bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of the Photothermal Conversion Efficiency of CNT Films Utilizing a Raman Spectrum
Authors: Liu Yu , Lin Zhicheng , Wang Pengfei , Huang Feng , Sun Jia-Lin
Published: March 2022

Because carbon nanotube (CNT) films have high photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE), they have been widely used in bolometric and photothermoelectric photodetectors, seawater desalination, and cancer therapy. Here, we present a simple, quick, and non-destructive method to measure the PTCE of CNT films. According to the linear relationship between the Raman shift of the G+ peak and the temperature of a CNT, the offset of the G+ peak under varying excitation light power can characterize the changed temperature. Combining the simulation of the temperature distribution, the final value of the PTCE can be obtained. Finally, a CNT film with a high PTCE was chosen to be fabricated as a bolometric photodetector; a quite high responsivity (2 A W−1 at 532 nm) of this device demonstrated the effectiveness of our method.
Usual Nutrient Intake Distribution and Prevalence of Inadequacy among Australian Children 0–24 Months: Findings from the Australian Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (OzFITS) 2021
Authors: Moumin Najma A. , Netting Merryn J. , Golley Rebecca K. , Mauch Chelsea E. , Makrides Maria , Green Tim J.
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Breastmilk provides all the nutrition an infant requires between 0–6 months. After that, complementary foods are needed to meet the child’s increasing energy and nutrient requirements. Inadequate energy and nutrient intake may lead to growth faltering, impaired neurodevelopment, and increased disease risk. While the importance of early life nutrition is well recognized, there are few investigations assessing the nutritional adequacy of Australian children <24 months. Here, we describe usual energy and nutrient intake distributions, including the prevalence of inadequate intakes and exceeding the upper limit (UL), in a national sample of Australian children 6– 24 months and infants < six months who had commenced solids and/or formula. (2) Methods: Dietary intakes were assessed using a one-day food record for 976 children with a repeat one-day record in a random subset. (3) Results: Based on the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand, children’s intakes were above the Adequate Intake or Estimated Average Requirement for most nutrients. Exceptions were iron and zinc where the prevalence of inadequacy was estimated to be 90% and 20%, respectively, for infants aged 6–11.9 months. Low iron intake was also observed in one quarter of toddlers 12–24 months. On average, children consumed 10% more energy than predicted based on Estimated Energy Requirements, and ~10% were classified as overweight based on their weight for length. One third of toddlers exceeded the tolerable upper limit for sodium and consumed > 1000 mg/day. Of the children under six months, 18% and 43% exceeded the UL for vitamin A (retinol) and zinc. (4) Conclusions: Compared to nutrient reference values, diets were sufficient for most nutrients; however, iron was a limiting nutrient for infants aged 6–11.9 months and toddlers 12–24 months potentially putting them at risk for iron deficiency. Excessive sodium intake among toddlers is a concern as this may increase the risk for hypertension.
Multimodal Diagnostic Approaches to Advance Precision Medicine in Sarcopenia and Frailty
Authors: Lynch David H. , Spangler Hillary B. , Franz Jason R. , Krupenevich Rebecca L. , Kim Hoon , Nissman Daniel , Zhang Janet , Li Yuan-Yuan , Sumner Susan , Batsis John A.
Published: March 2022

Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function with aging, is a geriatric syndrome with important implications for patients and healthcare systems. Sarcopenia increases the risk of clinical decompensation when faced with physiological stressors and increases vulnerability, termed frailty. Sarcopenia develops due to inflammatory, hormonal, and myocellular changes in response to physiological and pathological aging, which promote progressive gains in fat mass and loss of lean mass and muscle strength. Progression of these pathophysiological changes can lead to sarcopenic obesity and physical frailty. These syndromes independently increase the risk of adverse patient outcomes including hospitalizations, long-term care placement, mortality, and decreased quality of life. This risk increases substantially when these syndromes co-exist. While there is evidence suggesting that the progression of sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and frailty can be slowed or reversed, the adoption of broad-based screening or interventions has been slow to implement. Factors contributing to slow implementation include the lack of cost-effective, timely bedside diagnostics and interventions that target fundamental biological processes. This paper describes how clinical, radiographic, and biological data can be used to evaluate older adults with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and to further the understanding of the mechanisms leading to declines in physical function and frailty.
Estimates of the Nutritional Impact of Non-Participation in the National School Lunch Program during COVID-19 School Closures
Authors: Hecht Amelie A. , Dunn Caroline Glagola , Kinsey Eliza W. , Read Margaret A. , Levi Ronli , Richardson Andrea S. , Hager Erin R. , Seligman Hilary K.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread school closures, reducing access to school meals for millions of students previously participating in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP). School-prepared meals are, on average, more nutritious than home-prepared meals. In the absence of recent data measuring changes in children’s diets during the pandemic, this article aims to provide conservative, back-of-the-envelope estimates of the nutritional impacts of the pandemic for school-aged children in the United States. We used administrative data from the USDA on the number of NSLP lunches served in 2019 and 2020 and nationally representative data from the USDA School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study on the quality of school-prepared and home-prepared lunches. We estimate changes in lunchtime calories and nutrients consumed by NSLP participants from March to November 2020, compared to the same months in 2019. We estimate that an NSLP participant receiving no school meals would increase their caloric consumption by 640 calories per week and reduce their consumption of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Because 27 to 78 million fewer lunches were served per week in March–November 2020 compared to the previous year, nationally, students may have consumed 3 to 10 billion additional calories per week. As students return to school, it is vital to increase school meal participation and update nutrition policies to address potentially widening nutrition disparities.
A Scoping Literature Review of the Relation between Nutrition and ASD Symptoms in Children
Authors: van der Wurff Inge , Oenema Anke , de Ruijter Dennis , Vingerhoets Claudia , van Amelsvoort Thérèse , Rutten Bart , Mulkens Sandra , Köhler Sebastian , Schols Annemie , de Groot Renate
Published: March 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication skills, and repetitive and restrictive behaviors and interests. Even though there is a biological basis for an effect of specific nutrition factors on ASD symptoms and there is scientific literature available on this relationship, whether nutrition factors could play a role in ASD treatment is unclear. The goal of the current literature review was to summarize the available scientific literature on the relation between nutrition and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in childhood, and to formulate practical dietary guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy including terms for ASD, nutrition factors (therapeutic diets, dietary patterns, specific food products, fatty acids and micronutrients) and childhood was developed and executed in six literature databases (Cinahl, Cochrane, Ovid Embase, PsycInfo, PubMed and Web of Science). Data from meta-analyses, systematic reviews and original studies were qualitatively summarized. A total of 5 meta-analyses, 29 systematic reviews and 27 original studies were retrieved that focused on therapeutic diets, specific food products, fatty acids and micronutrients and ASD symptoms during childhood. Results of the available studies were sparse and inconclusive, and hence, no firm conclusions could be drawn. There is currently insufficient evidence for a relation between nutrition and ASD symptoms in childhood, making it impossible to provide practical nutrition guidelines; more methodological sound research is needed.
The Antioxidant, Anti-Platelet and Anti-Coagulant Properties of Phenolic Compounds, Associated with Modulation of Hemostasis and Cardiovascular Disease, and Their Possible Effect on COVID-19
Authors: Olas Beata
Published: March 2022

Patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) demonstrate a range of hemostasis dysfunctions, such as coagulation dysfunction and changes in blood platelet function, this being a major cause of death. These complications may also be associated with oxidative stress. Recently, various papers, including some reviews, have suggested that the use of dietary bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, may play a significant role in the treatment of COVID-19. However, while some phenolic compounds, such as curcumin, resveratrol, myricetin and scutellarian, have been found to have antiviral effects against COVID-19, recommendations regarding the use of such compounds to prevent or reduce the risk of CVDs during COVID-19 infection remain tentative. The present mini-review examines the antioxidant, anti-platelet and anticoagulant and antiviral activities of selected phenolic compounds and the possible implications for their use in treating CVDs associated with COVID-19. This review also examines whether these phenolic compounds can be promising agents in the modulation of hemostasis and CVDs during COVID-19. While their properties have been well documented in various in vitro and in vivo studies, particularly their positive role in the prophylaxis and treatment of CVDs, less is known regarding their prophylactic potential against CVDs during COVID-19, and no credible evidence exists for their efficiency in humans or animals. In such cases, no in vitro or in vivo studies are available. Therefore, it cannot be unequivocally stated whether treatment with these phenolic compounds offers benefits against CVDs in patients with COVID-19.
Iodine Supplementation in Pregnancy in an Iodine-Deficient Region: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Lopes Carla A. , Prazeres Susana , Martinez-de-Oliveira José , Limbert Edward , Lemos Manuel C.
Published: March 2022

Iodine deficiency is a common problem in pregnant women and may have implications for maternal and child health. Iodine supplementation during pregnancy has been recommended by several scientific societies. We undertook a cross-sectional survey to assess the efficacy of these recommendations in a European iodine-deficient region. Urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) were determined in pregnant women before (n = 203) and after (n = 136) the implementation of guidelines for iodine supplementation in pregnancy. Iodine supplementation (200 μg/day) reduced the proportion of pregnant women with severe iodine deficiency (37.4% to 18.0%, p = 0.0002). The median UIC increased from 67.6 µg/L to 106.8 µg/L but remained below the recommended target level (>150 µg/L) for pregnant women. In conclusion, iodine supplementation in pregnant women improved iodine status in this iodine-deficient region but was insufficient to achieve recommended iodine levels in pregnancy. Additional measures, such as the adjustment of the dose or timing of supplementation, or universal salt iodization, may be needed.
Effect of Serum Spermidine on the Prognosis in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Cohort Study
Authors: Yu Zhecong , Jiao Yundi , Zhang Jin , Xu Qianyi , Xu Jiahui , Li Ruixue , Yuan Wei , Guo Hui , Sun Zhaoqing , Zheng Liqiang
Published: March 2022

