bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic Experimental Assessment of Remote Terminal Unit System with Friction Pendulum under Triaxial Shake Table Tests
Authors: Kim Sung-Wan , Jeon Bub-Gyu , Yun Da-Woon , Jung Woo-Young , Ju Bu-Seog
Published: September 2021

In recent years, earthquakes have caused more damage to nonstructural components, such as mechanical and electrical equipment and piping systems, than to structural components. In particular, among the nonstructural components, the electrical cabinet is an essential piece of equipment used to maintain the functionality of critical facilities such as nuclear and non-nuclear power plants. Therefore, damage to the electrical cabinet associated with the safety of the facility can lead to severe accidents related to loss-of-life and property damage. Consequently, the electrical cabinet system must be protected against strong ground motion. This paper presents an exploratory study of dynamic characteristics of seismically isolated remote terminal unit (RTU) cabinet system subjected to tri-axial shaking table, and also the shaking table test of the non-seismically isolated cabinet system was conducted to compare the vibration characteristics with the cabinet system installed with friction pendulum isolator device. In addition, for the shaking table test, two recorded earthquakes obtained from Korea and artificial earthquakes based on the common application of building seismic-resistant design standards as an input ground motions were applied. The experimental assessment showed that the various damage modes such as door opening, the fall of the wire mold, and damage to door lock occurred in the RTU panel fixed on the concrete foundation by a set anchor, but the damage occurred only at the seismic isolator in the seismically isolated RTU panel system. Furthermore, it was considered that the application of the seismic isolator can effectively mitigate the impact and amplification of seismic force to the RTU panel system during and after strong ground motions in this study.
Relationship Analysis between Multi-Parameters and Ferrite Number in GTAW Based on ANN Model
Authors: Cheng Shanghua , Cheng Fangjie , Li Lidong , Li Fangliang , Shao Zhujing , Zhang Yiqi , Wu Shaojie
Published: September 2021

Ferrite number (FN) is a crucial parameter for austenite steel-welding products, since it has a specific relationship with crack sensitivity and other important properties. In this paper, artificial neural network (ANN) models were built to predict FN, based on the GTAW tests of 304L plates produced by two different steelworks, Dongfang Special Steel hot-rolled sheet (DFSS) and Anshan Iron and Steel cold-rolled sheet (ASIS). The results show that a high performance, of more than 98% accuracy, can be achieved when the models of DFSS and ASIS are modeled separately, and that accuracy is also above 96% when an integrated model is built. The influences of nitrogen content and multiwelding parameters, such as travel speed, wire-feed rate, welding current and arc length, on FN are also analyzed through the FN-prediction model for DFSS. The results show that FN increases monotonously with the increase of nitrogen content, but the influences of either of the other two parameters on FN are nonlinear.
A Mechanistic Study of Clustering and Diffusion of Molybdenum and Rhenium Atoms in Liquid Sodium
Authors: Liu Zhixiao , Ma Mingyang , Liang Wenfeng , Deng Huiqiu
Published: September 2021

Liquid Na is widely used as the heat transfer medium in high-temperature heat pipes based on Mo-Re alloys. In this study, ab initio molecular dynamics are employed in order to understand the interactions between the Na solvent and Mo or Re solute in the liquid phase. Both the temperature and concentration effects on the clustering and diffusion behaviors of solute atoms are investigated. It is found that Mo2 and Re2 dimers can be stabilized in liquid Na, and the higher temperature leads to a stronger binding force. Pure Re and Mo-Re mixed solutes can form tetramers at the highest concentration. However, for the pure Mo solute, Mo4 is not observed. The diffusivities of a single solute atom and clusters are calculated. It is found that the Mo species diffuse faster than the Re species, and the diffusivity decreases as the cluster size increases.
Novel Serum and Urinary Metabolites Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Three Asian Cohorts
Authors: Quek Debra Q. Y. , He Feng , Sultana Rehena , Banu Riswana , Chee Miao Li , Nusinovici Simon , Thakur Sahil , Qian Chaoxu , Cheng Ching-Yu , Wong Tien Y. , Sabanayagam Charumathi
Published: September 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, but understanding of its pathophysiology remains incomplete. Meta-analysis of three population-based cross-sectional studies (2004–11) representing three major Asian ethnic groups (aged 40–80 years: Chinese, 592; Malays, 1052; Indians, 1320) was performed. A panel of 228 serum/plasma metabolites and 54 urinary metabolites were quantified using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Main outcomes were defined as any DR, moderate/above DR, and vision-threatening DR assessed from retinal photographs. The relationship between metabolites and DR outcomes was assessed using multivariate logistic regression models, and metabolites significant after Bonferroni correction were meta-analyzed. Among serum/plasma metabolites, lower levels of tyrosine and cholesterol esters to total lipids ratio in IDL and higher levels of creatinine were positively associated with all three outcomes of DR (all p < 0.005). Among urinary metabolites, lower levels of citrate, ethanolamine, formate, and hypoxanthine were positively associated with all three DR outcomes (all p < 0.005). Higher levels of serum/plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate and lower levels of urinary 3-hydroxyisobutyrate were associated with VTDR. Comprehensive metabolic profiling in three large Asian cohorts with DR demonstrated alterations in serum/plasma and urinary metabolites mostly related to amino acids, lipoprotein subclasses, kidney function, and glycolysis.
Enhancing the Data Reliability of Multilevel Storage in Phase Change Memory with 2T2R Cell Structure
Authors: Lv Yi , Wang Qian , Chen Houpeng , Xie Chenchen , Ni Shenglan , Li Xi , Song Zhitang
Published: September 2021

