bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 3DCNN-Based Knowledge Distillation Framework for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Ullah Hayat , Munir Arslan
Published: April 2023

Human action recognition has been actively explored over the past two decades to further advancements in video analytics domain. Numerous research studies have been conducted to investigate the complex sequential patterns of human actions in video streams. In this paper, we propose a knowledge distillation framework, which distills spatio-temporal knowledge from a large teacher model to a lightweight student model using an offline knowledge distillation technique. The proposed offline knowledge distillation framework takes two models: a large pre-trained 3DCNN (three-dimensional convolutional neural network) teacher model and a lightweight 3DCNN student model (i.e., the teacher model is pre-trained on the same dataset on which the student model is to be trained on). During offline knowledge distillation training, the distillation algorithm trains only the student model to help enable the student model to achieve the same level of prediction accuracy as the teacher model. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we conduct extensive experiments on four benchmark human action datasets. The obtained quantitative results verify the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method over the state-of-the-art human action recognition methods by obtaining up to 35% improvement in accuracy over existing methods. Furthermore, we evaluate the inference time of the proposed method and compare the obtained results with the inference time of the state-of-the-art methods. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method attains an improvement of up to 50× in terms of frames per seconds (FPS) over the state-of-the-art methods. The short inference time and high accuracy make our proposed framework suitable for human activity recognition in real-time applications.
Effect of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi on the Drought Resistance of Pinus massoniana Seedlings
Authors: Li Min , Wang Haoyun , Zhao Xizhou , Feng Wanyan , Ding Guijie , Quan Wenxuan
Published: April 2023

Studies on the dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) play an important role in understanding the mechanisms of plant responses to drought stress. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) on the content and distribution of NSCs in Pinus massoniana seedlings under different drought intensities and to further explore the possible mechanism by which ECMF enhances the stress resistance of host plants. We conducted a pot experiment using P. massoniana seedlings that were inoculated (M) or non-inoculated (NM) with Suillus luteus (Sl) under well-watered, moderate, and severe drought stress conditions. The results showed that drought significantly reduced the photosynthetic capacity of P. massoniana seedlings and inhibited their growth rate. P. massoniana could respond to different degrees of drought stress by increasing the accumulation of NSCs and increasing WUE. However, compared with well-watered treatment, NSCs consumption began to appear in the roots of NM due to the decrease in starch content under severe drought, whereas NSCs content in M seedlings was higher than that in the well-watered treatment, showing that the ability to maintain C balance was higher in M seedlings. Compared with NM, inoculation with Sl increased the growth rate and biomass of roots, stems, and leaves under moderate and severe drought. In addition, Sl can also improve the gas exchange parameters (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance) of P. massoniana seedlings compared with NM seedlings, which was conducive to the hydraulic regulation of seedlings and improved their C fixation capacity. Meanwhile, the content of NSCs in M seedlings was higher. Moreover, the soluble sugar content and SS/St ratio of leaves, roots, and whole plants were higher under drought stress after Sl inoculation, indicating that Sl could also change the C distribution mode, regulate more soluble sugar to respond to drought stress, which was conducive to improving the osmotic adjustment ability of seedlings, and providing more available C sources for plant growth and defense. Overall, inoculation with Sl could enhance the drought resistance of seedlings and promote their growth under drought stress by improving NSCs storage, increasing soluble sugar distribution, and improving the plant water balance of P. massoniana seedlings.
A Predictive Model of Ischemic Heart Disease in Middle-Aged and Older Women Using Data Mining Technique
Authors: Lim Jihye
Published: April 2023

This study was conducted to identify ischemic heart disease-related factors and vulnerable groups in Korean middle-aged and older women using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Among the 24,229 people who participated in the 2017–2019 survey, 7249 middle-aged women aged 40 and over were included in the final analysis. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS and SAS Enterprise Miner by chi-squared analysis, logistic regression analysis, and decision tree analysis. The prevalence of ischemic heart disease in the study results was 2.77%, including those diagnosed with myocardial infarction or angina. The factors associated with ischemic heart disease in middle-aged and older women were identified as age, family history, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, arthritis, and depression. The group most vulnerable to ischemic heart disease included women who had hypertension, a family history of ischemic heart disease, and were menopausal. Based on these results, effective management should be achieved by applying customized medical services and health management services for each relevant factor in consideration of the characteristics of the groups with potential risks. This study can be used as basic data that can be helpful in national policy decision making for the management of chronic diseases.
The Role of Interleukin-17A and NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Pathogenesis of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Lin Chih-Chung , Liao Shu-Lang , Wei Yi-Hsuan
Published: April 2023