Background: Spermidine, a natural polyamine, was found critically involved in cardioprotection and lifespan extension from both animal experiments and human studies. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of serum spermidine levels on the prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and investigate the potential mediation effect of oxidative stress in the above relationship. Methods: We included 377 patients with AMI in a prospective cohort study and measured serum spermidine and oxidative stress indexes (superoxide dismutase enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, and Malondialdehyde) using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The associations of spermidine with AMI outcomes were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: 84 (22.3%) major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were documented during a mean follow-up of 12.3 ± 4.2 months. After multivariable adjustment, participants with serum spermidine levels of ≥15.38 ng/mL (T3) and 7.59–5.38 ng/mL (T2) had hazard ratio (HR) for recurrent AMI of 0.450 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.213–0.984] and 0.441 (95% CI: 0.215–0.907) compared with the ≤7.59 ng/mL (T1), respectively. Participants in T3 and T2 had HR for MACE of 0.566 (95% CI: 0.329–0.947) and 0.516 (95% CI: 0.298–0.893) compared with T1. A faint J-shaped association was observed between serum spermidine levels and the risk of MACE (p-nonlinearity = 0.036). Comparisons of areas under receiver operator characteristics curves confirmed that a model including serum spermidine levels had greater predictive power than the one without it (0.733 versus 0.701, p = 0.041). A marginal statistically significant mediation effect of superoxide dismutase was shown on the association between spermidine and MACE (p = 0.091). Conclusions: Serum spermidine was associated with an improved prognosis in individuals with AMI, whereas the underlying mechanism mediated by oxidative stress was not found.
Lactoferrin Induces Erythropoietin Synthesis and Rescues Cognitive Functions in the Offspring of Rats Subjected to Prenatal Hypoxia
Authors: Sokolov Alexey V. , Dubrovskaya Nadezhda M. , Kostevich Valeria A. , Vasilev Dmitrii S. , Voynova Irina V. , Zakharova Elena T. , Runova Olga L. , Semak Igor V. , Budevich Alexander I. , Nalivaeva Natalia N. , Vasilyev Vadim B.
Published: March 2022

The protective effects of recombinant human lactoferrin rhLF (branded “CAPRABEL™”) on the cognitive functions of rat offspring subjected to prenatal hypoxia (7% O2, 3 h, 14th day of gestation) have been analyzed. About 90% of rhLF in CAPRABEL was iron-free (apo-LF). Rat dams received several injections of 10 mg of CAPRABEL during either gestation (before and after the hypoxic attack) or lactation. Western blotting revealed the appearance of erythropoietin (EPO) alongside the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) in organ homogenates of apo-rhLF-treated pregnant females, their embryos (but not placentas), and in suckling pups from the dams treated with apo-rhLF during lactation. Apo-rhLF injected to rat dams either during pregnancy or nurturing the pups was able to rescue cognitive deficits caused by prenatal hypoxia and improve various types of memory both in young and adult offspring when tested in the radial maze and by the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test. The data obtained suggested that the apo-form of human LF injected to female rats during gestation or lactation protects the cognitive functions of their offspring impaired by prenatal hypoxia.
Biophysical Studies and In Vitro Effects of Tumor Cell Lines of Cannabidiol and Its Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes
Authors: Hatziagapiou Kyriaki , Bethanis Kostas , Koniari Eleni , Christoforides Elias , Nikola Olti , Andreou Athena , Mantzou Aimilia , Chrousos George P. , Kanaka-Gantenbein Christina , Lambrou George I.
Published: March 2022

Phytocannabinoids possess anticancer properties, as established in vitro and in vivo. However, they are characterized by high lipophilicity. To improve the properties of cannabidiol (CBD), such as solubility, stability, and bioavailability, CBD inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins (CDs) might be employed, offering targeted, faster, and prolonged CBD release. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vitro effects of CBD and its inclusion complexes in randomly methylated β-CD (RM-β-CD) and 2-hyroxypropyl-β-CD (HP-β-CD). The enhanced solubility of CBD upon complexation with CDs was examined by phase solubility study, and the structure of the inclusion complexes of CBD in 2,6-di-O-methyl-β-CD (DM-β-CD) and 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-CD (TM-β-CD) was determined by X-ray crystallography. The structural investigation was complemented by molecular dynamics simulations. The cytotoxicity of CBD and its complexes with RM-β-CD and HP-β-CD was tested on two cell lines, the A172 glioblastoma and TE671 rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Methylated β-CDs exhibited the best inclusion ability for CBD. A dose-dependent effect of CBD on both cancer cell lines and improved efficacy of the CBD–CDs complexes were verified. Thus, cannabinoids may be considered in future clinical trials beyond their palliative use as possible inhibitors of cancer growth.
Antifungal Activity and Stability of Fluconazole Emulsion Containing Ionic Liquids Explained by Intermolecular Interactions
Authors: Hennemann Bruno L. , Bender Caroline R. , Moleta Guilherme S. , Carvalho Ânderson R. , Bazana Luana C. G. , Fuentefria Alexandre M. , Frizzo Clarissa P.
Published: March 2022

