composite fiber membrane was significantly better than that of the polyurethane fiber membrane filled with SWNTs, thus confirming that the filling design of the dielectric microcapsules in polyurethane fiber could have certain technical advantages. On that basis, this study provides a novel idea for the dielectric modification of polyurethane.
Hydroxytyrosol Enrichment of Olive Leaf Extracts via Membrane Separation Processes
Authors: Papageorgiou Costas S. , Lymberopoulos Stathis , Bakas Panagiotis , Zagklis Dimitris P. , Sygouni Varvara , Paraskeva Christakis A.
Published: October 2022

Antioxidants isolated from plant materials, such as phenolics, have attracted a lot of attention because of their potential uses. This contributes to the idea of the biorefinery, which is a way to produce useful products from biomass waste. Olea europaea byproducts have been extensively investigated for their large contents in phenolics. Oleuropein is a phenolic compound abundant in olive leaves, with its molecule containing hydroxytyrosol, elenolic acid, and glucose. In this work, olive leaf extracts were treated using different combinations of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes to assess their capacity of facilitating the production of hydroxytyrosol-enriched solutions, either by separating the initially extracted oleuropein or by separating the hydroxytyrosol produced after a hydrolysis step. The best performance was observed when an ultrafiltration membrane (UP010, 10,000 Da) was followed by a nanofiltration membrane (TS40, 200–300 Da) for the treatment of the hydrolyzed extract, increasing the purity of the final product from 25% w/w of the total extracted compounds being hydroxytyrosol when membrane processes were not used to 68% w/w.
Permeation of Ternary Mixture Containing H2S, CO2 and CH4 in Aquivion® Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Ionomer Membranes
Authors: Signorini Virginia , Giacinti Baschetti Marco , Pizzi Diego , Merlo Luca
Published: October 2022

Aquivion® E87-12S Perfluorosulfonated acid ionomer material (PFSA) has been studied as a membrane technology for natural gas sweetening from CO2, H2S due to its interesting chemical and mechanical stability and good separation performance for polar compounds in humid environments. In the present work, permeation of the H2S/CO2/CH4 ternary mixture in this short-side PFSA chain was investigated at pressures up to 10 bar, temperatures up to 50 °C, and in a range of relative humidity (RH) from 20% to 90%. The results obtained confirm the strong dependence of Aquivion® on water activity and temperature, and its ability to separate gases based on their water solubility without substantial differences between pure and mixed gas experiments. Indeed, even when tested in ternary mixture, the permeation behavior remains similar to that observed for pure components and binary mixtures. In particular, the permeability of H2S is higher than that of CO2 and methane CH4, reaching values of 500 Barrer at 50 °C and 80% RH, against 450 and 23 Barrer for the other two gases respectively. Additionally, when tested at higher pressures of up to 10 bar under humid conditions, the membrane properties remained largely unchanged, thus confirming the overall stability and durability of Aquivion® E87-12S in acid environments.
Remediation of Water Using a Nanofabricated Cellulose Membrane Embedded with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Shad Salma , Lynch Iseult , Shah Syed Waqar Hussain , Bashir Nadia
Published: October 2022

The removal of pesticide pollution is imperative, because of their high environmental load and persistence, and their potential for bioaccumulation in, and toxicity to the environment. Most pesticides are found to be toxic even at trace levels. AgNPs can be effectively used for the adsorption of pesticides, and the incorporation of the AgNPs onto a support polymeric membrane enhances their effectiveness and reduces the potential unwanted consequences of intentionally adding free nanoparticles to the environment. Here, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a reliable, eco-friendly, and one-step “green” method, by reacting Mentha Piperita (mint) extract with AgNO3 aqueous solution at 60 °C in a microwave. The resulting high surface area nanoparticles are both economic and effective environmental remediation agents, playing a promising role in the elimination of aquatic pesticide pollution. Embedding the nanoparticles into a cellulose membrane at a low concentration (0.1 g) of AgNPs was shown to result in effectively adsorption of representative pesticides (Cypermethrin, Paraquat, and Cartap) within 60 min, while increasing the concentration of nanoparticles incorporated into the membrane further enhanced the removal of the exemplar pesticides from water. The high adsorption capacity makes the cellulose-AgNPs membrane an excellent substrate for the remediation of pesticide-polluted water.
Effect of Heat Dissipation Rate on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al0.5FeCoCrNi High-Entropy Alloy Wall Fabricated by Laser Melting Deposition
Authors: Yan Yanan , Tian Yinbao , Cai Yangchuan , Han Jian , Zhang Xuesong
Published: October 2022