The development of Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is associated with autoimmune dysfunction. Recent studies have indicated that IL-17A, inflammasomes, and related cytokines may be involved in the etiology of GO. We sought to investigate the pathogenic role of IL-17A and NLRP3 inflammasomes in GO. Orbital fat specimens were collected from 30 patients with GO and 30 non-GO controls. Immunohistochemical staining and orbital fibroblast cultures were conducted for both groups. IL-17A was added to the cell cultures, and cytokine expression, signaling pathways, and inflammasome mechanisms were investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) methods. Immunohistochemical staining showed higher NLRP3 expression in GO orbital tissue than in non-GO controls. IL-17A upregulated pro-IL-1β mRNA levels and IL-1β protein levels in the GO group. Furthermore, IL-17A was confirmed to enhance caspase-1 and NLRP3 protein expression in orbital fibroblasts, suggesting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Inhibiting caspase-1 activity could also decrease IL-1β secretion. In siRNA-transfected orbital fibroblasts, significantly decreased NLRP3 expression was observed, and IL-17A-mediated pro-IL-1β mRNA release was also downregulated. Our observations illustrate that IL-17A promotes IL-1β production from orbital fibroblasts via the NLRP3 inflammasome in GO, and cytokines subsequently released may induce more inflammation and autoimmunity.
Overexpression of a Short Sulfonylurea Splice Variant Increases Cardiac Glucose Uptake and Uncouples Mitochondria by Regulating ROMK Activity
Authors: El-Meanawy Sarah K. , Dooge Holly , Wexler Allison C. , Kosmach Anna C. , Serban Lara , Santos Elizabeth A. , Alvarado Francisco J. , Hacker Timothy A. , Ramratnam Mohun
Published: April 2023

The mitochondrial splice variant of the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR2A-55) is associated with protection from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, increased mitochondrial ATP sensitive K+ channel activity (mitoKATP) and altered glucose metabolism. While mitoKATP channels composed of CCDC51 and ABCB8 exist, the mitochondrial K+ pore regulated by SUR2A-55 is unknown. We explored whether SUR2A-55 regulates ROMK to form an alternate mitoKATP. We assessed glucose uptake in mice overexpressing SUR2A-55 (TGSUR2A−55) compared with WT mice during IR injury. We then examined the expression level of ROMK and the effect of ROMK modulation on mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in WT and TGSUR2A−55 mice. TGSUR2A−55 had increased glucose uptake compared to WT mice during IR injury. The expression of ROMK was similar in WT compared to TGSUR2A−55 mice. ROMK inhibition hyperpolarized resting cardiomyocyte Δψm from TGSUR2A−55 mice but not from WT mice. In addition, TGSUR2A−55 and ROMK inhibitor treated WT isolated cardiomyocytes had enhanced mitochondrial uncoupling. ROMK inhibition blocked diazoxide induced Δψm depolarization and prevented preservation of Δψm from FCCP perfusion in WT and to a lesser degree TGSUR2A−55 mice. In conclusion, cardio-protection from SUR2A-55 is associated with ROMK regulation, enhanced mitochondrial uncoupling and increased glucose uptake.
Experimental Studies on TiO2 NT with Metal Dopants through Co-Precipitation, Sol–Gel, Hydrothermal Scheme and Corresponding Computational Molecular Evaluations
Authors: Estévez Ruiz Eduardo Patricio , Lago Joaquín López , Thirumuruganandham Saravana Prakash
Published: April 2023

In the last decade, TiO2 nanotubes have attracted the attention of the scientific community and industry due to their exceptional photocatalytic properties, opening a wide range of additional applications in the fields of renewable energy, sensors, supercapacitors, and the pharmaceutical industry. However, their use is limited because their band gap is tied to the visible light spectrum. Therefore, it is essential to dope them with metals to extend their physicochemical advantages. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the preparation of metal-doped TiO2 nanotubes. We address hydrothermal and alteration methods that have been used to study the effects of different metal dopants on the structural, morphological, and optoelectrical properties of anatase and rutile nanotubes. The progress of DFT studies on the metal doping of TiO2 nanoparticles is discussed. In addition, the traditional models and their confirmation of the results of the experiment with TiO2 nanotubes are reviewed, as well as the use of TNT in various applications and the future prospects for its development in other fields. We focus on the comprehensive analysis and practical significance of the development of TiO2 hybrid materials and the need for a better understanding of the structural–chemical properties of anatase TiO2 nanotubes with metal doping for ion storage devices such as batteries.
Recycling of Wind Turbine Blades into Microfiber Using Plasma Technology
Authors: Kavaliauskas Žydrūnas , Kėželis Romualdas , Grigaitienė Viktorija , Marcinauskas Liutauras , Milieška Mindaugas , Valinčius Vitas , Uscila Rolandas , Snapkauskienė Vilma , Gimžauskaitė Dovilė , Baltušnikas Arūnas
Published: April 2023

As the industry develops and energy demand increases, wind turbines are increasingly being used to generate electricity, resulting in an increasing number of obsolete turbine blades that need to be properly recycled or used as a secondary raw material in other industries. The authors of this work propose an innovative technology not yet studied in the literature, where the wind turbine blades are mechanically shredded and micrometric fibers are formed from the obtained powder using plasma technologies. As shown by SEM and EDS studies, the powder is composed of irregularly shaped microgranules and the carbon content in the obtained fiber is lower by up to seven times compared with the original powder. Meanwhile, the chromatographic studies show that no hazardous to the environment gases are formed during the fiber production. It is worth mentioning that this fiber formation technology can be one of the additional methods for recycling wind turbine blades, and the obtained fiber can be used as a secondary raw material in the production of catalysts, construction materials, etc.
Dual Stimuli-Responsive Orthodontic Aligners: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Schönfeld Dennis , Koss Samantha , Vohl Nils , Friess Fabian , Drescher Dieter , Pretsch Thorsten
Published: April 2023

