bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Effect of Water Uptake on the Capacitance of an Organic Coating
Authors: Policastro Steven A. , Anderson Rachel M. , Hangarter Carlos M. , Arcari Attilio , Iezzi Erick B.
Published: May 2023

Water uptake by organic coating systems used for corrosion prevention on airframes is one of the principal contributors to the loss of barrier properties of the coating. We used equivalent circuit analyses of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data to track changes in coating layer capacitance for a two-layer coating system consisting of an epoxy primer and polyurethane topcoat immersed in NaCl solutions with different concentrations and temperatures. The capacitance curve exhibited two different response regions, consistent with the “two-stage kinetics” mechanisms for water uptake by the polymers. We tested several numerical diffusion models of water sorption and found the most successful to be one that varied the diffusion coefficient as a function of polymer type and immersion time and accounted for physical aging processes in the polymer. We employed the Brasher mixing law along with the water sorption model to estimate the coating capacitance as a function of water uptake. The predicted capacitance of the coating was found to be consistent with the capacitance obtained from the EIS data, which is consistent with theories that water uptake occurs via initial rapid transport followed by a much slower aging process. Thus, both these water uptake processes need to be considered when making EIS measurements to assess the state of a coating system.
The Application of Additive Composites Technologies for Clamping and Manipulation Devices in the Production Process
Authors: Joch Richard , Šajgalík Michal , Drbúl Mário , Holubják Jozef , Czán Andrej , Bechný Vladimír , Matúš Miroslav
Published: May 2023

Additive technologies have been widely adopted in various industries. The choice of additive technology and material directly affects the functionality of the manufactured components. The development of materials with better mechanical properties has led to a growing interest in replacing traditional metal components with those manufactured using additive technologies. The application of Onyx as a material comes into consideration, which contains short carbon fibers to increase the mechanical properties. This study aims to experimentally verify the viability of substituting metal gripping elements with nylon and composite materials. The design of the jaws was customized to meet the requirements of a three-jaw chuck of a CNC machining center. The evaluation process involved monitoring the functionality and deformation effects on the clamped PTFE polymer material. When the metal jaws were applied, significant deformation of the clamped material occurred, which varied with the clamping pressure. This deformation was evidenced by the formation of spreading cracks on the clamped material and permanent shape changes in the tested material. Conversely, nylon and composite jaws manufactured using additive technology demonstrated functionality across all tested clamping pressures, without causing permanent deformation of the clamped material, unlike the traditional metal jaws. The results of this study confirm the applicability of the Onyx material and provide practical evidence of the potential for reducing deformation caused by clamping mechanisms.
Evolution of Toughening Mechanisms in PH13-8Mo Stainless Steel during Aging Treatment
Authors: Zhang Honglin , Mi Peng , Hao Luhan , Zhou Haichong , Yan Wei , Zhao Kuan , Xu Bin , Sun Mingyue
Published: May 2023

PH13-8Mo stainless steel has been widely used in aerospace, petroleum and marine construction, obtaining continuous investigation attention in recent years. Based on the response of a hierarchical martensite matrix and possible reversed austenite, a systematic investigation of the evolution of the toughening mechanisms in PH13-8Mo stainless steel as a function of aging temperature was carried out. It showed there was a desirable combination of high yield strength (~1.3 GPa) and V-notched impact toughness (~220 J) after aging between 540 and 550 °C. With the increase of aging temperature, the martensite matrix was recovered in terms of the refined sub-grains and higher ratio of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs). It should be noted there was a reversion of martensite to form austenite films subjected to aging above 540 °C; meanwhile, the NiAl precipitates maintained a well-coherent orientation with the matrix. Based on the post mortem analysis, there were three stages of the changing main toughening mechanisms: Stage I: low-temperature aging at around 510 °C, where the HAGBs contributed to the toughness by retarding the advance of cracks; Stage II: intermediate-temperature aging at around 540 °C, where the recovered laths embedded by soft austenite facilitated the improvement of toughness by synergistically increasing the advance path and blunting the crack tips; and Stage III: without the coarsening of NiAl precipitates around 560 °C, more inter-lath reversed austenite led to the optimum toughness, relying on “soft barrier” and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effects.
In Situ Synthesis of Bi2MoO6/Bi2SiO5 Heterojunction for Efficient Degrading of Persistent Pollutants
Authors: Yuan Kaiwen , Jia Hailong , Chen Daimei , Feng Yanmei , Liang Yu , Chen Kai , Hao Derek
Published: May 2023

