bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trimethylamine N-Oxide Levels in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Theofilis Panagiotis , Vordoni Aikaterini , Kalaitzidis Rigas G.
Published: December 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents an entity with an increasing prevalence which is characterized by significant hepatic and extrahepatic complications. Its pathophysiology is multifactorial, with gut dysbiosis being considered a major determinant. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we tried to evaluate the association between the major gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and NAFLD. We performed a literature search for studies that determined circulating TMAO in patients with and without NAFLD. The database search identified 136 studies, and upon application of the exclusion criteria, 7 studies with 7583 individuals (NAFLD 2923, control 4660) were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the control group, NAFLD patients had significantly higher circulating TMAO (SMD: 0.66, 95% CI −0.12 to 1.21, p = 0.02, I2: 94%). The results remained unaffected after the exclusion of one influential study. The subgroup analysis revealed significantly higher TMAO in individuals with histologically proven NAFLD and in studies measuring TMAO with high-performance liquid chromatography. No differences were observed according to the study design or study region. However, funnel plot asymmetry was observed, indicating publication bias. In conclusion, patients with NAFLD had increased levels of TMAO, a hazardous gut microbial metabolite, suggesting its important role in the gut–liver interaction.
Curvature-Adjustable Polymeric Nanolens Fabrication Using UV-Controlled Nanoimprint Lithography
Authors: Li Qiang , Ji Myung , Chapagain Ashish , Cho In , Kim Jaeyoun
Published: December 2022

Nanolenses are gaining importance in nanotechnology, but their challenging fabrication is thwarting their wider adoption. Of particular challenge is facile control of the lens’ curvature. In this work, we demonstrate a new nanoimprinting technique capable of realizing polymeric nanolenses in which the nanolens’ curvature is optically controlled by the ultraviolet (UV) dose at the pre-curing step. Our results reveal a regime in which the nanolens’ height changes linearly with the UV dose. Computational modeling further uncovers that the polymer undergoes highly nonlinear dynamics during the UV-controlled nanoimprinting process. Both the technique and the process model will greatly advance nanoscale science and manufacturing technology.
An Investigation on the Efficacy of Orotic Acid as a Bio-Nucleating Agent for Poly-Lactic Acid under Quiescent Condition and Injection Molding
Authors: Gao Peng , Masato Davide , Kundu Animesh , Coulter John P.
Published: December 2022

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-based biodegradable polymer and is considered to be an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymers for various applications. Neat PLA requires an extended period at elevated temperatures to attain its maximum crystallinity, which can be mitigated by the addition of nucleating agents. Orotic acid is a natural heterocyclic nucleating agent in PLA. The effect of orotic acid on the crystallization behavior of a commercial, high-purity PLA was studied in detail. A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was utilized for this purpose. A new protocol for the quantitative characterization of crystallization kinetics from DSC data was developed. It was found that the total crystallinity increased from 26% to 63% at 80 °C with 1% content of orotic acid. Meanwhile, the crystallization rate of PLA-OA blends increased by ~10 times as compared to neat PLA. The addition of orotic acid also reduced the incubation time by >17% under quiescent conditions. Injection molding experiments showed that highly crystallized (>50%) PLA samples could be fabricated with a 1% addition of orotic acid. The required mold temperature was reduced from the 120 °C recommended by the supplier to 80 °C.
Integrating a Soft Body Diode in the Super-Junction MOSFET by Using an n−/n+-Buffer Layer
Authors: Lin Zhi , Zeng Wei , Wang Da , Li Ping , Hu Shengdong
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a novel silicon super-junction (SJ) MOSFET embedded with a soft reverse recovery body diode is proposed and studied by numerical simulation. The device introduces an n+-buffer layer between the n−-buffer layer and the n+-substrate to improve the reverse recovery behaviour of its body diode. The n+-buffer layer provides residual carriers during the reverse recovery process, reduces the overshoot voltage, and suppresses oscillation. Simulated results demonstrate that the increment of the on-resistance and the drain-to-source overshoot voltage can be respectively kept below 5% and 20 V, if a 10 μm n+-buffer layer whose impurity concentration ranges from 4 × 1015 cm−3 to 6 × 1016 cm−3 is used. In addition, the fabrication process is the same as that of the conventional SJ-MOSFET. These features make the proposed SJ-MOSFET suitable for inverter applications.
Analysis of Nonlinear Convection–Radiation in Chemically Reactive Oldroyd-B Nanoliquid Configured by a Stretching Surface with Robin Conditions: Applications in Nano-Coating Manufacturing
Authors: Nasir Muhammad , Waqas Muhammad , Bég O. Anwar , Ameen Hawzhen Fateh M. , Zamri Nurnadiah , Guedri Kamel , Eldin Sayed M
Published: December 2022