This research reports accelerated stability experiments, the evaluation of intermolecular interactions, and antifungal assays for fluconazole emulsions prepared using ultrasound (US) and magnetic stirring (MS) in the presence of ionic liquids derived from 1,n-(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)alkane bromide ([CnMIM]Br; n = 12 or 16). The goals of the investigation are to quantify the stability, identify the forces that drive the formation and stability, and determine the antifungal activity of fluconazole-containing emulsions, and corroborate the data from our previous results that indicated that the emulsion based on [C16MIM]Br seemed to be more stable. In this study, accelerated stability experiments evidenced a considerable stability for the [C16MIM]Br emulsions at two temperatures (25 and 37 °C)—the instability index increased in the following order: US40% < US20% < MS. The 1H NMR data showed that the ILs interacts differently with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). Two distinct interaction mechanisms were also observed for [C12MIM]Br and [C16MIM]Br with fluconazole, in which the latter formed more compact mixed aggregates than the former. The result was corroborated by diffusion data, which showed that ILs suffered a decrease in diffusion in the presence of fluconazole. The antifungal assay showed that emulsions containing ILs displayed superior activity compared with fluconazole alone. The emulsions also showed potent activity in inhibiting a resistant species (C. glabrata—CG34) to FLZ. All emulsions showed weak irritant potential in HET-CAM assay.
Efficacy and Safety of Daptomycin versus Vancomycin for Bacteremia Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Vancomycin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration > 1 µg/mL: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Samura Masaru , Kitahiro Yuki , Tashiro Sho , Moriyama Hiromu , Hamamura Yuna , Takahata Isamu , Kawabe Rina , Enoki Yuki , Taguchi Kazuaki , Takesue Yoshio , Matsumoto Kazuaki
Published: March 2022

This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the efficacy of daptomycin and vancomycin in adult patients with bacteremia by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 1 µg/mL. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases on 12 May 2020. All-cause mortality (primary outcome) and treatment success rates were compared and subgroups stratified by infection source risk level and method of vancomycin susceptibility testing were also analyzed. Seven studies (n = 907 patients) were included in this efficacy analysis. Compared with vancomycin, daptomycin treatment was associated with significantly lower mortality (six studies, odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29–0.98) and higher treatment success (six studies, OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.63–2.96), which was consistent regardless of the vancomycin MIC test method used. For intermediate-risk sources, daptomycin was a factor increasing treatment success compared with vancomycin (OR 4.40, 95% CI 2.06–9.40), and it exhibited a trend toward a higher treatment success rate for high-risk sources. In conclusion, daptomycin should be considered for the treatment of bacteremia caused by MRSA with vancomycin MIC > 1 µg/mL, especially in patients with intermediate- and high-risk bacteremia sources.
Biological Evaluation of New Thienopyridinium and Thienopyrimidinium Derivatives as Human Choline Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Luque-Navarro Pilar María , Mariotto Elena , Ballarotto Marco , Rubbini Gianluca , Aguilar-Troyano Francisco José , Fasiolo Alberto , Torretta Archimede , Parisini Emilio , Macchiarulo Antonio , Laso Alejandro , Marco Carmen , Viola Giampietro , Carrasco-Jimenez María Paz , López-Cara Luisa Carlota
Published: March 2022

Due to its role in lipid biosynthesis, choline kinase α1 (CKα1) is an interesting target for the development of new antitumor agents. In this work, we present a series of 41 compounds designed based on the well-known and successful strategy of introducing thienopyridine and pyrimidine as bioisosteres of other heterocycles in active antitumor compounds. Notwithstanding the fact that some of these compounds do not show significant enzymatic inhibition, others, in contrast, feature substantially improved enzymatic and antiproliferative inhibition values. This is also confirmed by docking analysis, whereby compounds with longer linkers and thienopyrimidine cationic head have been identified as the most compelling. Among the best compounds is Ff-35, which inhibits the growth of different tumor cells at submicromolar concentrations. Moreover, Ff-35 is more potent in inhibiting CKα1 than other previous biscationic derivatives. Treatment of A549, Hela, and MDA-MB-231 cells with Ff-35 results in their arrest at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, the compound induces cellular apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Altogether, these findings indicate that Ff-35 is a promising new chemotherapeutic agent with encouraging preclinical potential.
Virtualized Gamified Pharmacy Simulation during COVID-19
Authors: Hope Denise L. , Grant Gary D. , Rogers Gary D. , King Michelle A.
Published: March 2022