Photocatalytic degradation is an environmentally friendly way to eliminate environmental pollution. Exploring a photocatalyst with high efficiency is essential. In the present study, we fabricated a Bi2MoO6/Bi2SiO5 heterojunction (BMOS) with intimate interfaces via a facile in situ synthesis method. The BMOS had much better photocatalytic performance than pure Bi2MoO6 and Bi2SiO5. The sample of BMOS-3 (3:1 molar ratio of Mo:Si) had the highest removal efficiency by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) up to 75% and tetracycline (TC) up to 62% within 180 min. The increase in photocatalytic activity can be attributed to constructing high-energy electron orbitals in Bi2MoO6 to form a type II heterojunction, which increases the separation efficiencies of photogenerated carriers and transfer between the interface of Bi2MoO6 and Bi2SiO5. Moreover, electron spin resonance analysis and trapping experiments showed that the main active species were h+ and •O2− during photodegradation. BMOS-3 maintained a stable degradation capacity of 65% (RhB) and 49% (TC) after three stability experiments. This work offers a rational strategy to build Bi-based type II heterojunctions for the efficient photodegradation of persistent pollutants.
The Clinical Use of Osteobiologic and Metallic Biomaterials in Orthopedic Surgery: The Present and the Future
Authors: Choi Sung-ryul , Kwon Ji-won , Suk Kyung-soo , Kim Hak-sun , Moon Seong-hwan , Park Si-young , Lee Byung Ho
Published: May 2023

As the area and range of surgical treatments in the orthopedic field have expanded, the development of biomaterials used for these treatments has also advanced. Biomaterials have osteobiologic properties, including osteogenicity, osteoconduction, and osteoinduction. Natural polymers, synthetic polymers, ceramics, and allograft-based substitutes can all be classified as biomaterials. Metallic implants are first-generation biomaterials that continue to be used and are constantly evolving. Metallic implants can be made from pure metals, such as cobalt, nickel, iron, or titanium, or from alloys, such as stainless steel, cobalt-based alloys, or titanium-based alloys. This review describes the fundamental characteristics of metals and biomaterials used in the orthopedic field and new developments in nanotechnology and 3D-printing technology. This overview discusses the biomaterials that clinicians commonly use. A complementary relationship between doctors and biomaterial scientists is likely to be necessary in the future.
Decarburization of Wire-Arc Additively Manufactured ER70S-6 Steel
Authors: Aprilia Aprilia , Zhai Wengang , Guo Yibo , Aishwarya  , Shandro Robert , Zhou Wei
Published: May 2023

Decarburization is an unwanted carbon-loss phenomenon on the surfaces of a material when they are exposed to oxidizing environments at elevated temperatures. Decarburization of steels after heat treatment has been widely studied and reported. However, up to now, there has not been any systematic study on the decarburization of additively manufactured parts. Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is an efficient additive manufacturing process for producing large engineering parts. As the parts produced by WAAM are usually large in size, the use of a vacuum environment to prevent decarburization is not always feasible. Therefore, there is a need to study the decarburization of WAAM-produced parts, especially after the heat treatment processes. This study investigated the decarburization of a WAAM-produced ER70S-6 steel using both the as-printed material and samples heat-treated at different temperatures (800 °C, 850 °C, 900 °C, and 950 °C) for different durations (30 min, 60 min, and 90 min). Furthermore, numerical simulation was carried out using Thermo-Calc computational software to predict the carbon concentration profiles of the steel during the heat treatment processes. Decarburization was found to occur not only in the heat-treated samples but also on the surfaces of the as-printed parts (despite the use of Ar for shielding). The decarburization depth was found to increase with an increase in heat treatment temperature or duration. The part heat-treated at the lowest temperature of 800 °C for merely 30 min was observed to have a large decarburization depth of about 200 μm. For the same heating duration of 30 min, an increase in temperature of 150 °C to 950 °C increased the decarburization depth drastically by 150% to 500 μm. This study serves well to demonstrate the need for further study to control or minimize decarburization for the purpose of ensuring the quality and reliability of additively manufactured engineering components.
Experimental and Analytical Investigations of Wire-Partially Insulated Parallel Plate Electrode Type Electrohydrodynamic Fan
Authors: Tsubone Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