Aligner therapy for orthodontic tooth movement is gaining importance in orthodontics. The aim of this contribution is to introduce a thermo- and water-responsive shape memory polymer (SMP), which could lay the foundation for a new type of aligner therapy. The thermal, thermo-mechanical, and shape memory properties of thermoplastic polyurethane were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and various practical experiments. The glass transition temperature of the SMP relevant for later switching was determined to be 50 °C in the DSC, while the tan δ peak was detected at 60 °C in the DMA. A biological evaluation was carried out using mouse fibroblast cells, which showed that the SMP is not cytotoxic in vitro. On a digitally designed and additively manufactured dental model, four aligners were fabricated from an injection-molded foil using a thermoforming process. The aligners were then heated and placed on a second denture model which had a malocclusion. After cooling, the aligners were in a programmed shape. The movement of a loose, artificial tooth and thus the correction of the malocclusion could be realized by thermal triggering the shape memory effect, at which the aligner corrected a displacement with an arc length of approximately 3.5 mm. The developed maximum force was separately determined to be about 1 N. Moreover, shape recovery of another aligner was realized within 20 h in 37 °C water. In perspective, the present approach can help to reduce the number of orthodontic aligners in therapy and thus avoid excessive material waste.
Role of Dynamic Response in Inclined Transverse Crack Inspection for 3D-Printed Polymeric Beam with Metal Stiffener
Authors: Francese Arturo , Khan Muhammad , He Feiyang
Published: April 2023

This paper aims to quantify the relationship between the dynamic response of 3D-printed polymeric beams with metal stiffeners and the severity of inclined transverse cracks under mechanical loading. Very few studies in the literature have focused on defects starting from bolt holes in light-weighted panels and considered the defect’s orientation in an analysis. The research outcomes can be applied to vibration-based structure health monitoring (SHM). In this study, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) beam was manufactured through material extrusion and bolted to an aluminium 2014-T615 stiffener as the specimen. It simulated a typical aircraft stiffened panel geometry. The specimen had seeded and propagated inclined transverse cracks of different depths (1/1.4 mm) and orientations (0°/30°/45°). Then, their dynamic response was investigated numerically and experimentally. The fundamental frequencies were measured with an experimental modal analysis. The numerical simulation provided the modal strain energy damage index (MSE-DI) to quantify and localise the defects. Experimental results showed that the 45° cracked specimen presented the lowest fundamental frequency with a decreased magnitude drop rate during crack propagation. However, the 0° cracked specimen generated a more significant frequency drop rate with an increased crack depth ratio. On the other hand, several peaks were presented at various locations where no defect was present in the MSE-DI plots. This suggests that the MSE-DI approach for assessing damage is unsuitable for detecting cracks beneath stiffening elements due to the restriction of the unique mode shape at the crack’s location.
Nanotechnology Applied to Cellulosic Materials
Authors: Fernandes Ana , Cruz-Lopes Luísa , Esteves Bruno , Evtuguin Dmitry
Published: April 2023

In recent years, nanocellulosic materials have attracted special attention because of their performance in different advanced applications, biodegradability, availability, and biocompatibility. Nanocellulosic materials can assume three distinct morphologies, including cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and bacterial cellulose (BC). This review consists of two main parts related to obtaining and applying nanocelluloses in advanced materials. In the first part, the mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments necessary for the production of nanocelluloses are discussed. Among chemical pretreatments, the most common approaches are described, such as acid- and alkali-catalyzed organosolvation, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation, ammonium persulfate (APS) and sodium persulfate (SPS) oxidative treatments, ozone, extraction with ionic liquids, and acid hydrolysis. As for mechanical/physical treatments, methods reviewed include refining, high-pressure homogenization, microfluidization, grinding, cryogenic crushing, steam blasting, ultrasound, extrusion, aqueous counter collision, and electrospinning. The application of nanocellulose focused, in particular, on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with CNC, CNF, and BC. With the development of TENGs, an unparalleled revolution is expected; there will be self-powered sensors, wearable and implantable electronic components, and a series of other innovative applications. In the future new era of TENGs, nanocellulose will certainly be a promising material in their constitution.
Overexpression of Global Regulator SCrp Leads to the Discovery of New Angucyclines in Streptomyces sp. XS-16
Authors: Xu Xiao , Zhang Falei , Zhou Luning , Chang Yimin , Che Qian , Zhu Tianjiao , Li Dehai , Zhang Guojian
Published: April 2023

Six angucyclines including three unreported compounds (1–3) were isolated from Streptomyces sp. XS-16 by overexpressing the native global regulator of SCrp (cyclic AMP receptor). The structures were characterized based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and spectrometry analysis and assisted by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All compounds were tested for their antitumor and antimicrobial activities, and compound 1 showed different inhibitory activities against various tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.32 to 5.33 μM.
Challenging Structure Elucidation of Lumnitzeralactone, an Ellagic Acid Derivative from the Mangrove Lumnitzera racemosa
Authors: Kappen Jonas , Manurung Jeprianto , Fuchs Tristan , Vemulapalli Sahithya Phani Babu , Schmitz Lea M. , Frolov Andrej , Agusta Andria , Muellner-Riehl Alexandra N. , Griesinger Christian , Franke Katrin , Wessjohann Ludger A.
Published: April 2023

