bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Modification of Biodegradable Microparticles with the Novel Host-Derived Immunostimulant CPDI-02 Significantly Increases Short-Term and Long-Term Mucosal and Systemic Antibodies against Encapsulated Protein Antigen in Young Naïve Mice after Respiratory Immunization
Authors: Parriott Jacob E. , Stewart Jason P. , Smith D. David , Curran Stephen M. , Bauer Christopher D. , Wyatt Todd A. , Phillips Joy A. , Lyden Elizabeth , Thiele Geoffrey M. , Vetro Joseph A.
Published: September 2022

Generating long-lived mucosal and systemic antibodies through respiratory immunization with protective antigens encapsulated in nanoscale biodegradable particles could potentially decrease or eliminate the incidence of many infectious diseases, but requires the incorporation of a suitable mucosal immunostimulant. We previously found that respiratory immunization with a model protein antigen (LPS-free OVA) encapsulated in PLGA 50:50 nanoparticles (~380 nm diameter) surface-modified with complement peptide-derived immunostimulant 02 (CPDI-02; formerly EP67) through 2 kDa PEG linkers increases mucosal and systemic OVA-specific memory T-cells with long-lived surface phenotypes in young, naïve female C57BL/6 mice. Here, we determined if respiratory immunization with LPS-free OVA encapsulated in similar PLGA 50:50 microparticles (~1 μm diameter) surface-modified with CPDI-02 (CPDI-02-MP) increases long-term OVA-specific mucosal and systemic antibodies. We found that, compared to MP surface-modified with inactive, scrambled scCPDI-02 (scCPDI-02-MP), intranasal administration of CPDI-02-MP in 50 μL sterile PBS greatly increased titers of short-term (14 days post-immunization) and long-term (90 days post-immunization) antibodies against encapsulated LPS-free OVA in nasal lavage fluids, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and sera of young, naïve female C57BL/6 mice with minimal lung inflammation. Thus, surface modification of ~1 μm biodegradable microparticles with CPDI-02 is likely to increase long-term mucosal and systemic antibodies against encapsulated protein antigen after respiratory and possibly other routes of mucosal immunization.
Structuring and De-Structuring of Nanovectors from Algal Lipids: Simulated Digestion, Preliminary Antioxidant Capacity and In Vitro Tests
Authors: Clemente Ilaria , Lamponi Stefania , Tamasi Gabriella , Rodolfi Liliana , Rossi Claudio , Ristori Sandra
Published: September 2022

Biocompatible nanocarriers can be obtained by lipid extraction from natural sources such as algal biomasses, which accumulate different lipid classes depending on the employed culture media. Lipid aggregates can be distinguished according to supramolecular architecture into lamellar and nonlamellar structures. This distinction is mainly influenced by the lipid class and molecular packing parameter, which determine the possible values of interfacial curvature and thus the supramolecular symmetries that can be obtained. The nanosystems prepared from bio-sources are able to self-assemble into different compartmentalized structures due to their complex composition. They also present the advantage of increased carrier-target biocompatibility and are suitable to encapsulate and vehiculate poorly water-soluble compounds, e.g., natural antioxidants. Their functional properties stem from the interplay of several parameters. Following previous work, here the functionality of two series of structurally distinct lipid nanocarriers, namely liposomes and cubosomes deriving from algal biomasses with different lipid composition, is characterized. In the view of their possible use as pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations, both types of nanovectors were loaded with three well-known antioxidants, i.e., curcumin, α-tocopherol and piperine, and their carrier efficacy was compared considering their different structures. Firstly, carrier stability in biorelevant conditions was assessed by simulating a gastrointestinal tract model. Then, by using an integrated chemical and pharmacological approach, the functionality in terms of encapsulation efficiency, cargo bioaccessibility and kinetics of antioxidant capacity by UV-Visible spectroscopy was evaluated. Subsequently, in vitro cytotoxicity and viability tests after administration to model cell lines were performed. As a consequence of this investigation, it is possible to conclude that nanovectors from algal lipids, i.e., cubosomes and liposomes, can be efficient delivery agents for lipophilic antioxidants, being able to preserve and enhance their activity toward different targets while promoting sustained release.
Preparation and Characterization of Nifedipine-Loaded Dry Medium Internal-Phase Emulsions (Dry MIPEs) to Improve Cellular Permeability
Authors: Tubtimsri Sukannika , Weerapol Yotsanan
Published: September 2022