Multilevel storage and the continuing scaling down of technology have significantly improved the storage density of phase change memory, but have also brought about a challenge, in that data reliability can degrade due to the resistance drift. To ensure data reliability, many read and write operation technologies have been proposed. However, they only mitigate the influence on data through read and write operations after resistance drift occurs. In this paper, we consider the working principle of multilevel storage for PCM and present a novel 2T2R structure circuit to increase the storage density and reduce the influence of resistance drift fundamentally. To realize 3-bit per cell storage, a wide range of resistances were selected as different states of phase change memory. Then, we proposed a 4:3 compressing encoding scheme to transform the output data into binary data states. Therefore, the designed 2T2R was proven to have optimized storage density and data reliability by monitoring the conductance distribution at four time points (1 ms, 1 s, 6 h, 12 h) in 4000 devices. Simulation results showed that the resistance drift of our proposed 2T2R structure can significantly improve the storage density of multilevel storage and increase the data reliability of phase change memory.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Asia, Africa and Europe
Authors: Shahhosseini Nariman , Wong Gary , Babuadze George , Camp Jeremy V. , Ergonul Onder , Kobinger Gary P. , Chinikar Sadegh , Nowotny Norbert
Published: September 2021

The global spread of ticks and various tick-borne viruses (TBVs) suggests the possibility of new tick-borne diseases emerging. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an emerging TBV of the Nairoviridae family that causes serious disease that can be fatal in humans. CCHFV endemic foci can be found in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South-Eastern Europe, and has spread to previously unaffected regions and nations, such as Spain, over the last two decades. In this review, we discuss the current situation of CCHFV in Asia, Africa and Europe based on existing knowledge, and we discuss driving factors in the distribution and transmission of the virus, such as the spread of tick vector species and host reservoirs.
Assessing the Risks of Potential Bacterial Pathogens Attaching to Different Microplastics during the Summer–Autumn Period in a Mariculture Cage
Authors: Hou Dandi , Hong Man , Wang Yanting , Dong Pengsheng , Cheng Huangwei , Yan Huizhen , Yao Zhiyuan , Li Daoji , Wang Kai , Zhang Demin
Published: September 2021

As microplastic pollution continues to increase, an emerging threat is the potential for microplastics to act as novel substrates and/or carriers for pathogens. This is of particular concern for aquatic product safety given the growing evidence of microplastic ingestion by aquaculture species. However, the potential risks of pathogens associated with microplastics in mariculture remain poorly understood. Here, an in situ incubation experiment involving three typical microplastics including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) was conducted during the summer–autumn period in a mariculture cage. The identification of potential pathogens based on the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and a custom-made database for pathogenic bacteria involved in aquatic environments, was performed to assess the risks of different microplastics attaching potential pathogens. The enrichment of pathogens was not observed in microplastic-associated communities when compared with free-living and particle-attached communities in surrounding seawater. Despite the lower relative abundance, pathogens showed different preferences for three microplastic substrates, of which PET was the most favored by pathogens, especially potentially pathogenic members of Vibrio, Tenacibaculum, and Escherichia. Moreover, the colonization of these pathogens on microplastics was strongly affected by environmental factors (e.g., temperature, nitrite). Our results provide insights into the ecological risks of microplastics in mariculture industry.
Gut Microbiome, Functional Food, Atherosclerosis, and Vascular Calcifications—Is There a Missing Link?
Authors: Cretoiu Dragos , Ionescu Ruxandra Florentina , Enache Robert Mihai , Cretoiu Sanda Maria , Voinea Silviu Cristian
Published: September 2021

The gut microbiome is represented by the genome of all microorganisms (symbiotic, potential pathogens, or pathogens) residing in the intestine. These ecological communities are involved in almost all metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases are not excluded. Atherosclerosis, with a continuously increasing incidence in recent years, is the leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke by plaque rupture and intraplaque hemorrhage. Vascular calcification, a process very much alike with osteogenesis, is considered to be a marker of advanced atherosclerosis. New evidence, suggesting the role of dietary intake influence on the diversity of the gut microbiome in the development of vascular calcifications, is highly debated. Gut microbiota can metabolize choline, phosphatidylcholine, and L-carnitine and produce vasculotoxic metabolites, such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a proatherogenic metabolite. This review article aims to discuss the latest research about how probiotics and the correction of diet is impacting the gut microbiota and its metabolites in the atherosclerotic process and vascular calcification. Further studies could create the premises for interventions in the microbiome as future primary tools in the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque and vascular calcifications.
Phosphorus Recovery from Sewage Sludge Ash Based on Cradle-to-Cradle Approach—Mini-Review
Authors: Jama-Rodzeńska Anna , Sowiński Józef , Koziel Jacek A. , Białowiec Andrzej
Published: September 2021