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a new type of multi-component alloy. The design of the compositions breaks the design ideas of traditional alloys and shows many excellent properties. Therefore, an Al0.5FeCoCrNi HEA with face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) dual-phase structure was used in this paper. During the additive manufacturing process, the heat dissipation rate gradually changes with the increase in wall height. As a result, the composition of the phases changes, resulting in differences in mechanical properties. Here, we designed laser melting deposition (LMD) on T-beams of different heights to change the heat dissipation rate of the wall, and the effects of the heat dissipation rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al0.5FeCoCrNi HEAs were studied. The experimental results showed that increasing the height of the T-beam would gradually slow down the heat dissipation rate of the wall. The above phenomena not only led to a gradual reduction of the BCC phase under the influence of heat accumulation but also increased the length of columnar crystals in the wall with the slowing of heat dissipation. Heat accumulation hindered the nucleation during solidification and eventually led to the growth of grains across the deposition layer. Furthermore, the slow heat dissipation rate changed the grain number and BCC phase content, which gradually decreased the strength and hardness, while the ductility of the samples improved.
LC-MS/MS Characterization of Phenolic Metabolites and Their Antioxidant Activities from Australian Native Plants
Authors: Ali Akhtar , Cottrell Jeremy J. , Dunshea Frank R.
Published: October 2022

Polyphenols are considered vital bioactive compounds beneficial for human health. The Australian flora is enriched with polyphenols which are not fully characterized yet. Thus, the main objective of this study was to identify and characterize the Australian native sandalwood nuts, wattle seeds, lemongrass, and old man saltbush for phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities. In this study, we tentatively identified a total of 155 phenolic compounds including 25 phenolic acids, 55 flavonoids, 22 isoflavonoids, 22 tannins, 22 lignans, 33 stilbenes, 33 coumarins and derivatives, 12 tyrosols and derivatives, and 6 phenolic terpenes. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) (15.09 ± 0.88 mg GAE/g) was quantified in lemongrass, while the lowest TPC (4.17 ± 0.33 mg GAE/g) was measured in wattle seeds. The highest total flavonoid content (TFC) and total condensed tannins (TCT) were measured in lemongrass and wattle seeds, respectively. A total of 18 phenolic metabolites were quantified/semi-quantified in this experiment. Lemongrass contains a vast number of phenolic metabolites.
Facile Synthesis of TiO2/MoS2 Composites with Co-Exposed High-Energy Facets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Niu Xianjun , Du Yien , Liu Jian , Li Jinxiao , Sun Jiayi , Guo Yuwei
Published: October 2022

In this work, with the the H2TiO3 colloidal suspension and MoS2 as the precursors, TiO2/MoS2 composites composed of anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with co-exposed {101} and [111]-facets (nanorod and nanocuboid), {101} and {010} facets (nanospindle), and MoS2 microspheres constructed by layer-by-layer self-assembly of nanosheets were hydrothermally synthesized under different pH conditions. The characterization has been performed by combining X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and UV-visible absorption spectrum analyses. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in an aqueous suspension was employed to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared pHx-TiO2/MoS2 composites. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of pH3.5-TiO2/MoS2 composite was the highest (99.70%), which was 11.24, 2.98, 1.48, 1.21, 1.09, 1.03, 1.10, and 1.14 times that of Blank, MoS2, CM-TiO2, pH1.5-TiO2/MoS2, pH5.5-TiO2/MoS2, pH7.5-TiO2/MoS2, pH9.5-TiO2/MoS2, pH11.5-TiO2/MoS2, respectively. The pH3.5-TiO2/MoS2 composite exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation rate, which may be attributed to the synergistic effects of its large specific surface area, suitable heterojunction structure, and favorable photogenerated charge-separation efficiency. This work is expect to provide primary insights into the photocatalytic effect of TiO2/MoS2 composite with co-exposed high-energy facets, and make a contribution to designing more efficient and stable photocatalysts.
A Three-Dimensional Inversion Method for Small-Scale Magnetic Objects Based on Normalized Magnetic Source Strength
Authors: Cai Ziming , Li Zhining , Fan Hongbo , Li Qingzhu , Wang Bo
Published: October 2022