The previously undescribed natural product lumnitzeralactone (1), which represents a derivative of ellagic acid, was isolated from the anti-bacterial extract of the Indonesian mangrove species Lumnitzera racemosa Willd. The structure of lumnitzeralactone (1), a proton-deficient and highly challenging condensed aromatic ring system, was unambiguously elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses involving high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), 1D 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and 2D NMR (including 1,1-ADEQUATE and 1,n-ADEQUATE). Determination of the structure was supported by computer-assisted structure elucidation (CASE system applying ACD-SE), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and a two-step chemical synthesis. Possible biosynthetic pathways involving mangrove-associated fungi have been suggested.
Predictors of Long-Term Mortality in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris and Coronary Slow Flow
Authors: Aksoy Sukru , Öz Dilaver , Öz Melih , Agirbasli Mehmet
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is an angiographic phenomenon characterized by the slow progression of an injected contrast agent during diagnostic coronary angiography in the absence of significant stenosis. Although CSF is a common angiographic finding, the long-term outcomes and mortality rates are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the underlying causes of mortality over a 10-year period in patients diagnosed with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and CSF. Materials and Methods: This study included patients with SAP who underwent coronary angiography from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. All patients displayed CSF despite having angiographically normal coronary arteries. Hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidaemia, medication compliance, comorbidities, and laboratory data were recorded at the time of angiography. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) was calculated for each patient. The cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV causes of long-term mortality were assessed. Results: A total of 137 patients with CSF (93 males; mean age: 52.2 ± 9.36 years) were included in this study. Twenty-one patients (15.3%) died within 10 years of follow-up. Nine (7.2%) and 12 (9.4%) patients died of non-CV and CV causes, respectively. Total mortality in patients with CSF was associated with age, HT, discontinuation of medications, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The mean TFC was associated with CV mortality. Conclusion: Patients with CSF exhibited a notable increase in cardiovascular-related and overall mortality rates after 10 years of follow-up. HT, discontinuation of medications, HDL-C levels, and mean TFC were associated with mortality in patients with CSF.
Effect of Mg on Inclusion and High Cycle Fatigue Behavior in Titanium Microalloyed Beam Steel
Authors: Gao Zhijun , Pan Guangfei , Wang Shuize , Song Yu , Wu Honghui , Mao Xinping
Published: April 2023

In this paper, the fatigue behavior of titanium microalloyed beam steels were studied by high cycle fatigue test and fatigue crack growth rate test. The effect of Mg addition on the fatigue behavior in titanium microalloyed beam steel was systematically analyzed. According to the experimental results, the addition of magnesium can effectively modify the inclusions by reducing the size of Al2O3 and TiN and promoting the formation of finer complex inclusions with a MgO·Al2O3 core in titanium microalloyed high-strength beam steel. The number of inclusions in the experimental steels had far less of an impact on the fatigue characteristic than inclusion size. With the heterogeneous nucleation effect of MgO·Al2O3, the inclusions are refined after the Mg addition. The tensile strength of Beam-2 steel decreased by approximately 54 MPa, while its fatigue strength increased by about 33 MPa, showing favorable fatigue resistance. These findings are essential for optimize the fatigue properties of titanium microalloy steel and promoting the development of automobile beam steel with excellent fatigue properties.
Multi-Omics Unravels Metabolic Alterations in the Ileal Mucosa of Neonatal Piglets Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Yan Junkai , Zhao Yuling , Jiang Lu , Wang Ying , Cai Wei
Published: April 2023

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is life-saving therapy for the pediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF) who cannot tolerate enteral nutrition (EN). However, TPN-induced metabolic alterations are also a critical issue for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, and thus the global metabolomic signatures need to be addressed. In this study, ileal mucosal biopsies were collected from 12 neonatal Bama piglets receiving either EN or TPN for 14 days, and changes in the intestinal metabolism were examined by multi-omics (HM350 Metabolomics + Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-based proteomics). As a result, a total of 240 compounds were identified by metabolomics, including 56 down-regulated and 9 up-regulated metabolites. Notably, tissue levels of fatty acyl-carnitines (decreased by 35–85%) and succinate (decreased by 89%) dramatically decreased in the TPN group, suggestive of disrupted processes of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and the citrate cycle, respectively. Interestingly, however, no differences were found in the production of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) between groups, suggesting that these dysregulated metabolites may have mainly led to the loss of bioactive compounds rather than energy deficit. Additionally, 4813 proteins were identified by proteomics in total, including 179 down-regulated and 329 up-regulated proteins. The analysis of protein–protein interactions (PPI) indicated that most of the differentially expressed proteins were clustered into “lipid metabolism” and “innate immune responses”. In summary, this work provided new findings in TPN-induced intestinal metabolic alterations, which would be useful to the improvement of nutritional management for IF patients.
Comparative LC-ESIMS-Based Metabolite Profiling of Senna italica with Senna alexandrina and Evaluating Their Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Zibaee Elaheh , Akaberi Maryam , Tayarani-Najaran Zahra , Nesměrák Karel , Štícha Martin , Shahraki Naghmeh , Javadi Behjat , Emami Seyed Ahmad
Published: April 2023