The wastewater treatment process generates large amounts of P-rich organic waste (sewage sludge (SS)). The direct application of SS in agriculture, being controversial, is gradually being replaced by incineration, leading to the concentration of both P and heavy metals in the solid residual-sewage sludge ash (SSA). The novel closed-loop, cradle-to-cradle (C2C) approach leads to maintaining P production at current levels and counteracts its depletion in the future. The aim of this review is the presentation of the implementation of the C2C approach for P recovery. The paper focuses on steps that comprise P C2C, starting from the SS properties, being a derivative of wastewater type and treatment processes, to SS pre-treatment and finally leading to certified P-fertilizers production from SSA by application thermochemical or wet chemical extraction technologies. Examples of SSA treatment technologies and the final products are provided. It has been summarized that future research should focus on the production of SSA-based fertilizers aligning with the C2C concept and determining its effect on the various agriculture and horticulture crops.
Merging Perspectives on Secondary Minerals on Mars: A Review of Ancient Water-Rock Interactions in Gale Crater Inferred from Orbital and In-Situ Observations
Authors: Sheppard Rachel Y. , Thorpe Michael T. , Fraeman Abigail A. , Fox Valerie K. , Milliken Ralph E.
Published: September 2021

Phyllosilicates, sulfates, and Fe oxides are the most prevalent secondary minerals detected on Mars from orbit and the surface, including in the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover’s field site at Gale crater. These records of aqueous activity have been investigated in detail in Gale crater, where Curiosity’s X-ray diffractometer allows for direct observation and detailed characterization of mineral structure and abundance. This capability provides critical ground truthing to better understand how to interpret Martian mineralogy inferred from orbital datasets. Curiosity is about to leave behind phyllosilicate-rich strata for more sulfate-rich terrains, while the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is in its early exploration of ancient sedimentary strata in Jezero crater. It is thus an appropriate time to review Gale crater’s mineral distribution from multiple perspectives, utilizing the range of chemical, mineralogical, and spectral measurements provided by orbital and in situ observations. This review compares orbital predictions of composition in Gale crater with higher fidelity (but more spatially restricted) in situ measurements by Curiosity, and we synthesize how this information contributes to our understanding of water-rock interaction in Gale crater. In the context of combining these disparate spatial scales, we also discuss implications for the larger understanding of martian surface evolution and the need for a wide range of data types and scales to properly reconstruct ancient geologic processes using remote methods.
Formation of a Composite Albian–Eocene Orogenic Wedge in the Inner Western Carpathians: P–T Estimates and 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology from Structural Units
Authors: Putiš Marián , Nemec Ondrej , Danišík Martin , Jourdan Fred , Soták Ján , Tomek Čestmír , Ružička Peter , Molnárová Alexandra
Published: September 2021

The composite Albian–Eocene orogenic wedge of the northern part of the Inner Western Carpathians (IWC) comprises the European Variscan basement with the Upper Carboniferous–Triassic cover and the Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous sedimentary successions of a large oceanic–continental Atlantic (Alpine) Tethys basin system. This paper presents an updated evolutionary model for principal structural units of the orogenic wedge (i.e., Fatricum, Tatricum and Infratatricum) based on new and published white mica 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and P–T estimates by Perple_X modeling and geothermobarometry. The north-directed Cretaceous collision led to closure of the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous basins, and incorporation of their sedimentary infill and a thinned basement into the Albian–Cenomanian/Turonian accretionary wedge. During this compressional D1 stage, the subautochthonous Fatric structural units, including the present-day higher Infratatric nappes, achieved the metamorphic conditions of ca. 250–400 °C and 400–700 MPa. The collapse of the Albian–Cenomanian/Turonian wedge and contemporary southward Penninic oceanic subduction enhanced the extensional exhumation of the low-grade metamorphosed structural complexes (D2 stage) and the opening of a fore-arc basin. This basin hemipelagic Coniacian–Campanian Couches-Rouges type marls (C.R.) spread from the northern Tatric edge, throughout the Infratatric Belice Basin, up to the peri-Pieniny Klippen Belt Kysuca Basin, thus tracing the south-Penninic subduction. The ceasing subduction switched to the compressional regime recorded in the trench-like Belice “flysch” trough formation and the lower anchi-metamorphism of the C.R. at ca. 75–65 Ma (D3 stage). The Belice trough closure was followed by the thrusting of the exhumed low-grade metamorphosed higher Infratatric complexes and the anchi-metamorphosed C.R. over the frontal unmetamorphosed to lowest anchi-metamorphosed Upper Campanian–Maastrichtian “flysch” sediments at ca. 65–50 Ma (D4 stage). Phengite from the Infratatric marble sample SRB-1 and meta-marl sample HC-12 produced apparent 40Ar/39Ar step ages clustered around 90 Ma. A mixture interpretation of this age is consistent with the presence of an older metamorphic Ph1 related to the burial (D1) within the Albian–Cenomanian/Turonian accretionary wedge. On the contrary, a younger Ph2 is closely related to the late- to post-Campanian (D3) thrust fault formation over the C.R. Celadonite-enriched muscovite from the subautochthonous Fatric Zobor Nappe meta-quartzite sample ZI-3 yielded a mini-plateau age of 62.21 ± 0.31 Ma which coincides with the closing of the Infratatric foreland Belice “flysch” trough, the accretion of the Infratatricum to the Tatricum, and the formation of the rear subautochthonous Fatricum bivergent structure in the Eocene orogenic wedge.
Learning to Tune a Class of Controllers with Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Shipman William John
Published: September 2021

