bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influencing the Shape Recovery and Thermomechanical Properties of 3DP PLA Using Smart Textile and Boehmite Alumina and Thermochromic Dye Modifiers
Authors: Makwakwa Dimakatso , Motloung Mpho Phillip , Ojijo Vincent , Bandyopadhyay Jayita , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: September 2022

The technology of 4DP utilizes shape memory materials (SMMs). Among the SMMs, SMP is the material that has potential and is ideal for this technology. However, due to their restrictions, fillers are incorporated to produce a novel shape memory polymer composite (SMPC). The objective of the present work was to investigate how the modification of PLA via the incorporation of boehmite alumina and thermochromic dye, and the use of 3DP on polyester fabric to make smart material textiles (SMT), influenced the shape-memory properties of printed objects. SMPCs with 3 wt% BA particles were prepared by means of the fused deposition modelling (FDM) process, with heat used as an actuation. It was demonstrated that sample thickness and the method of PLA modification affected the shape recovery of 3D-printed objects. All neat PLA samples recovered their angle fully for all thicknesses, while modified PLA incorporated with BA particles and dye recovered its initial angle fully at 1 mm thickness and showed less recovery for 1.5- and 2 mm-thicknesses. The 1 mm-thick sample was then chosen for printing onto the textile material for all samples. When printed onto the fabric, the neat PLA and SMPCs recovered their initial shapes fully, while samples with the dye added into the PLA and SMPC did not recover their initial shape fully due to the presence of the dye, which hindered the movement of the polymer chains. SEM revealed good layer bonding for the SMPCs compared to the neat PLA, which led to improved mechanical properties. The thermal stability of PLA was improved by the BA particles; furthermore, the dye and BA particles nucleated the crystallization of PLA, resulting in an enhanced storage modulus. Overall, a biodegradable 3D-printed object of 1 mm in thickness with improved thermal and mechanical properties was produced, with and without the use of the textile.
Li3V2(PO4)3/Li3PO4 Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Gavrilova Tatiana , Deeva Yulia , Chupakhina Tatiana , Yatsyk Ivan , Lyadov Nikolay , Garipov Ranis , Suleimanov Nail , Khrizanforov Mikhail , Khantimerov Sergey
Published: September 2022

Li3V2(PO4)3/Li3PO4 (LVPO/LPO) composites as cathodes for Li-ion batteries were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and subsequently annealed in an Ar atmosphere. The effect of Li3PO4 content on the crystal structure, morphology and the related magnetic and electrochemical properties of Li3V2(PO4)3/Li3PO4 composites, containing 7.5 wt% and 14 wt% of Li3PO4 (LVPO/LPO-7.5 and LVPO/LPO-14) was investigated. The microstructure and morphology of the obtained composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); magnetic and electrochemical properties investigations were performed using the electron spin resonance and galvanostatic methods, respectively. It was shown that Li3V2(PO4)3/Li3PO4 composites exhibit a high discharge capacity, good cycle performance (105 and 120 mAh g−1 for the 200th cycle at 1C for LVPO/LPO-7.5 and LVPO/LPO-14, respectively), and insignificant changes in the surface morphology after 200 lithiation/delithiation cycles. Our results demonstrate that the increase in Li3PO4 content led to a decrease in the Li stoichiometry and magnetic inhomogeneity in Li3V2(PO4)3 phase; thus, the improvement in the electrochemical performance of LVPO/LPO composites due to incorporation of Li3PO4 can be attributed to their chemical and magnetic inhomogeneity.
Experimental Study of Magnetocaloric Effect in Tetraaquabis(Hydrogen Maleato)Nickel(II), [Ni(C4H3O4)2(H2O)4]—A Potential Realization of a Spin-1 Spatially Anisotropic Square Lattice with Ferromagnetic Interactions
Authors: Danylchenko Petro , Tarasenko Róbert , Čižmár Erik , Tkáč Vladimír , Uhrinová Anna , Orendáčová Alžbeta , Orendáč Martin
Published: September 2022

An experimental study of the magnetocaloric effect in tetraaquabis(hydrogen maleato)nickel(II), [Ni(C4H3O4)2(H2O)4] powder sample is presented. The magnetocaloric properties of the studied sample were investigated using specific heat and magnetization measurements in magnetic fields up to 9 T in the temperature range from 0.4 to 50 K. A large conventional magnetocaloric effect was found at a temperature of about 3.5 K, where −ΔSM = 8.5 Jkg−1K−1 and 11.2 Jkg−1K−1 for a magnetic field of 5 T and 7 T, respectively. Assuming a substantial role of the crystal field, the temperature dependence of the magnetic specific heat in a zero magnetic field was compared with an S = 1 model with single-ion anisotropy parameters D and E (axial and rhombic). The best agreement was found for the parameters D/kB = −7.82 K and E/kB = −2.15 K. On the other hand, the experimental temperature dependence of −ΔSM shows higher values compared to the theoretical prediction for the mentioned model, indicating the presence of additional factors in the system, such as an exchange interaction between magnetic ions. The first exchange pathway can be realized through maleic rings between the nearest Ni(II) ions. The second exchange pathway can be realized through water molecules approximately along the a crystallographic axis. Broken-symmetry DFT calculations performed using the computational package ORCA provided the values of ferromagnetic exchange interactions, J1/kB = 1.50 K and J2/kB = 1.44 K (using B3LYP functional). The presence of such ferromagnetic correlations in the studied system may explain the enhanced magnetocaloric effect compared with the model of an anisotropic spin-1 paramagnet.
The Investigation of Spin-Crossover Systems by Raman Spectroscopy: A Review
Authors: Lada Zoi G.
Published: September 2022