Motivated by emerging high-temperature manufacturing processes deploying nano-polymeric coatings, the present study investigates nonlinear thermally radiative Oldroyd-B viscoelastic nanoliquid stagnant-point flow from a heated vertical stretching permeable surface. Robin (mixed derivative) conditions were utilized in order to better represent coating fabrication conditions. The nanoliquid analysis was based on Buongiorno’s two-component model, which features Brownian movement and thermophoretic attributes. Nonlinear buoyancy force and thermal radiation formulations are included. Chemical reactions (constructive and destructive) were also considered since coating synthesis often features reactive transport phenomena. An ordinary differential equation model was derived from the primitive partial differential boundary value problem using a similarity approach. The analytical solutions were achieved by employing a homotopy analysis scheme. The influence of the emerging dimensionless quantities on the transport characteristics was comprehensively explained using appropriate data. The obtained analytical outcomes were compared with the literature and good correlation was achieved. The computations show that the velocity profile was diminished with an increasing relaxation parameter, whereas it was enhanced when the retardation parameter was increased. A larger thermophoresis parameter induces an increase in temperature and concentration. The heat and mass transfer rates at the wall were increased with incremental increases in the temperature ratio and first order chemical reaction parameters, whereas contrary effects were observed for larger thermophoresis, fluid relaxation and Brownian motion parameters. The simulations can be applied to the stagnated nano-polymeric coating of micromachines, robotic components and sensors.
Application of Deep Learning in Histopathology Images of Breast Cancer: A Review
Authors: Zhao Yue , Zhang Jie , Hu Dayu , Qu Hui , Tian Ye , Cui Xiaoyu
Published: December 2022

With the development of artificial intelligence technology and computer hardware functions, deep learning algorithms have become a powerful auxiliary tool for medical image analysis. This study was an attempt to use statistical methods to analyze studies related to the detection, segmentation, and classification of breast cancer in pathological images. After an analysis of 107 articles on the application of deep learning to pathological images of breast cancer, this study is divided into three directions based on the types of results they report: detection, segmentation, and classification. We introduced and analyzed models that performed well in these three directions and summarized the related work from recent years. Based on the results obtained, the significant ability of deep learning in the application of breast cancer pathological images can be recognized. Furthermore, in the classification and detection of pathological images of breast cancer, the accuracy of deep learning algorithms has surpassed that of pathologists in certain circumstances. Our study provides a comprehensive review of the development of breast cancer pathological imaging-related research and provides reliable recommendations for the structure of deep learning network models in different application scenarios.
A Micro Air Velocity Sensor for Measuring the Internal Environment of the Cold Air Ducts of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems
Authors: Lee Chi-Yuan , Wang Xin-Wen , Liu Chen-Kai
Published: December 2022

A wireless flexible air velocity microsensor was developed by using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Polyimide (PI) material was selected for the waterproof and oilproof requirements of the cold air duct environment of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and then a wireless flexible micro air velocity sensor was completed. To obtain real-time wireless measurements of the air velocity inside the cold air ducts of an HVAC system, and to create a measurements database, the deployment locations and quantity of micro air velocity sensors for the internal environment of the cold air ducts were planned. A field domain verification was performed to optimize the internal environment control of the cold air ducts of ventilation and air conditioning systems and to enhance the quality and reliability of process materials. This study realized real-time monitoring of velocity in the HVAC ducts of a chemical-fiber plant. A commercial velocity sensor (FS7.0.1L.195) was purchased and a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) approach was also used to develop a home-built micro air velocity sensor, to optimize the provision of the commercial sensors and our home-built micro air velocity sensor. Comparing the specifications of the two commercially available sensors with our home-built micro air velocity sensor, the results show that the home-built micro air velocity sensor has the advantages of fast response time, simultaneous sensing of three important physical quantities, and low cost.
Towards a Highly Efficient ZnO Based Nanogenerator
Authors: Mustaffa Mohammad Aiman , Arith Faiz , Noorasid Nur Syamimi , Zin Mohd Shahril Izuan Mohd , Leong Kok Swee , Ali Fara Ashikin , Mustafa Ahmad Nizamuddin Muhammad , Ismail Mohd Muzafar
Published: December 2022

A nanogenerator (NG) is an energy harvester device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy on a small scale by relying on physical changes. Piezoelectric semiconductor materials play a key role in producing high output power in piezoelectric nanogenerator. Low cost, reliability, deformation, and electrical and thermal properties are the main criteria for an excellent device. Typically, there are several main types of piezoelectric materials, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods, barium titanate (BaTiO3) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT). Among those candidate, ZnO nanorods have shown high performance features due to their unique characteristics, such as having a wide-bandgap semiconductor energy of 3.3 eV and the ability to produce more ordered and uniform structures. In addition, ZnO nanorods have generated considerable output power, mainly due to their elastic nanostructure, mechanical stability and appropriate bandgap. Apart from that, doping the ZnO nanorods and adding doping impurities into the bulk ZnO nanorods are shown to have an influence on device performance. Based on findings, Ni-doped ZnO nanorods are found to have higher output power and surface area compared to other doped. This paper discusses several techniques for the synthesis growth of ZnO nanorods. Findings show that the hydrothermal method is the most commonly used technique due to its low cost and straightforward process. This paper reveals that the growth of ZnO nanorods using the hydrothermal method has achieved a high power density of 9 µWcm−2.
Shear Strength and Re-Failure Characteristics of Intact Red Sandstone and Grouting-Reinforced Body of Fractured Red Sandstone under Different Shear Angles
Authors: Huang Yaoguang , Yang Wanxia , Zhao Aining , Guo Weibin
Published: December 2022