Control systems require maintenance in the form of tuning their parameters in order to maximize their performance in the face of process changes in minerals processing circuits. This work focuses on using deep reinforcement learning to train an agent to perform this maintenance continuously. A generic simulation of a first-order process with a time delay, controlled by a proportional-integral controller, was used as the training environment. Domain randomization in this environment was used to aid in generalizing the agent to unseen conditions on a physical circuit. Proximal policy optimization was used to train the agent, and hyper-parameter optimization was performed to select the optimal agent neural network size and training algorithm parameters. Two agents were tested, examining the impact of the observation space used by the agent and concluding that the best observation consists of the parameters of an auto-regressive with exogenous input model fitted to the measurements of the controlled variable. The best trained agent was deployed at an industrial comminution circuit where it was tested on two flow rate control loops. This agent improved the performance of one of these control loops but decreased the performance of the other control loop. While deep reinforcement learning does show promise in controller tuning, several challenges and directions for further study have been identified.
Adsorption of Toluene and Water over Cationic-Exchanged Y Zeolites: A DFT Exploration
Authors: Hessou Etienne P. , Bédé Lucie A. , Jabraoui Hicham , Semmeq Abderrahmane , Badawi Michael , Valtchev Valentin
Published: September 2021

In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to investigate the adsorption mechanisms of toluene and water onto various cationic forms of Y zeolite (LiY, NaY, KY, CsY, CuY and AgY). Our computational investigation revealed that toluene is mainly adsorbed via π–interactions on alkalis exchanged Y zeolites, where the adsorbed toluene moiety interacts with a single cation for all cases with the exception of CsY, where two cations can simultaneously contribute to the adsorption of the toluene, hence leading to the highest interaction observed among the series. Furthermore, we find that the interaction energies of toluene increase while moving down in the alkaline series where interaction energies are 87.8, 105.5, 97.8, and 114.4 kJ/mol for LiY, NaY, KY and CsY, respectively. For zeolites based on transition metals (CuY and AgY), our calculations reveal a different adsorption mode where only one cation interacts with toluene through two carbon atoms of the aromatic ring with interaction energies of 147.0 and 131.5 kJ/mol for CuY and AgY, respectively. More importantly, we show that water presents no inhibitory effect on the adsorption of toluene, where interaction energies of this latter were 10 kJ/mol (LiY) to 47 kJ/mol (CsY) higher than those of water. Our results point out that LiY would be less efficient for the toluene/water separation while CuY, AgY and CsY would be the ideal candidates for this application.
Caffeic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome: A Review
Authors: Muhammad Abdul Kadar Nellysha Namela , Ahmad Fairus , Teoh Seong Lin , Yahaya Mohamad Fairuz
Published: September 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of risk factors that may lead to a more sinister disease. Raised blood pressure, dyslipidemia in the form of elevated triglycerides and lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, raised fasting glucose, and central obesity are the risk factors that could lead to full-blown diabetes, heart disease, and many others. With increasing sedentary lifestyles, coupled with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of people affected with MetS will be expected to grow in the coming years. While keeping these factors checked with the polypharmacy available currently, there is no single strategy that can halt or minimize the effect of MetS to patients. This opens the door for a more natural way of controlling the disease. Caffeic acid (CA) is a phytonutrient belonging to the flavonoids that can be found in abundance in plants, fruits, and vegetables. CA possesses a wide range of beneficial properties from antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antianxiolytic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities. This review discusses the current discovery of the effect of CA against MetS.
Synthesis of 6-Membered-Ring Fused Thiazine-Dicarboxylates and Thiazole-Pyrimidines via One-Pot Three-Component Reactions
Authors: Mohlala Reagan L. , Coyanis Elena Mabel , Fish Muhammad Q. , Fernandes Manuel A. , Bode Moira L.
Published: September 2021

A facile and efficient one-pot three-component reaction method for the synthesis of thiazine-dicarboxylates is reported. Reaction of an isocyanide and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate with 2-amino-4H-1,3-thiazin-4-one derivatives containing both an acidic proton and an internal nucleophile gave the products in good yields of 76–85%. The reactivity of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates was further tested in the synthesis of thiazole-pyrimidines where a two-component reaction of 2-aminothiazole with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates was successfully converted to a more efficient three-component reaction of a thiourea, α-haloketone and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD/DEtAD) to give thiazole-pyrimidines in good yields of 70–91%.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Metmyoglobin Reducing Activity of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Powder Extract-Added Minced Meat during Frozen Storage
Authors: Demir Tuğba , Ağaoğlu Sema
Published: September 2021