Senna Mill. (Fabaceae) is an important medicinal plant distributed worldwide. Senna alexandrina (S. alexandrina), the officinal species of the genus, is one of the most well-known herbal medicines traditionally used to treat constipation and digestive diseases. Senna italica (S. italica), another species of the genus, is native to an area ranging from Africa to the Indian subcontinent, including Iran. In Iran, this plant has been used traditionally as a laxative. However, very little phytochemical information and pharmacological reports investigating its safety of use are available. In the current study, we compared LC-ESIMS metabolite profiles of the methanol extract of S. italica with that of S. alexandrina and measured the content of sennosides A and B as the biomarkers in this genus. By this, we were able to examine the feasibility of using S. italica as a laxative agent like S. alexandrina. In addition, the hepatotoxicity of both species was evaluated against HepG2 cancer cell lines using HPLC-based activity profiling to localize the hepatotoxic components and evaluate their safety of use. Interestingly, the results showed that the phytochemical profiles of the plants were similar but with some differences, particularly in their relative contents. Glycosylated flavonoids, anthraquinones, dianthrones, benzochromenones, and benzophenones constituted the main components in both species. Nevertheless, some differences, particularly in the relative amount of some compounds, were observed. According to the LC-MS results, the amounts of sennoside A in S. alexandrina and S. italica were 1.85 ± 0.095% and 1.00 ± 0.38%, respectively. Moreover, the amounts of sennoside B in S. alexandrina and S. italica were 0.41 ± 0.12 % and 0.32 ± 0.17%, respectively. Furthermore, although both extracts showed significant hepatotoxicity at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL, they were almost non-toxic at lower concentrations. Taken together, according to the results, the metabolite profiles of S. italica and S. alexandrina showed many compounds in common. However, further phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies are necessary to examine the efficacy and safety of S. italica as a laxative agent.
Pulse-on-Demand Operation for Precise High-Speed UV Laser Microstructuring
Authors: Kočica Jernej Jan , Mur Jaka , Didierjean Julien , Guillossou Arnaud , Saby Julien , Petelin Jaka , Mincuzzi Girolamo , Petkovšek Rok
Published: April 2023

Laser microstructuring has been studied extensively in the last decades due to its versatile, contactless processing and outstanding precision and structure quality on a wide range of materials. A limitation of the approach has been identified in the utilization of high average laser powers, with scanner movement fundamentally limited by laws of inertia. In this work, we apply a nanosecond UV laser working in an intrinsic pulse-on-demand mode, ensuring maximal utilization of the fastest commercially available galvanometric scanners at scanning speeds from 0 to 20 m/s. The effects of high-frequency pulse-on-demand operation were analyzed in terms of processing speeds, ablation efficiency, resulting surface quality, repeatability, and precision of the approach. Additionally, laser pulse duration was varied in single-digit nanosecond pulse durations and applied to high throughput microstructuring. We studied the effects of scanning speed on pulse-on-demand operation, single- and multipass laser percussion drilling performance, surface structuring of sensitive materials, and ablation efficiency for pulse durations in the range of 1–4 ns. We confirmed the pulse-on-demand operation suitability for microstructuring for a range of frequencies from below 1 kHz to 1.0 MHz with 5 ns timing precision and identified the scanners as the limiting factor even at full utilization. The ablation efficiency was improved with longer pulse durations, but structure quality degraded.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Dry Etching of Silicon Deep Trenches with Extremely Vertical Smooth Sidewalls Used in Micro-Optical Gyroscopes
Authors: Zhang Yuyu , Wu Yu , Sun Quanquan , Shen Lifeng , Lan Jie , Guo Lingxi , Shen Zhenfeng , Wang Xuefang , Xiao Junfeng , Xu Jianfeng
Published: April 2023

Micro-optical gyroscopes (MOGs) place a range of components of the fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) onto a silicon substrate, enabling miniaturization, low cost, and batch processing. MOGs require high-precision waveguide trenches fabricated on silicon instead of the ultra-long interference ring of conventional F OGs. In our study, the Bosch process, pseudo-Bosch process, and cryogenic etching process were investigated to fabricate silicon deep trenches with vertical and smooth sidewalls. Different process parameters and mask layer materials were explored for their effect on etching. The effect of charges in the Al mask layer was found to cause undercut below the mask, which can be suppressed by selecting proper mask materials such as SiO2. Finally, ultra-long spiral trenches with a depth of 18.1 μm, a verticality of 89.23°, and an average roughness of trench sidewalls less than 3 nm were obtained using a cryogenic process at −100 °C.
Design and Application of Near Infrared LED and Solenoid Magnetic Field Instrument to Inactivate Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Arifianto Deny , Astuti Suryani Dyah , Permatasari Perwira Annissa Dyah , Arifah Ilmi , Yaqubi Ahmad Khalil , Rulaningtyas Riries , Syahrom Ardiansyah
Published: April 2023