A nifedipine (NP) dry emulsion was fabricated by the adsorption of medium internal-phase emulsions (MIPEs). Simple homogenizers were first used to mix conventional liquid MIPEs, and then a microfluidizer was used to reduce the resulting emulsions’ droplet sizes. The dry MIPEs (solid) were produced by adsorbing the emulsions onto solid carriers with a high surface area. The dry MIPEs were diluted in a simulated gastric fluid under gentle agitation to form emulsions. The diluted dry MIPEs were divided into three groups based on an NP content of 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7%, with sizes of 5026–5404 nm, 2583–3233 nm, and 1318–1618 nm in diameter, respectively. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the physical properties of the dry MIPEs. The samples contained 0.5% or 0.7% drug, 2–4% surfactant, and 8–16% oil (5RH2/8, 7RH2/8, and 7RH4/16) and showed the characteristic peak for NP. No NP peak was observed in formulations with 0.3% NP and any oil-phase content (3RH2/8, 3RH4/16, and 3RH8/32). The formulations with 0.5% drug, 4–8% surfactant, 16–32% oil (5RH4/16 and 5RH8/32) and those with 0.7% drug, 8% surfactant, and 32% oil (7RH8/32) also did not show the peak for NP. These findings demonstrated that microfluidization improved the solubility of NP in the formulations. The subsequent drug dissolution results were consistent with the DSC thermogram and PXRD pattern results. 3RH2/8, 3RH4/16, 3RH8/32, 5RH4/16, 5RH8/32, and 7RH8/32 were completely dissolved and showed higher dissolved NP amounts than 5RH2/8, 7RH2/8, 7RH4/16, and NP powder. The lowest mean dissolution time was for 7RH8/32 (13.31 ± 0.87 min). Caco-2 cells were used to determine drug uptake, and 7RH8/32 showed the maximum intracellular uptake (10.89%). After storage under accelerated and normal conditions (3 and 6 months), the selected formulations remained stable. The developed formulations can be used to improve NP solubility and absorption.
Are There Differences in the Homogeneity of the Parts of Tablets Obtained after Subdivision?—A Preliminary Assessment Using an X-ray Microtomography
Authors: Meisner Michał , Kuśnierz Piotr , Duda Piotr , Wilczyński Sławomir , Sarecka-Hujar Beata
Published: September 2022

Aim: The study aimed to analyze the weight and homogeneity of the parts of tablets containing carbamazepine and tablets with trazodone hydrochloride, obtained after subdivision with a kitchen knife. X-ray microtomography was used for homogeneity analysis. Methods: 30 tablets with carbamazepine and 30 tablets with trazodone hydrochloride were analyzed in terms of weight uniformity after subdivision. Then, seven tablets of each type were analyzed using an X-ray microtomography (Phoenix vǀtomeǀx, General Electric). The absorption of X-rays by an object is proportional to its density. In turn, measurement of the density of the analyzed object in a microtomographic image is the grayscale level. Based on the correlation between the grayscale value and the reference density, from the calibration phantom, we were able to determine the density of any area of the tablet’s scan. Results: During the subdivision, the weight loss exceeded 3% for two carbamazepine tablets, while for trazodone tablets, none lost more than 3%, which is the limit recommended by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As to the density of the tablets resulting from the microtomographic analysis, two of the whole tablets containing trazodone hydrochloride had a significantly higher density than the remainder (p < 0.001). Similarly, some differences in density were observed in the analysis of the density of tablets of carbamazepine (p = 0.008). Parts of one of the analyzed tablets with trazodone obtained after subdivision differed in terms of pixel brightness, thus density. On the other hand, the uniform density was observed for parts of the split tablets containing carbamazepine. Conclusions: Parts of the trazodone hydrochloride tablets obtained after subdivision differed in terms of homogeneity and weight. Microtomographic methods may be an interesting and useful method for evaluating the uniformity of compounds in solid dosage forms.
Building a Way: Becoming Active in One’s Own Subjectivation through Deleuze and Xunzi
Authors: Ardoline Michael J.
Published: September 2022

While Continental thought has no shortage of criticism and diagnosis of social, political, and ethical issues, it tends to avoid offering guidance on what to do about such issues. In Reconsidering the Life of Power, Garrison argues for a radical new alternative for the Continental tradition: it ought to stage an encounter with the Confucian tradition. This is because, he argues, both traditions have at the center of their political thought a focus on the social formation of subjects, that is, the process of subjectivation. While Continental thought often takes this process to empty the subject of all but nominal forms of autonomy, the Confucian tradition sees subjectivation as the very source of real human autonomy. This paper explores one such possible encounter by synthesizing Deleuze’s account of individuation with the constructivist reading of Xunzi’s view that artifice is the source of human autonomy and virtue. Ultimately, I argue that coupling Deleuze’s defense of the possibility of the New with Xunzi’s transformational account of human nature provides an understanding of subjectivation that is optimistic about the shaping of human autonomy as well as practical guidance for how to do so.
Ar-Matrix Studies of the Photochemical Reaction between CS2 and ClF: Prereactive Complexes and Bond Isomerism of the Photoproducts
Authors: Custodio Castro Michelle T. , Della Védova Carlos O. , Willner Helge , Romano Rosana M.
Published: September 2022

In this work, prereactive complexes, reaction products, and conformational preferences derived from the photochemical reaction between CS2 and ClF were analyzed following the codeposition of the reactants trapped in argon matrices at cryogenic temperatures. After codeposition of CS2 and ClF diluted in Ar, the formation of van der Waals complexes is observed. When the mixture is subsequently irradiated by means of broad-band UV-visible light (225 ≤ λ ≤ 800 nm), fluorothiocarbonylsulfenyl chloride (FC(S)SCl) and chlorothiocarbonylsulfenyl fluoride (ClC(S)SF) are produced. These species exist as two stable planar anti- and syn-conformers (anti- and syn- of the C=S double bond with respect to the S–Cl or S–F single bond, respectively). For both novel molecules, anti-FC(S)SCl and anti-ClC(S)SF are the lowest-energy computed rotamers. As expected due to the photochemical activity of these species, additional reaction products due to alternative or subsequent photochannels are formed during this process.
Influence of Ag Nanowires with Different Morphologies on Light Trapping Abilities and Optoelectronic Properties of Ag Nanowires/ZnO:Al Nanorods Composite Films
Authors: Tao Chunlei , Hu Daqiang , Wang Ying , Zhu Jiang , Liu Jian
Published: September 2022

