bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Formulation of Anisotropic Elastoplastic Behavior Coupled with Damage Model in Forming Processes
Authors: Ben Said Lotfi , Allouch Marwa , Wali Mondher , Dammak Fakhreddine
Published: January 2023

The present paper proposes a mathematical development of the plasticity and damage approaches to simulate sheet metal forming processes. It focuses on the numerical prediction of the deformation of the sheet metal during the deep drawing process when a crack appears. Anisotropic plasticity constitutive equations are proposed. A fully implicit integration of the coupling constitutive equations is used and leads to two nonlinear local scalar equations that are solved by Newton’s method. The developed model allows predicting the onset of cracks in sheet metals during cold forming operations. The numerical model is implemented in ABAQUS software using user-defined subroutines, which are VUMAT and UMAT. The accuracy of the anisotropic elastoplastic model fully coupled with ductile damage is evaluated using numerical examples.
Variational Problems and Applications
Authors: Treanţă Savin
Published: January 2023

Over the years, many researchers have been interested in obtaining solution procedures in variational (interval/fuzzy) analysis and robust control [...]
Dynamic Model of Enterprise Revenue Management Based on the SFA Model
Authors: Alimhanova Aliya , Vazhdaev Andrey , Mitsel Artur , Sidorov Anatoly
Published: January 2023

The actual problem of enterprise revenue management that requires an effective solution is considered. Revenue is the main source of cash proceeds specifically from the main enterprise activities, as well as one of the main factors affecting enterprise functioning. As a result, the amount of revenue is extremely important for the company—it must be sufficient to ensure the repayment of all expenses of the company and the formation of the required profit amount. However, the amount of revenue itself is not the only important characteristic of revenue; the revenue stability over time and the revenue receipt regularity are no less important. The purpose of this work is to develop a dynamic model of enterprise revenue management, which differs from the model known in the literature by considering the parameter of enterprise performance efficiency. The parametric method of Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) is used as a method to evaluate the efficiency of an enterprise. Financial indicators are used as input and output data. The model was tested on six small business sectors of a single-industry town for the period from 2007 to 2021. Data collection was carried out using the SPARK system, which allows selecting enterprises for research by the status of the enterprise (bankrupt/operating), by the size of the enterprise (large/medium/small/micro), etc. The above calculations based on the constructed modified model have demonstrated the possibility of using the enterprise’s revenue management with the desired rate of change and with the work efficiency parameter.
Modelling the Upper Airways of Mandibular Advancement Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abdul Latif Mohd Faruq , Ghazali Nik Nazri Nik , Abdullah M. F. , Ibrahim Norliza Binti , Razi Roziana M. , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Kamangar Sarfaraz , Hussien Mohamed , Ahammad N. Ameer , Khan Azeem
Published: January 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a conceivably hazardous ailment. Most end up with non-reversible surgical techniques, such as the maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) procedure. MMA is an amazingly obtrusive treatment, regularly connected to complexities and facial change. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) is broadly utilized as an instrument to comprehend the stream system inside the human upper airways (UA) completely. There are logical inconsistencies among the investigations into the utilizations of CFD for OSAS study. Thus, to adequately understand the requirement for OSAS CFD investigation, a systematic literature search was performed. This review features the necessary recommendations to accurately model the UA to fill in as an ideal predictive methodology before mandibular advancement surgery.
A Provable Secure Cybersecurity Mechanism Based on Combination of Lightweight Cryptography and Authentication for Internet of Things
Authors: Ahmed Adel A. , Malebary Sharaf J. , Ali Waleed , Alzahrani Ahmed A.
Published: January 2023

Internet of Things devices, platform programs, and network applications are all vulnerable to cyberattacks (digital attacks), which can be prevented at different levels by using cybersecurity protocol. In the Internet of Things (IoT), cyberattacks are specifically intended to retrieve or change/destroy sensitive information that may exceed the IoT’s advantages. Furthermore, the design of a lightweight cybersecurity mechanism experiences a critical challenge that would perfectly fit resource-constrained IoT devices. For instance, identifying the compromised devices and the users’ data and services protection are the general challenges of cybersecurity on an IoT system that should be considered. This paper proposes a secure cybersecurity system based on the integration of cryptography with authentication (ELCA) that utilizes elliptic curve Diffie–Hellman (ECDH) to undertake key distribution while the weak bits problem in the shared secret key is resolved. In this paper, three systems of integration are investigated, while ELCA proposes secure integration between authentication and encryption to facilitate confidentiality and authenticity transfer messages between IoT devices over an insecure communication channel. Furthermore, the security of ELCA is proven mathematically using the random oracle model and IoT adversary model. The findings of the emulation results show the effectiveness of ELCA performance in terms of a reduced CPU execution time by 50%, reduced storage cost by 32–19.6%, and reduced energy consumption by 41% compared to the baseline cryptographic algorithms.
A Combined Model Based on Recurrent Neural Networks and Graph Convolutional Networks for Financial Time Series Forecasting
Authors: Lazcano Ana , Herrera Pedro Javier , Monge Manuel
Published: January 2023