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of infrared LEDs with a magnetic solenoid field in lowering the quantity of gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria, as well as the best exposure period and energy dose for inactivating these bacteria. Method: Research has been performed on a photodynamic therapy technique called photodynamic inactivation (PDI), which combines infrared LED light with a wavelength range of 951–952 nm and a solenoid magnetic field with a strength of 0–6 mT. The two, taken together, can potentially harm the target structure biologically. Infrared LED light and an AC-generated solenoid magnetic field are both applied to bacteria to measure the reduction in viability. Three different treatments infrared LED, solenoid magnetic field, and an amalgam of infrared LED and solenoid magnetic field, were used in this study. A factorial statistical ANOVA analysis was utilized in this investigation. Results: The maximum bacterial production was produced by irradiating a surface for 60 min at a dosage of 0.593 J/cm2, according to the data. The combined use of infrared LEDs and a magnetic field solenoid resulted in the highest percentage of fatalities for Staphylococcus aureus, which was 94.43 s. The highest percentage of inactivation for Escherichia coli occurred in the combination treatment of infrared LEDs and a magnetic field solenoid, namely, 72.47 ± 5.06%. In contrast, S. aureus occurred in the combined treatment of infrared LEDs and a magnetic field solenoid, 94.43 ± 6.63 percent. Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli germs are inactivated using infrared illumination and the best solenoid magnetic fields. This is evidenced by the rise in the proportion of bacteria that died in treatment group III, which used a magnetic solenoid field and infrared LEDs to deliver a dosage of 0.593 J/cm2 over 60 min. According to the research findings, the magnetic field of the solenoid and the infrared LED field significantly impact the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and the gram-negative bacteria E. coli.
Pd,Hg-Rich Gold and Compounds of the Au-Pd-Hg System at the Itchayvayam Mafic-Ultramafic Complex (Kamchatka, Russia) and Other Localities
Authors: Palyanova Galina , Kutyrev Anton , Beliaeva Tatiana , Shilovskikh Vladimir , Zhegunov Pavel , Zhitova Elena , Seryotkin Yurii
Published: April 2023

The unique minerals of the Au-Pd-Hg system in gold grains from heavy concentrates of the Itchayvayam placers and watercourses draining and ore samples of the Barany outcrop at the Itchayvayam mafic–ultramafic complex (Kamchatka, Russia) were investigated. Gold grains from watercourses draining and heavy concentrates of the Itchayvayam placers contain substitution structures formed by Pd,Hg-rich low-fineness gold (Au0.59–0.52Pd0.24–0.25Hg0.17–0.23, 580‰–660‰) and Pd,Hg-poor high-fineness gold (Au0.94–0.90Pd0.02–0.04Hg0.03, 910‰–960‰). Potarite (PdHg) without and with impurities (Au < 7.9, Cu < 3.5, Ag < 1.2 wt.%), Ag-poor high-fineness gold (Au0.91Ag0.09, 950‰), Ag,Pd,Hg-bearing middle-fineness gold (Au0.75Ag0.08Pd0.09Hg0.08—Au0.88Ag0.09Pd0.02Hg0.01, 820‰–930‰), and Pd,Hg-rich low-fineness gold with minor contents Ag and Cd (Au0.51–0.55Pd0.25–0.22Hg0.21–0.16Ag0.03–0.06Cd0.01, fineness 580‰–630‰) were observed as individual microinclusions in the ore samples of the Barany outcrop. XRD and EBSD study results show that the Pd,Hg-rich low-fineness gold is isotypic to gold and has the same structure type, but different cell dimensions. According to data obtained for the Itchayvayam and some deposits and ore occurrences with Pd,Hg-bearing gold, the stable ternary phases and solid solutions of the following compositions in the Au-Pd-Hg system have been identified: Pd,Hg-poor gold (Au0.94–0.90Pd0.02–0.04Hg0.03), Pd,Hg-rich gold (Au0.59–0.52Pd0.24–0.25Hg0.17–0.23), Au-potarite (PdHg0.62Au0.38—Pd1.04Hg0.96—Au0.80Pd0.68Hg0.52), and Au,Hg-bearing palladium (Pd0.7Au0.3Hg0.1). The genesis of Pd,Hg-rich gold is insufficiently studied. We supposed that the meteoric waters or low-temperature hydrotherms rich in Pd and Hg could lead to the replacement Pd,Hg-poor gold by Pd,Hg-rich gold. High concentrations of Pd in Pd,Hg-bearing gold indicate a genetic relationship with mafic–ultramafic rocks.
Polymetallic Uranium Mineralisation in Rohil, Rajasthan, Western India: Insights from Mode of Occurrences, Structural Controls, Alteration Geochemistry and Exploration
Authors: Padhi Ajoy Kumar , Mukherjee Mrinal Kanti , Tripathi Brajesh Kumar , Pande Dheeraj , Bisht Balbir Singh , Sarkar Bhabesh Chandra
Published: April 2023