Extended and immersive gamified pharmacy simulation has been demonstrated to provide transformative learning in pharmacy education, preparing graduates for real-world practice. An international consortium of universities has implemented local adaptations of the Pharmacy Game into their curricula. From early 2020, pharmacy academics modified the delivery of gamified simulation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while still aiming to deliver the important learning outcomes of enhanced communication, collaboration, confidence and competence. Australian universities went into full lockdown from March 2020, and the critical gamified simulation at Griffith University was delivered entirely virtually in 2020. An array of synchronous and asynchronous approaches and software platforms was employed, including Microsoft Teams, Forms and Stream plus the online interview platform Big Interview. These allowed for the simulation activities, including dispensing, counselling and clinical cases, to be conducted by students online. In 2021, Griffith University conducted hybrid delivery of its Pharmacy Game, balancing student participation both in person and online. Microsoft Power Apps was added to the hosting platform to enhance the simulation interface, and Power Virtual Agent artificial intelligence chatbots, with natural language processing, were used to enable asynchronous clinical interaction. The combination of learning technologies provided the means to deliver successful gamified simulation in the virtual and hybrid environments while still achieving outstanding learning outcomes from the capstone activity. This paper details the technologies used to virtualize the Australian Pharmacy Game and the analytics available to educators to assess student participation, engagement and performance.
Melatonin as a Possible Natural Safener in Crops
Authors: Giraldo Acosta Manuela , Cano Antonio , Hernández-Ruiz Josefa , Arnao Marino Bañón
Published: March 2022

Melatonin is a well-known animal hormone with relevant and multiple cellular and hormonal roles. Its discovery in plants in 1995 has led to a great diversity of molecular and physiological studies that have been showing its multiple actions also in plants. Its roles as a biostimulator and modulator agent of responses to abiotic and biotic stresses have been widely studied. This review raises the possible use of melatonin as a natural safener in herbicide treatments. Existing studies have shown excellent co-acting qualities between both the following agents: herbicide and melatonin. The presence of melatonin reduces the damage caused by the herbicide in the crop and enhances the stress antioxidant response of plants. In this area, a similar role is suggested in the co-action between fungicides and melatonin, where a synergistic response has been demonstrated in some cases. The possible reduction in the fungicide doses is proposed as an eco-friendly advance in the use of these pesticides in certain crops. Finally, future research and applied actions of melatonin on these pest control agents are suggested.
A Comprehensive Phytochemical Analysis of Terpenes, Polyphenols and Cannabinoids, and Micromorphological Characterization of 9 Commercial Varieties of Cannabis sativa L.
Authors: Mazzara Eugenia , Torresi Jacopo , Fico Gelsomina , Papini Alessio , Kulbaka Nicola , Dall’Acqua Stefano , Sut Stefania , Garzoli Stefania , Mustafa Ahmed M. , Cappellacci Loredana , Fiorini Dennis , Maggi Filippo , Giuliani Claudia , Petrelli Riccardo
Published: March 2022

New hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) strains developed by crossbreeding selected varieties represent a novel research topic worthy of attention and investigation. This study focused on the phytochemical characterization of nine hemp commercial cultivars. Hydrodistillation was performed in order to collect the essential oils (EO), and also the residual water and deterpenated biomass. The volatile fraction was analyzed by GC-FID, GC-MS, and SPME-GC-MS, revealing three main chemotypes. The polyphenolic profile was studied in the residual water and deterpenated biomass by spectrophotometric assays, and HPLC-DAD-MSn and 1H-NMR analyses. The latter were employed for quali–quantitative determination of cannabinoids in the deterpenated material in comparison with the one not subjected to hydrodistillation. In addition, the glandular and non-glandular indumentum of the nine commercial varieties was studied by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in the attempt to find a possible correlation with the phytochemical and morphological traits. The EO and residual water were found to be rich in monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and flavonol glycosides, respectively, while the deterpenated material was found to be a source of neutral cannabinoids. The micromorphological survey allowed us to partly associate the phytochemistry of these varieties with the hair morphotypes. This research sheds light on the valorization of different products from the hydrodistillation of hemp varieties, namely, essential oil, residual water, and deterpenated biomass, which proved to be worthy of exploitation in industrial and health applications.
Integration of Biofunctional Molecules into 3D-Printed Polymeric Micro-/Nanostructures
Authors: Berganza Eider , Apte Gurunath , Vasantham Srivatsan K. , Nguyen Thi-Huong , Hirtz Michael
Published: March 2022

Three-dimensional printing at the micro-/nanoscale represents a new challenge in research and development to achieve direct printing down to nanometre-sized objects. Here, FluidFM, a combination of microfluidics with atomic force microscopy, offers attractive options to fabricate hierarchical polymer structures at different scales. However, little is known about the effect of the substrate on the printed structures and the integration of (bio)functional groups into the polymer inks. In this study, we printed micro-/nanostructures on surfaces with different wetting properties, and integrated molecules with different functional groups (rhodamine as a fluorescent label and biotin as a binding tag for proteins) into the base polymer ink. The substrate wetting properties strongly affected the printing results, in that the lateral feature sizes increased with increasing substrate hydrophilicity. Overall, ink modification only caused minor changes in the stiffness of the printed structures. This shows the generality of the approach, as significant changes in the mechanical properties on chemical functionalization could be confounders in bioapplications. The retained functionality of the obtained structures after UV curing was demonstrated by selective binding of streptavidin to the printed structures. The ability to incorporate binding tags to achieve specific interactions between relevant proteins and the fabricated micro-/nanostructures, without compromising the mechanical properties, paves a way for numerous bio and sensing applications. Additional flexibility is obtained by tuning the substrate properties for feature size control, and the option to obtain functionalized printed structures without post-processing procedures will contribute to the development of 3D printing for biological applications, using FluidFM and similar dispensing techniques.
Chitosan/Silk Fibroin Materials for Biomedical Applications—A Review
Authors: Tuwalska Anna , Grabska-Zielińska Sylwia , Sionkowska Alina
Published: March 2022

