bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrosion Inhibition by Sulfate after Surface Preparation
Authors: Grandy Lindsay , Chaniolleau Matthieu , Lacasse Robert , Mauzeroll Janine
Published: April 2023

Electropolishing as a surface preparation technique is increasing in popularity in industrial applications and for corrosion studies. Electropolished surfaces have shown a better resistance to pitting corrosion over mechanical polishing, however, the fundamental reason governing the change in corrosion behaviour remains unclear. This study examined the corrosion behaviour of 13Cr4Ni stainless steel (UNS S41500) after five surface preparation techniques and shows that sulfate is incorporated in the oxide film when it is present in the electropolishing solution. Even after removal from the sulfate-containing solution, the sulfate incorporation increases the material’s pitting resistance by lowering the number of sites available for chloride to induce pitting. This work also demonstrates that, when used as a counter electrode, Pt can dissolve and reprecipitate on the working electrode surface during electropolishing. The deposits result in a more noble open circuit potential, indicating an artificial increase in passivity. These artificial changes to corrosion behaviour due to surface preparation method may result in erroneous conclusions. To establish fair comparisons between surface preparation methods, the counter electrode and the sulfate effect should be strictly considered.
Activation of β-adrenergic receptor signaling prevents glucocorticoid-induced obesity and adipose tissue dysfunction in male mice
Authors: Gado Manuel , Heinrich Annett , Wiedersich Denise , Sameith Katrin , Dahl Andreas , Alexaki Vasileia I. , Swarbrick Michael M. , Baschant Ulrike , Grafe Ingo , Perakakis Nikolaos , Bornstein Stefan R. , Rauner Martina , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Henneicke Holger
Published: April 2023

This preclinical study in mice shows that the β3-adrenergic receptor can be a potential therapeutic approach to counteracting glucocorticoid (GC)-induced obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Both cold acclimation and β3-adrenergic receptor stimulation in a mouse model of excess glucocorticoids were adequate in not only preventing obesity, adiposity, and adipose tissue dysfunction but also correcting hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and dyslipidemia.
IL-8 concurrently promotes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis mesenchymal progenitor cell senescence and PD-L1 expression enabling escape from immune cell surveillance
Authors: Yang Libang , Xia Hong , Gilbertsen Adam , Smith Karen , Racila Emil , Bitterman Peter B. , Henke Craig A.
Published: April 2023

Here we show that IL-8 concurrently promotes senescence and upregulation of PD-L1 in IPF MPCs. IHC analysis identifies the presence of senescent IPF MPCs intermingled with NK cells in the fibroblastic focus, suggesting that senescent MPCs elude immune cell surveillance. We demonstrate that disruption of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction promotes NK cell killing of IPF MPCs and arrests IPF MPC-mediated experimental lung fibrosis. Disruption of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction may be one means to limit fibrotic progression.
Effects of Different Habitat Space on Growth Performance and Nutritional Composition of Swimming Crabs (Portunus trituberculatus)
Authors: Yan Shiyu , Mao Shuang , Xia Qing , Cui Zhenquan , Duan Haibao , Ren Guoliang , Li Xiaoying , Ge Hongxing , Liu Meimei , Dong Zhiguo
Published: April 2023

Habitat space is crucial for animals. This experiment explored the effect of four different farming acreages (0.5 m2, 1 m2, 10 m2, and 100 m2) on survival rate, growth performance, and muscle nutrition composition of swimming crabs (Portunus trituberculatus) at the farming density of 2 ind/m2. The results showed that the survival rate of the crabs that live in the 10 m2 group and live in 0.5 m2 alone had the highest survival rate of 20.50% and 20%, better than the 1 m2 group and the 100 m2 group with the lowest of 12.00% and 13% (

P
<
0.05

). There was no significant difference between final body weight and final carapace width among the 4 groups (

P
 
>
0.05

). The crude lipid content was the highest in 1 m2, which was significantly higher than in 0.5 m2 (

P
 
<
0.05

). The crude protein content in the 1 m2 and 10 m2 groups was significantly higher than that in the 0.5 m2 and 100 m2 groups (

P
 
<
0.05

). The results of the three conventional nutrients showed that there was no positive correlation between the muscle conventional nutrients and the farming area. The polyunsaturated fatty acid part of the 100 m2 and 10 m2 group was significantly different from the 1 m2 and 0.5 m2 groups (

P
 
<
0.05

). The results show that farming crab alone is not better than together, and a small aquaculture acreage helps to improve the muscle nutrition composition of the swimming crabs, while a large aquaculture acreage is more conducive to balance the development of nutrition. Overall, 10 m2 of habitat space was more economically feasible in practice.
A Multiperspective Intervention Path Study of Employment Expectancy in the Era of Big Data
Authors: Huang Pei
Published: April 2023