Spin-crossover (SCO) is a well-documented phenomenon, being intensely investigated by a respectable number of researchers during the last decades. The conventional method for the investigation of SCO properties is by performing magnetic susceptibility measurements. On the other hand, Raman has also been proposed as a promising characterization method since it is a non-bulk technique and allows, along with the monitoring of the SCO behavior, the parallel deep characterization of structure and molecular structure modifications, while it can also facilitate the determination of the entropy change related to the SCO event. There are several review articles focused on the analysis of the SCO phenomenon, the emerging applications of SCO materials and the importance of SCO/polymer composites, and elaborating on the vibrational effects on the investigation of SCO complexes; however, there has been no attempt to review solely the existing research efforts of the investigation of SCO phenomenon based on Raman spectroscopy. The main scope of this review is to focus on the main features, the challenges, and the key role of Raman spectroscopy in the investigation of 3d mononuclear complexes (comprising mainly of iron(II) complexes) and Hofmann-type metal organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibiting the SCO behavior. In addition, special focus is devoted to the research studies in which in situ Raman measurements are performed for the investigation of SCO systems. Finally, novelties, current challenges, future perspectives, and the contribution of Raman spectroscopy toward the practical application of SCO complexes are discussed.
Recent Advances in Nanomagnetism
Authors: Schmool David
Published: September 2022

Nanomagnetism covers a broad range of research in magnetism and magnetic properties of low-dimensional systems, including both experimental methods in sample fabrication and characterization, as well as theoretical modeling and simulations [...]
Machine Learning Prediction of University Student Dropout: Does Preference Play a Key Role?
Authors: Segura Marina , Mello Jorge , Hernández Adolfo
Published: September 2022

University dropout rates are a problem that presents many negative consequences. It is an academic issue and carries an unfavorable economic impact. In recent years, significant efforts have been devoted to the early detection of students likely to drop out. This paper uses data corresponding to dropout candidates after their first year in the third largest face-to-face university in Europe, with the goal of predicting likely dropout either at the beginning of the course of study or at the end of the first semester. In this prediction, we considered the five major program areas. Different techniques have been used: first, a Feature Selection Process in order to identify the variables more correlated with dropout; then, some Machine Learning Models (Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees and Artificial Neural Networks) as well as a Logistic Regression. The results show that dropout detection does not work only with enrollment variables, but it improves after the first semester results. Academic performance is always a relevant variable, but there are others, such as the level of preference that the student had over the course that he or she was finally able to study. The success of the techniques depends on the program areas. Machine Learning obtains the best results, but a simple Logistic Regression model can be used as a reasonable baseline.
Application of the Exp−φξ-Expansion Method to Find the Soliton Solutions in Biomembranes and Nerves
Authors: Rani Attia , Shakeel Muhammad , Kbiri Alaoui Mohammed , Zidan Ahmed M. , Shah Nehad Ali , Junsawang Prem
Published: September 2022

Heimburg and Jackson devised a mathematical model known as the Heimburg model to describe the transmission of electromechanical pulses in nerves, which is a significant step forward. The major objective of this paper was to examine the dynamics of the Heimburg model by extracting closed-form wave solutions. The proposed model was not studied by using analytical techniques. For the first time, innovative analytical solutions were investigated using the exp−φξ-expansion method to illustrate the dynamic behavior of the electromechanical pulse in a nerve. This approach generates a wide range of general and broad-spectral solutions with unknown parameters. For the definitive value of these constraints, the well-known periodic- and kink-shaped solitons were recovered. By giving different values to the parameters, the 3D, 2D, and contour forms that constantly modulate in the form of an electromechanical pulse traveling through the axon in the nerve were created. The discovered solutions are innovative, distinct, and useful and might be crucial in medicine and biosciences.
Mixture Modeling of Time-to-Event Data in the Proportional Odds Model
Authors: Huang Xifen , Xiong Chaosong , Xu Jinfeng , Shi Jianhua , Huang Jinhong
Published: September 2022

Subgroup analysis with survival data are most essential for detailed assessment of the risks of medical products in heterogeneous population subgroups. In this paper, we developed a semiparametric mixture modeling strategy in the proportional odds model for simultaneous subgroup identification and regression analysis of survival data that flexibly allows the covariate effects to differ among several subgroups. Neither the membership or the subgroup-specific covariate effects are known a priori. The nonparametric maximum likelihood method together with a pair of MM algorithms with monotone ascent property are proposed to carry out the estimation procedures. Then, we conducted two series of simulation studies to examine the finite sample performance of the proposed estimation procedure. An empirical analysis of German breast cancer data is further provided for illustrating the proposed methodology.
Comparative Study of Markov Chain Filtering Schemas for Stabilization of Stochastic Systems under Incomplete Information
Authors: Bosov Alexey , Borisov Andrey
Published: September 2022