Accurate and real-time forecasting of the price of oil plays an important role in the world economy. Research interest in forecasting this type of time series has increased considerably in recent decades, since, due to the characteristics of the time series, it was a complicated task with inaccurate results. Concretely, deep learning models such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) have appeared in this field with promising results compared to traditional approaches. To improve the performance of existing networks in time series forecasting, in this work two types of neural networks are brought together, combining the characteristics of a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) and a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network. This is a novel evolution that improves existing results in the literature and provides new possibilities in the analysis of time series. The results confirm a better performance of the combined BiLSTM-GCN approach compared to the BiLSTM and GCN models separately, as well as to the traditional models, with a lower error in all the error metrics used: the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), the Mean Squared Error (MSE), the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and the R-squared (R2). These results represent a smaller difference between the result returned by the model and the real value and, therefore, a greater precision in the predictions of this model.
Approach to the Numerical Study of Wave Processes in a Layered and Fractured Porous Media in a Two-Dimensional Formulation
Authors: Gubaidullin Amir A. , Boldyreva Olga Yu. , Dudko Dina N.
Published: January 2023

A new approach to the numerical study of arbitrary waveform impulses in a layered porous and fractured-porous medium in a two-dimensional formulation has been developed. Layers can have different characteristics and contain fractures. A computer implementation of the mathematical model based on the finite-difference MacCormack method has been completed. A number of test calculations have been carried out confirming the reliability of the numerical solutions obtained. The possibility of using the proposed approach to solve problems of wave dynamics is shown.
Statistical Depth for Text Data: An Application to the Classification of Healthcare Data
Authors: Bolívar Sergio , Nieto-Reyes Alicia , Rogers Heather L.
Published: January 2023

This manuscript introduces a new concept of statistical depth function: the compositional D-depth. It is the first data depth developed exclusively for text data, in particular, for those data vectorized according to a frequency-based criterion, such as the tf-idf (term frequency–inverse document frequency) statistic, which results in most vector entries taking a value of zero. The proposed data depth consists of considering the inverse discrete Fourier transform of the vectorized text fragments and then applying a statistical depth for functional data, D. This depth is intended to address the problem of sparsity of numerical features resulting from the transformation of qualitative text data into quantitative data, which is a common procedure in most natural language processing frameworks. Indeed, this sparsity hinders the use of traditional statistical depths and machine learning techniques for classification purposes. In order to demonstrate the potential value of this new proposal, it is applied to a real-world case study which involves mapping Consolidated Framework for Implementation and Research (CFIR) constructs to qualitative healthcare data. It is shown that the DDG-classifier yields competitive results and outperforms all studied traditional machine learning techniques (logistic regression with LASSO regularization, artificial neural networks, decision trees, and support vector machines) when used in combination with the newly defined compositional D-depth.
Effect of Phlorotannins from Brown Algae Costaria costata on α-N-Acetylgalactosaminidase Produced by Duodenal Adenocarcinoma and Melanoma Cells
Authors: Bakunina Irina , Imbs Tatiana , Likhatskaya Galina , Grigorchuk Valeria , Zueva Anastasya , Malyarenko Olesya , Ermakova Svetlana
Published: January 2023

The inhibitor of human α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (α-NaGalase) was isolated from a water–ethanol extract of the brown algae Costaria costata. Currently, tumor α-NaGalase is considered to be a therapeutic target in the treatment of cancer. According to NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometric analysis, it is a high-molecular-weight fraction of phlorethols with a degree of polymerization (DP) equaling 11–23 phloroglucinols (CcPh). It was shown that CcPh is a direct inhibitor of α-NaGalases isolated from HuTu 80 and SK-MEL-28 cells (IC50 0.14 ± 0.008 and 0.12 ± 0.004 mg/mL, respectively) and reduces the activity of this enzyme in HuTu 80 and SK-MEL-28 cells up to 50% at concentrations of 15.2 ± 9.5 and 5.7 ± 1.6 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking of the putative DP-15 oligophlorethol (P15OPh) and heptaphlorethol (PHPh) with human α-NaGalase (PDB ID 4DO4) showed that this compound forms a complex and interacts directly with the Asp 156 and Asp 217 catalytic residues of the enzyme in question. Thus, brown algae phlorethol CcPh is an effective marine-based natural inhibitor of the α-NaGalase of cancer cells and, therefore, has high therapeutic potential.
Effect of the Marine Polyketide Plocabulin on Tumor Progression
Authors: Turrini Eleonora , Maffei Francesca , Fimognari Carmela
Published: January 2023

Marine sponges represent one of the richest sources of natural marine compounds with anticancer potential. Plocabulin (PM060184), a polyketide originally isolated from the sponge Lithoplocamia lithistoides, elicits its main anticancer properties binding tubulin, which still represents one of the most important targets for anticancer drugs. Plocabulin showed potent antitumor activity, in both in vitro and in vivo models of different types of cancers, mediated not only by its antitubulin activity, but also by its ability to block endothelial cell migration and invasion. The objective of this review is to offer a description of plocabulin’s mechanisms of action, with special emphasis on the antiangiogenic signals and the latest progress on its development as an anticancer agent.
Spacer Block Technique Was Superior to Intramedullary Guide Technique in Coronal Alignment of Femoral Component after Fixed-Bearing Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Lee O-Sung , Lee Myung Chul , Shin Chung Yeob , Han Hyuk-Soo
Published: January 2023