The increasingly large employment group in colleges and universities has brought huge employment pressure to the society. Therefore, improving the level of professional ability of college students, providing students with personalized career development direction planning, and helping students to establish a correct concept of career selection are feasible ways to solve the structural contradiction of college students’ employment. The arrival of big data era provides new development opportunities for employment work in colleges and universities. Big data drives the high-quality development of precise employment in colleges and universities, which is inevitably required to reach the precise requirements of work development, information mastering, platform docking, information pushing, and help work. The traditional employment guidance work is backward in means and poor in timeliness, which leads to poor intervention effect on students’ employment expectation. With the deepening of digital campus construction and the development of big data technology, massive educational data has been accumulated but not reasonably utilized. Therefore, in this paper, we take the massive student data accumulated in digital campus as the research object, based on the research method of convolutional neural network, to explore the hidden personalized information of students behind it, predict their future career development direction, and provide scientific and technological support for the work of university education and teaching. Thus, the architecture classical DenseNet was improvised to avoid gradient disappearance and guarantee the classification accuracy, thereby targeting to reduce the number of connections. The study also proposed a 2-DenseNet model, wherein the attention module was embedded into 2-DenseNet followed by the conduction of training and validation on the university employment dataset. The experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper could predict the appropriate career development direction timely and effectively based on multiple perspectives of students’ comprehensive quality. This would enable the students to plan and adjust their employment expectations leading to disseminating of efficient employment guidance in colleges and universities.
Effects of Heating and Liquid Nitrogen on Mechanical Characteristics and Rockburst Characteristics of Granite
Authors: Li Xue , Xue Yi , Dang Fa-ning , Zhang Zhihao , Zhu Lin , Su Shanjie , Wang Shengcheng , Liu Ruifu
Published: April 2023

Due to the depletion of shallow resources and the reduction of the space for human life and development, in recent years, human beings began to gradually expand to the deep underground. The increase of development depth will bring a series of safety problems, so it is particularly important to study and deal with rockburst. In this paper, based on laboratory tests, relevant literature, and research at home and abroad, the TAWD-2000 electrohydraulic servo rock mechanics testing machine and PIC-2 acoustic emission (AE) testing system are used. Uniaxial compression tests and AE monitoring tests were carried out on granite samples to analyze the property and AE characteristic parameters of granite under the action of liquid nitrogen (LN2) and to further study the fracture mode of granite. The following conclusions can be obtained: the LN2 cooling has a deterioration influence on the strength of rock, and the elastic modulus and peak stress of granite show a downward trend with the increasing number of cycles. With the cycle times of LN2 actions increasing, the AE ring count of granite and the frequency and amplitude of energy in each stage have an upward trend. When the rock reaches the failure stage, the energy at the catastrophe point increases, and the ring count also increases sharply. The RA-AF diagram of AE parameters can characterize two failure modes of rock, tensile failure and shear failure. In the process of fracture of granite samples, shear cracks dominate, leading to shear failure or compression failure of granite. Based on the method of elastic energy, the tendency index of rockburst of granite samples under different working conditions is calculated. The tendency of rockburst decreases with the decrease of elastic modulus. Under the repeated action of LN2, the tendency of rockburst of granite samples presents a downward trend, and the action of LN2 reduces the probability of rockburst to a certain extent.
Diabetes Management and Outcomes among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Attending a Renal Service
Authors: Skalkos Elizabeth , Rajagopal Rohit , Simmons David
Published: April 2023

Background. Patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal disease, particularly those treated with insulin, often require complex pharmacological treatment and management of other diabetes complications. Aims. To assess the achievement of metabolic targets and compare the current management of renal service attenders with insulin- and noninsulin-treated T2DM. Methods. Single-centre retrospective cross-sectional study involving medical record review of patients with T2DM aged ≥18 years who visited a metropolitan renal outpatient clinic in 2017. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with insulin treatment. Results. Among 268 patients (45.5% insulin-treated), mean HbA1c was higher in insulin-treated vs. noninsulin-treated patients (

8.0
±
1.8

% (64 mmol/mol) vs.

6.8
±
1.2

% (51 mmol/mol),

p
<
0.001

). Significantly fewer insulin-treated patients had

HbA
1
c
≤
7.0

% (53 mmol/mol; 31.8% vs. 69.3%,

p
<
0.001

). More insulin-treated patients had ischaemic heart disease (46.7% vs. 33.6%,

p
=
0.028

), diabetic foot disease (15.6% vs. 4.8%,

p
=
0.003

), retinopathy (40.2% vs. 11.0%,

p
<
0.001

), and emergency attendance for severe hypoglycaemia (3.8% vs. 0%

p
=
0.042

). Insulin treatment was more associated with chronic kidney disease stages 4-5 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.41, 95% CI 1.07-5.43), retinopathy (aOR 3.10, 95% CI 1.04-9.27), and podiatry review (aOR 5.06, 95% CI 1.20-21.38). Only 38 (14.2%) individuals were seen by a colocated public multidisciplinary diabetes service in 2017. Conclusions. Renal clinic attenders with T2DM, particularly if insulin-treated, remained at increased risk of diabetes-related complications, including severe hypoglycaemia, with limited input from the colocated hospital diabetes team. Approaches to increase coordination of diabetes care among renal patients should be investigated.
Experimental Study on Water-Rock Interaction Characteristics of Unconsolidated Sandstone during CO2 Multicomponent Thermal Fluid Injection
Authors: Guo Mingzhe , Lun Zengmin , Zhou Bing , Wang Lianguo , Liu Huiqing
Published: April 2023