To reveal the strengthening mechanism and re-failure mechanism of grouting on fractured rock, the variable-angle shear tests, real-time acoustic emission (AE) tests and VIC-3D (non-contact full field strain measurement system) tests were carried out on intact red sandstone (IRS) and grouting-reinforced body of fractured red sandstone (GRBFRS). The results show that the peak shear strength of IRS and GRBFRS decreases with the increase of shear angle. Grouting reinforcement mainly increases the cohesion of GRBFRS to improve its shear strength, but its reconstructability decreases with the increase of shear angle. In the whole process of shear deformation, the shear micro damage and shear fracture of GRBFRS are more than those of IRS. Although the shear re-failure before and after the peak stress stage is the most notable, its intensity or degree is reduced. When the shear angle is 45°, both IRS and GRBFRS undergo shear-splitting failure. However, when the shear angle is large, the IRS and GRBFRS only occurs shear failure. Moreover, the larger the shear angle, the more likely IRS and GRBFRS is to produce secondary shear cracks. The low strength of the rock–grout interface in GRBFRS is the main inducer of shear re-failure.
Gemological Characteristics of Lvwen Stone and Its Color Genesis
Authors: Liu Zhendong , Wang Wenjie , Yin Ke , Hong Hanlie , Algeo Thomas J. , Yin Zuowei , Pan Yong , Lu Zhuo , Han Wen , Wang Yiming , Yang Yunqi
Published: December 2022

“Lvwen stone” is a yellow-green carbonate jade gemstone. In this study, the gemological characteristics and color genesis of Lvwen stone were investigated using conventional gemological testing methods and analytical techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS), laser ablation plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical composition of Lvwen stone is mainly Ca, with lesser amounts of Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, and other trace elements. The rare earth element distribution pattern indicates that Lvwen stone is characterized by MREE depletion and a positive Ce anomaly. The mineralogic composition of Lvwen stone is calcite, and trace-element- and crystal-size-induced colors result in its characteristic banded appearance. The white (or light green) bands consist of comparatively coarse calcite crystals (~100 μm) that are oriented perpendicularly to the band plane, accounting for their poor light transmittance. In contrast, the dark green matrix is composed of cryptocrystalline calcite crystals that are uniform in size (~10 μm) and tightly packed, resulting in superior light transmittance. Lvwen stone has a 6A1→4E(4D)d-d intra-ion electronic transition absorption band of Fe3+ at ~380–450 nm and a 2E→2T2(2D)d-d intra-ion electronic transition absorption band of Cu2+ at ~580–780 nm. This indicates that both the intra-ion electronic transitions of Fe3+ and Cu2+ give rise to the unique yellow-green color of the material. Lvwen stone is produced by ultra-high-pressure tectonic fluids in a relatively closed, reducing environment, and the green matrix was formed earlier than the white bands.
Interaction between PEO and Kaolinite in Flocculating: An Experimental and Molecular-Simulation Study
Authors: Tian Xin , Ma Xiaomin , Dong Xianshu , Fan Yuping , Chang Ming , Li Na
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the flocculation properties of polyethylene oxide (PEO) on kaolinite and the mechanism of adsorption on kaolinite anisotropic substrates were explored. As revealed by the experimental results, the settling rate and removal rate of kaolinite increased with increasing PEO concentration, but too high PEO concentration would cause the small particles to stabilize and become difficult to settle. Furthermore, to probe deep into the interactions between PEO and kaolinite anisotropic substrates, the morphology of adsorbed PEO, interfacial adsorption structure, and dynamic behavior of water molecules were determined by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The adsorption amount of PEO on different mineral surfaces is in the order of kaolinite > alumina > silica, and the thickness of the adsorption structure formed by alumina is greater than that of silica. As illustrated by the MD simulation results, the adsorption of PEO reduces the concentration of water molecules attached to the kaolinite surface. The PEO forms a double-layer adsorption structure on the 001 surface, while forming a tight monolayer adsorption structure on the 001¯ surface, weakening the interaction between the surface and the water molecules. The above results demonstrate that the adsorption of PEO effectively weakened the hydration dispersion of kaolinite and promoted the agglomeration of kaolinite particles.
Origin of the Dolomitic Ooids Formed in the Pliocene Shizigou Formation in the Qaidam Basin, Northern Tibet Plateau and Implications for Climate Change
Authors: Hao Lewei , Jia Jiantuan , Tao Huifei , Chen Jinniu , Ma Xiaofeng , Li Shutong , Qiu Junli
Published: December 2022