Backgrounds and Objectives: The spacer block technique in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has still a concern related to the precise position of the component in the coronal and sagittal planes compared to intramedullary guide technique. The purposes of this study were to explore whether the spacer block technique would improve the radiological alignment of implants and clinical outcomes compared with the outcomes of the intramedullary guide technique in fixed-bearing medial UKA. Materials and Methods: In total, 115 patients who underwent unilateral, fixed-bearing medial UKA were retrospectively reviewed and divided into group IM (intramedullary guides; n = 39) and group SB (spacer blocks; n = 76). Clinical assessment included range-of-motion and patient-reported outcomes. Radiological assessment included the mechanical femorotibial angle, coronal and sagittal alignments of the femoral and tibial components, and coronal femorotibial congruence angle. Results: All clinical outcomes showed no significant differences between groups. The coronal femoral component angle was valgus 2.4° ± 4.9° in IM group and varus 1.1° ± 3.2° (p < 0.001). In group IM, the number of outlier in coronal femoral component angle (<−10° or 10°<) was 3 cases, while in group SB, there was no outlier (p = 0.014). The coronal femorotibial congruence angle was significantly less in group SB (mean 1.9°, range, −3.2°~8.2°) than in group IM (mean 3.4°, range, −9.6°~16.5°) (p = 0.028). Conclusions: In the group SB, the coronal alignment of femoral component was closer to neutral, and outlier was less frequent than in the group IM. The spacer block technique was more beneficial in achieving proper coronal alignment of the femoral component and congruence of femorotibial components compared to the intramedullary guide technique in fixed-bearing medial UKAs.
Protective Effect of Irsogladine against Aspirin-Induced Mucosal Injury in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Small Intestine
Authors: Kanno Takuya , Katano Takahito , Ogawa Isamu , Iwao Takahiro , Matsunaga Tamihide , Kataoka Hiromi
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is widely used for preventing cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract injury is one of the major complications of aspirin use, potentially leading to severe GI bleeding. However, no drugs for preventing aspirin-induced small intestinal injury have been developed. The aim of this study was to establish a human experimental model for investigating aspirin-induced small intestinal mucosal injury. In addition, we evaluated the protective effect of Irsogladine against aspirin-induced small intestinal mucosal injury using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived 2D monolayer crypt-villus structural small intestine (2D-hiPSC-SI). Materials and Methods: Human iPS cell-derived intestinal organoids were seeded and cultured in Air-liquid interface. The permeability of 2D-hiPSC-SI was evaluated using Lucifer yellow. Changes in structure and mucosal permeability of 2D-hiPSC-SI after addition of aspirin were confirmed over time, and changes in intestinal epithelium-related markers were evaluated by real-time qPCR and Immunofluorescence staining. The effect of Irsogladine on prevention of aspirin mucosal injury was examined by adding Irsogladine to the culture medium. Results: Cultured 2D-hiPSC-SI showed multi-lineage differentiation into small intestinal epithelium comprised of absorptive cells, goblet cells, enteroendocrine cells, and Paneth cells, which express CD10, MUC2, chromogranin A, and lysozyme, respectively. RNA in situ hybridization revealed intestinal stem cells that express Lgr5. ASA administration induced an increase in the mucosal permeability of 2D-hiPSC-SI. ASA-injured 2D-hiPSC-SI showed decreased mRNA expression of multi-lineage small intestinal cell markers as well as intestinal stem cell marker Lgr5. Administration of Irsogladine on the basal side of the 2D-hiPSC-SI resulted in significant increases in Mki67 and Muc2 mRNA expression by 2D-hiPSCs at 48 h compared with the control group. Administration of 400 µg/mL Irsogladine to the ASA-induced small intestinal injury model resulting in significantly decreased mucosal permeability of 2D-hiPSC-SI. In immunofluorescence staining, Irsogladine significantly increased the fluorescence intensity of MUC2 under normal conditions and administration of 400 µg/mL ASA. Conclusions: we established a novel ASA-induced small intestinal injury model using human iPSC-derived small intestine. Irsogladine maintains mucosal permeability and goblet cell differentiation against ASA-induced small intestinal injury.
Takotsubo Syndrome Occurring after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination in a Patient with Graves’ Disease
Authors: Chen Yen-Chi , Lin Gen-Min , Takimoto Eiki , Lin Chin-Sheng , Lin Wen-Yu , Wu Chun-Hsien , Huang Chia-Luen , Cheng Cheng-Chung , Cheng Shu-Meng , Lin Shih-Hua , Komuro Issei , Liu Pang-Yen
Published: January 2023