According to the reservoir characteristics and the current situation of CO2 utilization during thermal recovery in an unconsolidated sandstone heavy oil reservoir, the mechanism and law of porosity and permeability change in an unconsolidated sandstone heavy oil reservoir during CO2+steam and CO2+steam+ sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS) injection were studied by combining a static monomineral water-rock reaction and a dynamic polymineral sand pack displacement experiment. In the static water-rock reaction between CO2 and monomineral of reservoir rock, the dissolution degree of monomineral at 200°C is greater than that at 100°C and 300°C, and the order of mineral dissolution is illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, and quartz. Besides, the dissolution rate of single rock minerals decreased significantly in the system of CO2 with AOS. In the polymineral sand pack displacement experiment, the porosity gradually decreases by CO2 multicomponent thermal fluid, and the permeability first decreases and then increases by CO2 multicomponent thermal fluid, but the permeability change is only about 0.5% by CO2+steam+ AOS, which is mainly attributed to the adsorption of AOS on the rock surface, and it is confirmed in the infrared spectrum of unconsolidated sand after displacement. This also shows that CO2+steam+AOS can stabilize the rock skeleton structure of the reservoir and prevent the deterioration of heterogeneity in the subsequent development of thermal recovery of heavy oil reservoirs; therefore, the CO2 multicomponent thermal fluid with chemical agents can improve the damage of a single CO2 thermal fluid to the reservoir.
Cluster Head Selection for the Internet of Things Using a Sandpiper Optimization Algorithm (SOA)
Authors: Sankar S. , Ramasubbareddy Somula , Dhanaraj Rajesh Kumar , Balusamy Balamurugan , Gupta Punit , Ibrahim Wubshet , Verma Rohit
Published: April 2023

In recent years, our life has become broader and faster by adapting to the Internet of Things (IoT). In IoT, the devices distributed globally that are connected to the Internet improve productivity in various sectors. The network plays an important role for transferring data to the sink node by collecting from all other nodes in IoT. The IoT requires energy saving since it is connected to resource‐constrained devices. Energy preservation is a difficult challenge to improve network lifetime in IoT. Clustering is one of the key techniques to extend the network’s life. In that, cluster head selection is one of the promising techniques to extend the lifespan of the IoT network. Many researchers proposed various cluster head (CH) selection techniques in IoT. However, inappropriate CH selection quickly degrades a network battery and creates an energy‐hole problem in the network. This paper proposes a novel sandpiper optimization algorithm (SOA) to select CH among the networks. Later, the cluster is formed by using the Euclidean distance. The proposed SOA’s accomplishments are compared to fitness value‐based improved grey wolf optimization (FIGWO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), artificial bee colony‐SD (ABC‐SD), and improved artificial bee colony (IABC). The proposed SOA extends the network lifespan by 3‐18% and increases the throughput by 6‐10%. Thus, the proposed SOA increases the network lifetime and throughput and decreases the energy consumption among the nodes in the network.
ARToolKit Target Tracking and Animation Fusion Technology Based on Edge Computing and Augmented Reality
Authors: Liu Kun , Guo Tingting , Fu Yao
Published: April 2023

Since the beginning of the 21st century, computer network technology has been developing at a rapid speed. Many things that people thought were remote or even impossible 10 years ago can now become a reality, such as AR. AR is augmented reality. After simulating computer-generated text, image, 3D models, music, video, and other virtual information and applied to the real world, the two kinds of information complement each other, so as to achieve the “enhancement” of the real world. AR is augmented reality, a new field that is currently emerging. Using AR technology can add a realistic and virtual atmosphere to the real environment, giving users a better visual experience. Edge computing is a more efficient algorithm based on cloud computing. Traditional cloud computing, which requires all terminal devices to go from the cloud to the edge, consumes more energy and time, while using edge computing is more efficient. Applying edge computing to AR can render videos and pictures in real time, giving users a better experience. This paper is aimed at studying the ARToolKit target tracking and animation fusion technology based on edge computing and augmented reality and using this technology to propose and design an AR computing edge model. And compared with the traditional AR technology, the final experimental results show that the use of ARToolKit target tracking and animation fusion technology based on edge computing and augmented reality can reduce the minimum delay time by 1/3 compared with traditional cloud computing. The signal-to-noise ratio of the fused animation effect is significantly increased. Compared with the traditional gray value fusion, it only needs 1/2 of the number of calculations to achieve the same fusion effect.
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities and Phytochemical Analysis of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Pod and Thymus vulgaris L. Leaf Ethanolic Extracts on Escherichia coli Urinary Isolates
Authors: Ahmed Alrasheed Amel , Ahmed Alrasheid Ayat , Mohamed Abdalla Wafaa , Mohammed Saeed Samar , Haidar Ahmed Hind
Published: April 2023