The object under investigation is a controllable linear stochastic differential system affected by some external statistically uncertain piecewise continuous disturbances. They are directly unobservable but assumed to be a continuous-time Markov chain. The problem is to stabilize the system output concerning a quadratic optimality criterion. As is known, the separation theorem holds for the system. The goal of the paper is performance analysis of various numerical schemes applied to the filtering of the external Markov input for system stabilization purposes. The paper briefly presents the theoretical solution to the considered problem of optimal stabilization for systems with the Markov jump external disturbances: the conditions providing the separation theorem, the equations of optimal control, and the ones defining the Wonham filter. It also contains a complex of the stable numerical approximations of the filter, designed for the time-discretized observations, along with their accuracy characteristics. The approximations of orders 12, 1, and 2 along with the classical Euler–Maruyama scheme are chosen for the comparison of the Wonham filter numerical realization. The filtering estimates are used in the practical stabilization of the various linear systems of the second order. The numerical experiments confirm the significant influence of the filtering precision on the stabilization performance and superiority of the proposed stable schemes of numerical filtering.
Analysis of the Public Opinion Evolution on the Normative Policies for the Live Streaming E-Commerce Industry Based on Online Comment Mining under COVID-19 Epidemic in China
Authors: Chen Tinggui , Tong Chenhao , Bai Yuhan , Yang Jianjun , Cong Guodong , Cong Tianluo
Published: September 2022

Recent years have witnessed the intensive development of live streaming E-commerce, an emerging business mode. Although it contributes to economic growth, various forms of chaos show up and disturbs the market order. Therefore, from 1 July 2020, the official release of the first domestic document on live streaming E-commerce, the Code of Conduct for Online Live Streaming Marketing, to the end of the first half of 2021, China has witnessed so intensive release of relevant policies that are rare over the past years. Introducing these policies will inevitably attract the general public’s attention and discussions. Based on online comments, this paper uses the LDA models to extract topics from online comments related to live streaming E-commerce and identifies sentiment polarity and sentiment intensity by the analysis models of different emotion dictionaries to study policy implementation effects and the main topics of concern before and after the policy implementation. The analysis results show that people between the age of 20 and 40 attach more importance to the implementation of the normative policy for live streaming E-commerce. Women, the main force of live streaming users, are less enthusiastic about the policy implementation than men. Moreover, the analysis results of the LDA models and online HDP (online hierarchical Dirichlet process) models demonstrate that the most discussed topics are the contribution of live streaming E-commerce to traditional economic transformation, public welfare activities, resumption of work and production, and poverty alleviation, as well as fraud, counterfeit goods, supervision, rights protection and other incidents in this industry. Overall, the majority of the public holds a positive attitude towards the policy implementation. After further analysis of comments under the relevant topics, it is found that compared with the first two policies released on 1 July and 5 November in 2020, although the proportion of netizens with positive emotions during the implementation of the follow-up policy has increased, the increment is not significant, indicating that the implementation of the new normative policy in a short term will hardly curb the occurrence of industry chaos. In turn, the governments should transfer their attention to actual regulatory problems, and intensify efforts to implement normative policies.
Numerical Analysis of Alternating Direction Implicit Orthogonal Spline Collocation Scheme for the Hyperbolic Integrodifferential Equation with a Weakly Singular Kernel
Authors: Huang Qiong , Nikan Omid , Avazzadeh Zakieh
Published: September 2022