The exploration of some dangerous or important small-scale magnetic objects requires accurate three-dimensional inversion results. In this paper, a three-dimensional inversion method for small-scale magnetic objects is proposed. Normalized magnetic source strength, which is weakly sensitive to the magnetization direction, is used for inversion, which avoids the influence of the remanence of magnetic objects. The planted inversion method is improved to make the inversion results more similar to the real results; normalized magnetic source strength is used to estimate the center position of the magnetic objects, which provides a priori information for the inversion; the weighting function is added in the inversion process to improve the inversion accuracy. The simulation and experimental results show that the method is not affected by the remanence, and effectively reduces the interference of non-target field sources. The obtained inversion results have higher accuracy.
Computational Study of Magnetic Particle Motion inside the Nasal Cavity under the Impact of an External Magnetic Field for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Pradakis Nikolaos , Maniotis Nikolaos , Samaras Theodoros
Published: October 2022

The blood–brain barrier is a highly selective semipermeable border that separates blood circulation from the brain and hinders the accumulation of substances in the central nervous system. Hence, a treatment plan aiming to combat neurodegenerative diseases may be restricted. The exploitation of the nose–brain pathway could be a promising bypass method. However, pharmaceutical uptake through the olfactory epithelium is insignificant in terms of treatment, if relying only on fluid dynamic interactions. The main reasons for this are the highly complicated geometry of the nose and the residence time of the substance. The issue can be tackled by using magnetic particles as drug carriers. With the application of an external magnetic field, further control of the particle motion can be achieved, leading to increased uptake. The present work studies this approach computationally by employing magnetite particles with a radius of 7.5 μm while a magnetic field is applied with a permanent neodymium-iron-boron magnet of 9.5×105  A/m magnetization. Through this investigation, the best drug delivery protocol achieved a 2% delivery efficiency. The most significant advantage of this protocol is its straightforward design, which does not require complex equipment, thus rendering the protocol portable and manageable for frequent dosing or at-home administration.
Lacticaseibacillus casei Strain Shirota Modulates Macrophage-Intestinal Epithelial Cell Co-Culture Barrier Integrity, Bacterial Sensing and Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Foey Andrew , Habil Neama , Strachan Alex , Beal Jane
Published: October 2022

Probiotic bacteria modulate macrophage immune inflammatory responses, with functional cytokine responses determined by macrophage subset polarisation, stimulation and probiotic strain. Mucosal macrophages exhibit subset functional heterogeneity but are organised in a 3-dimensional tissue, over-laid by barrier epithelial cells. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on macrophage-epithelial cell cytokine responses, pattern recognition receptor (PRR) expression and LPS responses and the impacts on barrier integrity. THP-1-derived M1 and M2 subset macrophages were co-cultured in a transwell system with differentiated Caco-2 epithelial cells in the presence or absence of enteropathogenic LPS. Both Caco-2 cells in monoculture and macrophage co-culture were assayed for cytokines, PRR expression and barrier integrity (TEER and ZO-1) by RT-PCR, ELISA, IHC and electrical resistance. Caco-2 monocultures expressed distinct cytokine profiles (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, endogenous IL-10), PRRs and barrier integrity, determined by inflammatory context (TNFα or IL-1β). In co-culture, LcS rescued ZO-1 and TEER in M2/Caco-2, but not M1/Caco-2. LcS suppressed TLR2, TLR4, MD2 expression in both co-cultures and differentially regulated NOD2, TLR9, Tollip and cytokine secretion. In conclusion, LcS selectively modulates epithelial barrier integrity, pathogen sensing and inflammatory cytokine profile; determined by macrophage subset and activation status.
Association between Brain Injury Markers and Testosterone in Critically-Ill COVID-19 Male Patients
Authors: Tokic Daria , Mikacic Marijana , Kumric Marko , Ticinovic Kurir Tina , Rancic Iva , Martinovic Dinko , Bukic Josipa , Vrdoljak Josip , Lizatovic Ivan Kresimir , Stipic Sanda Stojanovic , Supe Domic Daniela , Bozic Josko
Published: October 2022