Cardiovascular events such as myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are increasing. We present a 67-year-old postmenopausal woman with Takotsubo Syndrome and Graves’ disease after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. She developed chest pain and shortness of breath one week after vaccination. An electrocardiogram revealed ST elevation in the precordial leads. Coronary angiography revealed the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease, and the left ventriculography showed a typical feature with apical ballooning. Laboratory workup showed the elevation of free T4 and thyrotropin receptor antibodies. It was presumed that Takotsubo Syndrome and Graves’ disease were probably related to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. The patient was treated with low-dose bisoprolol, diuretics, carbimazole, and steroid and discharged uneventfully. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is still safe and effective to defend against COVID-19 pandemic. However, clinicians should be aware of the possible cardiovascular adverse events other than myocarditis following vaccination.
Use of Traditional Mongolian Medicine in Children with Concussion
Authors: Ganbat Orgilbayar , Byambasukh Oyuntugs , Dalkh Tserendagva , Dagvajantsan Byambasuren
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: There is no specific treatment for concussion in modern medicine, and existing treatment is only limited to resting and restoring cognition. For centuries, Mongolians have used traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM) methods to treat a variety of diseases such as Baria zasal. In this study, we aimed to explore the treatment parents and guardians seek when their children have suffered a concussion. (2) Methods: In this study, we used an online questionnaire. The study participants (n = 400) were randomly selected parents and guardians. The definition of bariachi is an advanced practitioner of baria zasal, which covers most of the massage therapy techniques mentioned in this study. (3) Results: In total, 72% of the parents and guardians went to a bariachi when their children suffered a concussion, while only 10.3% chose western medical hospitals. When asked what they did after the initial treatment was not effective, 47.8% of the participants responded that they went to the bariachi. Based on the days of treatment result, 11.8% reported on the beneficial effects of the treatment appearing in one day, and 60.3% in 1–3 days, which shows that the participants suffered a healing effect of the baria zasal shortly after application to their children. In the regression analysis, visiting a Bariachi was independent of age, gender, or even religion. (4) Conclusions: Although Western medicine is highly developed in Mongolia, the baria zasal of TMM has not lost its appeal in treating concussion. This suggests that baria zasal could be a unique method of concussion treatment even today. This also suggests that the techniques of Baria zasal should be further studied, and as in modern medicine.
Novel Polyethylene Terephthalate Screw Sleeve Implant: Salvage Treatment in a Case of Spine Instability after Vertebroplasty Failure
Authors: Drago Giacomo , Pastorello Giulia , Gallinaro Paolo , Zanata Roberto , Del Verme Jacopo , Stafa Altin , Giordan Enrico
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The management of osteoporotic fractures is sometimes rather challenging for spinal surgeons, and considering the longer life expectancy induced by improved living conditions, their prevalence is expected to increase. At present, the approaches to osteoporotic fractures differ depending on their severity, location, and the patient’s age. State-of-the-art treatments range from vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty to hardware-based spinal stabilization in which screw augmentation with cement is the gold standard. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 74-year-old man with an L5 osteoporotic fracture. The patient underwent a vertebroplasty (VP) procedure, which was complicated by a symptomatic cement leakage in the right L4–L5 neuroforamen. We urgently decompressed the affected pedicle via hemilaminectomy. At that point, the column required stability. The extravasation of cement had ruled out the use of cement-augmented pedicle screws but leaving the pedicular screws alone was not considered sufficient to achieve stability. We decided to cover the screws with a polyethylene terephthalate sleeve (OGmend®) to avoid additional cement leakage and to reinforce the screw strength required by the poor bone quality. Conclusion: In the evolving technologies used for spinal surgery, screws sleeve implants such as OGmend® are a useful addition to the surgeon’s armamentarium when an increased pull-out strength is required and other options are not available.
A Prospective Study of Mid-Trimester MCP-1 Levels as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery
Authors: Bogavac Mirjana A. , Ćelić Dejan D. , Perić Tamara M.
Published: January 2023

Background: The prevention of preterm delivery (PTD) represents one of the major topics in modern obstetrics. The aim was to design a prospective study and investigate if mid-trimester serum and amniotic fluid levels of MCP-1 could predict the occurence of spontaneous PTD. Methods: The study involved 198 women who underwent genetic amniocentesis and blood sampling in the middle of their trimester. After applying the criteria for inclusion in the study, there were 16 respondents in the study group, and 38 respondents in the control group. Level of MCP-1 in amniotic fluid and serum was measured with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and statistical analysis was conducted. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in serum or amniotic fluid MCP1 levels between PTD and the control groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that MCP-1 is probably not the most relevant marker for predicting PTD. This study provides new normative data for MCP-1 levels in amniotic fluid and maternal sera and is a valuable tool for future diagnostic and comparative studies.
Photocatalytic VOCs Degradation Efficiency of Polypropylene Membranes by Incorporation of TiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Hanif Md. Abu , Shin Hyokyeong , Chun Danbi , Kim Hong Gun , Kwac Lee Ku , Kim Young Soon
Published: January 2023