The Ag nanowires/ZnO:Al nanorods (Ag NWs/AZO NRs) composite films were prepared by the simple hydrothermal growth of AZO NRs on the AZO seed layer (SL) at the void regions among the Ag NWs. Distinctive morphology evolution of the Ag NWs depending on the mass of FeCl3⋅6H2O solution was observed on the AZO SL. The effect of Ag NWs with different morphologies on the structure, morphology, optoelectronic properties and light trapping abilities of Ag NWs/AZO NRs composite films was investigated systematically. In particular, the relationship between the morphology, light trapping and electrical properties of the composite films was analyzed in detail. When 7 g of FeCl3⋅6H2O solution was added, Ag NWs with a length of about 50 μM were generated, and the Ag NWs overlapped adequately with each other to form a network structure beneficial to conductivity. Meanwhile, the Ag NWs/AZO NRs composite films containing Ag NWs prepared with 7 g FeCl3⋅6H2O solution exhibited high TT (above 80%), high haze value (0.29) at 550 nm and low sheet resistance (5.9 Ω/sq), which can be employed as transparent electrodes for improving electrical and light trapping properties in solar cells.
A New Stilbene Glucoside from Biotransformation-Guided Purification of Chinese Herb Ha-Soo-Oh
Authors: Wu Jiumn-Yih , Ding Hsiou-Yu , Wang Tzi-Yuan , Hsu Min-Hui , Chang Te-Sheng
Published: September 2022

Ha-Soo-Oh is a traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The herb extract has been widely used in Asian countries as a tonic agent and nutritional supplement for centuries. To identify new bioactive compounds in Chinese herbs, the biotransformation-guided purification (BGP) process was applied to Ha-Soo-Oh with Bacillus megaterium tyrosinase (BmTYR) as a biocatalyst. The result showed that a major biotransformed compound could be purified using the BGP process with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and it was confirmed as a new compound, 2,3,5,3′,4′-pentahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (PSG) following mass and nucleic magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analyses. PSG was further confirmed as a biotransformation product from 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (TSG) by BmTYR. The new PSG exhibited 4.7-fold higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity than that of TSG. The present study highlights the potential usage of BGP in herbs to discover new bioactive compounds in the future.
Mapping and Validation of qHD7b: Major Heading-Date QTL Functions Mainly under Long-Day Conditions
Authors: Sohail Amir , Shah Liaqat , Liu Ling , Islam Anowerul , Yang Zhengfu , Yang Qinqin , Anis Galal Bakr , Xu Peng , Khan Riaz Muhammad , Li Jiaxin , Shen Xihong , Cheng Shihua , Cao Liyong , Zhang Yingxin , Wu Weixun
Published: September 2022

Heading date (HD) is one of the agronomic traits that influence maturity, regional adaptability, and grain yield. The present study was a follow-up of a previous quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping study conducted on three populations, which uncovered a total of 62 QTLs associated with 10 agronomic traits. Two of the QTLs for HD on chromosome 7 (qHD7a and qHD7b) had a common flanking marker (RM3670) that may be due to tight linkage, and/or weakness of the statistical method. The objectives of the present study were to map QTLs associated with HD in a set of 76 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs), fine map and validate one of the QTLs (qHD7b) using 2997 BC5F2:3 plants, and identify candidate genes using sequencing and expression analysis. Using the CSSLs genotyped with 120 markers and evaluated under two short-day and two long-day growing conditions, we uncovered a total of fourteen QTLs (qHD2a, qHD4a, qHD4b, qHD5a, qHD6a, qHD6b, qHD7b, qHD7c, qHD8a, qHD10a, qHD10b, qHD11a, qHD12a, and qHD12b). However, only qHD6a and qHD7b were consistently detected in all four environments. The phenotypic variance explained by qHD6a and qHD7b varied from 10.1% to 36.1% (mean 23.1%) and from 8.1% to 32.8% (mean 20.5%), respectively. One of the CSSL lines (CSSL52), which harbored a segment from the early heading XieqingzaoB (XQZB) parent at the qHD7b locus, was then used to develop a BC5F2:3 population for fine mapping and validation. Using a backcross population evaluated for four seasons under different day lengths and temperatures, the qHD7b interval was delimited to a 912.7-kb region, which is located between RM5436 and RM5499. Sequencing and expression analysis revealed a total of 29 candidate genes, of which Ghd7 (Os07g0261200) is a well-known gene that affects heading date, plant height, and grain yield in rice. The ghd7 mutants generated through CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing exhibited early heading. Taken together, the results from both the previous and present study revealed a consistent QTL for heading date on chromosome 7, which coincided not only with the physical position of a known gene, but also with two major effect QTLs that controlled the stigma exertion rate and the number of spikelets in rice. The results provide contributions to the broader adaptability of marker-assisted breeding to develop high-yield rice varieties.
Effect of Trap Regulation on Vacuum DC Surface Flashover Characteristics of Nano-ZnO/PI Film
Authors: Wu Jiang , Zhang Bo , Li Tianjiao , Du Yan , Cao Wen , Yang Hao
Published: September 2022