As an alternative to conventional mechanical fans, EHD fans and/or EHD gas pumps, which generate less noise, were investigated for cooling systems, such as in electronic equipment and automobiles. Wire-parallel plate electrode type EHD fans, which have greater design freedom and potential for practical application, have been suggested. This study clarifies the characteristics of a wire-partially insulated parallel plate electrode type EHD fan under DC positive applied voltage. In order to understand the characteristics of the EHD fan more deeply, visualizations of the air flow in the flow channel and the exit area were conducted by using PIV and CFD analyses. In the experiment, air at atmospheric pressure and room temperature was used as a working fluid. The experimental results for fan characteristics of the EHD fan, such as the velocity profile, cross-sectional average velocity, volumetric flow rate in the flow channel or at the exit area, power, and so on, are considered in detail. In addition, the flow visualization and the instantaneous and time-averaged velocity profiles from the PIV analysis are discussed. A comparison with the experimental results described above, and differences of flow regime for different locations, are also presented and discussed. Furthermore, a two-dimensional steady state flow simulation by means of CFD analysis was conducted and its experimental results analyzed.
Non-Destructive Disassembly of Interference Fit under Wear Conditions for Sustainable Remanufacturing
Authors: Au-Yeung Ho Lam , Ataya Sabbah , Hassanin Hany , El-Sayed Mahmoud Ahmed , Ahmadein Mahmoud , Alsaleh Naser A. , Ahmed Mohamed M. Z. , Essa Khamis
Published: May 2023

Remanufacturing has been gaining increasing attention in the last few years as a part of green engineering. It is the process of restoring the original specifications of a given product utilizing a combination of new, repaired, and old parts. The present study investigates non-destructive disassembly of an interference fit pin-hub joint to enable the reuse of worn parts with the same loading capacity. The aim is to reduce the disassembly force while preventing plastic deformation and frictional damage on the contact surface to avoid fretting failure and enable further coating. A finite element model of a shaft/hub interference fit was developed, taking into account two cases of damage to the mating parts: deformation and corrosion. The results indicate that thermal disassembly is effective in reducing breaking force by 50% in deformed joints, whereas vibration waves are more suitable for corroded parts with increased friction. In addition, applying a low-frequency oscillation force to the axis of disassembly reduces the pulling out force by 5% and plastic deformation by 99% due to acoustic softening effects. Furthermore, using a heat flux simultaneously with vibration decreases the breaking force by 85%, indicating the higher effectiveness of thermal-aided disassembly and vibration-assisted disassembly in reducing the breaking force of corroded parts with increased friction. This study provides remanufacturing designers with efficient tools to weaken the interference fit and decrease the disconnecting force, ultimately reducing the cost and time required for the disassembly process.
The Interplay of Processing-Related Influences on the Formation of Volume Holographic Gratings in a Free-Surface Epoxy-Based Recording Material
Authors: Sabel-Grau Tina
Published: May 2023

Understanding the formation processes of holographic gratings in polymers as a function of material composition and processing is important for the development of new materials for holography and its associated applications. Among the processing-related factors that affect grating formation in volume holographic recording material, pre-exposure, prebaking and dark storage, as well as the associated variations in layer thickness and composition, are usually underestimated. This study highlights the influence and interaction of these factors and shows that they should not be neglected. This is of particular importance for samples with a free surface. Here, one such epoxy-based free-surface material is investigated. To determine the influence of prebaking on the holographic grating formation, as well as on the achieved refractive index contrast, angular resolved analysis of volume holographic phase gratings is applied through point-by-point scanning of the local material response. Grating characteristics are determined by comparison with simulations based on rigorous coupled wave theory. Thus, the optimal dose for prebaking can be determined, as well as the optimal exposure time, depending on the dose. The influence of dark storage on the material response is investigated over a period of 12 weeks and shows a strong dependence on the deposited energy density.
In Situ Tuning of Magnetism in Fe3GeTe2 via Argon Ions Irradiation
Authors: Wang Shan , Cao Chuanwu , Chen Jian-Hao
Published: May 2023