Geological and radiometric studies of outcrops aided by extensive subsurface exploration through drill holes in an otherwise soil-covered terrain revealed the existence of low grades, medium tonnage, and metasomatite types of polymetallic uranium deposits at Rohil in India. Microscopic studies, electronprobe micro analyses, and geochemical analyses of samples from lodes indicate the polymetallic nature of mineralisation involving copper and molybdenum, in addition to uranium. Wide variations in the composition of fluid (S-, F-, P-, and O-rich) led to the formation of sulphides, fluorite, U-phosphosilicate, quartz, and magnetite, respectively, and are associated with uraninite. Litho-geochemical analyses from the Rohil deposit indicate multifarious metasomatic alterations associated with polymetallic mineralisation occurring in veins. The major mineralogical and metasomatic controls on rock compositions and the extent of material transfer processes that influenced the host rocks and mineralisati on are quantified by molar element ratio studies and alteration plots. General element ratio (GER) diagrams on chemical analyses of rock samples reveal albitisation and chloritisation as major and microclinisation, sericitisation, carbonatisation, and silicification as minor wall rock alterations associated with ore mineralisation. The alteration box plot between the chlorite–carbonate–pyrite index (CCPI) and the Ishikawa alteration index (AI) indicates the influence of hydrothermal activity and dominance of both albitisation and chloritisation. The ore zone is controlled by meso- and microstructures and the geometry of the soda- and potash-metasomatised zone around hydrothermal veins. This zone contains several anastomosing mineralised veins defined by a prominent joint that is set in quartzite that strikes subparallel to the axial surface of the F2 isoclinal folds and the pervasive schistosity S1 in the quartz–feldspar–biotite schist. Aventurisation of albite and microcline, established through electron probe micro analyses, can be considered as a pathfinder for uranium mineralisation. The close association of uranium and metallic sulphide mineralisation with microstructural, mineralogical (albitisation, chloritisation, and microclinisation), and geochemical variations can be applied as suitable exploration guides in a similar geological set-up worldwide.
Form-Dependent Toxicity of Silver Nanomaterials in Rainbow Trout Gills
Authors: Auclair Joëlle , Turcotte Patrice , Gagnon Christian , Peyrot Caroline , Wilkinson Kevin James , Gagné François
Published: April 2023

The toxicity of the form of nanoparticles is presently not well understood. The purpose of this study consists in comparing the toxicity of various forms of silver nanoparticles (nAg) in juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Juveniles were exposed to various forms of polyvinyl-coated nAg of similar size for 96 h at 15 °C. After the exposure period, the gills were isolated and analyzed for Ag uptake/distribution, oxidative stress, glucose metabolism, and genotoxicity. Higher levels of Ag were detected in gills in fish exposed to dissolved Ag followed by spherical, cubic, and prismatic nAg. Size-exclusion chromatography of gill fractions revealed that the dissolution of nAg was observed for all forms of nAg where prismatic nAg released more important levels of Ag in the protein pool as in fish exposed to dissolved Ag as well. The aggregation of nAg was more important for cubic nAg in respect of the other forms of nAg. The data revealed that lipid peroxidation was closely associated with protein aggregation and viscosity. Biomarkers revealed changes in lipid/oxidative stress and genotoxicity, which were related to the loss of protein aggregation and inflammation (NO2 levels), respectively. In general, the observed effects were found for all forms of nAg where the effects from prismatic nAg were generally higher than for spherical and cubic nAg. The strong relationship between genotoxicity and inflammation response suggests the participation of the immune system in the observed responses of juvenile fish gills.
Impact of Local Composition on the Emission Spectra of InGaN Quantum-Dot LEDs
Authors: Barettin Daniele , Sakharov Alexei V. , Tsatsulnikov Andrey F. , Nikolaev Andrey E. , Pecchia Alessandro , Auf der Maur Matthias , Karpov Sergey Yu. , Cherkashin Nikolay
Published: April 2023

A possible solution for the realization of high-efficiency visible light-emitting diodes (LEDs) exploits InGaN-quantum-dot-based active regions. However, the role of local composition fluctuations inside the quantum dots and their effect of the device characteristics have not yet been examined in sufficient detail. Here, we present numerical simulations of a quantum-dot structure restored from an experimental high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image. A single InGaN island with the size of ten nanometers and nonuniform indium content distribution is analyzed. A number of two- and three-dimensional models of the quantum dot are derived from the experimental image by a special numerical algorithm, which enables electromechanical, continuum k→·p→, and empirical tight-binding calculations, including emission spectra prediction. Effectiveness of continuous and atomistic approaches are compared, and the impact of InGaN composition fluctuations on the ground-state electron and hole wave functions and quantum dot emission spectrum is analyzed in detail. Finally, comparison of the predicted spectrum with the experimental one is performed to assess the applicability of various simulation approaches.
Electronic and Optoelectronic Monolayer WSe2 Devices via Transfer-Free Fabrication Method
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Nie Yecheng , Ou Haohui , Chen Dao , Cen Yingqian , Liu Jidong , Wu Di , Hong Guo , Li Benxuan , Xing Guichuan , Zhang Wenjing
Published: April 2023