This review provides a report on recent advances in the field of chitosan (CTS) and silk fibroin (SF) biopolymer blends as new biomaterials. Chitosan and silk fibroin are widely used to obtain biomaterials. However, the materials based on the blends of these two biopolymers have not been summarized in a review paper yet. As these materials can attract both academic and industrial attention, we propose this review paper to showcase the latest achievements in this area. In this review, the latest literature regarding the preparation and properties of chitosan and silk fibroin and their blends has been reviewed.
Optical and Mechanical Properties of Self-Repairing Pectin Biopolymers
Authors: Pierce Aidan F. , Liu Betty S. , Liao Matthew , Wagner Willi L. , Khalil Hassan A. , Chen Zi , Ackermann Maximilian , Mentzer Steven J.
Published: March 2022

Pectin’s unique physicochemical properties have been linked to a variety of reparative and regenerative processes in nature. To investigate the effect of water on pectin repair, we used a 5 mm stainless-steel uniaxial load to fracture glass phase pectin films. The fractured gel phase films were placed on a 1.5–1.8 mm thick layer of water and incubated for 8 h at room temperature and ambient humidity. There was no immersion or agitation. The repaired pectin film was subsequently assessed for its optical and mechanical properties. Light microscopy demonstrated repair of the detectable fracture area and restoration of the films’ optical properties. The burst strength of the repaired film declined to 55% of the original film. However, its resilience was restored to 87% of the original film. Finally, a comparison of the initial and post-repair fracture patterns demonstrated no recurrent fissures in the repaired glass phase films. The water-induced repair of the pectin film was superior to the optical and mechanical properties of the repaired films composed of nanocellulose fibers, sodium hyaluronate, and oxidized cellulose. We conclude that the unique physicochemical properties of pectin facilitate the water-induced self-repair of fractured pectin films.
Interlaminar Mechanical Properties and Toughening Mechanism of Highly Thermally Stable Composite Modified by Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber Films
Authors: Ma Yingjian , Zhuang Yangpeng , Li Chunwei , Luo Chuyang , Shen Xing
Published: March 2022

This work concentrated on the interlaminar mechanical properties and toughening mechanism of carbon fiber-reinforced bismaleimide resin (CF/BMI) composites modified by polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber films. The PAN nanofiber films were prepared by electrospinning. End-notched flexure (ENF) and short-beam strength tests were conducted to assess the mode II fracture toughness (GIIc) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The results showed that the GIIc and ILSS of PAN-modified specimens are 1900.4 J/m2 and 93.1 MPa, which was 21.4% and 5.4% higher than that of the virgin specimens (1565.5 J/m2 and 88.3 MPa), respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the fracture surface revealed that the PAN nanofiber films toughen the composite on two scales. On the mesoscopic scale, the composite laminates modified by PAN formed a resin-rich layer with high strength and toughness, which made the crack propagate across the layers. At the microscopic scale, the crack propagation between two-dimensional nanofiber films led to constant pull-out and breakage of the nanofibers. As a result, the interlaminar fracture toughness of the composite laminates improved.
Formulation of Piperine Nanoparticles: In Vitro Breast Cancer Cell Line and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Kazmi Imran , Al-Abbasi Fahad A. , Imam Syed Sarim , Afzal Muhammad , Nadeem Muhammad Shahid , Altayb Hisham N. , Alshehri Sultan
Published: March 2022

Piperine (PPN), one of the most investigated phytochemicals, is known to have excellent therapeutic efficacy against a variety of ailments including breast cancer. However, its physicochemical properties such as poor aqueous solubility restrict its clinical application. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to develop PPN encapsulated lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (PPN-LPHNPs) to overcome the limitation. The developed PPN-LPHNPs were optimized by the three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design (33-BBD). The optimized PPN-LPHNPs were then evaluated for their drug release profile, cytotoxicity assay against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, and gastrointestinal stability as well as colloidal stability. In addition, the optimized PPN-LPHNPs were evaluated for ex vivo intestinal permeation and in vivo pharmacokinetic in albino Wistar rats. As per the results, the optimized PPN-LPHNPs showed a small average particles size of <160 nm with a low (<0.3) polydispersity index, and highly positive surface charge (>+20 mV). PPN-LPHNPs revealed excellent gastrointestinal as well as colloidal stability and sustained release profiles up to 24 h. Furthermore, PPN-LPHNPs revealed excellent cytotoxicity against both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells compared to the free PPN. Moreover, animal studies revealed that the PPN-LPHNPs exhibited a 6.02- and 4.55-fold higher intestinal permeation and relative oral bioavailability, respectively, in comparison to the conventional PPN suspension. Thus, our developed LPHNPs present a strong potential for improved delivery of PPN.
Innovation in Additive Manufacturing Using Polymers: A Survey on the Technological and Material Developments
Authors: Sarabia-Vallejos Mauricio A. , Rodríguez-Umanzor Fernando E. , González-Henríquez Carmen M. , Rodríguez-Hernández Juan
Published: March 2022