We report the continuous argon ions irradiation of itinerant Fe3GeTe2, a two-dimensional ferromagnetic metal, with the modification to its transport properties measured in situ. Our results show that defects generated by argon ions irradiation can significantly weaken the magnetization (M) and coercive field (Hc) of Fe3GeTe2, demonstrating the tunable magnetism of this material. Specifically, at base temperature, we observed a reduction of M and Hc by up to 40% and 62.4%, respectively. After separating the contribution from different mechanisms based on the Tian-Ye-Jin (TYJ) scaling relation, it’s the skew scattering that dominates the contribution to anomalous Hall effect in argon ions irradiated Fe3GeTe2. These findings highlight the potential of in situ transport modification as an effective method for tailoring the magnetic properties of two-dimensional magnetic materials, and provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the tunable magnetism in Fe3GeTe2.
Assessment of Structural Systems to Design Earthquake Resistance Buildings by Employing Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Method Based on the Bipolar Complex Fuzzy Dombi Prioritized Aggregation Operators
Authors: Xu Zhiping , Rehman Ubaid ur , Mahmood Tahir , Ahmmad Jabbar , Jin Yun
Published: May 2023

An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that occurs when two tectonic plates in the earth’s crust move against each other. This movement creates seismic waves that can cause the ground to shake, sometimes resulting in damage to buildings and infrastructure. It is important to be prepared for earthquakes, particularly if you live in an area that is at high risk for seismic activity. This includes having an emergency kit, knowing how to shut off utilities, having a plan in place for what to do in the event of an earthquake, and most importantly, constructing earthquake resistance buildings. The assessment and the ranking of structural systems to design earthquake resistance buildings is a MADM (multi-attribute decision-making) dilemma. Consequently, in this script, we initiate the method of MADM under the bipolar complex fuzzy (BCF) information. For this method, we devise BCF Dombi prioritized averaging (BCFDPA), BCF Dombi prioritized weighted averaging (BCFDPWA), BCF Dombi prioritized geometric (BCFDPG), and BCF Dombi prioritized weighted geometric (BCFDPPWG) operators by utilizing the Dombi aggregation operator (AO) with BCF information. After that, by using artificial data, we assess the structural systems to design earthquake resistance buildings with the assistance of the invented method of MADM. To exhibit the dominancy and supremacy of the elaborated work, the advantages, sensitive examination, graphical representation, and comparative study are described in this script.
Modelling the Time to Write-Off of Non-Performing Loans Using a Promotion Time Cure Model with Parametric Frailty
Authors: Larney Janette , Allison James Samuel , Grobler Gerrit Lodewicus , Smuts Marius
Published: May 2023

Modelling the outcome after loan default is receiving increasing attention, and survival analysis is particularly suitable for this purpose due to the likely presence of censoring in the data. In this study, we suggest that the time to loan write-off may be influenced by latent competing risks, as well as by common, unobservable drivers, such as the state of the economy. We therefore expand on the promotion time cure model and include a parametric frailty parameter to account for common, unobservable factors and for possible observable covariates not included in the model. We opt for a parametric model due to its interpretability and analytical tractability, which are desirable properties in bank risk management. Both a gamma and inverse Gaussian frailty parameter are considered for the univariate case, and we also consider a shared frailty model. A Monte Carlo study demonstrates that the parameter estimation of the models is reliable, after which they are fitted to a real-world dataset in respect of large corporate loans in the US. The results show that a more flexible hazard function is possible by including a frailty parameter. Furthermore, the shared frailty model shows potential to capture dependence in write-off times within industry groups.
Left (Right) Regular Elements of Some Transformation Semigroups
Authors: Sripon Kitsanachai , Laysirikul Ekkachai , Sommanee Worachead
Published: May 2023

For a nonempty set X, let T(X) be the total transformation semigroup on X. In this paper, we consider the subsemigroups of T(X) which are defined by T(X,Y) ={α∈T(X):Xα⊆Y}andS(X,Y)={α∈T(X):Yα⊆Y} where Y is a non-empty subset of X. We characterize the left regular and right regular elements of both T(X,Y) and S(X,Y). Moreover, necessary and sufficient conditions for T(X,Y) and S(X,Y) to be left regular and right regular are given. These results are then applied to determine the numbers of left and right regular elements in T(X,Y) for a finite set X.
Right-Sided Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass: Clinical Experience and Perspectives
Authors: Hecker Florian , von Zeppelin Mascha , Van Linden Arnaud , Scholtz Jan-Erik , Fichtlscherer Stephan , Hlavicka Jan , Walther Thomas , Holubec Tomas
Published: May 2023