The present study aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds in artichoke (Cynara scolymus) powder, having antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and to determine the effectiveness of artichoke (C. scolymus) powder extract within the minced meat. C. scolymus was extracted using two different methods. The method incorporating high phenolic and flavonoid content levels was used in other analyses and the phenolic and flavonoid contents in C. scolymus extract was determined using LC-QTOF-MS. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metmyoglobin (metMb) reducing activities and pH values of the extract-added minced meat samples were measured for 10 days during storage. DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS were used in the antioxidant analyses. The antimicrobial activity of C. scolymus extract was evaluated on five different food pathogens by using the disc diffusion method. The most resistant bacterium was found to be Listeria monocytogenes (18.05 mm ± 0.24). The amount of metMb was measured in the minced meat sample that was added to the extract during storage (p < 0.05). MetMb formation and pH value on the sixth day of storage were found to be at lower levels than in the control group. In conclusion, C. scolymus exhibited a good antimicrobial and antioxidant effect and can be used in storing and packaging the food products, especially the meat and meat products.
Solid State Photoreduction of Silver on Mesoporous Silica to Enhance Antifungal Activity
Authors: Quaglia Giulia , Ambrogi Valeria , Pietrella Donatella , Nocchetti Morena , Latterini Loredana
Published: September 2021

A solid-state Ultraviolet-photoreduction process of silver cations to produce Ag0 nanostructures on a mesoporous silica is presented as an innovative method for the preparation of efficient environmental anti-fouling agents. Mesoporous silica powder, contacted with AgNO3, is irradiated at 366 nm, where silica surface defects absorb. The detailed characterization of the materials enables us to document the silica assisted photo-reduction. The appearance of a Visible (Vis) band centered at 470 nm in the extinction spectra, due to the surface plasmon resonance of Ag0 nanostructures, and the morphology changes observed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, associated with the increase of Ag/O ratio in energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, indicate the photo-induced formation of Ag0. The data demonstrate that the photo-induced reduction of silver cation occurs in the solid state and takes place through the activation of silica defects. The activation of the materials after UV-processing is then tested, evaluating their antimicrobial activity using an environmental filamentous fungus, Aspergillus niger. The treatment doubled inhibitory capacity in terms of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm growth. The antimicrobial properties of silver–silica nanocomposites are investigated when dispersed in a commercial sealant; the nanocomposites show excellent dispersion in the silicon and improve its anti-fouling capacity.
Progress in Preparation of ZrB2 Nanopowders Based on Traditional Solid-State Synthesis
Authors: Bai Liuyang , Ouyang Yuge , Yuan Fangli
Published: September 2021

ZrB2 is of particular interest among ultra-high temperature ceramics because it exhibits excellent thermal resistance at high temperature, as well as chemical stability, high hardness, low cost, and good electrical and thermal conductivity, which meet the requirements of high-temperature components of hyper-sonic aircraft in extreme environments. As raw materials and basic units of ultra-high temperature ceramics and their composites, ZrB2 powders provide an important way for researchers to improve material properties and explore new properties by way of synthesis design and innovation. In recent years, the development of ZrB2 powders’ synthesis method has broken through the classification of traditional solid-phase method, liquid-phase method, and gas-phase method, and there is a trend of integration of them. The present review covers the most important methods used in ZrB2 nanopowder synthesis, focusing on the solid-phase synthesis and its improved process, including modified self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, solution-derived precursor method, and plasma-enhanced exothermic reaction. Specific examples and strategies in synthesis of ZrB2 nano powders are introduced, followed by challenges and the perspectives on future directions. The integration of various synthesis methods, the combination of different material components, and the connection between synthesis and its subsequent application process is the trend of development in the future.
Perilla Seed Oil Alleviates Gut Dysbiosis, Intestinal Inflammation and Metabolic Disturbance in Obese-Insulin-Resistant Rats
Authors: Kangwan Napapan , Pratchayasakul Wasana , Kongkaew Aphisek , Pintha Komsak , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: September 2021

Background: High-fat diet (HFD) consumption induced gut dysbiosis, inflammation, obese-insulin resistance. Perilla seed oil (PSO) is a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with health promotional effects. However, the effects of PSO on gut microbiota/inflammation and metabolic disturbance in HFD-induced obesity have not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effects of different doses of PSO and metformin on gut microbiota/inflammation, and metabolic parameters in HFD-fed rats. Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were fed either a normal diet or an HFD for 24 weeks. At week 13, HFD-fed rats received either 50, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day of PSO or 300 mg/kg/day metformin for 12 weeks. After 24 weeks, the metabolic parameters, gut microbiota, gut barrier, inflammation, and oxidative stress were determined. Results: HFD-fed rats showed gut dysbiosis, gut barrier disruption with inflammation, increased oxidative stress, metabolic endotoxemia, and insulin resistance. Treatment with PSO and metformin not only effectively attenuated gut dysbiosis, but also improved gut barrier integrity and decreased gut inflammation. PSO also decreased oxidative stress, metabolic endotoxemia, and insulin resistance in HFD-fed rats. Metformin had greater benefits than PSO. Conclusion: PSO and metformin had the beneficial effect on attenuating gut inflammation and metabolic disturbance in obese-insulin resistance.
Bile Acid–Gut Microbiota Axis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Yang Min , Gu Yu , Li Lingfeng , Liu Tianyu , Song Xueli , Sun Yue , Cao Xiaocang , Wang Bangmao , Jiang Kui , Cao Hailong
Published: September 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, with increasing prevalence, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggested that gut microbiota and bile acids play pivotal roles in intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. Patients with IBD exhibit decreased microbial diversity and abnormal microbial composition marked by the depletion of phylum Firmicutes (including bacteria involved in bile acid metabolism) and the enrichment of phylum Proteobacteria. Dysbiosis leads to blocked bile acid transformation. Thus, the concentration of primary and conjugated bile acids is elevated at the expense of secondary bile acids in IBD. In turn, bile acids could modulate the microbial community. Gut dysbiosis and disturbed bile acids impair the gut barrier and immunity. Several therapies, such as diets, probiotics, prebiotics, engineered bacteria, fecal microbiota transplantation and ursodeoxycholic acid, may alleviate IBD by restoring gut microbiota and bile acids. Thus, the bile acid–gut microbiota axis is closely connected with IBD pathogenesis. Regulation of this axis may be a novel option for treating IBD.
Biomimetic Bacterial Membrane Vesicles for Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Fazal Sajid , Lee Ruda
Published: September 2021