A class of serious environmental contaminants related to air, namely volatile organic compounds (VOCs), has currently attracted global attention. The present study aims to remove harmful VOCs using as-prepared polypropylene membrane + TiO2 nanoparticles (PPM + TiO2 NPs) via the photocatalytic gas bag A method under UV light irradiation. Here, formaldehyde was used as the target VOC. The PPM + TiO2 NPs material was systematically characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. These results confirm the successful preparation of PPM + TiO2 NPs, which can be applied to the degradation of VOCs. Photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde gas reached 70% within 1 h of UV illumination. The energy bandgap and photoluminescence intensity reductions are responsible for the improved photocatalytic activity. These characteristics increase the charge transport while decreasing the recombination of electron–hole pairs.
Stability of Ion Exchange Membranes in Electrodialysis
Authors: Solonchenko Ksenia , Kirichenko Anna , Kirichenko Ksenia
Published: January 2023

During electrodialysis the ion exchange membranes are affected by such factors as passage of electric current, heating, tangential flow of solution and exposure to chemical agents. It can potentially cause the degradation of ion exchange groups and of polymeric backbone, worsening the performance of the process and necessitating the replacement of the membranes. This article aims to review how the composition and the structure of ion exchange membranes change during the electrodialysis or the studies imitating it.
Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene glycol)–b–poly(propylene glycol)–b–poly(ethylene glycol)/Silicon Dioxide Nanofibrous Adsorbents for Selective Copper (II) Ions Removal from Wastewater
Authors: Aijaz Muhammad Omer , Yang Seong Baek , Karim Mohammad Rezaul , Alnaser Ibrahim Abdullah , Alahmari Abdulelah Dhaifallah , Almubaddel Fahad S. , Assaifan Abdulaziz K.
Published: January 2023

The problem of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals is always a big concern, especially Cu2+, which interprets the soil activity in farmland and leaves a negative impact on the environment by damaging the health of animals. Various methods have been proposed as countermeasures against heavy-metal contaminations, and, as a part of this, an electrospun nanofibrous adsorption method for wastewater treatment is presented as an alternative. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biopolymer with an intrinsic hydrophobic property that has been considered one of the sustainable nanofibrous adsorbents for carrying adsorbate. Due to the hydrophobic nature of PLA, it is difficult to adsorb Cu2+ contained in wastewater. In this study, the hydrophilic PLA/poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PPG-PEG) nanofibrous adsorbents with different silicon dioxide (SiO2) concentrations were successfully prepared by electrospinning. A hydrophilic group of PEG-PPG-PEG was imparted in PLA by the blending method. The prepared PLA/PEG-PPG-PEG/SiO2 nanofibrous adsorbents were analyzed with their morphological, contact angle analysis, and chemical structure. The Cu2+ adsorption capacities of the different PLA/PEG-PPG-PEG/SiO2 nanofibrous adsorbents were also investigated. The adsorption results indicated that the Cu2+ removal capacity of PLA/PEG-PPG-PEG/SiO2 nanofibrous adsorbents was higher than that of pure ones. Additionally, as an affinity nanofibrous adsorbent, its adsorption capacity was maintained after multiple recycling processes (desorption and re-adsorption). It is expected to be a promising nanofibrous adsorbents that will adsorb Cu2+ for wastewater treatment.
Investigating the Performance of a Zinc Oxide Impregnated Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Low-Cost Cation Exchange Membrane in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Chauhan Sunil , Kumar Ankit , Pandit Soumya , Vempaty Anusha , Kumar Manoj , Thapa Bhim Sen , Rai Nishant , Peera Shaik Gouse
Published: January 2023

The current study investigated the development and application of lithium (Li)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO)-impregnated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) proton exchange membrane separator in a single chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC). Physiochemical analysis was performed via FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and AC impedance analysis to characterize thus synthesized Li-doped ZnO. PVA-ZnO-Li with 2.0% Li incorporation showed higher power generation in MFC. Using coulombic efficiency and current density, the impact of oxygen crossing on the membrane cathode assembly (MCA) area was evaluated. Different amounts of Li were incorporated into the membrane to optimize its electrochemical behavior and to increase proton conductivity while reducing biofouling. When acetate wastewater was treated in MFC using a PVA-ZnO-Li-based MCA, the maximum power density of 6.3 W/m3 was achieved. These observations strongly support our hypothesis that PVA-ZnO-Li can be an efficient and affordable separator for MFC.
Combination of Zinc Oxide Photocatalysis with Membrane Filtration for Surface Water Disinfection
Authors: Sosa Santiago Martínez , Huertas Rosa , Pereira Vanessa Jorge
Published: January 2023