Objective: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) using the left internal thoracic artery to the left descending artery is a clinical routine in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Far less is known on right-sided MIDCAB (r-MIDCAB) using the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) to the right coronary artery (RCA). We aimed to present our experience in patients with complex coronary artery disease who underwent r-MIDCAB. Materials and Methods: Between October 2019 and January 2023, 11 patients received r-MIDCAB using RITA to RCA bypass in a minimally invasive technique via right anterior minithoracotomy without using a cardiopulmonary bypass. Underlying coronary disease was complex right coronary artery stenosis (n = 7) and anomalous right coronary artery (ARCA; n = 4). All procedure-related and outcome data were evaluated prospectively. Results: Successful minimally invasive revascularization was achieved in all patients (n = 11). There were no conversions to sternotomy and no re-explorations for bleeding. Furthermore, no myocardial infarction, no strokes, and, most importantly, no deaths were observed. During the follow-up period (median 24 months), all patients were alive and 90% were completely angina free. Two patients received a repeated revascularization after surgery but independently from the RITA-RCA bypass, which was fully competent in both patients. Conclusion: Right-sided MIDCAB can be performed safely and effectively in patients with expected technically challenging percutaneous coronary intervention of the RCA and in patients with ARCA. Mid-term results showed high freedom from angina in nearly all patients. Further studies with larger patient cohorts and more evidence are needed to provide the best revascularization strategy for patients suffering from isolated complex RCA stenosis and ARCA.
Validity and Reliability of Vis-Screen Application: A Smartphone-Based Distance Vision Testing for Visual Impairment and Blindness Vision Screening
Authors: Abdul Rahman Siti Nor Aishah , Naing Nyi Nyi , Othman Abdul Mutalib , Mohamad Zarina , Ibrahim Tg Mohd Masrul , Hashim Syaratul Emma , Baig Atif Amin , Wong Ling Shing , Dewadas Hemaniswarri Dewi , Selvaraj Siddharthan
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: The health-related mobile applications (app) might assist in promoting inclusive health and tele-treatment, especially for the less severe diseases. In this paper, a study had been done to determine the app’s reliability in terms of raters and the app’s agreement with the Snellen chart. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional sectional study was conducted between November 2019 and September 2020. Participants were selected via purposive sampling from selected communities in Terengganu state. All participants underwent vision testing with the Vis-Screen app and Snellen chart for validity and reliability accordingly. Results: A total of 408 participants were involved, with a mean age of 29.3. The sensitivity of the presenting vision of the right eye (PVR) ranged from 55.6% to 88.4%, with specificity between 94.7% to 99.3%, while the positive and negative predictive values were between 57.9% and 81.7% and 96.8% and 99.0%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratios ranged between 16.73 and 73.89, whereas the negative likelihood ratios ranged from 0.12 to 0.45. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for all cut-off points ranged between 0.93 and 0.97, and the optimum cut-off point was at 6/12. The kappa values for intra-rater and inter-rater were 0.85 and 0.75, respectively, while the app’s reliability with the Snellen chart was 0.61. Conclusions: Vis-Screen was concluded to be valid and reliable for use as a screening tool for detecting individuals with visual impairment and blindness in the community. A valid and reliable portable vision screener like Vis-Screen will help expand the eye care feasibility while providing similar accuracy as the conventional charts in clinical practices.
Unusual Vascular Distribution in the Third Segment of the Axillary Artery
Authors: Ramos-Alicea Daniel , Marcano-Anaya Jordan , Loomis Mario , Ramirez Norman , Quiñones-Rodríguez Jailenne I.
Published: May 2023

The third segment of the axillary artery (TSAA) is the main vascular supply to the muscles of the upper limb. Numerous studies have reported atypical branching patterns of the TSAA, which can complicate operative interventions involving structures supplied by this segment of the artery. Our current study evaluated a previously undescribed branching pattern in the TSAA, in which the subscapular artery gave rise to an unusual posterior humeral circumflex artery, and a second subscapular artery. In addition, a third variant was found in the origin of the thoracodorsal artery: two collateral horizontal arteries supplying the deep medial surface of the latissimus dorsi muscle. Vascular anatomical variants may affect the classical upper limb interventions requiring modification of the traditional surgical approaches. This case report aims to evaluate these variants from a clinical perspective regarding the management of upper limb trauma, axillary, breast, and muscle flap surgery.
Forward Osmosis for Metal Processing Effluents under Similar Osmotic Pressure Gradients
Authors: Devaere Noel , Papangelakis Vladimiros
Published: May 2023