Numerous factors need to be considered to develop a nanodrug delivery system that is biocompatible, non-toxic, easy to synthesize, cost-effective, and feasible for scale up over and above their therapeutic efficacy. With regards to this, worldwide, exosomes, which are nano-sized vesicles obtained from mammalian cells, are being explored as a biomimetic drug delivery system that has superior biocompatibility and high translational capability. However, the economics of undertaking large-scale mammalian culture to derive exosomal vesicles for translation seems to be challenging and unfeasible. Recently, Bacterial Membrane Vesicles (BMVs) derived from bacteria are being explored as a viable alternative as biomimetic drug delivery systems that can be manufactured relatively easily at much lower costs at a large scale. Until now, BMVs have been investigated extensively as successful immunomodulating agents, but their capability as drug delivery systems remains to be explored in detail. In this review, the use of BMVs as suitable cargo delivery vehicles is discussed with focus on their use for in vivo treatment of cancer and bacterial infections reported thus far. Additionally, the different types of BMVs, factors affecting their synthesis and different cargo loading techniques used in BMVs are also discussed.
Inulin-Based Polymeric Micelles Functionalized with Ocular Permeation Enhancers: Improvement of Dexamethasone Permeation/Penetration through Bovine Corneas
Authors: Di Prima Giulia , Licciardi Mariano , Bongiovì Flavia , Pitarresi Giovanna , Giammona Gaetano
Published: September 2021

Ophthalmic drug delivery is still a challenge due to the protective barriers of the eye. A common strategy to promote drug absorption is the use of ocular permeation enhancers, while an innovative approach is the use of polymeric micelles. In the present work, the two mentioned approaches were coupled by conjugating ocular permeation enhancers (PEG2000, carnitine, creatine, taurine) to an inulin-based co-polymer (INU-EDA-RA) in order to obtain self-assembling biopolymers with permeation enhancer properties for the hydrophobic drug dexamethasone (DEX). Inulin derivatives were properly synthetized, were found to expose about 2% mol/mol of enhancer molecules in the side chain, and resulted able to self-assemble at various concentrations by varying the pH and the ionic strength of the medium. Moreover, the ability of polymeric micelles to load dexamethasone was demonstrated, and size, mucoadhesiveness, and cytocompatibility against HCE cells were evaluated. Furthermore, the efficacy of the permeation enhancer was evaluated by ex vivo permeation studies to determine the performance of the used enhancers, which resulted in PEG2000 > CAR > TAU > CRE, while entrapment ability studies resulted in CAR > TAU > PEG2000 > CRE, both for fluorescent-labelled and DEX-loaded micelles. Finally, an increase in terms of calculated Kp and Ac parameters was demonstrated, compared with the values calculated for DEX suspension.
Peptide-Conjugated Nano Delivery Systems for Therapy and Diagnosis of Cancer
Authors: Gaurav Isha , Wang Xuehan , Thakur Abhimanyu , Iyaswamy Ashok , Thakur Sudha , Chen Xiaoyu , Kumar Gaurav , Li Min , Yang Zhijun
Published: September 2021

Peptides are strings of approximately 2–50 amino acids, which have gained huge attention for theranostic applications in cancer research due to their various advantages including better biosafety, customizability, convenient process of synthesis, targeting ability via recognizing biological receptors on cancer cells, and better ability to penetrate cell membranes. The conjugation of peptides to the various nano delivery systems (NDS) has been found to provide an added benefit toward targeted delivery for cancer therapy. Moreover, the simultaneous delivery of peptide-conjugated NDS and nano probes has shown potential for the diagnosis of the malignant progression of cancer. In this review, various barriers hindering the targeting capacity of NDS are addressed, and various approaches for conjugating peptides and NDS have been discussed. Moreover, major peptide-based functionalized NDS targeting cancer-specific receptors have been considered, including the conjugation of peptides with extracellular vesicles, which are biological nanovesicles with promising ability for therapy and the diagnosis of cancer.
Novel Pyropheophorbide Phosphatydic Acids Photosensitizer Combined EGFR siRNA Gene Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
Authors: Yeh Chia-Hsien , Chen Juan , Zheng Gang , Huang Leaf , Hsu Yih-Chih
Published: September 2021