This paper studies an alternating direction implicit orthogonal spline collocation (ADIOSC) technique for calculating the numerical solution of the hyperbolic integrodifferential problem with a weakly singular kernel in the two-dimensional domain. The integral term is approximated with the help of the second-order fractional quadrature formula introduced by Lubich. The stability and convergence analysis of the proposed strategy are proven in L2-norm. Numerical results highlight the high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed strategy and clarify the theoretical prediction.
Assessment of the In Vitro Cytotoxic Profile of Two Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics—Tetracycline and Ampicillin—On Pharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Pancu Daniel Florin , Racea Robert Cosmin , Macasoi Ioana , Sarau Cristian Andrei , Pinzaru Iulia , Poenaru Marioara , Rusu Laura-Cristina , Dehelean Cristina Adriana , Dinu Stefania
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: In spite of the fact that antibiotics are considered to be the cornerstone of modern medicine, their use in the treatment of cancer remains controversial. In the present study, the main objective was to examine the effects of two antibiotics—tetracycline and ampicillin—on the viability, morphology, migration, and organization and structure of the nuclei and the actin fiber network of pharyngeal carcinoma cells—Detroit-562. Materials and Methods: In order to determine the viability of the cells, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method was applied after the cells were stimulated with five concentrations of tetracycline and ampicillin (10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM) for 72 h. A scratch assay was used to assess the migration ability of the cells. For the visualization of the nuclei and actin fibers, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (Dapi) and Rhodamine-Phalloidin were used. Results: There are different effects of tetracycline and ampicillin. Thus, tetracycline: (i) exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect, decreasing cell viability to approximately 46%; (ii) inhibits cellular migration up to 16% compared to 60% for control cells; and (iii) induces changes in cell morphology as well as apoptotic changes in the nucleus and F-actin fibers. In contrast, in the case of ampicillin, an increase in viability up to 113% was observed at 10 μM, while a decrease in viability up to approximately 94% was observed at the highest concentration tested (100 μM). Conclusions: The results indicated a different effect regarding the impact on pharyngeal carcinoma cells. Thus, tetracycline has a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect, while in the case of ampicillin a slight stimulation of cell viability was observed.
Remote Dielectric Sensing to Assess Residual Pulmonary Congestion Following Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Imamura Teruhiko , Tanaka Shuhei , Ueno Hiroshi , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: Percutaneous mitral valve repair using a MitraClip system is an established therapeutic strategy to treat severe mitral regurgitation, which is recommended by guidelines in Europe and in the United States, whereas residual mitral regurgitation is associated with mortality and morbidity. Accurate assessment of residual mitral regurgitation is crucial for risk stratification and further adequate intervention, whereas its quantification has technical limitations due to “double” regurgitation that is often encountered following valve clipping. Remote dielectric sensing (ReDSTM) is a non-invasive electromagnetic-based technology to quantify lung fluid levels and might be a promising tool to assess the impact of residual mitral regurgitation following MitraClip. Materials and Methods: Following MitraClip, ReDS values measurements and right heart catheterization were performed and correlated. Results: We had 13 patients (median 74 years, 7 men) who underwent successful MitraClip. According to the visual estimation, eight patients had none or mild regurgitation, and five patients had moderate regurgitation. ReDS values were distributed widely between 16% and 33%, irrespective of the severity of regurgitation. ReDS values had a moderate correlation with invasively measured pulmonary artery wedge pressure (r = 0.73, p = 0.004). Conclusions: ReDS value might be a promising tool to assess residual pulmonary congestion following MitraClip, irrespective of the visually estimated severity of residual mitral regurgitation.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Glucose Disturbances in Premature Infants
Authors: Butorac Ahel Ivona , Lah Tomulić Kristina Lah , Vlašić Cicvarić Inge Vlašić , Žuvić Marta , Baraba Dekanić Kristina Baraba , Šegulja Silvije , Bilić Čače Iva Bilić
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: There are limited data regarding the incidence and risk factors for hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and unstable glycemia in preterm infants. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with neonatal hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and unstable glycemia in preterm infants during the first seven days of life. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included preterm infants <37 weeks of gestation, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 2018 and December 2020. Based on blood glucose levels in the first week of life, infants were divided into the following four groups: normoglycemic, hypoglycemic, hyperglycemic, and unstable. Blood glucose levels were measured from capillary blood at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th hour of life during the first 24 h, and at least once a day from days 2 to 7, prefeed. Results: Of 445 enrolled infants, 20.7% (92/445) were categorized as hypoglycemic, 9.9% (44/445) as hyperglycemic, and 2.9% (13/445) as unstable, respectively. Hypoglycemia was most commonly observed among infants ≥34 weeks (27.9%), and hyperglycemia was most common among preterm infants <28 weeks (50%). Female gender increased the chances of developing hypoglycemia by three times. The decrease in gestational age by one week increased the chance of developing hyperglycemia by 1.9 times. Sepsis increased the chance of developing hyperglycemia seven times, respiratory distress syndrome five times, and mechanical ventilation three times, respectively. Conclusions: Glucose disturbances in the early neonatal period in preterm infants are common and mostly asymptomatic. Therefore, careful blood glucose level monitoring is required in those infants, especially in late preterm infants, in order to prevent possible neurological complications.
Evaluation of Pharmacy Inquiries in Physician Order Reviews for Medication Safety: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cho Jungwon , Kim Koenhee , Jeong Young Mi , Lee Euni
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: Despite the effort to prevent drug-related problems (DRPs) in healthcare settings, prescribing errors are common in the medication use process. In a Korean teaching hospital, pharmacists verify prescription orders during their routine order review process and document the details in a homegrown health information system (HIS). The objectives of this study were to identify the annual trends in pharmacy inquiries and to evaluate the prevalence of the inquiries by drug ingredients, including a description of the “pharmacy inquiry” screen in the HIS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to describe pharmacy inquiries related to preventing potential DRPs during order reviews and to evaluate the associated factors for discontinuation of prescription orders on medication among inquiries using data from January 2008 to December 2021. A descriptive analysis was performed using 128,188 inquiries, documented by 245 pharmacists for 14 years. Results: The frequency of inquiry steadily increased annually. The most frequent cause was “inappropriate dose or regimen” (49.1%) and “piperacillin and beta-lactamase inhibitor” was the most mentioned drug ingredient in the inquiries (3.4%). The overall acceptance rate of the pharmacists’ recommendation was 82.4%, and the cause of the highest acceptance was “inappropriate mix solution” (96.5%). Hospitalization and certain inquiry topics were significantly associated with discontinuation of prescription orders on inquired medications by clinicians. Conclusions: The findings indicate that pharmacy inquiries with integrated HIS could resolve inaccuracy during physicians’ order reviews and ensure safe patient care. As a tool for preventing prescribing errors, the pharmacy inquiry data can help maximize consistent improvement and optimize the medication use process in healthcare settings.
Large Grafting Void Resembling a Surgical Ciliated Cyst following Maxillary Sinus Augmentation. Four Case Reports with Histological Observation
Authors: Park Won-Bae , Pandya Meghan , Han Ji-Young , Kang Philip
Published: September 2022