The concentric layers of ooids from the modern environment are mostly aragonite and those from the ancient are mostly calcite and Mg-calcite. Dolomitic ooids are rare and are usually formed via the replacement of aragonite or calcite. Here, dolomitic ooids were found in the Pliocene Shizigou Formation in the Qaidam Basin, Northern Tibet Plateau. This paper focuses on whether the dolomitic ooids is a primary precipitate. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope observation, combined with X-ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence analyses, indicate that the primary mineral of the ooid cortices is poorly ordered dolomite. Extracellular polymeric substances and pyrite were found in the ooids, indicating that the microbe participation was involved in the formation of the ooids. Firstly, the ooids grow on the offshore lake floor. Due to the involvement of sulfate-reducing bacteria and dissolved silica, the nanominerals were precipitated on extracellular polymeric substances. Then, the ooids were transported to strong hydrodynamic surf zones, where the random nanominerals were abraded to form flattened plates as a new polished layer. In addition, a comparison between the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions and minerals of ooids from different periods indicate that the Pliocene lakes had a lower salinity and were more humid than Pleistocene lakes. Therefore, ooids may be an effective proxy for reflecting the climatic change and uplift history of the Tibet Plateau.
Room-Temperature Synthesis of Highly-Efficient Eu3+-Activated KGd2F7 Red-Emitting Nanoparticles for White Light-Emitting Diode
Authors: Zhong Yongqiang , Wu Qian , Zhu Jiujun , Cai Peiqing , Du Peng
Published: December 2022

Luminescent materials with high thermal stability and quantum efficiency are extensively desired for indoor illumination. In this research, a series of Eu3+-activated KGd2F7 red-emitting nanoparticles were prepared at room temperature and their phase structure, morphology, luminescence properties, as well as thermal stability, have been studied in detail. Excited by 393 nm, the resultant nanoparticles emitted bright red emissions and its optimal status was realized when the Eu3+ content was 30 mol%, in which the concentration quenching mechanism was triggered by electric dipole–dipole interaction. Through theoretical analysis via the Judd–Ofelt theory, one knows that Eu3+ situates at the high symmetry sites in as-prepared nanoparticles. Moreover, the internal and extra quantum efficiencies of designed nanoparticles were dependent on Eu3+ content. Furthermore, the studied nanoparticles also had splendid thermal stability and the corresponding activation energy was 0.18 eV. Additionally, via employing the designed nanoparticles as red-emitting constituents, a warm white light-emitting diode (white-LED), which exhibits low correlated color temperature (4456 K), proper luminous efficiency (17.2 lm/W) and high color rendering index (88.3), was developed. Our findings illustrate that Eu3+-activated KGd2F7 nanoparticles with bright red emissions are able to be used to promote the performance of white-LED.
POViT: Vision Transformer for Multi-Objective Design and Characterization of Photonic Crystal Nanocavities
Authors: Chen Xinyu , Li Renjie , Yu Yueyao , Shen Yuanwen , Li Wenye , Zhang Yin , Zhang Zhaoyu
Published: December 2022

We study a new technique for solving the fundamental challenge in nanophotonic design: fast and accurate characterization of nanoscale photonic devices with minimal human intervention. Much like the fusion between Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Design Automation (EDA), many efforts have been made to apply deep neural networks (DNN) such as convolutional neural networks to prototype and characterize next-gen optoelectronic devices commonly found in Photonic Integrated Circuits. However, state-of-the-art DNN models are still far from being directly applicable in the real world: e.g., DNN-produced correlation coefficients between target and predicted physical quantities are about 80%, which is much lower than what it takes to generate reliable and reproducible nanophotonic designs. Recently, attention-based transformer models have attracted extensive interests and been widely used in Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing. In this work, we for the first time propose a Transformer model (POViT) to efficiently design and simulate photonic crystal nanocavities with multiple objectives under consideration. Unlike the standard Vision Transformer, our model takes photonic crystals as input data and changes the activation layer from GELU to an absolute-value function. Extensive experiments show that POViT significantly improves results reported by previous models: correlation coefficients are increased by over 12% (i.e., to 92.0%) and prediction errors are reduced by an order of magnitude, among several key metric improvements. Our work has the potential to drive the expansion of EDA to fully automated photonic design (i.e., PDA). The complete dataset and code will be released to promote research in the interdisciplinary field of materials science/physics and computer science.
Fabrication of UV-Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with Compact Fe2O3 Electron Transport Layer by FeCl3 Solution and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Gu Bangkai , Du Yi , Fang Song , Chen Xi , Li Xiabing , Xu Qingyu , Lu Hao
Published: December 2022

Even though Fe2O3 is reported as the electron-transporting layer (ETL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), its fabrication and defects limit its performance. Herein, we report a Fe2O3 ETL prepared from FeCl3 solution with a dopant Fe3O4 nanoparticle modification. It is found that the mixed solution can reduce the defects and enhance the performance of Fe2O3 ETL, contributing to improved electron transfer and suppressed charge recombination. Consequently, the best efficiency is improved by more than 118% for the optimized device. The stability efficiency of the Fe2O3-ETL-based device is nearly 200% higher than that of the TiO2-ETL-based device after 7 days measurement under a 300 W Xe lamp. This work provides a facile method to fabricate environmentally friendly, high-quality Fe2O3 ETL for perovskite photovoltaic devices and provides a guide for defect passivation research.
The Anatase-to-Rutile Phase Transition in Highly Oriented Nanoparticles Array of Titania with Photocatalytic Response Changes
Authors: Boytsova Olga , Zhukova Irina , Tatarenko Artem , Shatalova Tatiana , Beiltiukov Artemii , Eliseev Andrei , Sadovnikov Alexey
Published: December 2022