This study combined two novel nanomedicines, a novel LCP Pyro PA photodynamic therapy (PDT) and LCP EGFR siRNA gene therapy, to treat head and neck cancer. A novel photosensitizer, pyropheophorbide phosphatydic acids (Pyro PA), was first modified into Lipid-Calcium phosphate nanoparticles named LCP Pyro PA NPs, and targeted with aminoethylanisamide as a novel PDT photosensitizer. EGFR siRNA was encapsulated into LCP NPs to silence EGFR expression. Measured sizes of LCP EGFR siRNA NPs and LCP Pyro-PA NPs were 34.9 ± 3.0 and 20 nm respectively, and their zeta potentials were 51.8 ± 1.8 and 52.0 ± 7.6 mV respectively. In vitro studies showed that EGFR siRNA was effectively knocked down after photodynamic therapy (PDT) with significant inhibition of cancer growth. SCC4 or SAS xenografted nude mice were used to verify therapeutic efficacy. The LCP Control siRNA+PDT group of SCC4 and SAS showed significantly reduced tumor volume compared to the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group. In the LCP-EGFR siRNA+LCP Pyro PA without light group and LCP EGFR siRNA + PBS with light group, SCC4 and SAS tumor volumes were reduced by ~140% and ~150%, respectively, compared to the PBS group. The LCP EGFR siRNA+PDT group of SCC4 and SAS tumor volumes were reduced by ~205% and ~220%, respectively, compared to the PBS group. Combined therapy showed significant tumor volume reduction compared to PBS, control siRNA, or PDT alone. QPCR results showed EGFR expression was significantly reduced after treatment with EGFR siRNA with PDT in SCC4 and SAS compared to control siRNA or PDT alone. Western blot results confirmed decreased EGFR protein expression in the combined therapy group. No toxic results were found in serum biomarkers. No inflammatory factors were found in heart, liver and kidney tissues. Results suggest that the novel LCP Pyro PA mediated PDT combined with LCP siEGFR NPs could be developed in clinical modalities for treating human head and neck cancer in the future.
Foliar Application of Sodium Nitroprusside Boosts Solanum lycopersicum L. Tolerance to Glyphosate by Preventing Redox Disorders and Stimulating Herbicide Detoxification Pathways
Authors: Soares Cristiano , Rodrigues Francisca , Sousa Bruno , Pinto Edgar , Ferreira Isabel M. P. L. V. O. , Pereira Ruth , Fidalgo Fernanda
Published: September 2021

Strategies to minimize the effects of glyphosate (GLY), the most used herbicide worldwide, on non-target plants need to be developed. In this context, the current study was designed to evaluate the potential of nitric oxide (NO), provided as 200 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), to ameliorate GLY (10 mg kg−1 soil) phytotoxicity in tomato plants. Upon herbicide exposure, plant development was majorly inhibited in shoots and roots, followed by a decrease in flowering and fruit set; however, the co-application of NO partially prevented these symptoms, improving plant growth. Concerning redox homeostasis, lipid peroxidation (LP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels rose in response to GLY in shoots of tomato plants, but not in roots. Additionally, GLY induced the overaccumulation of proline and glutathione, and altered ascorbate redox state, but resulted in the inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes. Upon co-treatment with NO, the non-enzymatic antioxidants were not particularly changed, but an upregulation of all antioxidant enzymes was found, which helped to keep ROS and LP under control. Overall, data point towards the benefits of NO against GLY in tomato plants by reducing the oxidative damage and stimulating detoxification pathways, while also preventing GLY-induced impairment of flowering and fruit fresh mass.
Precipitation before Flowering Determined Effectiveness of Leaf Removal Timing and Irrigation on Wine Composition of Merlot Grapevine
Authors: Yu Runze , Fidelibus Matthew W. , Kennedy James A. , Kurtural Sahap Kaan
Published: September 2021

Grapevine productivity, and berry and wine flavonoid concentration, depend on the interactions of cultivar, environment, and applied cultural practices. We characterized the effects that mechanical leaf removal and irrigation treatments had on the flavonoid concentration of ‘Merlot’ (Vitis vinifera, L.) grape berries and wines in a hot climate over two growing seasons with contrasting precipitation patterns. Leaves were removed by machine, either at prebloom (PBLR), or at post-fruit-set (PFLR), or not removed (control) and irrigation was either applied as sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) at 0.8 of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) from budbreak to fruit set, or regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at 0.8 ETc from bud break to fruit set, 0.5 ETc from fruit set to veraison, and 0.8 ETc from veraison to harvest, of ETc In 2014, PFLR reduced the leaf area index (LAI) compared to control. The RDI decreased season-long leaf water potential (ΨInt) compared to SDI. However, in 2015, none of the treatments affected LAI or ΨInt. In 2014, berry flavonoid concentrations were reduced by PBLR as well as SDI. SDI increased the flavonoid concentrations in wine, and PFLR increased some wine flavonols in one season. No factor affected the concentrations of wine proanthocyanidins or mean degree of polymerization. Thus, mechanical PFLR and RDI may increase berry flavonoid accumulation without yield reduction, in red wine grapes cultivars grown in hot climates when precipitation after bud break is lacking. However, spring precipitation may influence the effectiveness of these practices as evidenced by this work in a changing climate.
Coupling Relationship of Leaf Economic and Hydraulic Traits of Alhagisparsifolia Shap. in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem
Authors: Yin Hui , Tariq Akash , Zhang Bo , Lv Guanghui , Zeng Fanjiang , Graciano Corina , Santos Mauro , Zhang Zhihao , Wang Peng , Mu Shuyong
Published: September 2021