The indiscriminate use of antibacterial agents has resulted in one of the largest recent global health problems, which is the emergence of bacterial resistance. This study aimed to examine the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts of the two medicinal plants; Rosmarinus officinalis pods and Thymus vulgaris leaves on Escherichia coli urinary isolates. Both plants were extracted by absolute ethanol, and various concentrations (100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml) of the ethanolic extracts were prepared and tested against 53 urinary isolates of E. coli. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using chloramphenicol, gentamycin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin against isolated bacteria. The antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH method. The chemical analysis of both extracts was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique. The results showed that 88.7% of the isolated bacteria were sensitive to chloramphenicol and 87% were sensitive to gentamycin, while all isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, 13% of E. coli isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). The inhibitory zone of R. officinalis extract against E. coli ranged between 8 and 23 mm and for T. vulgaris extract ranged between 8 and 20 mm at concentrations between 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. The MIC of both extracts against isolates is between 12.5 and 50 mg/ml, while the MBC is between 50 and 100 mg/ml. The DPPH radical scavenging potential of T. vulgaris was 83.09%, followed by R. officinalis (81.26%). The chemical analysis by GC-MS of R. officinalis showed that the most active compounds were: eucalyptol (18.57%), bicycloheptan (10.01%), and octahydrodibenz anthracene (7.44%) and for T. vulgaris the most active compounds were: thymol (5.7%), phytol (7.92%), and hexadecanoic acid (18.51%). R. officinalis and T. vulgaris ethanolic extracts possessed antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and were found to be rich natural sources of active constituents used as traditional medicine.
Antieosinophil Antibodies Alone or in Combination with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) Detected in Different Autoimmune Conditions
Authors: Dieckmann Régis , Pullerits Rille , Bylund Johan , Karlsson-Bengtsson Anna , Herlitz Hans , Wennerås Christine , Thulin Pontus
Published: April 2023

Circulating antieosinophil antibodies (AEOSA) have been associated with various autoimmune conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, and joints but are not part of routine clinical diagnostics. While analyzing human sera for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on granulocytes, 0.8% of analyzed samples were found to be reactive with eosinophils. Our aim was to determine the diagnostic relevance and antigenic specificity of AEOSA. AEOSA were seen either in combination with an myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive p-ANCA (44%; AEOSA+/ANCA+) or on their own (56%; AEOSA+/ANCA−). AEOSA/ANCA positivity was seen in patients with thyroid disease (44%) or vasculitis (31%), while AEOSA+/ANCA− pattern was more common in patients with autoimmune disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and/or liver. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) was the main target recognized in 66% of the AEOSA+ sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) were also identified as target antigens but less frequently and only in combination with EPX. In conclusion, we confirmed that EPX is a major target of AEOSA, illustrating the high antigenic potential of EPX. Our results also demonstrate the presence of concomitant AEOSA/ANCA positivity in a defined patient group. Further research should aim to elucidate the association of AEOSA with autoimmunity.
Distribution Network Security Situation Awareness Method Based on the Distribution Network Topology Layered Model
Authors: Ouyang Yuhong , Li Man , Kang Wenqian , Che Xiangbei , Ye Ruixian
Published: April 2023

Distribution network security situation awareness refers to the process of perception, understanding, and state projection of systems, elements, and environmental factors within a certain space-time volume. Security situation awareness is an important part of the security assessment of the distribution network. In response to the rapid and accurate distribution network security situation awareness requirements, this paper proposes a distribution network security situation awareness method based the distribution network topology layered model. First, a hierarchical model of the distribution network topology under the premise of optimizing the location of the synchronous phasor measuring device is constructed. This model can quickly capture the system security situation elements. Then, a support vector data description algorithm fused with information entropy is used to realize the identification and understanding of abnormal information in the security situation elements of the distribution network. The long- and short-term memory network is then used to predict the operation trend of the distribution network under normal operation and fault disturbance. Finally, a simulation is established, and the IEEE-33 distribution network model is used to verify the effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper. The results show that the method of this paper improves the speed and accuracy of obtaining the security situation elements of the distribution network, shortens the identification time of the security situation elements, and realizes the security situation awareness of the nodes of the distribution network.
The Effect of Drying Temperature and Thickness on the Drying Kinetic, Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Compounds, and Color Values of Apple Slices
Authors: Demiray Engin , Yazar Julide Gamze , Aktok Özgür , Çulluk Burçin , Çalışkan Koç Gülşah , Pandiselvam Ravi
Published: April 2023