The cause and pathogenicity of grafting voids following lateral maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA) have not yet been elucidated. The first purpose of this case series is to introduce an unusually large grafting void that radiologically resembles a surgical ciliated cyst (SCC) at the sinus augmented site; the second is to observe the histological findings of these grafting voids. In four patients, MSA was performed using the lateral window technique. An unusually large grafting void appeared on cone-beam-computed tomography (CBCT) taken one week after surgery and except for one patient, there were no clinical symptoms. On CBCT taken six months after surgery, the grafting voids were slightly smaller in size but showed radiographic findings similar to those of SCC. During uncovering, grafting voids were removed through the lateral window site. Histologically, the grafting void was empty or filled with dense connective tissue, and no ciliated columnar epithelium or inflammatory cells were observed. Within the limitations of this case series, the large grafting voids generated after MSA was not converted to SCCs. Rather, they remained scar tissue, which could infringe the sinus bone graft and affect the apical bone support of the implant.
Synergistic Beneficial Effects of Resveratrol and Diet on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Abo Alrob Osama , Al-Horani Ramzi A. , Altaany Zaid , Nusair Mohammad B.
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Despite decades of research, obesity and its related medical complications remain a major health concern globally. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to combat obesity and its numerous debilitating complications. Resveratrol (RES) has a potential therapeutic effect in obesity and diabetes by improving oxidative metabolism and insulin signaling. Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of RES treatment on weight loss and glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Methods: Obesity was induced in 24 mice by exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Mice were randomly assigned to one group of either: group 1: control, non-treated low-fat diet (LFD) for 12 weeks (n = 8), group 2: non-treated high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks (n = 8), group 3: RES-treated HFD (HFD + RES) (n = 8), or group 4: RES-treated and switched to LFD (HFD-LFD + RES) (n = 8). HFD + RES mice were first fed an HFD for 8 weeks followed by 4 weeks of RES. The HFD-LFD + RES group was first fed an HFD for 8 weeks and then treated with RES and switched to an LFD for 4 weeks. Results: After 12 weeks, group 2 mice had significantly higher body weights compared to group 1 (23.71 ± 1.95 vs. 47.83 ± 2.27; p < 0.05). Group 4 had a significant decrease in body weight and improvement in glucose tolerance compared to mice in group 2 (71.3 ± 1.17 vs. 46.1 ± 1.82 and 40.9 ± 1.75, respectively; p < 0.05). Skeletal muscles expression of SIRT1, SIRT3, and PGC1α were induced in group 3 and 4 mice compared to group 2 (p < 0.01), with no changes in AMP-activated protein kinase expression levels. Furthermore, combination of RES and diet ameliorated skeletal muscle intermediate lipid accumulation and significantly improved insulin sensitivity and secretion. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a synergistic beneficial effect of LFD and RES to lower body weight and enhance glucose and fatty acid metabolism.
Healing of Unilateral Maxillary Sinusitis by Endodontic and Periodontal Treatment of Maxillary Teeth
Authors: Migas Klaudia , Kozłowski Remigiusz , Sierocka Aleksandra , Marczak Michał
Published: September 2022

Inflammatory conditions of dental origin may spread to the bone tissue, causing its destruction, and to anatomical structures located in the vicinity of the tooth affected with inflammation. Maxillary premolars and molars may develop inflammatory lesions of the Schneiderian membrane and lead to tooth-borne lesions in the maxillary sinuses. Unilateral inflammation of the maxillary sinuses should be diagnosed and treated. The aim of this study was to determine whether and after what time from the applied endodontic or nonsurgical periodontal treatment the inflammation in the maxillary sinus was diminished (assessed by the decrease in the Schneiderian membrane hypertrophy). A retrospective study was performed to analyze the records of endodontically, periodontally, or endodontically-periodontally treated patients with unilateral inflammation of the maxillary sinuses along with diagnostic Cone Beam Computed Tomography. The method for determination of the inflammation was measurements registered in millimeters in Carestream software. The analysis included the situation before treatment and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after completion of the treatment. Regardless of the origin of the maxillary sinus lesion, healing of inflammation of the sinus has been reported after the implementation of causative treatment of the maxillary tooth. Dental treatment reduces the need to implement conservative or surgical ENT treatment.
Comment on Ivanov et al. Ultra-Hypofractionated vs. Moderate Fractionated Whole Breast Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Medicina 2022, 58, 745
Authors: Ferini Gianluca
Published: September 2022