The operating safety of spacecraft in space environments is closely related to the surface discharging phenomenon of dielectrics such as polyimide (PI) film in solar arrays; moreover, carrier traps in the dielectric can affect its insulation performance. Therefore, to improve the vacuum surface flashover characteristics of PI film by nano modification and reveal the effect of trap distribution on the flashover of PI composite film, first, the original PI and nano-ZnO/PI composite films with different additive amounts (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 wt.%) were prepared by in situ polymerization and their performance was evaluated by the physicochemical properties characterized by methods such as thermogravimetric analysis; second, the surface traps of the original and nanocomposite films were measured and calculated by surface potential decay method, and the carrier mobility was also obtained; finally, the vacuum direct current (DC) surface flashover characteristics and bulk resistivity of all the film samples were measured and analyzed. The experiment results showed that with the increase in the amount of nano-ZnO, both the shallow and deep trap density increased significantly, while the trap energy varied slightly, and the surface flashover voltage also increased obviously. Based on the multi-core model, the increases in the shallow and deep trap density after the introduction of nano-ZnO into the PI matrix was analyzed from the microscopic perspective of the interface. Based on the comparative analysis of the trap distribution and surface flashover voltage characteristics, a bilayer model of vacuum DC surface flashover development was proposed. In the bilayer model, deep traps and shallow traps play a dominant role in the vacuum–solid interface and the inner surface of the dielectric, respectively, and increasing the trap density could effectively inhibit secondary electron multiplication on the surface and accelerate charge dissipation inside the film. Consequently, nano-ZnO can purposefully control the trap distribution, and then improve the flashover characteristics of nano-ZnO/PI composite films, which provides a new approach for improving the spacecraft material safety.
Loading and Release of Phenolic Compounds Present in Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) in Different Chitosan Bio-Polymeric Cationic Matrixes
Authors: Garcia-Carrasco Melissa , Picos-Corrales Lorenzo A. , Gutiérrez-Grijalva Erick P. , Angulo-Escalante Miguel A. , Licea-Claverie Angel , Heredia J. Basilio
Published: September 2022

Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, but low bioaccessibility. Therefore, in the present work the micro/nano-encapsulation of these compounds in two different matrixes of chitosan (CS) and chitosan-b-poly(PEGMA2000) (CS-b-PPEGMA) is described and assessed. The particle sizes of matrixes of CS (~955 nm) and CS-b-PPEGMA (~190 nm) increased by 10% and 50%, respectively, when the phenolic compounds were encapsulated, yielding loading efficiencies (LE) between 90–99% and 50–60%, correspondingly. The release profiles in simulated fluids revealed a better control of host–guest interactions by using the CS-b-PPEGMA matrix, reaching phenolic compounds release of 80% after 24 h, while single CS retained the guest compounds. The total reducing capacity (TRC) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the phenolic compounds (PPHs) are protected and increased (more than five times) when they are encapsulated. Thus, this investigation provides a standard encapsulation strategy and relevant results regarding nutraceuticals stabilization and their improved bioaccessibility.
Electron Transport Layer Optimization for Efficient PTB7:PC70BM Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Moiz Syed Abdul , Alzahrani Mohammed Saleh , Alahmadi Ahmed N. M.
Published: September 2022

Bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells have received a great deal of attention mainly due to the possibility of higher power conversion efficiency for photovoltaic applications. Therefore, in this study, relatively novel polymer BHJ solar cells are proposed (ITO/ETL/PTB7:PC70BM/PEDOT:PSS/Au) with various electron transport layers (ETL) such as zinc oxysulfide (Zn(O,S)), zinc selenide (ZnSe), and poly[(9,9-bis(3′-((N,N-dimethyl)-N-ethylammonium)-propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)] dibromide (PFN-Br). Here, each ETL material is selected based on the energy bandgap compatibility with ITO as well as the PTB7:PC70BM active layer and is based on other physical properties, which are generally required for efficient photovoltaic responses. Each proposed device is comprehensively optimized and then photovoltaic responses are simulated and compared using the software SCAPS-1D. It was observed that the ITO/Zn(O,S)/PTB7:PC70BM/PEDOT:PSS/Au device offered the highest power-conversion efficiency of up to 17.15% with an open-circuit voltage of 0.85 volts, a short-circuit current of 28.23 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 70.69%.
Inflammation-Responsive Nanovalves of Polymer-Conjugated Dextran on a Hole Array of Silicon Substrate for Controlled Antibiotic Release
Authors: Lee Ai-Wei , Chang Pao-Lung , Liaw Shien-Kuei , Lu Chien-Hsing , Chen Jem-Kun
Published: September 2022

Poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brushes were tethered on a silicon surface possessing a 500-nm hole array via atom transfer radical polymerization after the modification of the halogen group. Dextran-biotin (DB) was sequentially immobilized on the PMAA chains to obtain a P(MAA-DB) brush surrounding the hole edges on the silicon surface. After loading antibiotics inside the holes, biphenyl-4,4′-diboronic acid (BDA) was used to cross-link the P(MAA-DB) chains through the formation of boronate esters to cap the hole and block the release of the antibiotics. The boronate esters were disassociated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to open the holes and release the antibiotics, thus indicating a reversible association. The total amount of drug inside the chip was approximately 52.4 μg cm−2, which could be released at a rate of approximately 1.6 μg h−1 cm−2 at a ROS concentration of 10 nM. The P(MAA-DB) brush-modified chip was biocompatible without significant toxicity toward L929 cells during the antibiotic release. The inflammation-triggered antibiotic release system based on a subcutaneous implant chip not only exhibits excellent efficacy against bacteria but also excellent biocompatibility, recyclability, and sensitivity, which can be easily extended to other drug delivery systems for numerous biomedical applications without phagocytosis- and metabolism-related issues.
Preparation of Methylcellulose Film-Based CO2 Indicator for Monitoring the Ripeness Quality of Mango Fruit cv. Nam Dok Mai Si Thong
Authors: Noiwan Duangjai , Suppakul Panuwat , Rachtanapun Pornchai
Published: September 2022

Day-to-day advancements in food science and technology have increased. Indicators, especially biopolymer-incorporated organic dye indicators, are useful for monitoring the ripeness quality of agricultural fruit products. In this investigation, methylcellulose films—containing pH dye-based indicators that change color depending on the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels—were prepared. The level of CO2 on the inside of the packaging container indicated the ripeness of the fruit. Changes in the CO2 level, caused by the ripeness metabolite during storage, altered the pH. The methylcellulose-based film contained pH-sensitive dyes (bromothymol blue and methyl red), which responded (through visible color change) to CO2 levels produced by ripeness metabolites formed during respiration. The indicator solution and indicator label were monitored for their response to CO2. In addition, a kinetic approach was used to correlate the response of the indicator label to the changes in mango ripeness. Color changes (the total color difference of a mixed pH dye-based indicator), correlated well with the CO2 levels in mango fruit. In the ‘Nam Dok Mai Si Thong’ mango fruit model, the indicator response correlated with respiration patterns in real-time monitoring of ripeness at various constant temperatures. Based on the storage test, the indicator labels exhibited color changes from blue, through light bright green, to yellow, when exposed to CO2 during storage time, confirming the minimal, half-ripe, and fully-ripe levels of mango fruit, respectively. The firmness and titratable acidity (TA) of the fruit decreased from 44.54 to 2.01 N, and 2.84 to 0.21%, respectively, whereas the soluble solid contents (SSC) increased from 10.70 to 18.26% when the fruit ripened. Overall, we believe that the application of prepared methylcellulose-based CO2 indicator film can be helpful in monitoring the ripeness stage, or quality of, mango and other fruits, with the naked eye, in the food packaging system.
Prediction of Fracture Toughness of Pultruded Composites Based on Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Karamov Radmir , Akhatov Iskander , Sergeichev Ivan V.
Published: September 2022

Prediction of mechanical properties is an essential part of material design. State-of-the-art simulation-based prediction requires data on microstructure and inter-component interactions of material. However, due to high costs and time limitations, such parameters, which are especially required for the simulation of advanced properties, are not always available. This paper proposes a data-driven approach to predicting the labor-consuming fracture toughness based on a series of standard, easy-to-measure mechanical characteristics. Three supervised machine-learning (ML) models (artificial neural networks, a random forest algorithm, and gradient boosting) were designed and tested for the prediction of mechanical properties of pultruded composites. A considerable dataset of mechanical properties was acquired as results of standard tensile, compression, flexure, in-plane shear, and Charpy tests and utilized as the input to predict the fracture toughness. Furthermore, this study investigated the correlations between the obtained mechanical characteristics. Analysis of ML performance showed that fracture toughness had the highest correlations with longitudinal bending and transverse tension and a strong correlation with the longitudinal compression modulus and tensile strength. The gradient boosting decision tree-based algorithms demonstrated the best prediction performance for fracture toughness, with an MSE less than 10% of the average value, providing a prediction within the range of experimental error. The ML algorithms showed potential in terms of determining which macro-level parameters can be used to predict micro-level material characteristics and how. The results provide inspiration for future pultruded composite material design and can enhance the numerical simulations of material.
Lifecycle Assessment for Recycling Processes of Monolayer and Multilayer Films: A Comparison
Authors: Koinig Gerald , Grath Elias , Barretta Chiara , Friedrich Karl , Vollprecht Daniel , Oreski Gernot
Published: September 2022