Dried fruit slices are important, healthy, and popular snacks and gain importance day by day due to their high nutritional content. In this context, this study mainly focused on the production of healthy apple chips snacks and the determination of degradation kinetics of antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, and color values of apple chip snacks during convective hot air drying at three different temperatures (45, 55, and 65°C) and sample thicknesses (1.5 and 5 ± 0.5 mm). The drying kinetics, desorption isotherms, activation energy, and half-life of the apple chip snack were also calculated. The Page and GAB models are the best models for the determination of the drying (>0.992) and desorption (>0.9979) behavior of apple snacks with the highest R2 values. The drying of all samples took place in the falling rate period. The Deff values increased depending on the increasing air temperature and slice thickness. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, and total color change of the 5 mm thick samples were degraded following the first-order reaction kinetics. The higher antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, L∗ values, and lower half-life values were observed in conditions where the thickness (1.5 mm) and temperature (45°C) are low. The activation energy values calculated for the total phenolic compounds are higher than those calculated for the antioxidant activity. As a result, it can be concluded that apple chip snacks with high nutritional value can be produced by choosing low temperatures and slice thickness.
Presenting a Fuzzy Multiobjective Mathematical Model of the Reverse Logistics Supply Chain Network in the Automotive Industry to Reduce Time and Energy
Authors: Aminpour Saeed , Irajpour Alireza , Yazdani Mehdi , Mohtashami Ali
Published: April 2023

The current research aims to design a fuzzy multiobjective model of the reverse logistics supply chain network in the automotive industry, taking into account the energy and time reduction approach. The automobile industry is one of the industries with a high demand worldwide. To continue the competition, the manufacturers of the leading car equipment should strive for better product quality by continuously improving their production processes, directing the production of greenhouse gases with low carbon levels, and increasing sustainability. In this regard, reverse supply chain networks and closed-loop chains have unique features that are very useful in the industry under review. The goal is to transform this model into a supply chain of a secure link in the automotive industry. Deterministic methods, genetic algorithm, particle swarm algorithm, and several scenarios with different aspects have been used to solve the model. The results show that the effectiveness of the three ways in terms of solution time is higher in the deterministic solution method. Proper use of the proposed process can help managers effectively manage the flow of recycled products concerning environmental considerations, and this process provides a sustainable competitive advantage for companies.
Isolation and Characterization of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactococcus lactis, and Carnobacterium divergens as Potential Probiotic Bacteria from Fermented Black and Green Olives (Olea europaea): An Exploratory Study
Authors: Saeed Ayesha , Yasmin Azra , Baig Mehreen , Khan Khalid , Heyat Md Belal Bin , Akhtar Faijan , Batool Zahra , Kazmi Abeer , Wahab Abdul , Shahid Muhammad , Ahmed Muhammad Arslan , Abbas Sidra , Muaad Abdullah Y. , Shahzad Amir , Ahmad Imtiaz
Published: April 2023

Background. Table olives are becoming well recognized as a source of probiotic bacteria that might be used to create a health‐promoting fermented food product by traditional procedures based on the activities of indigenous microbial consortia present in local environments. Methodology. In the present study, the characterization of probiotic bacteria isolated from mince, chunks, and brine of fermented green and black olives (Olea europaea) was done based on morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. Results. Bacterial isolates demonstrated excellent survival abilities at 25, 37, and 45°C and at a variable range of pH. However, the optimum temperature is 37 and the optimum pH is 7 for all three isolates. An antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was found among these isolates through the disc diffusion method. Most of the isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, imipenem, and chloramphenicol, whereas, amoxicillin showed resistance to these isolates, and variable results were recorded for the rest of the antibiotics tested. The growth of the isolates was optimum with the supplementation of 3% NaCl and 0.3% bile salt. The isolated bacteria were able to ferment skimmed milk into yogurt, hence making it capable of producing organic acid. Conclusion. Isolates of Lactobacillus crispatus MB417, Lactococcus lactis MB418 from black olives, and Carnobacterium divergens MB421 from green olives were characterized as potential candidates for use as starter cultures to induce fermentation of other probiotic food products.
Serum from Men with the Severe Form of COVID-19 Impairs the Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway in Isolated Corpus Cavernosum from Mice: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Passos Gabriela Reolon , Leonardi Guilherme Ruiz , de Oliveira Mariana Gonçalves , Gomes Erick de Toledo , Ghezzi Ana Carolina , Antunes Edson , Orsi Fernanda Andrade , da Costa Jose Luiz , Mónica Fabiola Zakia
Published: April 2023