An array of highly oriented anatase nanoparticles was successfully prepared from NH4TiOF3 with the assistance of polyetheleneglycol-400 at 450 °C. The study showed the stability of obtained layered TiO2-anatase close to 1200 °C. This research confirmed for the first time that the transition of mesocrystalline anatase to the rutile phase occurs between 1000 °C and 1200 °C, which is more than 400 °C higher than the transition of bulk TiO2 due to the used precursor. A small quantity of K-phase nanowhiskers, which issued after 800 °C in the composite based on TiO2, stimulated a fourfold increase in photocatalytic performance. This study offers a new approach to the construction and preparation of effective nanocrystalline photocatalyst.
Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation of Ultrathin Porous Co3O4 Nanosheets by Physically Mixing with Au Nanoparticles
Authors: Hu Changhe , Sun Dejuan , Liu Jie , Zhang Qi , Li Xiao , Fu Huhui , Liu M. , Xu Jiayue , Jiang Guojian , Lu Yalin
Published: December 2022

Ultrathin porous Co3O4 nanosheets are synthesized successfully, the thickness of which is about three unit-cell dimensions. The enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance and electronic interaction between Co3O4 and Au is firstly reported in Co3O4 ultrathin porous nanosheets by physically mixing with Au nanoparticles. With the loading of the Au nanoparticles, the current density of ultrathin porous Co3O4 nanosheets is enhanced from 9.97 to 14.76 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 0.5 V, and the overpotential required for 10 mA cm−2 decreases from 0.51 to 0.46 V, smaller than that of commercial IrO2 (0.54 V). Furthermore, a smaller Tafel slope and excellent durability are also obtained. Raman spectra, XPS measurement, and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra (XANES) show that the enhanced OER ascribed to a higher Co2+/Co3+ ratio and quicker charge transfer due to the electronic interaction between Au and ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheets with low-coordinated surface, and Co2+ ions are beneficial for the formation of CoOOH active sites.
Patterning of Silicon Substrate with Self-Assembled Monolayers Using Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Electron Sources
Authors: Yu Yi Yin , Rodiansyah Alfi , Sawant Jaydip , Park Kyu Chang
Published: December 2022

We introduce a novel patterning technique based on e-beam lithography using vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) emitters with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). A 20 μm line width of silicon wafer patterning was successfully demonstrated using octadecyl trichlorosilane (OTS) as a photoresist. To investigate surface modification by the irradiated electrons from the emitters, both contact angle measurement and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were conducted. The patterning mechanism of the electron beam irradiated on OTS-coated substrate by our cold cathode electron beam (C-beam) was demonstrated by the analyzed results. The effect of current density and exposure time on the OTS patterning was studied and optimized for the Si wafer patterning in terms of the electronic properties of the VACNTs. The authors expect the new technique to contribute to the diverse applications to microelectromechanical (MEMS) technologies owing to the advantages of facile operation and precise dose control capability based on field electron emission current from the VACNT emitter arrays.
Comparative Study on Gas-Sensing Properties of 2D (MoS2, WS2)/PANI Nanocomposites-Based Sensor
Authors: Parangusan Hemalatha , Bhadra Jolly , Al-Qudah Razen Amer , Elhadrami Elhassen Cheikh , Al-Thani Noora Jabor
Published: December 2022

NH3 is a highly harmful gas; when inhaled at levels that are too high for comfort, it is very dangerous to human health. One of the challenging tasks in research is developing ammonia sensors that operate at room temperature. In this study, we proposed a new design of an NH3 gas sensor that was comprised of two-dimensional (TMDs, mainly WS2 and MoS2) and PANI. The 2D-TMDs metal was successfully incorporated into the PANI lattice based on the results of XRD and SEM. The elemental EDX analysis results indicated that C, N, O, W, S and Mo were found in the composite samples. The bandgap of the materials decreased due to the addition of MoS2 and WS2. We also analyzed its structural, optical and morphological properties. When compared to MoS2 and PANI, the proposed NH3 sensor with the WS2 composite was found to have high sensitivity. The composite films also exhibited response and recovery times of 10/16 and 14/16 s. Therefore, the composite PANI/2D-TMDs is a suitable material for NH3 gas detection applications.
A Study on the Dynamic Tunning Range of CVD Graphene at Microwave Frequency: Determination, Prediction and Application
Authors: Chen Hao , Liu Zhen-Guo , Geng Ming-Yang , Meng Xiang-Yu , Fu Wan-Lin , Ju Lu , Yu Bu-Yun , Yang Wu , Dai Yun-Qian , Lu Wei-Bing
Published: December 2022