Increase water usage has led to its deterioration. Pollutants are easily found in the aquatic environment and treatment techniques must keep improving to meet the current needs and future demands. Membranes are attractive for water treatment, but limitations like fouling and the highly concentrate produced affect their performance. Combining membrane filtration with photocatalysis provides the opportunity to integrate a self-cleaning step during membrane filtration. In this work, we studied two simple and efficient approaches to combine membrane filtration with zinc oxide nanoparticles (using the catalyst in suspension and immobilized) activated by light emitting diodes (LED) emitting light at 365 nm. Both systems were used to test the disinfection efficiency in real surface water, compared in terms of catalyst concentration in the permeate stream (below the limit of detection) and its recovery after filtration (higher that 74%). The system’s capability to retain and inactivate target bacteria (total coliforms and E. coli) in the retentate stream was tested with samples of real surface water. The results obtained show that both configurations led to an improved performance in comparison to the membrane treatment alone with a higher retention of the bacteria (not detected in the permeate samples) and higher treatment of the retentate. For the modified membranes, different catalyst concentrations and thermal treatments were tested. The performance of all the processes was evaluated in terms of the level of treatment achieved and the permeate flux. All the modified membranes showed an efficient retention of the target bacteria from surface water, with higher performances than the unmodified membrane (96.2% for total coliforms and 94.9% for E. coli). Remarkable retention and treatment of the retentate was achieved using a membrane modified with a catalyst load of 125 mg subject during two hours to a thermal treatment of 300 °C. This modification has a performance comparable to the system with the same catalyst load in suspension. During operation, the permeate flux reduction is lower with the modified membranes which could lead to longer operation times without the need of further cleaning or replacement. The combined system, ceramic membranes modified with zinc oxide and UV-A LEDs proved to be effective to retain and disinfect water quality indicator bacteria present in real surface water matrices.
Investigation on Anisotropic Mechanical Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy via Schmid Factor and Kernel Average Misorientation Distribution
Authors: Meng Jinkui , Chen Xiangguang , Jiang Jiantang , Liu Li
Published: January 2023

Anisotropic mechanical behavior of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy is essential for its forming and service. Generally, it is preferable to minimize the in-plane anisotropy of Ti-6Al-4V sheet. The present work investigates the anisotropy of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by tensile tests along the rolling direction (RD), transverse direction (TD), and diagonal direction (DD) of the sheet, evaluating the anisotropic yield and flow behaviors and exploring the causes of these anisotropic properties. The intrinsic deformation mechanism of Ti-6Al-4V alloy tensioned along different directions was studied with Schmid factor and kernel average misorientation (KAM) analysis. The samples tensioned along the RD and TD of the sheet (denoted as RD sample and TD sample) show similar yield stress, while tensile along the DD (denoted as DD sample) leads to lower yield strength. The mechanical anisotropy exhibited by the Ti-6Al-4V sheet is closely related to the crystallographic texture. The flow stresses of the RD and TD samples are higher than that of the DD sample due to the higher density of dislocations generated during the tensile deformation, in which prismatic ⟨a⟩ dislocations make a great contribution to coordinating plastic deformation.
Study of Trivalent Chromium Conversion Coating Formation at Solution—Metal Interface
Authors: Sun Wentao , Bian Guixue , Jia Luanluan , Pai Junjun , Ye Zonghao , Wang Ning , Qi Jiantao , Li Tengjiao
Published: January 2023

The present study employed a tungsten pH microelectrode to study the formation of trivalent chromium conversion (TCC) coatings on Al, AA 2024-T3 aluminum alloy and AZ91D magnesium alloy in SurTec ChromitAL solutions. The tungsten microelectrode had a sensitivity of –60 mV/pH in the SurTec ChromitAL solutions. The peak and final pH values for pre-treated Al, AA 2024 alloy and AZ91D alloy were 4.9 and 3.5, 4.3 and 4.1, 4.7 and 3.5, respectively. The initial pH value is of great importance in influencing coating deposition-driven force and final coating thickness. In addition, the time to attain the peak values was 10, 100 and 20 s for Al, AA 2024 alloy and AZ91D alloy, respectively. The interfacial pH evolution is associated with the hydrolysis process of the weak acid nature of zirconium and chromium salts as the main components of TCC coating solutions. Raman spectra revealed the presence of chromium and zirconium oxides and sulphate in the solution deposits from in-house Cr/Zr and SurTec ChromitAL solutions.
Metabolic Disposition and Elimination of Tritum-Labeled Sulfamethoxazole in Pigs, Chickens and Rats
Authors: Guo Jingchao , Sun Yaqi , Zhao Yongxia , Huang Lingli , Peng Dapeng , Hao Haihong , Tao Yanfei , Chen Dongmei , Cheng Guyue , Wang Xu , Pan Yuanhu
Published: January 2023

Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), as a sulfa antibiotic, is often used in the treatment of various infectious diseases in animal husbandry. At present, SMZ still has many unresolved problems in the material balance, metabolic pathways, and residual target tissues in food animals. Therefore, in order to solve these problems, the metabolism, distribution, and elimination of SMZ is investigated in pigs, chickens, and rats by radioactive tracing methods, and the residue marker and target tissue of SMZ in food animals were determined, providing a reliable basis for food safety. After a single administration of [3H]-SMZ (rats and pigs by intramuscular injection and chickens by oral gavage), the total radioactivity was rapidly excreted, with more than 93% of the dose excreted within 14 days in the three species. Pigs and rats had more than 75% of the administered volume recovered by urine. After 7 days of continuous administration, within the first 6 h, radioactivity was found in almost all tissues. The highest radioactivity and longest persistence in pigs was in the liver, while in chickens it was in the liver and kidneys, most of which was removed within 14 days. A total of six, three and three metabolites were found in chickens, rats and pigs, respectively. N4-acetyl-sulfamethoxazole (S1) was the main metabolite of SMZ in rats, pigs and chickens. The radioactive substance with the longest elimination half-life is sulfamethoxazole (S0), so S0 was suggested to be the marker residue in pigs and chickens.
Curcumin Decreases Viability and Inhibits Proliferation of Imatinib-Sensitive and Imatinib-Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines
Authors: Bilajac Esma , Mahmutović Lejla , Glamočlija Una , Osmanović Amar , Hromić-Jahjefendić Altijana , Tambuwala Murtaza M. , Suljagić Mirza
Published: January 2023