This work covers a lifecycle assessment of monolayer and multilayer films to quantify the environmental impacts of changing the management of plastic film waste. This lifecycle assessment offers the possibility of quantifying the environmental impacts of processes along the lifecycle of monolayer and multilayer films and mapping deviating impacts due to changed process parameters. Based on the status quo, the changes in global warming potential and abiotic fossil resource depletion were calculated in different scenarios. The changes included collecting, sorting, and recycling mono- and multilayer films. The “Functional Unit” under consideration comprised 1000 kg of plastic film waste, generated as post-consumer waste in Austria and captured in the lightweight packaging collection system. The results showed the reduction of environmental impacts over product lifecycles by improving waste management and creating a circular economy. Recycling all plastic film reduced global warming potential by 90% and abiotic fossil resource consumption by 93%. The necessary optimisation steps to meet the politically required recycling rates by 2025 and 2030 could be estimated, and the caused environmental impacts are presented. This work shows the need for increased collection, recycling, and significant improvement in the sorting of films to minimise global warming potential and resource consumption.
Bio-Based pH Indicator Films for Intelligent Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Păușescu Iulia , Dreavă Diana-Maria , Bîtcan Ioan , Argetoianu Raluca , Dăescu Diana , Medeleanu Mihai
Published: September 2022

The widespread concerns about the environmental problems caused by conventional plastic food packaging and food waste led to a growing effort to develop active and intelligent systems produced from renewable biodegradable polymers for food packaging applications. Among intelligent systems, the most widely used are pH indicators, which are generally based on a pH-sensitive dye incorporated into a solid support. The objective of this study was to develop new intelligent systems based on renewable biodegradable polymers and a new bio-inspired pH-sensitive dye. The structure of the dye was elucidated through FT-IR and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. UV-VIS measurements of the dye solutions at various pH values proved their halochromic properties. Their toxicity was evaluated through theoretical calculations, and no toxicity risks were found. The new anthocyanidin was used for the development of biodegradable intelligent systems based on chitosan blends. The obtained polymeric films were characterized through UV-VIS and FT-IR spectroscopy. Their thermal properties were assessed through a thermogravimetric analysis, which showed a better stability of chitosan–PVA–dye and chitosan–starch–dye films compared to those of chitosan–cellulose–dye films and the dye itself. The films’ sensitivity to pH variations was evaluated through immersion in buffer solutions with pH values ranging from 2 to 12, and visible color changes were observed.
Evaluation of the Rheological Properties of Virgin and Aged Asphalt Blends
Authors: Liu Tao , Duan Weidang , Zhang Jialin , Li Qiuping , Xu Jian , Wang Jie , Qin Yongchun , Chang Rong
Published: September 2022

To evaluate the effects of the source and admixture of aged asphalt on the rheological properties of reclaimed asphalt binders, the relative viscosity (Δη), relative rutting factor (ΔG*/sinδ), and relative fatigue factor (ΔG*sinδ) were selected as evaluation indicators based on the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) tests to characterize the rheological properties of a reclaimed asphalt binder under medium- and high-temperature conditions. The results of the study showed that the viscosity, rutting factor, and fatigue factor of the reclaimed asphalt binder increased with the addition of aged asphalt; however, the effect of the source and admixture of aged asphalt could not be assessed. The relative viscosity, relative rutting factor, and relative fatigue factor are sensitive to the source, admixture, temperature, and aging conditions, which shows the superiority of these indicators. Moreover, the relative viscosity and relative rutting factor decreased linearly with increasing temperature under high-temperature conditions, while the relative fatigue factor increased linearly with increasing temperature under medium-temperature conditions. In addition, the linear trends of the three indicators were independent of the source and admixture of aged asphalt. These results indicate that the evaluation method used in this study can be used to assess the effects of virgin asphalt and aged asphalt on the rheological properties of reclaimed asphalt binders, and has the potential for application. The viscosity of recycled asphalt increases, and the rutting factor and fatigue factor both increase. The high-temperature stability of reclaimed asphalt is improved, and the fatigue crack resistance is weakened.
Finding a Benign Plasticizer to Enhance the Microbial Degradation of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Evaluated by PHB Degrader Microbulbifer sp. SOL66
Authors: Cho Jang Yeon , Kim Su Hyun , Jung Hee Ju , Cho Do Hyun , Kim Byung Chan , Bhatia Shashi Kant , Ahn Jungoh , Jeon Jong-Min , Yoon Jeong-Jun , Lee Jongbok , Yang Yung-Hun
Published: September 2022

As a biodegradable plastic, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has relatively poor mechanical properties, preventing its wider use. Various plasticizers have been studied to improve the mechanical properties of PHB; however, due to the slow degradation speed in the soil environment and lack of evaluation methods, studies on the degradation of PHB with plasticizers are rarely reported. In this study, by applying Microbulbifer sp. SOL66, which is able to degrade PHB very quickly, a benign plasticizer was evaluated with good properties and good degradability, not inhibiting microbial activities. Eight different plasticizers were applied with PHB and Microbulbifer sp. SOL66, PHB film containing 10% and 20% tributyl citrate showed significant biodegradability of PHB. It was confirmed that tributyl citrate could increase the speed of PHB degradation by Microbulbifer sp. SOL66 by 88% at 1 day, although the degree of degradation was similar after 3 days with and without tributyl citrate. By the analysis of microbial degradation, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, tributyl citrate was shown not only to improve physical, chemical, and mechanical properties but also the speed of microbial degradation.
Fault Diagnosis of Rotating Equipment Bearing Based on EEMD and Improved Sparse Representation Algorithm
Authors: Wang Lijun , Li Xiangyang , Xu Da , Ai Shijuan , Chen Changxin , Xu Donglai , Wang Chaoge
Published: September 2022