Introduction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection during sexual activity. Vascular-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, aging, and hypertension are known risk factors that increase the prevalence of ED. The viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, can evolve into mild to severe forms. Patients with comorbidities such as diabetes and obesity present a more severe state of the disease. The cytokine storm and reactive oxygen species associated with COVID-19 can lead to progressive systemic inflammation and vascular dysfunction. This study is aimed at assessing the in vitro effects of serum obtained from unvaccinated men who had the severe form of COVID-19 in isolated corpus cavernosum (CC) from healthy mice. Methods. Concentration-response curves to endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent substances were carried out in isolated CC from mice after being incubated (3 hours) with serum obtained from patients with and without (control group) the severe form of COVID-19. qRT-PCR and western blotting were also carried out. Results. The relaxing responses induced by acetylcholine (ACh), a nitric oxide donor (sodium nitroprusside), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator (BAY 63-2521), and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor (tadalafil) were significantly reduced in CC incubated with COVID-19 serum when compared with CC incubated with the control serum. Nonetheless, the relaxation induced by the sGC activator BAY 58-2667 was unaffected in CC stimulated with the COVID-19 serum. The coincubation of control or COVID-19 serum with a free radical scavenger (PEG-SOD; 150 UI/mL, 3 hours) significantly improved the relaxation induced by ACh. On the other hand, catalase did not improve ACh-induced relaxation in CC incubated with the sera. The gene expression for PDE5 and NADPH oxidase type 4 was increased in CC stimulated with COVID-19 serum in comparison to tissues stimulated with the control serum. The protein expression for sGC subunits was similar in both groups. Conclusion. Serum obtained from unvaccinated men who presented the severe form of COVID-19 impaired the relaxation induced by cyclic guanosine monophosphate-accumulating substances in CC from mice.
Self-Reported Changes in Personal Development and Meaning in Life among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam
Authors: Renckens Sophie C. , Pasman H. Roeline , Huisman Martijn , Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D.
Published: April 2023

Objectives. The aim of this study was to explore self-reported changes in personal development and meaning in life of older adults in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic and characteristics of the groups that reported these changes. Methods. Older adults from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam completed a questionnaire on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked to rate changes in personal development and meaning in life. These variables were descriptively analysed and logistic regression analyses were used to explore characteristics of the groups that reported these changes. Results. Of the 1099 older adults (aged 62–102 years), 25.7% paid more attention to things one enjoys doing in spare time, 36.6% reflected more on important things in life, and 16.8% made less future plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-reported changes in meaning in life and personal development differed between specific subgroups of older adults. The largest changes in aspects of personal development and meaning in life were reported by older adults who experienced personal adverse experiences such as death of a loved one (ORs 2.03) and/or health problems such as functional limitations (ORs ranging from 1.59 to 2.84) and depression (ORs ranging from 1.69 to 2.77). Discussion and Implications. A substantial share of the participants reported changes in specific aspects of personal development and meaning in life. This was especially true for certain subgroups of older adults. Relatives and caregivers should be aware of changes in personal development and meaning in life since lower scores are known to be associated with poor physical, psychological, and social well-being outcomes.
Floral biology of Baccaurea courtallensis – an endemic tree species from peninsular India
Authors: Karuppiah Nandhini  , Vincent Joshuva David  , Venugopal Manimekalai  , Perumal Ravichandran
Published: April 2023

Baccaurea courtallensis, a member  of the Phyllanthaceae family is a tree species endemic to peninsular India. Despite the fact that this plant is naturally propagated through seeds, there is no information on its reproductive biology. To understand the reproductive biology of this species, its floral biology is very important. Hence, this study was conducted to comprehend the detailed aspects of its flowering and fruiting characters. Blooms occur during February–May; fruits develop and mature from June to September. Flowers are unisexual, and dioecious. The present study reports on the rare occurrence of monoecious flowers in many inflorescences of a few trees. Crimson red fruits are arranged in a racemose type of inflorescence and hang in symmetric clusters. Inflorescence clusters are observed all along the trunk from base upwards. Wind and insect pollinations were observed in this species during field visits: honey bees and black ants were observed as the major floral visitors. Pollen grains showed 96.24% fertility in the acetocarmine glycerin test and 80% viability in the fluro-chromatic reaction test. Pollen germination was 63.1% in Brewbaker and Kwack’s medium containing 10% sucrose. The detailed aspects of flower and fruit morphology and anatomy respectively are reported for the first time.
Perfluorocarbon-Encapsulated Porphyrin-Lipid Nanoparticles as a Photoactive Pyroptosis Inducer for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Lin Xiaona , Jiang Xinpeng , Xu Yunxue , Liu Renfa , Zhang Nisi , Li Rui , Xiang Hongjin , Zhao Chenyang , Zhao Zhuofei , Zeng Wenlong , Qu Shuai , Tan Xiao , Cheng Chen , Chen Xiaoyu , Wang Mengxuan , Liu Yijia , Liu Li , Zhao Ying , Dai Zhifei , Hassan Moustapha , Sun Desheng
Published: April 2023