In recent years, graphene has shown great application prospects in tunable microwave devices due to its tunable conductivity. However, the electromagnetic (EM) properties of graphene, especially the dynamic tunning characteristics, are largely dependent on experimental results, and thus are unable to be effectively predicted according to growth parameters, which causes great difficulties in the design of graphene-based tunable microwave devices. In this work, we systematically explored the impact of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) parameters on the dynamic tunning range of graphene. Firstly, through improving the existing waveguide method, the dynamic tunning range of graphene can be measured more accurately. Secondly, a direct mathematical model between growth parameters and the tunning range of graphene is established. Through this, one can easily obtain needed growth parameters for the desired tunning range of graphene. As a verification, a frequency tunable absorber prototype is designed and tested. The good agreement between simulation and experimental results shows the reliability of our mathematic model in the rapid design of graphene-based tunable microwave devices.
The Use of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as a Tool for the In-Situ Monitoring and Characterization of Carbon Nanotube Aqueous Dispersions
Authors: Gkaravela Aikaterini , Vareli Ioanna , Bekas Dimitrios G. , Barkoula Nektaria-Marianthi , Paipetis Alkiviadis S.
Published: December 2022

So far, there is no validated technology for characterizing the dispersion and morphology state of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) aqueous dispersions during sonication. Taking advantage of the conductive nature of CNTs, the main hypothesis of the current study is that Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is an appropriate technique for the in-situ monitoring and qualification of the dispersion state of CNTs in aqueous media. To confirm our hypothesis, we monitored the Impedance |Z| during the sonication process as a function of type CNTs/admixtures used for the preparation of the aqueous solutions and of crucial process parameters, such as the applied sonication power and duration (i.e., sonication energy). For dispersions above the percolation threshold, a drop of |Z| by approximately seven orders of magnitude was observed, followed by a linear reduction. The dramatic change in |Z| is regarded as an indication of the formation of a conductive path or destruction of an existing one during sonication and can be used to characterize the dispersion and morphology state of CNTs. The results of the EIS provide, straightforwardly and reliably, the required information to create an optimum dispersion protocol for conductive CNT suspensions. The produced dispersions are part of research focusing on the manufacturing of cement-based composite materials with advanced thermoelectric functionalities for energy harvesting. Such dispersions are not only limited to energy harvesting applications but also to applications where functionalities are introduced through the use of conductive-based suspensions.
Dietary Fat Intake among Chinese Adults and Their Relationships with Blood Lipids: Findings from China Nutrition and Health Surveillance and Comparison with the PURE Study
Authors: Zhao Rongping , Zhao Liyun , Yang Fan , Ju Lahong , Li Shujuan , Cheng Xue , Xu Xiaoli , Guo Qiya , Cai Shuya , Fang Hongyun , Yu Dongmei , Ding Gangqiang
Published: December 2022

Dietary fat intake in the Chinese population has increased. The PURE (prospective urban rural epidemiology) study concluded the potential advantage of total fat and saturated fats (SFA) over carbohydrates on blood lipids with the inaccurate assessment of dietary fats. We investigated the dietary fat profile among 48,315 participants (aged 30–70 years, national representative) from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance (2015–2017), determined the relationship of various fats with blood lipid biomarkers in the selected 39,115 participants, and compared the results with the PURE study. Dietary fat intake was calculated by using 3 days of 24 h recalls and food inventory. Serum lipid biomarkers were assessed at morning fasting state by health professionals. Plant fats (21.5% of total energy (TE)) dominated in total fat intake (69.5 g/day, 35.6% TE), with monounsaturated fats (MUFA) in the largest (13.8% TE) portion and plant oils as the major source (43.7%). Two thirds of the population consumed more than 30% TE from dietary fats and nearly half more than 35%, while 26.4% of them exceeded 10% TE from SFA. Total fat was positively associated with total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), but also high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and negatively with triglyceride (TG)-to-HDL-c ratio (TGHDL) (all p-trend < 0.05). Replacing total fat with carbohydrate yielded adverse changes in most biomarkers (higher LDL-c, TG, and TGHDL, lower HDL-c, all p < 0.05) when total fat was low (<34.9% TE). Regardless of fat intake level, replacing plant fat or polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) with carbohydrate yielded the most adverse changes (higher TC, LDL-c, TG, TC-to-HDL-c ratio (TCHDL), and TGHDL, but lower HDL-c, all p < 0.01), while replacing animal fat/SFA with plant fat/PUFA yielded the most favorable changes (lower all biomarkers, all p < 0.01). The results suggested a less harmful effect of carbohydrate on blood lipids when total fat was high, and more beneficial effect of unsaturated fats, than the PURE. In conclusion, dietary fat intake in Chinese adults had reached quite a high level, but with a different profile from Western populations. Replacement of SFA (animal fat) with PUFA (plant fat) could most effectively improve blood lipids, while replacement with carbohydrate could slightly benefit only when total fat was high. The present results may be more applicable to the Chinese population than the PURE study.
The Role of Partial Enteral Nutrition for Induction of Remission in Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials
Authors: González-Torres Lucía , Moreno-Álvarez Ana , Fernández-Lorenzo Ana Estefanía , Leis Rosaura , Solar-Boga Alfonso
Published: December 2022