Aiming at the problem that the vibration signals of rolling bearings working in a harsh environment are mixed with many harmonic components and noise signals, while the traditional sparse representation algorithm takes a long time to calculate and has a limited accuracy, a bearing fault feature extraction method based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) algorithm and improved sparse representation is proposed. Firstly, an improved orthogonal matching pursuit (adapOMP) algorithm is used to separate the harmonic components in the signal to obtain the filtered signal. The processed signal is decomposed by EEMD, and the signal with a kurtosis greater than three is reconstructed. Then, Hankel matrix transformation is carried out to construct the learning dictionary. The K-singular value decomposition (K-SVD) algorithm using the improved termination criterion makes the algorithm have a certain adaptability, and the reconstructed signal is constructed by processing the EEMD results. Through the comparative analysis of the three methods under strong noise, although the K-SVD algorithm can produce good results after being processed by the adapOMP algorithm, the effect of the algorithm is not obvious in the low-frequency range. The method proposed in this paper can effectively extract the impact component from the signal. This will have a positive effect on the extraction of rotating machinery impact features in complex noise environments.
Novel Magnetically-Recoverable Solid Acid Catalysts with a Hydrophobic Layer in Protecting the Active Sites from Water Poisoning
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Shi Juanli , Zhang Bo , Cheng Zhenmin
Published: September 2022

Three novel magnetically-recoverable solid acid catalysts (hydrophobic catalysts Fe3O4@SiO2-Me&PrSO3H, Fe3O4@SiO2-Oc&PrSO3H and hydrophilic catalyst Fe3O4@SiO2-PrSO3H) were synthesized by introducing organic propylsulfonic acid and alkyl groups to Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites. We characterized these catalysts by FT-IR, EDS, XRD, VSM and SEM, and found that they had excellent core-shell structure and magnetic responsiveness. We also explored the impact of surface hydrophobicity on activity and stability of catalysts in ethyl acetate (EAC) synthesis reaction. The results indicated that: for reactivity and reusability, Fe3O4@SiO2-Oc&PrSO3H > Fe3O4@SiO2-Me&PrSO3H > Fe3O4@SiO2-PrSO3H. This was because octyl and methyl groups could build a hydrophobic layer on the surfaces of Fe3O4@SiO2-Oc&PrSO3H and Fe3O4@SiO2-Me&PrSO3H, and this could effectively prevent water molecules from poisoning active sites; the hydrophobicity of octyl was stronger than methyl. Fe3O4@SiO2-Oc&PrSO3H also showed higher catalytic activity in the external aqueous reaction system, which indicated that it had good water toleration. Moreover, we could easily separate Fe3O4@SiO2-Oc&PrSO3H from the reaction mixture with an external magnetic field, in the meanwhile, its reactivity could still remain above 80% after reusing 6 times.
Lignite-Based N-Doped Porous Carbon as an Efficient Adsorbent for Phenol Adsorption
Authors: Xue Yanfeng , Chen Yanyan , Shi Linxia , Wu Haotian , Zhang Chao , Cheng Minghuang , Li Hongbin , Li Wanjun , Niu Yulan
Published: September 2022

The treatment of phenolic-containing wastewater has received increased attention in recent years. In this study, the N-doped porous carbons were prepared from lignite with tripolycyanamide as the N source, and their phenol adsorption behaviors were investigated. Results clearly showed that the addition of tripolycyanamide largely improved the surface area, micropore volume, N content and thus the phenol adsorption capacity of lignite-based carbons. The N-doped sample prepared at 700 °C showed a surface area of 1630 m2/g and a phenol adsorption capacity as high as 182.4 mg/g at 20 °C, which were 2.0 and 1.6 times that of the lignite-based carbon without N-doping. Pseudo-second order and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models could better explain the phenol adsorption behaviors over lignite-based N-doped porous carbon. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that phenol adsorption energies over graphitic-N (−72 kJ/mol) and pyrrolic-N (−74 kJ/mol) groups were slightly lower than that over the N-free graphite layer (−71 kJ/mol), supporting that these N-containing groups contribute to enhance the phenol adsorption capacity. The adsorption mechanism of phenol over porous carbon might be interpreted by the π–π dispersion interactions between aromatic-ring and carbon planes, which could be enhanced by N-doping through increasing π electron densities in the carbon plane.
Sister Death and the Care of All Creation: A Franciscan Argument for Green Burial
Authors: Pryds Darleen
Published: September 2022