Accumulating data suggest that various neurologic manifestations are reported in critically-ill COVID-19 patients. Although low testosterone levels were associated with poor outcomes, the relationship between testosterone levels and indices of brain injury are still poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether testosterone levels are associated with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), biomarkers of brain injury, in patients with a severe form of COVID-19. The present study was conducted on 65 male patients aged 18–65 with severe COVID-19. Blood samples were collected at three time points: upon admission to ICU, 7 days after, and 14 days after. In patients with neurological sequels (n = 20), UCH-L1 serum concentrations at admission were markedly higher than in patients without them (240.0 (155.4–366.4) vs. 146.4 (92.5–243.9) pg/mL, p = 0.022). GFAP concentrations on admission did not differ between the groups (32.2 (24.2–40.1) vs. 29.8 (21.8–39.4) pg/mL, p = 0.372). Unlike GFAP, UCH-L1 serum concentrations exhibited a negative correlation with serum testosterone in all three time points (r = −0.452, p < 0.001; r = −0.430, p < 0.001 and r = −0.476, p = 0.001, respectively). The present study suggests that the traumatic brain injury biomarker UCH-L1 may be associated with neurological impairments seen in severe COVID-19. Moreover, a negative correlation between UCH-L1 and serum testosterone concentrations implies that testosterone may have a role in the development of neurological sequels in critically-ill COVID-19 patients.
An Optimized HPLC-DAD Methodology for the Determination of Anthocyanins in Grape Skins of Red Greek Winegrape Cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Kalogiouri Natasa P. , Karadimou Christina , Avgidou Mary S. , Petsa Elissavet , Papadakis Emmanouil-Nikolaos , Theocharis Serafeim , Mourtzinos Ioannis , Menkissoglu-Spiroudi Urania , Koundouras Stefanos
Published: October 2022

A rapid and simple HPLC-DAD analytical method was developed and optimized for the determination of anthocynanins in three red Greek winegrape varieties (Kotsifali, Limnio, and Vradiano). The critical parameters, such as the acidifying solvent and the extraction temperature, which affect the extraction of anthocyanins from the grapes, were studied to find the optimum values. The developed methodology was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision and presented satisfactory results. The limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged between 0.20 mg/kg to 0.60 mg/kg, and the limits of detection (LODs) ranged between 0.06 mg/kg and 0.12 mg/kg. The RSD% of the within-day and between-day assays were lower than 6.2% and 8.5%, respectively, showing adequate precision. The accuracy ranged between 91.6 and 119% for within-day assay and between 89.9 and 123% for between-day assay. Sixteen samples from the main regions of each variety as well as from the official ampelographic collections of Greece were collected during the 2020 growing season and were further analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Notable differences in the anthocyanin content were detected among the cultivars using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).
Gallomyrtucommulones G and H, New Phloroglucinol Glycosides, from Bioactive Fractions of Myrtus communis against Staphylococcus Species
Authors: Guzzo Francesca , Durán Alexandra G. , Sanna Cinzia , Marasco Rosangela , Molfetta Nicola , Buommino Elisabetta , Fiorentino Antonio , D’Abrosca Brigida
Published: October 2022

Myrtaceae family is a continuous source of antimicrobial agents. In the search for novel antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus species, bioactive fractions of Myrtus communis L., growing in the Sardinia island (Italy) have been investigated. Their phytochemical analysis led us to isolate and characterize four alkylphloroglucinol glycosides (1–4), three of them gallomyrtucommulones G–H (1,2), and myrtucommulonoside (4) isolated and characterized for the first time. The structures of the new and known compounds, endopreroxide G3 (5), myricetin-3-O-glycosides (6,7) were determined based on the spectroscopic evidence including 1D-/2D-NMR and HR-MS spectrometry. Enriched fractions as well as pure compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity by broth micro-dilution assay against Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus. Results reported herein demonstrated that gallomyrtucommulone G (1) showed a selective antimicrobial activity against both S. aureus strains (ATCC 29213 and 43300) until 16 μg/mL while gallomyrtucommulone D (3) showed the best growth inhibition value at 64 μg/mL.
Viscoelastic Properties of Water-Absorbed Poly(methyl methacrylate) Doped with Lithium Salts with Various Anions
Authors: Ito Asae , Shin Arisa , Nitta Koh-hei
Published: October 2022

We investigated the effects of water absorption on the dynamic mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) doped with various generic lithium salts, such as lithium perchlorate trihydrate (LiClO4), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3), lithium nonafluorobutanesulfonate (LiC4F9SO3), and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiN(CF3SO2)). The rates of weight change during water absorption of lithium salt-doped samples were higher in the following order: LiClO4, LiCF3SO3, LiC4F9SO3, and LiN(CF3SO2). Interestingly, the aforementioned order was the same as the order of the terminal relaxation times in the flow region of the viscoelastic measurement in the melting-state. This implies that the water absorption of the salt-doped PMMA occurs due to the factors that affect the pinning of the PMMA molecular chains in the places.