Water recovery from aqueous effluents in the mining and metals processing industry poses a unique challenge due to the high concentration of dissolved salts typically requiring energy intensive methods of treatment. Forward osmosis (FO) is a lower energy technology which employs a draw solution to osmotically extract water through a semi-permeable membrane further concentrating any feed. Successful FO operation relies on using a draw solution of higher osmotic pressure than the feed to extract water while minimizing concentration polarization to maximize the water flux. Previous studies employing FO on industrial feed samples commonly used concentration instead of osmotic pressures for feed and draw characterization; this led to misleading conclusions on the impact of design variables on water flux performance. By employing a factorial design of experiments methodology, this study examined the independent and interactive effects on water flux by: osmotic pressure gradient, crossflow velocity, draw salt type, and membrane orientation. With a commercial FO membrane, this work tested a solvent extraction raffinate and a mine water effluent sample to demonstrate application significance. By optimizing with osmotic gradient independent variables, water flux can be improved by over 30% without increasing energy costs or compromising the 95–99% salt rejection of the membrane.
9-Methoxyellipticine: Antibacterial Bioactive Compound Isolated from Ochrosia elliptica Labill. Roots
Authors: Elshimy Rana , Khawagi Wael Y. , Naguib Ibrahim A. , Bukhari Sarah I. , El-Shiekh Riham A.
Published: May 2023

Antibacterial resistance bears a major threat to human health worldwide, causing about 1.2 million deaths per year. It is noteworthy that carbazole derivatives have shown a potential antibacterial activity, for example, 9-methoxyellipticine, which was isolated from Ochrosia elliptica Labill. roots (Apocynaceae) in the present study. An in vitro screening of the antibacterial activity of 9-methoxyellipticine was investigated against four multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC O157) as Gram-negative bacteria, in addition to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with Bacillus cereus as Gram-positive bacteria. The compound had significant antibacterial activity against the two Gram-negative isolates and lower activity against the Gram-positive ones. The synergistic use of 9-methoxyellipticine and antibiotics was successfully effective in reducing the MDR microorganisms. Lung pneumonia and kidney infection mice models were used to investigate the compound’s efficacy in vivo for the first time. Noteworthy reductions in K. pneumoniae and STEC shedding and the colonization were observed, with a reduction in pro-inflammatory factors and immunoglobulin levels. Other related lesions such as inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar interstitial congestion, and edema were noticed to occur, lessened to different limits. The anti-STEC and anti-K. pneumoniae activities of 9-methoxyellipticine were revealed, providing a new alternative against MDR nosocomial infections.
Optimization of Carob Products Preparation for Targeted LC-MS/MS Metabolomics Analysis
Authors: Deda Olga , Begou Olga , Gika Helen , Theodoridis Georgios , Agapiou Agapios
Published: May 2023

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is an exceptional source of significant bioactive compounds with great economic importance in the Mediterranean region, where it is widely cultivated. Carob fruit is used for the production of a variety of products and commodities such as powder, syrup, coffee, flour, cakes, and beverages. There is growing evidence of the beneficial effects of carob and the products made from it on a range of health problems. Therefore, metabolomics could be used to explore the nutrient-rich compounds of carob. Sample preparation is a crucial step in metabolomics-based analysis and has a great impact on the quality of the data obtained. Herein, sample preparation of carob syrup and powder was optimized, to enable highly efficient metabolomics-based HILIC-MS/MS analysis. Pooled powder and syrup samples were extracted under different conditions by adjusting pH, solvent type, and sample weight to solvent volume ratio (Wc/Vs). The metabolomics profiles obtained were evaluated using the established criteria of total area and number of maxima. It was observed that the Wc/Vs ratio of 1:2 resulted in the highest number of metabolites, regardless of solvent type or pH. Aqueous acetonitrile with a Wc/Vs ratio of 1:2 satisfied all established criteria for both carob syrup and powder samples. However, when the pH was adjusted, basic aqueous propanol 1:2 Wc/Vs and acidic aqueous acetonitrile 1:2 Wc/Vs provided the best results for syrup and powder, respectively. We strongly believe that the current study could support the standardization of the metabolomics sample preparation process to enable more efficient LC-MS/MS carob analysis.
Fabrication Methods and Chronic In Vivo Validation of Mechanically Adaptive Microfluidic Intracortical Devices
Authors: Kim Youjoung , Mueller Natalie N. , Schwartzman William E. , Sarno Danielle , Wynder Reagan , Hoeferlin George F. , Gisser Kaela , Capadona Jeffrey R. , Hess-Dunning Allison
Published: May 2023