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recommended as a first-line therapy to induce remission of Crohn’s disease (CD) and is considered as effective as corticosteroid treatment. However, the dietary restriction causes lack of adherence and poor tolerance to the therapy. Partial enteral nutrition (PEN), which allows for the ingestion of some food, could be a better tolerated alternative, but it is unknown whether it is as effective at inducing CD remission as EEN. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the available evidence on PEN as a remission induction therapy in CD. A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE (via PUBMED) and Cochrane Library databases following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical trials in pediatric and adult patients were included. The risk of bias was assessed following the Cochrane Collaboration methodology. The selected studies showed variable but high response rates to PEN and EEN. Limitations regarding the wide heterogeneity between the studies included in this review should be considered. Although more studies are needed, according to our results, PEN combined with a highly restrictive diet seems to be as effective as EEN in inducing remission of CD.
Neuroprotective and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Properties of Vignae Radiatae Semen in Neuronal HT22 and Microglial BV2 Cell Lines
Authors: Jeong Yun Hee , Oh You-Chang , Kim Tae In , Ma Jin Yeul
Published: December 2022

The important factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders include oxidative stress and neuron-glia system inflammation. Vignae Radiatae Semen (VRS) exhibits antihypertensive, anticancer, anti-melanogenesis, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the neuroprotective effects and anti-neuroinflammatory activities of VRS ethanol extract (VRSE) remained unknown. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of VRSE against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced neuronal cell death in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial activation, respectively. This study revealed that VRSE pretreatment had significantly prevented H2O2-induced neuronal cell death and attenuated reactive oxygen species generations in HT22 cells. Additionally, VRSE attenuated the apoptosis protein expression while increasing the anti-apoptotic protein expression. Further, VRSE showed significant inhibitory effects on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines in BV2 microglia. Moreover, VRSE pretreatment significantly activated the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B/cAMP response element-binding protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathways in HT22 cells exposed to H2O2 and inhibited the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB mechanism in BV2 cells stimulated with LPS. Therefore, VRSE exerts therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative diseases related to oxidative stress and pathological inflammatory responses.
Dietary Impacts on Gestational Diabetes: Connection between Gut Microbiome and Epigenetic Mechanisms
Authors: Bankole Taiwo , Winn Hung , Li Yuanyuan
Published: December 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common obstetric complications due to an increased level of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. The prevalence of GDM increases due to the obesity epidemic. GDM is also associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia resulting in elevated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Diet is one of the most important environmental factors associated with etiology of GDM. Studies have shown that the consumption of certain bioactive diets and nutrients before and during pregnancy might have preventive effects against GDM leading to a healthy pregnancy outcome as well as beneficial metabolic outcomes later in the offspring’s life. Gut microbiome as a biological ecosystem bridges the gap between human health and diseases through diets. Maternal diets affect maternal and fetal gut microbiome and metabolomics profiles, which consequently regulate the host epigenome, thus contributing to later-life metabolic health in both mother and offspring. This review discusses the current knowledge regarding how epigenetic mechanisms mediate the interaction between maternal bioactive diets, the gut microbiome and the metabolome leading to improved metabolic health in both mother and offspring.
A Multi-Site, International Audit of Malnutrition Risk and Energy and Protein Intakes in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Head Neck and Esophageal Cancer: Results from INFORM
Authors: Martin Lisa , Findlay Merran , Bauer Judith D. , Dhaliwal Rupinder , de van der Schueren Marian , Laviano Alessandro , Widaman Adrianne , Baracos Vickie E. , Day Andrew G. , Gramlich Leah M.
Published: December 2022

Patients with foregut tumors are at high risk of malnutrition. Nutrition care focuses on identifying individuals at risk of malnutrition and optimizing nutrient intake to promote the maintenance of body weight and lean body mass. This multi-center prospective, longitudinal study audited nutrition care practices related to screening for risk of malnutrition (Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form; PG-SGA SF), and nutrition interventions prescribed (route; adequacy of energy and protein intakes). Audits occurred at four time periods: baseline (before treatment) and at 2, 4, and 6 months after starting cancer treatment; 170 patients (esophageal (ESO; n = 51); head and neck (HN; n = 119)) were enrolled. Nutrition risk (PG-SGA SF score ≥ 4) was prevalent at every time period: HN (baseline: 60%; 6 months 66%) and ESO (77%; 72%). Both groups had significant (p < 0.001) weight losses over the 6 month audit period (HN = 13.2% ESO = 11.4%). Enteral nutrition (EN) was most likely to be prescribed at 2 months for HN and at 4 and 6 months for ESO. Target prescribed energy and protein intakes were not met with any nutrition intervention; although adequacy was highest for those receiving EN. Nutrition care practices differed for HN and ESO cancers and there may be time points when additional nutrition support is needed.
Causal Associations between Vitamin D Levels and Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis, and Vitiligo: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Ren Yunqing , Liu Jipeng , Li Wei , Zheng Huiwen , Dai Huatuo , Qiu Guiying , Yu Dianhe , Yao Dianyi , Yin Xianyong
Published: December 2022