This review summarizes the most recent advances from technological and physico-chemical perspectives to improve several remaining issues in polymeric materials’ additive manufacturing (AM). Without a doubt, AM is experimenting with significant progress due to technological innovations that are currently advancing. In this context, the state-of-the-art considers both research areas as working separately and contributing to developing the different AM technologies. First, AM techniques’ advantages and current limitations are analyzed and discussed. A detailed overview of the efforts made to improve the two most extensively employed techniques, i.e., material extrusion and VAT-photopolymerization, is presented. Aspects such as the part size, the possibility of producing parts in a continuous process, the improvement of the fabrication time, the reduction of the use of supports, and the fabrication of components using more than one material are analyzed. The last part of this review complements these technological advances with a general overview of the innovations made from a material perspective. The use of reinforced polymers, the preparation of adapted high-temperature materials, or even the fabrication of metallic and ceramic parts using polymers as supports are considered. Finally, the use of smart materials that enable the fabrication of shape-changing 3D objects and sustainable materials will also be explored.
Optimized Anticorrosion of Polypyrrole Coating by Inverted-Electrode Strategy: Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Investigations
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqi , Liu Xiaoyan , Fan Baomin , Zheng Xingwen
Published: March 2022

To improve the poor adhesion and the ensuing insufficient anticorrosion efficacy of electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy) on copper surface, an inverted-electrode strategy was applied after the passivation procedure, for which the compact coating (PPy-I) was deposited on the substrate in a cathodic window. Morphological and physical characterizations revealed that PPy-I exerted satisfactory adhesion strength and suitable thickness and conductivity compared with the analogue prepared via the traditional protocol (PPy-T). Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and frequency modulation were employed to ascertain the propitious protection of PPy-I for copper in artificial seawater (ASW). Due to the dominant electroactivity, the PPy-I-coated sample possessed higher apparent current density and lower charge transfer resistance than its PPy-T-protected counterpart, which maintained the passivation of the substrate. Surface analysis also supported the viability of PPy-I for copper in ASW for a well-protected surface with inferior water wettability. Molecular dynamics simulations evidenced that PPy-I with the higher density retained efficient anticorrosion capacity on copper at elevated temperatures. Therein, the derived time-dependent spatial diffusion trajectories of ions were locally confined with low diffusion coefficients. Highly twisted pore passages and anodic protection behavior arising respectively from the tight coating architecture and electroactivity contributed to the adequate corrosion resistance of PPy-I-coated copper.
Research on the Constitutive Model of PTFE/Al/Si Reactive Material
Authors: Ding Liangliang , Cui Xiaoxiao , Tang Wenhui , Zhong Xue , Zhao Yuli , Huang Yongzheng , Shi Peng , Xue Xiaoguang
Published: March 2022

As a new type of energetic material, reactive materials are widely used at present; in particular, the metal/polymer mixtures type reactive materials show great advantages in engineering applications. This type of reactive material has good mechanical properties, and its overall performance is insensitive and high-energy under external impact loading. After a large number of previous studies, our team found that the energy release characteristics of PTFE/Al/Si reactive material are prominent. In order to master the mechanical properties of PTFE/Al/Si reactive materials, the quasi-static mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical properties were obtained by carrying out a quasi-static compression test and a dynamic SHPB test in this paper. Based on the experimental data, a Johnson-Cook constitutive model of PTFE/Al/Si reactive material considering strain hardening effect, strain rate hardening effect and thermal softening effect was constructed. The relevant research results will be used to guide future research on the reaction mechanism of PTFE/Al/Si reactive materials, in order to promote the engineering application of PTFE/Al/Si reactive materials.
Study on Gas-Solid Heat Transfer and Decomposition Reaction of Calcination Process in an Annular Shaft Kiln Based on the Finite Volume Method
Authors: Duan Shaopei , Li Baokuan , Rong Wenjie
Published: March 2022