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative haematological malignancy characterized by constitutive activation of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase in the majority of patients. BCR-ABL1 expression activates signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. Current treatment options for CML include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) with resistance as a major issue. Various treatment options for overcoming resistance are being investigated. Among them, phytochemical curcumin could play an important role. Curcumin has been found to exhibit anti-cancerous effects in various models, including CML, through regulation of multiple molecular signaling pathways contributing to tumorigenesis. We have evaluated curcumin’s effects on imatinib-sensitive LAMA84S and K562, as well as imatinib-resistant LAMA84R cell lines. Our results indicate a significant dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and proliferation of imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant cell lines after curcumin treatment. Suppression of key signaling molecules regulating metabolic and proliferative events, such as Akt, P70S6K and NF-kB, was observed. Increased expression of caspase-3 suggests the potential pro-apoptotic effect of curcumin in the imatinib-resistant CML model. Additional in silico molecular docking studies revealed binding modes and affinities of curcumin with different targets and the results are in accordance with in vitro findings. Altogether, these results indicate the potential role of curcumin in the treatment of CML.
Antihyperalgesic and Antiallodynic Effects of Amarisolide A and Salvia amarissima Ortega in Experimental Fibromyalgia-Type Pain
Authors: Moreno-Pérez Gabriel Fernando , González-Trujano María Eva , Hernandez-Leon Alberto , Valle-Dorado María Guadalupe , Valdés-Cruz Alejandro , Alvarado-Vásquez Noé , Aguirre-Hernández Eva , Salgado-Ceballos Hermelinda , Pellicer Francisco
Published: January 2023

Salvia amarissima Ortega is an endemic species of Mexico used in folk medicine to alleviate pain and as a nervous tranquilizer. The S. amarissima extract and one of its abundant metabolites, identified and isolated through chromatographic techniques, were investigated to obtain scientific evidence of its potential effects to relieve nociplastic pain such as fibromyalgia. Then, the extract and amarisolide A (3–300 mg/kg, i.p.) were pharmacologically evaluated in reserpine-induced fibromyalgia-type chronic pain and in depressive-like behavior (as a common comorbidity) by using the forced swimming test in rats. The 5-HT1A serotonin receptor (selective antagonist WAY100635, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) was explored after the prediction of a chemical interaction using in silico analysis to look for a possible mechanism of action of amarisolide A. Both the extract and amarisolide A produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects in rats, as well as significant antidepressive behavior without sedative effects when the antinociceptive dosages were used. The 5-HT1A serotonin receptor participation was predicted by the in silico descriptors and was corroborated in the presence of WAY100635. In conclusion, S. amarissima possesses antihyperalgesic, antiallodynic, and anti-depressive activities, partially due to the presence of amarisolide A, which involves the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. This pharmacological evidence suggests that S. amarissima and amarisolide A are both potential alternatives to relieve pain-like fibromyalgia.
Alterations in Renin–Angiotensin System (RAS) Peptide Levels in Patients with HIV
Authors: Asante Isaac , Lu Angela , Mitchell Brooks I. , Boisvert William A. , Shikuma Cecilia M. , Chow Dominic C. , Louie Stan G.
Published: January 2023

Chronic HIV infection has long been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. The metabolites of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) such as angiotensin II (AngII) play an important role in regulating blood pressure and fluid dynamics. Cross-sectional analysis of HIV-positive individuals (n = 71, age > 40 years, stable ART > 3 months with HIV viral load < 50 copies/mL) were compared to a similar HIV seronegative group (n = 72). High-resolution B-mode ultrasound images of the right carotid bifurcation (RBIF) and right common carotid artery (RCCA) were conducted to measure the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. Plasma RAS peptide levels were quantified using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics assay. RAS peptide concentrations were compared between persons with HIV and persons without HIV, correlating their association with clinical and cardiac measures. Median precursor peptides (Ang(1-12) and AngI) were significantly higher in the HIV-positive group compared to the HIV-negative. Analyses of the patient subgroup not on antihypertensive medication revealed circulating levels of AngII to be four-fold higher in the HIV-positive subgroup. AngII and TNF-alpha levels were found to have a positive association with RCCA, and AngI/Ang(1-12) ratio and TNF-alpha levels were found to have a positive association with RBIF. In both predictive models, AngIII had a negative association with either RCCA or RBIF, which may be attributed to its ability to bind onto AT2R and thus oppose pro-inflammatory events. These results reveal systemic alterations in RAS as a result of chronic HIV infection, which may lead to the activation of inflammatory pathways associated with carotid thickening. RAS peptide levels and cytokine markers were associated with RCCA and RBIF measurements.
Comparative Insights into Four Major Legume Sprouts Efficacies for Diabetes Management and Its Complications: Untargeted versus Targeted NMR Biochemometrics Approach
Authors: Farag Mohamed A. , Aboul Naser Asmaa F. , Zayed Ahmed , Sharaf El-Dine Mohamed G.
Published: January 2023