I read the paper by Ivanov et al. [...]
The Effectiveness of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide on Body Composition in Elderly Obese Diabetic Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ozeki Yoshinori , Masaki Takayuki , Kamata Akari , Miyamoto Shotaro , Yoshida Yuichi , Okamoto Mitsuhiro , Gotoh Koro , Shibata Hirotaka
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the changes in obesity severity, glucose metabolism, and body composition in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) semaglutide. Materials and Methods: Body weight (BW), metabolic parameters, and body composition were examined before and 3 months after semaglutide administration. The mass of body fat (FM), fat weight percentage (%FM), mass of skeletal muscle (MM), skeletal MM percentage (%MM), and limb muscles were measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. Results: Semaglutide dramatically reduced the weight, the body mass index (BMI), and the levels of the glucose metabolic markers, including fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c, and accelerated the loss of excess BW. FM, MM, and %FM after semaglutide treatment also decreased. Conversely, semaglutide had no effect on the %MM after 3 months. In limb muscle analyses, right upper and lower leg muscle percentages, left upper and lower leg muscles, and the ratios of the lower/upper muscles were maintained by semaglutide treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that the GLP1-RA semaglutide effectively reduces body adiposity while maintaining the MM in obese type 2 diabetic patients.
The Influence of Forward Osmosis Module Configuration on Nutrients Removal and Microalgae Harvesting in Osmotic Photobioreactor
Authors: Larronde-Larretche Mathieu , Jin Xue
Published: September 2022

Microalgae have attracted great interest recently due to their potential for nutrients removal from wastewater, renewable biodiesel production and bioactive compounds extraction. However, one major challenge in microalgal bioremediation and the algal biofuel process is the high energy cost of separating microalgae from water. Our previous studies demonstrated that forward osmosis (FO) is a promising technology for microalgae harvesting and dewatering due to its low energy consumption and easy fouling control. In the present study, two FO module configurations (side-stream and submerged) were integrated with microalgae (C. vulgaris) photobioreactor (PBR) in order to evaluate the system performance, including nutrients removal, algae harvesting efficiency and membrane fouling. After 7 days of operation, both systems showed effective nutrients removal. A total of 92.9%, 100% and 98.7% of PO4-P, NH3-N and TN were removed in the PBR integrated with the submerged FO module, and 82%, 96% and 94.8% of PO4-P, NH3-N and TN were removed in the PBR integrated with the side-stream FO module. The better nutrients removal efficiency is attributed to the greater algae biomass in the submerged FO-PBR where in situ biomass dewatering was conducted. The side-stream FO module showed more severe permeate flux loss and biomass loss (less dewatering efficiency) due to algae deposition onto the membrane. This is likely caused by the higher initial water flux associated with the side-stream FO configuration, resulting in more foulants being transported to the membrane surface. However, the side-stream FO module showed better fouling mitigation by simple hydraulic flushing than the submerged FO module, which is not convenient for conducting cleaning without interrupting the PBR operation. Taken together, our results suggest that side-stream FO configuration may provide a viable way to integrate with PBR for a microalgae-based treatment. The present work provides novel insights into the efficient operation of a FO-PBR for more sustainable wastewater treatment and effective microalgae harvesting.
Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion: Molecular Mechanisms, Biological Functions, and Related Disorders
Authors: Al Ojaimi Mode , Salah Azza , El-Hattab Ayman
Published: September 2022

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo fusion and fission. These active processes occur continuously and simultaneously and are mediated by nuclear-DNA-encoded proteins that act on mitochondrial membranes. The balance between fusion and fission determines the mitochondrial morphology and adapts it to the metabolic needs of the cells. Therefore, these two processes are crucial to optimize mitochondrial function and its bioenergetics abilities. Defects in mitochondrial proteins involved in fission and fusion due to pathogenic variants in the genes encoding them result in disruption of the equilibrium between fission and fusion, leading to a group of mitochondrial diseases termed disorders of mitochondrial dynamics. In this review, the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of mitochondrial fusion and fission are first discussed. Then, mitochondrial disorders caused by defects in fission and fusion are summarized, including disorders related to MFN2, MSTO1, OPA1, YME1L1, FBXL4, DNM1L, and MFF genes.
The Properties of Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Thin Film Gadolinium-Doped Ceria Electrolyte
Authors: Solovyev Andrey , Shipilova Anna , Smolyanskiy Egor , Rabotkin Sergey , Semenov Vyacheslav
Published: September 2022

Mixed ionic-electronic conducting materials are not used as a single-layer electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) at relatively high operating temperatures of ~800 °C. This is because of a significant decrease in the open-circuit voltage (OCV) and, consequently, the SOFC power density. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the anode-supported SOFC properties obtained within the temperature range of 600 to 800 °C with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte thin films. Electrolyte layers that are 3 µm thick are obtained by magnetron sputtering. It is shown that at 800 °C, the SOFC with the GDC electrolyte thin film provides an OCV over 0.9 V and power density of 2 W/cm2. The latter is comparable to the power density of SOFCs with the YSZ electrolyte, which is a purely ionic conductor. The GDC electrolyte manifests the high performance, despite the SOFC power density loss induced by electronic conductivity of the former, which, in turn, is compensated by its other positive properties.
Energy and Nutrients from Apple Waste Using Anaerobic Digestion and Membrane Technology
Authors: González-García Isabel , Riaño Berta , Molinuevo-Salces Beatriz , García-González María Cruz
Published: September 2022