As an excellent reducing agent, lime has an important role in the steel production process. Annular Shaft Kiln (ASK) has been widely used in the lime production industry for its low cost, low footprint, high chemical activity, easy construction, and easy maintenance. Due to the high temperature generated inside ASK during operation, it is hard to observe the limestone decomposition process and the field distribution in the lime kiln. The simulation analysis of temperature field, velocity field and decomposition field in the limestone calcination process by CFD provides practical guidance for future lime product quality control, ASK design and operation parameters’ control. This study is based on an ASK that was put into production. Based on the finite volume method, this paper combines the porous medium model and the shrinking core model to establish a set of mathematical models that can describe the temperature and flow field distribution inside the ASK, as well as the limestone decomposition process and the heat and mass transfer process inside the ASK. According to the feedback from the production site, the mathematical model is in good agreement with the production results.
Optimization of Biofertilizer Formulation for Phosphorus Solubilizing by Pseudomonas fluorescens Ur21 via Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Barin Mohsen , Asadzadeh Farrokh , Hosseini Masoumeh , Hammer Edith C. , Vetukuri Ramesh Raju , Vahedi Roghayeh
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to analyze and quantify the effect of different ratios of vermicompost, phosphate rock, and sulfur on P solubilization and release by Pseudomonas fluorescens Ur21, and to identify optimal levels of those variables for an efficient biofertilizer. Twenty experiments were defined by surface response methodology based on a central composite design (CCD), and the effects of various quantities of vermicompost, phosphate rock, and sulfur (encoded by −1, 0, or +1) on P solubilization was explored. The results show that the CCD model had high efficiency for predicting P solubilization (R2 = 0.9035). The strongest effects of the included variables on the observed P solubilization were linear effects of sulfur and organic matter (vermicompost), a quadratic effect of phosphate rock, and an interactive effect of organic matter × phosphate rock. Statistical analysis of the coefficients in the CCD model revealed that vermicompost, vermicompost × phosphate rock, and phosphate rock × phosphate rock treatments increased P solubilization. The optimal predicted composition for maximal P solubilization by P. fluorescens Ur21 (at 1684.39 mg·kg−1, with more than 90% of the added phosphate dissolved) was 58.8% vermicompost, 35.3% phosphate rock, and 5.8% sulfur. ANOVA analysis confirmed the model’s accuracy and validity in terms of F value (10.41), p value (<0.001), and non-significant lack of fit.
Promising Developments in Bio-Based Products as Alternatives to Conventional Plastics to Enable Circular Economy in Ukraine
Authors: Shevchenko Tetiana , Ranjbari Meisam , Shams Esfandabadi Zahra , Danko Yuriy , Bliumska-Danko Kseniia
Published: March 2022

Transforming the plastic industry toward producing more sustainable alternatives than conventional plastics, as an essential enabler of the bio-based circular economy (CE), requires reinforcing initiatives to drive solutions from the lab to the market. In this regard, startups and ideation and innovation events can potentially play significant roles in consolidating efforts and investments by academia and industry to foster bio-based and biodegradable plastic-related developments. This study aimed to present the current trends and challenges of bioplastics and bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives for plastics. On this basis, having conducted a systematic literature review, the seminal research themes of the bio-based materials and bioplastics literature were unfolded and discussed. Then, the most recent developments of bio-based sustainable products in Ukraine, as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, that have gained publicity through local startup programs and hackathons were presented. The findings shed light on the potential of the bio-based sector to facilitate the CE transition through (i) rendering innovative solutions most of which have been less noticed in academia before; (ii) enhancing academic debate and bridging the gap between developers, scholars, and practitioners within the plastic industry toward creating circularity across the supply chain; (iii) identifying the main challenges and future perspectives for further investigations in the future.
“Online You Will Never Get the Same Experience, Never”: Minority Perspectives on (Digital) Religious Practice and Embodiment during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Isetti Giulia
Published: March 2022

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, religious services worldwide were forced to migrate online. This phenomenon is still yet to be properly investigated, especially in the context of religious and ethnic minorities: a research gap that this paper aims to address. Herein, 18 semi-structured in-depth interviews with members of the Russian community in South Tyrol served as methodological tool to explore: (1) the role of the Orthodox religion and (2) of digital media for the community and, finally, (3) how its members enacted religion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical results show how community members, despite being highly familiar with digital tools and technology-based solutions, deliberately chose not to use digital media to search for religious content or to attend religious services. Against the backdrop of a global pandemic and an increasingly digitised world, the specific example of the Russian community in South Tyrol helps to better understand how migrant communities live and enact religion. The present study aims at contributing to the emerging field of the study of (digital) religion and embodiment of religion from a minority perspective.
SMD-Net: Siamese Multi-Scale Difference-Enhancement Network for Change Detection in Remote Sensing
Authors: Zhang Xiangrong , He Ling , Qin Kai , Dang Qi , Si Hongjie , Tang Xu , Jiao Licheng
Published: March 2022

Change detection, as an important task of remote sensing image processing, has a wide range of applications in many aspects such as land use and natural disaster assessment. Recent change detection methods have achieved good results. However, due to the environmental difference between the bi-temporal images and the complicated imaging condition, there are usually problems such as missing small objects, incomplete objects, and rough edges in the change detection results. The existing change detection methods usually lack attention in these areas. In this paper, we propose a Siamese change detection method, named SMD-Net, for bi-temporal remote sensing change detection. The proposed model uses multi-scale difference maps to enhances the information of the changed areas step by step in order to have better change detection results. Furthermore, we propose a Siamese residual multi-kernel pooling module (SRMP) for high-level features to enhance the high-level change information of the model. For the low-level features of multiple skip connections, we propose a feature difference module (FDM) that uses feature difference to fully extract the change information and help the model generate more accurate details. The experimental results of our method on three public datasets show that compared with other benchmark methods, our network comprises better effectiveness and has a better trade-off between accuracy and calculation cost.