Since Jessica Mitford’s 1963 scathing critique of the mortuary business in the United States, there has been an ongoing debate about how best to honor and dispose of the dead in ways that do not exploit people. However, the backlash to predatory mortuary practices led to an impersonal and detached process culminating in online purchasing of post-mortem services. More recently, this discussion has expanded to consider the resulting psychological and spiritual detachment around end-of-life, and a return to natural, simple, and fully engaged burial practices, known as “Green Burial”, are being reintroduced and practiced. While many Catholic cemeteries still call the use of embalming and concrete vaults “traditional burial”, these expensive and unnecessary practices are only 150 years old and have significantly affected the natural environment. A different “traditional burial” is possible when using the model of Francis of Assisi himself who offers a more intimate model of dying and death by embracing his own death and calling it, “Sister Death”. This article will use the interdisciplinary approach of Christian Spirituality to explore the Franciscan concern with creation and link it to the burgeoning practice of Green Burial. A discussion of a Franciscan congregation that initiated the practice for their own sisters, the FSPA in La Cross, Wisconsin, will offer a concrete example of rationale, best practices, and challenges for those considering this as a personal option or as a community endeavor.
Waste, Exclusion, and the Responsibility of the Rich: A Franciscan Critique of Early Capitalist Europe
Authors: Bultman Dana
Published: September 2022

Francisco de Osuna’s Fifth Spiritual Alphabet of 1542, subtitled Consolation for the Poor and Warning for the Rich, is a Spanish text on economic inequality in Western Europe. Osuna treats the life-threatening political divisions of his day, including those intended to reduce people to objects of uselessness and slavery, with spiritual and practical advice that defines free will as true wealth and focuses on the responsibility of the rich for producing poverty. I examine Osuna’s theology and sensorial, embodied imagery in dialogue with Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship (2020), particularly Francis’ concept of a “beautiful polyhedral reality”, through the lens of twenty-first century decolonial feminist and social theory. I argue that Osuna’s work is a compelling Franciscan precedent for combating avarice and indifference that is best understood through scholarly perspectives critical of the legacies of patriarchy and colonialism.
A Framework for Risk Management in Small Medium Enterprises in Developing Countries
Authors: Mthiyane Zodwa Z. F. , van der Poll Huibrecht M. , Tshehla Makgopa F.
Published: September 2022

Failure to holistically manage risk in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is one of the major causes of small businesses failure. To answer the research question as to what supports the adoption of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in SMEs, this research aims to analyse Risk Management (RM) in SMEs and develops a framework to facilitate the adoption of ERM. In achieving the primary objective, the research establishes for SMEs: the sources of information for RM; the importance of information governance in managing risk; the fundamentals of RM; and the pillars of RM. Previous research conducted on RM in SMEs reviewed the challenges of the successful implementation of ERM in SMEs and proposed different ways to address these challenges. The common ground reached by the research is that there is a need for the simplification of ERM in SMEs. We followed an interpretive philosophy with an inductive research approach and employed a qualitative methodological choice with a cross-sectional time horizon through data collection, employing a review of the scholarly literature, to, in the end, develop a conceptual Small Medium Enterprises Risk Management Framework (SMERMF). The limitation of the research is that the empirical part of the research has not been concluded yet. To present the results, that will be compared to the theory and conclude the research.
Validation and Comparison of Seven Land Surface Evapotranspiration Products in the Haihe River Basin, China
Authors: Guo Xiaotong , Meng Dan , Chen Xuelong , Li Xiaojuan
Published: September 2022

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important part of the surface energy balance and water balance. Due to imperfect model parameterizations and forcing data, there are still great uncertainties concerning ET products. The validation of land surface ET products has a certain research significance. In this study, two direct validation methods, including the latent heat flux (LE) from the flux towers validation method and the water balance validation method, and one indirect validation method, the three-corned hat (TCH) uncertainty analysis, were used to validate and compare seven types of ET products in the Haihe River Basin in China. The products evaluated included six ET products based on remotely-sensed observations (surface energy balance based global land evapotranspiration [EB-ET], Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer [MODIS] global terrestrial evapotranspiration product [MOD16], Penman–Monteith–Leuning Evapotranspiration version 2 [PML_V2], Global Land Surface Satellite [GLASS], global land evaporation Amsterdam model [GLEAM], and Zhangke evapotranspiration [ZK-ET]) and one ET product from atmospheric re-analysis data (Japanese 55-year re-analysis, JRA-55). The goals of this study were to provide a reference for research on ET in the Haihe River Basin. The results indicate the following: (1) The results of the six ET products have a higher accuracy when the flux towers validation method is used. Except for MOD16_ET and EB_ET, the Pearson correlation coefficients (R) were all greater than 0.6. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) values were all less than 40 W/m2. The GLASS_ET data have the smallest average deviation (BIAS) value. Overall, the GLEAM_ET data have a higher accuracy. (2) When the validation of the water balance approach was used, the low values of the MOD16_ET were overestimated and the high values were underestimated. The values of the EB_ET, GLEAM_ET, JRA_ET, PML_ET, and ZK_ET were overestimated. According to the seasonal variations statistics, most of the ET products have higher R values in spring and lower R values in summer, and the RMSD values of most of the products were the highest in summer. (3) According to the results of the uncertainty quantification based on the TCH method, the average value of the relative uncertainties of the GLEAM_ET data were the lowest. The relative uncertainties of the JRA_ET and ZK_ET were higher in mountainous areas than in non-mountainous area, and the relative uncertainties of the PML_ET were lower in mountainous areas. The performances of the EB_ET, GLEAM_ET, and MOD16_ET in mountainous and non-mountainous areas were relatively equal. The relative uncertainties of the ET products were significantly higher in summer than in other periods, and they also varied in the different sub-basins.