In this study, Alhagisparsifolia Shap. was used to test the hypothesis that leaf economic and hydraulic traits are coupled in plants in a hyper-arid region. Five economic traits and six hydraulic traits were examined to explore the relationship. Results showed that the stomatal density (SD) on both surfaces was coupled with maximum stomatal conductance to water vapor (gwmax) and leaf tissue density (TD). SD on adaxial surface (SDaba) was significantly positively related to vein density (VD) but negatively related to leaf thickness (LT) and stomatal length on adaxial surface (SLada). Nitrogen concentration based on mass (Nmass) was significantly negatively correlated with leaf mass per area (LMA), LT, and VD, whereas nitrogen concentration based on area (Narea) was significantly positively related to LMA and TD. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) contributed the most to the changes in LT and stomatal length (SL). Soil salt contributed the most to TD, SD, and gwmax. Soli nutrients influenced the most of LMA and VD. Mean annual temperature contributed the most to Nmass and Narea. In conclusion, the economics of leaves coupled with their hydraulic traits provides an economical and efficient strategy to adapt to the harsh environment in hyper-arid regions.
Practical Limits for Two Fundamental Approaches to Designing Particle Size Distributions to Address a Specific Physical Property like Viscosity
Authors: Sudduth Richard D.
Published: September 2021

It has previously been shown that optimum particle size distributions with a maximum packing fraction can be achieved from a straight line plot of the accumulated sum of particle volume fractions versus the square root of particle size. This study addresses practical limits for two dominant fundamental approaches to designing particle size distributions to address the effect on a specific physical property such as viscosity. The two fundamental approaches to obtain such a straight line would include: the first design approach would be generated utilizing the same initial particle size, Dmin, but by using different ultimate particle sizes, Dmax. The second design approach would be generated where each distribution starts with the same initial particle size, Dmin, and ends with the same ultimate particle size, Dmax. The first design approach is particularly useful to identify the possible slopes available based on the smallest and largest particle sizes available. The second design approach can be utilized to identify the preferred ratio between particles, Z, and the number of different particle sizes, n, to be utilized in the final particle blend. The extensive empirical experimental evaluations of particle size distributions generated by McGeary were then utilized to confirm the limits.
Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability
Authors: Coltelli Maria-Beatrice , Bertolini Alice , Aliotta Laura , Gigante Vito , Vannozzi Alessandro , Lazzeri Andrea
Published: September 2021

The present work focused on the research, design, and study of innovative chain extender systems of renewable origin for PLA–based biocomposites, reinforced with wheat bran as filler. The majority of employed chain extender compounds belongs to fossil world, affecting the biodegradability property which characterizes biopolymers. The aim of this work was thus to find promising biobased and sustainable alternatives to provide the same enhancements. According to this objective, epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was chosen as principal component of the chain extender systems, together with a dicarboxylic acid, malic acid (MA), or succinic acid (SA). The reactivity of the modifier systems was previously studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and IR spectroscopy, to hypothesize the reaction mechanism in bran–filled blends. Hence, small–scale extrusion was carried out to investigate the effects of ESO/MA and ESO/SA on formulations of different composition (both pure PLA blends and composites). The variation of melt fluidity parameters was analyzed to define the optimized concentration of modifier systems. A comparison between the effects on blends of designed biobased systems and the action of fossil–based Joncryl was performed, to understand if the developed green solutions could represent competitive and efficient substitutes. The modified composites were characterized in terms of mechanical tests, degradation and thermal studies (TGA and DSC), and morphological analysis (SEM), to figure out their main features and to understand their potential in possible industrial applications.
Responsive Quaternized PDMAEMA Copolymers with Antimicrobial Action
Authors: Manouras Theodore , Platania Varvara , Georgopoulou Anthie , Chatzinikolaidou Maria , Vamvakaki Maria
Published: September 2021

In this work, the antimicrobial action of partially quaternized poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PQDMAEMA) copolymers using different alkyl halides is presented. The poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) homopolymer was synthesized by group transfer polymerization, followed by the modification of its tertiary amine groups, using bromoethane, iodoethane, bromohexane and bromoethanol, to introduce permanent cationic, quaternary ammonium salt moieties, randomly distributed along the polymer chains. In all cases, the degree of quaternization was low, at ~10 mol%, as verified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to preserve the thermo-responsive character of the PDMAEMA precursor polymer. The biocidal activity of the lightly quaternized PQDMAEMA copolymers against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated by calculating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) as well as the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the polymers and by comparing them to the respective values of the precursor non-quaternized PDMAEMA homopolymer. The antibacterial mechanism of action in the solution was studied by zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy and protein leakage tests signifying the disruption of the outer membrane of the bacterial cells to release their periplasmic proteins.