Interest in the consumption of seed sprouts is gradually increasing as functional foods in the modern Western diet owing to their several nutritional and health benefits. The present study aims to investigate four major legume sprouts derived from faba bean (Vicia faba L.), lentil (Lens esculenta L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-greacum L.) for their antidiabetic activity and mitigation of associated complications, i.e., oxidative stress, liver dysfunction, and lipid metabolism, compared with glibenclamide. Biochemical results presented herein further showed that the four sprouts exhibited significant hypoglycemic effects (p < 0.05), with improvement in decreasing of blood glucose levels at different degrees and with faba bean sprout most active at 348% improvement, compared to 364.3% for glibenclamide. Further biochemometric analysis based on a comparison between targeted versus untargeted partial least square (PLS) and regression analyses revealed that faba bean sprouts’ richness in flavonoids was a determinant key factor for such efficacy. In addition, correlation with previously investigated NMR fingerprinting aided in pinpointing other active agents, such as betaine and L-DOPA. Furthermore, the effect on serum liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase; oxidative stress markers; and lipid profiles showed significant improvement, especially in the case of faba bean sprout. The study revealed the potential health benefits of legume sprouts in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications, as well as the potential role of biochemometrics in active agents’ identification in such a complex matrix to be considered for other functional foods investigation.
EPR and Related Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques in Cancer Research
Authors: Takakusagi Yoichi , Kobayashi Ryoma , Saito Keita , Kishimoto Shun , Krishna Murali C. , Murugesan Ramachandran , Matsumoto Ken-ichiro
Published: January 2023

Imaging tumor microenvironments such as hypoxia, oxygenation, redox status, and/or glycolytic metabolism in tissues/cells is useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. New imaging modalities are under development for imaging various aspects of tumor microenvironments. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI) though similar to NMR/MRI is unique in its ability to provide quantitative images of pO2 in vivo. The short electron spin relaxation times have been posing formidable challenge to the technology development for clinical application. With the availability of the narrow line width trityl compounds, pulsed EPR imaging techniques were developed for pO2 imaging. EPRI visualizes the exogenously administered spin probes/contrast agents and hence lacks the complementary morphological information. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), a phenomenon that transfers the high electron spin polarization to the surrounding nuclear spins (1H and 13C) opened new capabilities in molecular imaging. DNP of 13C nuclei is utilized in metabolic imaging of 13C-labeled compounds by imaging specific enzyme kinetics. In this article, imaging strategies mapping physiologic and metabolic aspects in vivo are reviewed within the framework of their application in cancer research, highlighting the potential and challenges of each of them.
Co-Localization of Resistance and Metabolic Quantitative Trait Loci on Carrot Genome Reveals Fungitoxic Terpenes and Related Candidate Genes Associated with the Resistance to Alternaria dauci
Authors: Koutouan Claude Emmanuel , Le Clerc Valérie , Suel Anita , Hamama Latifa , Claudel Patricia , Halter David , Baltenweck Raymonde , Hugueney Philippe , Chich Jean-François , Moussa Sitti Anlati , Champlain Clémentine , Huet Sébastien , Voisine Linda , Pelletier Sandra , Balzergue Sandrine , Chevalier Wilfried , Geoffriau Emmanuel , Briard Mathilde
Published: January 2023

Alternaria leaf blight, caused by the fungus Alternaria dauci, is the most damaging foliar disease of carrot. Some carrot genotypes exhibit partial resistance to this pathogen and resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (rQTL) have been identified. Co-localization of metabolic QTL and rQTL identified camphene, α-pinene, α-bisabolene, β-cubebene, caryophyllene, germacrene D and α-humulene as terpenes potentially involved in carrot resistance against ALB. By combining genomic and transcriptomic analyses, we identified, under the co-localization regions, terpene-related genes which are differentially expressed between a resistant and a susceptible carrot genotype. These genes include five terpene synthases and twenty transcription factors. In addition, significant mycelial growth inhibition was observed in the presence of α-humulene and caryophyllene.
Thin Film Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on (100)-Oriented Nanocrystalline AlN Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition at Room Temperature
Authors: Li Wei , Cao Yunqi , Sepúlveda Nelson
Published: January 2023

In wearable or implantable biomedical devices that typically rely on battery power for diagnostics or operation, the development of flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) that enable mechanical-to-electrical energy harvesting is finding promising applications. Here, we present the construction of a flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator using a thin film of room temperature deposited nanocrystalline aluminium nitride (AlN). On a thin layer of aluminium (Al), the AlN thin film was grown using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The room temperature grown AlN film was composed of crystalline columnar grains oriented in the (100)-direction, as revealed in images from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fundamental characterization of the AlN thin film by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) indicated that its electro-mechanical energy conversion metrics were comparable to those of c-axis oriented AlN and zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films. Additionally, the AlN-based flexible piezoelectric NG was encapsulated in polyimide to further strengthen its mechanical robustness and protect it from some corrosive chemicals.