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have drawn significant attention for their potential applications in electronics and optoelectronics. To achieve consistent electronic properties and high device yield, uniform large monolayer crystals are crucial. In this report, we describe the growth of high-quality and uniform monolayer WSe2 film using chemical vapor deposition on polycrystalline Au substrates. This method allows for the fabrication of continuous large-area WSe2 film with large-size domains. Additionally, a novel transfer-free method is used to fabricate field-effect transistors (FETs) based on the as-grown WSe2. The exceptional metal/semiconductor interfaces achieved through this fabrication method result in monolayer WSe2 FETs with extraordinary electrical performance comparable to those with thermal deposition electrodes, with a high mobility of up to ≈62.95 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature. In addition, the as-fabricated transfer-free devices can maintain their original performance after weeks without obvious device decay. The transfer-free WSe2-based photodetectors exhibit prominent photoresponse with a high photoresponsivity of ~1.7 × 104 A W−1 at Vds = 1 V and Vg = −60 V and a maximum detectivity value of ~1.2 × 1013 Jones. Our study presents a robust pathway for the growth of high-quality monolayer TMDs thin films and large-scale device fabrication.
Regulating the Electron Depletion Layer of Au/V2O5/Ag Thin Film Sensor for Breath Acetone as Potential Volatile Biomarker
Authors: Alghamdi Bader Mohammed , Alharbi Nawaf Mutab , Alade Ibrahim Olanrewaju , Sultan Badriah , Aburuzaizah Mohammed Mansour , Baroud Turki N. , Drmosh Qasem A.
Published: April 2023

Human exhaled breath has been utilized to identify biomarkers for diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The existence of these illnesses is indicated by a rise in the level of acetone in the breath. The development of sensing devices capable of identifying the onset of lung cancer or diabetes is critical for the successful monitoring and treatment of these diseases. The goal of this research is to prepare a novel breath acetone sensor made of Ag NPs/V2O5 thin film/Au NPs by combining DC/RF sputtering and post-annealing as synthesis methods. The produced material was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis, Raman, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results revealed that the sensitivity to 50 ppm acetone of the Ag NPs/V2O5 thin film/Au NPs sensor was 96%, which is nearly twice and four times greater than the sensitivity of Ag NPs/V2O5 and pristine V2O5, respectively. This increase in sensitivity can be attributed to the engineering of the depletion layer of V2O5 through the double activation of the V2O5 thin films with uniform distribution of Au and Ag NPs that have different work function values.
Relationship between Serum Ferritin Level and Dyslipidemia in US Adults Based on Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2017 to 2020
Authors: Li Guohua , Yu Wenlu , Yang Hexiang , Wang Xinyue , Ma Tianyou , Luo Xiaoqin
Published: April 2023

Previous research has suggested that high serum ferritin (SF) levels may be associated with dyslipidemia. This study investigated the association between SF levels and dyslipidemia in American adults, which held relevance for both clinical and public health areas concerned with screening and prevention. Data from the pre-pandemic National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), conducted between 2017 and 2020, were utilized for this analysis. Multivariate linear regression models were used to explore the correlation between lipid and SF concentrations, and the connection between SF and the four types of dyslipidemia was further assessed by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (ORs; 95% CI) for dyslipidemia were calculated for quartiles of SF concentrations, with the lowest ferritin quartile as the reference. The final subjects consisted of 2676 participants (1290 males and 1386 females). ORs for dyslipidemia were the highest in the fourth quartile (Q4) of SF both in males (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12–2.28) and females (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.07–2.17). The crude ORs (95% CI) for the risk of High TC and High LDL-C increased progressively in both genders. However, after adjusting for covariates, the trend of significance was only present in females. Finally, the association between total daily iron intake and the four types of dyslipidemia was examined, revealing that the risk of High TG in the third quartile of the total daily iron intake was 2.16 times greater in females (adjusted OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.38–7.23). SF concentrations were remarkably associated with dyslipidemia. In females, daily dietary iron intake was associated with High-TG dyslipidemia.
Nutritional Status Differs by Prescription Opioid Use among Women of Reproductive Age: NHANES 1999–2018
Authors: Hohman Emily E. , Corr Tammy E. , Kawasaki Sarah , Savage Jennifer S. , Symons Downs Danielle
Published: April 2023

Prescription opioid use among pregnant women has increased in recent years. Prenatal exposure to opioids and poor nutrition can both negatively impact maternal–fetal outcomes. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutrition and health status of reproductive-age women taking prescription opioids, compared to women not taking opioids. Using NHANES 1999–2018 data, non-pregnant women aged 20–44 years were classified as taking a prescription opioid in the last 30 days (n = 404) or unexposed controls (n = 7234). Differences in anthropometric, cardiovascular, hematologic, and micronutrient status indicators between opioid-exposed and unexposed women were examined. Opioid-exposed women were older, had lower income and education, and were more likely to be non-Hispanic White, to smoke, and to have chronic health conditions compared to unexposed women. In unadjusted analyses, several nutrition and health markers were significantly different between opioid exposure groups. After controlling for covariates, women taking opioids had higher odds of Class II (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.3) or III obesity (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.5), and lower levels of serum folate, iron, and transferrin saturation. Reproductive-age women taking prescription opioids may be at risk for poorer nutritional and cardiometabolic health. Future research is needed to explore whether nutritional status impacts maternal–fetal outcomes for women exposed to opioids during pregnancy.