Pyroptosis is a unique mode of programmed cell death extensively accepted to outperform apoptosis in inducing rapid cell death and evoking potent immune responses for further inhibiting tumor progression, recurrence, and metastasis. Therefore, developing a safe and efficient pyroptosis
inducer of cancer cells is highly desired. In this study, a biocompatible amphiphilic tetraphenylporphyrin–lysophospholipid conjugate (PPNH2-PC) was synthesized and further self-assembled with perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB), forming PFOB-encapsulated porphyrin–lipid nanoparticles
(PFOB@PPNH2-PC NPs) with a narrow size distribution of about 64.1 nm. Compared with the PPNH2-PC NPs without PFOB, the PFOB@PPNH2-PC NPs exhibited higher reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating capability under light irradiation and induced more cellular death.
We found that PFOB@PPNH2-PC NPs induced approximately 12 times more pyroptosis bubbles than PPNH2-PC NPs after 5-min light irradiation. Further analysis showed that pyroptosis was induced via caspase 3–mediated gasdermin E cleavage. Hence, this PFOB-encapsulated
lipid NP holds the potential for further development as a photoactivatable pyroptosis inducer for cancer therapy.
Pharmacokinetic Profiling of Prepared Artemisinin-Loaded Poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles in Mice Infected with Artemisinin-Sensitive and-Resistant Plasmodium berghei K173 Using by HPLC-MS/MS Assay
Authors: Xue Hao , Jin Xudong , Song Ruilong , Wang Yisen , Tian Jingxuan , Wang Lirong , Chen Jing
Published: April 2023

Low solubility and bio-availability of artmisinin (ART) limit the clinical efficacy and unfortunately, the resistance of Plasmodium to ART has been gradually reported in recent years. In order to improve its dissolvebility, we therefore prepared ART-loaded poly(lactic co-glycolic
acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and characterized them. Later, the pharmacokinetic differences between ART original materials and artemisinin-loaded nanoparticles in mice infected with ART-sensitive and-resistant Plasmodium berghei K173 were investigated by orally administrated (40 mg/kg)
by using a successfully developed and validated LC-MS/MS detection method. ART-loaded nanoparticles exhibited a smooth and spherical shape with average diameters of 193.80±7.65 nm. In vitro release results showed that ART-loaded nanoparticles displayed a stable sustained release
effect. Meanwhile, the pharmacokinetic properties of ART-loaded nanoparticles were significantly improved when compared with the crude materials both in two groups. The AUC(0−t) significantly increased 2.91 and 2.85 folds as well as 4.03, 3.61 folds higher half-life
period (t1/2) and 2.76, 3.27 folds higher maximum retention time (MRT), respectively. CL, meanwhile, declined 3.33 and 3.33 folds. These results suggested that ART-loaded nanoparticles enhanced the retention of ART in vivo and contributed to its long-lasting antimalarial
effect.
Moringa Oleifera-Incorporated Nanofibrous Composite Bone Filler Promotes Critical Sized Bone Defect Healing in a Rat Model: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Zhou Junhong , He Guiqin , Wei Peng
Published: April 2023

In the current study, moringa oleifera extract-loaded nanotechnology-based scaffold was developed for treating calvarial defect healing in a rat model. In Vitro studies including cell viability assay, scanning electron microscopy assay, biodegradation assay, and porosity measurement
were used to characterize the scaffolds In Vitro. The healing potential of these constructs were studied in a rat model of calvarial bone defect. Study showed that composite scaffolds loaded with moringa oleifera extract had the highest rate of collagen deposition, new bone formation,
and angiogenesis compared with other groups.
Not heading in the right direction: Five hundred psychiatrists’ views on resourcing, demand, and workforce across New Zealand mental health services
Authors: Every-Palmer Susanna , Grant Marion L , Thabrew Hiran , Hansby Oliver , Lawrence Mark , Jenkins Matthew , Romans Sarah
Published: April 2023

Objective:

To explore the views of psychiatrists (including trainees) regarding the current state and future direction of specialist mental health and addictions services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Methods:

Psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists (registrars) in Aotearoa New Zealand were surveyed in August 2021. Of 879 eligible doctors, 540 participated (83% qualified and 17% trainee psychiatrists), a response rate of over 60%. Data were analysed quantitatively and with content analysis.

Results:

Psychiatrists thought specialist mental health and addictions services had been neglected during recent reforms, with 94% believing current resourcing was insufficient, and only 3% considering future planning was heading in the right direction. The demand and complexity of on-call work had markedly increased in the preceding 2 years. Ninety-eight percent reported that people needing specialist treatment were often (85%) or sometimes (13%) unable to access the right care due to resourcing constraints. The pressures were similar across sub-specialties. A key theme was the distress (sometimes termed ‘moral injury’) experienced by psychiatrists unable to provide adequate care due to resource limitations, ‘knowing what would be a good thing to do and being unable to do it . . . is soul destroying’. Recommendations were made for addressing workforce, service design and wider issues.