The worldwide increment of food waste requires innovative management solutions, aligned with sustainability, energy, and food security. Anaerobic digestion (AD), followed by nutrient recovery, may be considered an interesting approach. This study proposed a co-digestion of apple pomace (AP) with swine manure (SM) to study the effect of different proportions of AP (0, 7.5, 15, and 30%, on a volatile solids (VS) basis) on the methane production and the stability of the process. Subsequently, the gas-permeable membrane (GPM) technology was applied to recover nitrogen (N) as ammonium sulfate (bio-based fertilizer) from the digestates produced after the AD of 7.5% of AP and SM, and SM alone. The results showed that the co-digestion of 7.5% and 15% of AP with SM presented a methane production similar to the AD of SM alone (with 412.3 ± 62.6, 381.8 ± 134.1, and 421.7 ± 153.6 mL g VS−1 day−1, respectively). The later application of the GPM technology on the resulting digestates, with SM alone and with 7.5% of AP with SM, showed total ammoniacal N recovery rates of 33 and 25.8 g N m−2 d−1, respectively. Therefore, the AP valorization through the AD process, followed by N recovery from the digestate, could be a good management strategy.
Study on Static Characteristics of Aerostatic Bearing Based on Porous SiC Ceramic Membranes
Authors: Xiao Xin , Du Jianzhou , Zhang Yu , Yan Jingyi , Li Yunping , Zhu Kongjun , Wang Luming
Published: September 2022

The porous aerostatic bearing is a new supporting structure that is widely used in precision and ultraprecision engineering and the aerospace and other fields. The aerostatic bearing has a good bearing capacity and static stiffness. In this work, the numerical and experimental research on the static characteristics of an aerostatic bearing based on a porous SiC ceramic membrane is presented. The porous ceramic membrane prepared by reactive sintering, with a porosity of 25.8% and a pore size of 20.55 μm, was used as the restrictor to fabricate the aerostatic bearing. It was found that the ceramics have good permeability, and the permeability coefficient reached 2.78 × 10−13 m2 using permeability-test experiments. The effects of the gas-supply pressure and permeability coefficient on the static characteristics of the aerostatic bearing based on porous ceramics were analyzed using Fluent simulation calculation. When the gas-supply pressure was 0.5 MPa and the gas-film thickness was 6 μm, the static stiffness of the aerostatic bearing reached a maximum of 20.9 N/μm, while the bearing capacity was 632.5 N. The numerical results of the static characteristics of the aerostatic bearing are highly consistent with the experimental results, which verifies the accuracy of the Fluent simulation, and provides convenience for studying the static characteristics of aerostatic bearings.
Optimization of Evaporation and Condensation Architectures for Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation Desalination
Authors: Pan Cheng , Yang Yawei , Xie Mingze , Deng Qingyuan , Cheng Xiang , Wang Xianlei , Zhao Shihan , Wei Yumeng , Que Wenxiu
Published: September 2022

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is an ideal technology for seawater desalination, and the corresponding system is mainly composed of a solar evaporator and a condensing collector. The traditional scheme focuses on the evaporation efficiency of the evaporator. Still, it ignores the influence of condensing collection scheme on the overall efficiency, which is one of the obstacles to the practical use of solar seawater desalination. Here, we reported a new solar-driven interfacial evaporation seawater desalination system by studying the influence of the condensation architecture, i.e., vapor flow by a fan and an air pump, sidewall material, transparent cover shape and material, evaporation level, and transparent cover heating, on the apparent collection efficiency of the system. The apparent collection efficiency was up to over 90% after optimization. This study is expected to promote the practical application of solar evaporation desalination technology.
Environment-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors for Aluminum in Hydrochloric Acid: Quantum and Experimental Research
Authors: Yousef Tarek A. , Hussein Rageh. K. , Alhamzani Abdulrahman G. , Al-Enazi Ahmed T. , AL-Osimi Mohammed B. , Abou-Krisha Mortaga M.
Published: September 2022

Environment-friendly materials (e.g., Honey and Mint) are used as corrosion inhibitors for aluminum in hydrochloric acid (HCl) using both the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–31G* basis set level and semi-empirical methods (AM1, PM3, MINDO, and RM1). The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibition efficiency (%IE) in terms of their molecular structure. The quantum chemical parameters such as the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO), the energy gap (ΔE), the charge on the reactive core, the hardness (η), and the total energy have all been computed. The MINDO method was used to measure the electronic energies and charge densities of the inhibitors that were used. Theoretical calculations were also carried out, with the findings correlating well with the experimental data. Gravimetry and gasometry measurements were used to investigate the effects of honey and mint on aluminum corrosion in a 1.0 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. In acid solutions, honey and mint were found to be effective inhibitors of aluminum corrosion, with honey being the better option. Because of the adsorption of its components on aluminum surfaces, the inhibitory effect of the used inhibitors was addressed. The higher dipole moment of honey than that of mint caused the adsorption of honey on the aluminum surface better. The IEs measured by gravimetry and gasometry are almost identical.
Analysis of the Effect of Magnetic Field on Solidification of Stainless Steel in Laser Surface Processing and Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Gruzd Svetlana A. , Lomaev Stepan L. , Simakov Nikolay N. , Gordeev Georgii A. , Bychkov Anton S. , Gapeev Artem A. , Cherepetskaya Elena B. , Krivilyov Mikhail D. , Ivanov Ivan A.
Published: September 2022