Background: Vitamin D level has been reported to be associated with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. However, its causal relationship with the risk of these three diseases remains unclear. Methods: We obtained genome-wide association statistics for three measures of circulating vitamin D levels (25(OH)D in 120,618 individuals, and 25(OH)D3 and epimeric form C3-epi-25(OH)D3 in 40,562 individuals) and for the diseases psoriasis (3871 cases and 333,288 controls), atopic dermatitis (21,399 cases and 95,464 controls), and vitiligo (4680 cases and 39,586 controls). We performed Mendelian randomization using inverse-variance weighted, weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier methods. We carried out sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of the results. Results: We showed that elevated vitamin D levels protected individuals from developing psoriasis (OR = 0.995, p = 8.84 × 10−4 for 25(OH)D; OR = 0.997, p = 1.81 × 10−3 for 25(OH)D3; and OR = 0.998, p = 0.044 for C3-epi-25(OH)D3). Genetically predicted risk of atopic dermatitis increased the levels of 25(OH)D (OR = 1.040, p = 7.14 × 10−4) and 25(OH)D3 (OR = 1.208, p = 0.048). A sensitivity analysis suggested the robustness of these causal associations. Conclusions: This study reported causal relationships between circulating vitamin D levels and the risk of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. These findings provide potential disease intervention and monitoring targets.
Lower Fiber Consumption in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Leung Wing Ting , Tang Zhijing , Feng Yuanyuan , Guan Haiyun , Huang Zengshu , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder associated with metabolic abnormalities and gut microbiota dysbiosis. The deficiency of dietary fiber, a crucial nutrient in the daily diet, is also associated with a wide range of metabolic and reproductive abnormalities, as well as an altered gut microbial ecosystem. This study is a meta-analysis to summarize the available evidence on the dietary fiber intake level in PCOS patients. Databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for observational studies, and 13 studies were finally included. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) of daily dietary fiber intake and total energy intake were calculated using the random-effects model. The pooled result (12 studies) on absolute dietary fiber intake showed that while there was no significant difference in the total energy intake [−0.17 (−0.44, 0.09), p = 0.208], the dietary fiber intake was significantly lower in PCOS women than those of controls [−0.32 (−0.50, −0.14), p < 0.001]. However, significant heterogeneity was detected across the studies (I2 = 65.6%, p = 0.001). Meta-regression suggested that geographic region and dietary assessment method may confer borderline significance of influence on the heterogeneity. The pooled result (two studies) on dietary fiber intake which adjusted for total energy intake, however, showed no significant difference [−2.11 (−4.77, 0.56), p = 0.122]. In subgroup analyses based on absolute dietary fiber intake, a lower dietary fiber intake in PCOS was observed in studies conducted in Asia, adopted food diary or records or food recall as the dietary assessment method, had a case–control study design, or used Rotterdam criteria for PCOS diagnosis. The difference in SMD was still significant in the adult subgroup or in studies matched or unmatched for age.
The Effect of a 14-Day gymnema sylvestre Intervention to Reduce Sugar Cravings in Adults
Authors: Turner Sophie , Diako Charles , Kruger Rozanne , Wong Marie , Wood Warrick , Rutherfurd-Markwick Kay , Stice Eric , Ali Ajmol
Published: December 2022

Gymnemic-acids (GA) block lingual sweet taste receptors, thereby reducing pleasantness and intake of sweet food. Objective: To examine whether a 14-day gymnema-based intervention can reduce sweet foods and discretionary sugar intake in free-living adults. Healthy adults (n = 58) were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (INT) or control group (CON). The intervention comprised of consuming 4 mg of Gymnema sylvestre containing 75% gymnema acids, a fibre and vitamin supplement, and an associated healthy-eating guide for 14 days; participants in the CON group followed the same protocol, replacing the GA with a placebo mint. Amount of chocolate bars eaten and sensory testing were conducted before and after the 14-day intervention (post-GA or placebo dosing on days zero and 15, respectively). Food frequency questionnaires were conducted on days zero, 15 and after a 28-day maintenance period to examine any changes in intake of sweet foods. A range of statistical procedures were used to analyse the data including Chi square, t-test and two-way analysis of variance. Post dosing, INT consumed fewer chocolates (2.65 ± 0.21 bars) at day zero than CON (3.15 ± 0.24 bars; p = 0.02); there were no differences between groups at day 15 (INT = 2.77 ± 0.22 bars; CON = 2.78 ± 0.22 bars; p = 0.81). At both visits, a small substantive effect (r < 0.3) was observed in the change in pleasantness and desire ratings, with INT showing a slight increase while CON showed a small decrease over the 14-day period. No differences were found in the intake of 9 food categories between groups at any timepoint. There were no differences in consumption of low sugar healthy foods between visits, or by group. The 14-day behavioural intervention reduced pleasantness and intake of chocolate in a laboratory setting. There was no habituation to the mint over the 14-day period. This study is the first to investigate the effect of longer-term gymnema acid consumption on sweet food consumption outside of a laboratory setting; further research is needed to assess how long the effect of the 14-day intervention persists.