Conclusion:

Most psychiatrists in Aotearoa New Zealand believe the mental health system is not currently fit for purpose and that it is not heading in the right direction. Remedies include urgently addressing identified staffing challenges and boosting designated funding to adequately care for the 5% of New Zealanders with severe mental health and addiction needs.
Worry About COVID-19 and Other Extreme Events Amongst Educators in Australia
Authors: Van Der Zant Tamara , Dix Katherine L
Published: April 2023

The significant disruption of COVID-19 on schooling has heightened concerns about its impact on educators’ wellbeing. The current study examined how educators’ worry regarding the COVID-19 pandemic compared to their worry about other extreme events, such as natural disasters and critical incidents (a death or suicide of a child, young person, or colleague). Educators report that they were most worried about COVID-19. Educators working in preschools were more worried about COVID-19 and natural disasters than those in primary and secondary schools. However, worry regarding critical incidents increased with the age of students taught. Worry was influenced by socio-economic advantage (SEIFA), whereby educators working in higher SEIFA communities were less worried about natural disasters and critical incidents but shared similar levels of worry about COVID-19 as educators in lower SEIFA communities. With a better understanding about how different types of worry and levels of worry vary across different educator groups and different contexts, more effective supports can be developed and offered.
Too sleepy to be innovative? Ethical leadership and employee service innovation behavior: A dual-path model moderated by sleep quality
Authors: Rasheed Muhammad Imran , Hameed Zahid , Kaur Puneet , Dhir Amandeep
Published: April 2023

This research explores the association of ethical leadership with employee service innovation behavior through a moderated mediation model. Theorizing on uncertainty reduction theory, we explore psychological ownership and creative self-efficacy as the underlying psychological mechanisms in the association between ethical leadership and employee service innovation behavior while considering the moderating role of sleep quality. We tested our theoretical model in two studies involving hospitality sector employees in the United States. Study 1 employed a three-wave (two-week period) time-lagged design (N = 237), and Study 2 used a two-wave (four-week period) survey design (N = 313). The findings suggest that workers’ psychological ownership and creative self-efficacy mediate the association between ethical leadership and employee service innovation behavior. In addition, sleep quality functions as an important boundary condition of the association between creative self-efficacy and service innovation behavior. Our research has important implications for understanding the impact of ethical leadership on important employee outcomes while considering the boundary condition role of employee sleep quality. The limitations of the study and future research directions are discussed.
Investigation of effects of added hemp fiber particles on tensile behavior of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
Authors: Ozenc Osman , Dundar Mehmet Akif , Sahin Davut Erdem
Published: April 2023

This study aimed at investigating the effects of hemp fiber particles with an approximate size of 500 μm added at three various weight ratios including 1wt%, 5wt%, and 10wt%, on the tensile behavior of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) at low strain rates varying from 1 × 10−4 to 6.25 ×10−2 s−1. Regardless of a strain rate, tensile test results revealed that increasing particle content leads to a significant improvement in the tensile modulus of neat ABS but a decrease in its post-yield strength. Additionally, it was found that the ductility of neat ABS decreases with both increasing particle content and strain rate. The results also showed that ABS experiences a less intrinsic yield drop after post-yield as both particle content and strain rate enhance. Additionally, it was concluded that increasing the weight ratio of particles in ABS leads to higher resistance to plastic localized deformation. Moreover, it was found that an improvement in the weight ratio of particles makes the post-yield strength of ABS more susceptible to strain rate but leads its tensile modulus to be less sensitive to strain rate. The tensile test results were found to be consistent with both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy results.
Effect of nonwoven interlayer melting temperature and matrix toughness on mode I and mode II fracture toughness of carbon fiber/benzoxazine composites
Authors: Narongdej Poom , Reddy Tejas , Barjasteh Ehsan
Published: April 2023

Two toughening approaches were investigated in this study to improve the interlaminar fracture toughness (ILFTs) of carbon fiber/benzoxazine composites. A matrix modification as well as an incorporation of thermoplastic polyamide (PA) veils were utilized to investigate the change in the ILFT properties. Two PA veils with different melting temperatures were analyzed and the ILFT properties of the resultant laminates were determined by the Mode-I and Mode-II critical strain energy release rates (GIC and GIIC). The incorporation of both veils was found to increase both GIC and GIIC performances. The veil with a lower melting temperature than the curing temperature of the resin resisted a Mode-I crack propagation better than the veil with a high-melting temperature. A significant increase in the GIC measurements could therefore be achieved with the use of the toughened matrix system. In the Mode-II ILFT testing, the high-melting temperature veil outperformed the low-melting temperature veil in resisting both crack initiation and propagation. No significant toughening improvement was observed with the use of a toughened matrix system in the Mode-II experiment. A combination between matrix toughening and interleaving with the high-melting temperature veil led to an enhancement in Mode-II properties. The fracture surfaces of the tested specimens were then examined for a determination of toughening effects of the interleaved veils on the composites.