The problem of surface processing and microstructure refinement in stainless steels in laser surface processing in the presence of an external magnetic field has been studied experimentally and theoretically. The effect of both alternating and permanent magnetic fields is discussed. The experimental part includes microstructure assessment of a thin stainless plate annealed by a quasi-continuous laser in the presence of an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. Complementary analytical calculus and numerical simulations of complex transport phenomena in the melting zone are performed. Based on the received data, the effect of the electromagnetic field on the molten zone under laser melting conditions is evaluated and quantified. The obtained results are relevant to laser surface hardening and additive manufacturing.
Sr2+ Ion Substitution Enhanced Dielectric Properties of Co(2)Z Ferrites for VHF Antenna Substrate
Authors: Wang Ji , Li Kunlong , Gan Gongwen
Published: September 2022

The effect of Sr2+ ions on the microstructure and high frequency properties of 2.5 wt% Bi2O3 added to Co(2)Z hexaferrites (3Ba(1-x)SrxO•2CoO•12Fe2O3, x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) synthesised using the solid-state reaction method was investigated. Experimental results indicate that the dielectric properties were markedly enhanced with the increase in the content of Sr2+ ions, thereby increasing the miniaturisation factor, which enables a size reduction in a long frequency range. Slight changes to saturation magnetisation (Ms) and coercivity (Hc) were observed, i.e., the saturation magnetisation (Ms) decreased from 39.99 to 38.11 emu/g, and coercivity (Hc) increased from 59.05 to 65.21 Oe when x increased from 0.0 to 0.6. Meanwhile, ε′ increased from approximately 8 to 12, indicating the invariability in μ′. In addition, the processed materials exhibit relatively low magnetic loss and dielectric loss (magnetic loss tanδμ ≈ 0.08 and dielectric loss (tanδε ≈ 0.007)). These results indicate that the substituted CO(2)Z ferrites have excellent potential in high-frequency antenna applications.
Association of Metabolic Signatures with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Pediatric Population
Authors: Chae Woori , Lee Kyung Jae , Huh Ki Young , Moon Jin Soo , Ko Jae Sung , Cho Joo-Youn
Published: September 2022

Several adult omics studies have been conducted to understand the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the histological features of children are different from those of adults, and the onset and progression of pediatric NAFLD are not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the metabolome profile and metabolic pathway changes associated with pediatric NAFLD to elucidate its pathophysiology and to develop machine learning-based NAFLD diagnostic models. We analyzed the metabolic profiles of healthy control, lean NAFLD, overweight control, and overweight NAFLD groups of children and adolescent participants (N = 165) by assessing plasma samples. Additionally, we constructed diagnostic models by applying three machine learning methods (ElasticNet, random forest, and XGBoost) and multiple logistic regression by using NAFLD-specific metabolic features, genetic variants, and clinical data. We identified 18 NAFLD-specific metabolic features and metabolic changes in lipid, glutathione-related amino acid, and branched-chain amino acid metabolism by comparing the control and NAFLD groups in the overweight pediatric population. Additionally, we successfully developed and cross-validated diagnostic models that showed excellent diagnostic performance (ElasticNet and random forest model: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.95). Metabolome changes in the plasma of pediatric patients with NAFLD are associated with the pathophysiology of the disease and can be utilized as a less-invasive approach to diagnosing the disease.
Copper Requirement and Acquisition by Marine Microalgae
Authors: Kong Liangliang
Published: September 2022

Copper is a critical metal nutrient required by marine microalgae but may be toxic when supplied in excess. Maintaining an optimal intracellular Cu content is thus fundamentally necessary for microalgae and relies on cellular regulatory metabolisms and the process of Cu uptake that buffers the variation in environmental Cu availability. In this article the current progress in understanding the Cu requirements and acquisition mechanisms of marine microalgae is reviewed. Cu requirement by microalgae is primarily determined by the amount of Cu-dependent enzymes involved in cellular metabolisms and can be adjusted by Cu-sparing pathways. Decrease in metabolic Cu quotas caused a decline in the abundance of cuproenzymes and the dependent cellular metabolisms, and an induction of Cu acquisition pathways. Conventional models of Cu uptake describe the dependence of Cu uptake rate on free Cu2+ ions or kinetically labile species. A reductive, high-affinity Cu uptake system in marine microalgae is identified which enables cells to directly utilize organically complexed Cu, highlighting the importance of cell surface Cu reduction in the marine Cu cycle. This review provides new insights into Cu uptake models that may update the existing knowledge of Cu availability in the ocean.