Intracortical neural probes are both a powerful tool in basic neuroscience studies of brain function and a critical component of brain computer interfaces (BCIs) designed to restore function to paralyzed patients. Intracortical neural probes can be used both to detect neural activity at single unit resolution and to stimulate small populations of neurons with high resolution. Unfortunately, intracortical neural probes tend to fail at chronic timepoints in large part due to the neuroinflammatory response that follows implantation and persistent dwelling in the cortex. Many promising approaches are under development to circumvent the inflammatory response, including the development of less inflammatory materials/device designs and the delivery of antioxidant or anti-inflammatory therapies. Here, we report on our recent efforts to integrate the neuroprotective effects of both a dynamically softening polymer substrate designed to minimize tissue strain and localized drug delivery at the intracortical neural probe/tissue interface through the incorporation of microfluidic channels within the probe. The fabrication process and device design were both optimized with respect to the resulting device mechanical properties, stability, and microfluidic functionality. The optimized devices were successfully able to deliver an antioxidant solution throughout a six-week in vivo rat study. Histological data indicated that a multi-outlet design was most effective at reducing markers of inflammation. The ability to reduce inflammation through a combined approach of drug delivery and soft materials as a platform technology allows future studies to explore additional therapeutics to further enhance intracortical neural probes performance and longevity for clinical applications.
Fatty Acid-Rich Extract from Holothuria atra for Hyperuricemia via Expressions Modulation of GLUT9a and GLUT9b in Rat Model
Authors: Ikhsan Ikhsan , Idroes Rinaldi , Azharuddin Azharuddin , Nasution Rosnani , Yusnaini Rika , Iqhrammullah Muhammad
Published: May 2023

An edible sea cucumber Holothuria atra has been hypothesized to have medicinal benefits against hyperuricemia owing to its bioactive compounds, including mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Herein, we aimed to investigate the fatty acids-rich extract produced from H. atra to treat hyperuricemic rats (Rattus novergicus). The extraction was carried out using n-hexane solvent and then administered to potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats, with allopurinol acting as a positive control. The extract (50, 100, 150 mg/kg body weight) and allopurinol (10 mg/kg) were administered QD through an oral route using a nasogastric tube. Serum uric acid, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen of the abdominal aortic blood were investigated. Our results suggested that the extract was rich in polyunsaturated (arachidonic acid) and monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), in which its administration of 150 mg/kg could significantly reduce serum uric acid (p < 0.001), AST (p = 0.001), and ALT (p = 0.0302). The anti-hyperuricemic activity could be associated with the modulation of GLUT9 by the H. atra extract. In conclusion, the n-hexane extract from H. atra is a potential serum uric acid-lowering agent targeting GLUT9, where further investigations are crucially warranted.
CH vs. HC—Promiscuous Metal Sponges in Antimicrobial Peptides and Metallophores
Authors: Garstka Kinga , Dzyhovskyi Valentyn , Wątły Joanna , Stokowa-Sołtys Kamila , Świątek-Kozłowska Jolanta , Kozłowski Henryk , Barceló-Oliver Miquel , Bellotti Denise , Rowińska-Żyrek Magdalena
Published: May 2023

Histidine and cysteine residues, with their imidazole and thiol moieties that deprotonate at approximately physiological pH values, are primary binding sites for Zn(II), Ni(II) and Fe(II) ions and are thus ubiquitous both in peptidic metallophores and in antimicrobial peptides that may use nutritional immunity as a way to limit pathogenicity during infection. We focus on metal complex solution equilibria of model sequences encompassing Cys–His and His–Cys motifs, showing that the position of histidine and cysteine residues in the sequence has a crucial impact on its coordination properties. CH and HC motifs occur as many as 411 times in the antimicrobial peptide database, while similar CC and HH regions are found 348 and 94 times, respectively. Complex stabilities increase in the series Fe(II) < Ni(II) < Zn(II), with Zn(II) complexes dominating at physiological pH, and Ni(II) ones—above pH 9. The stabilities of Zn(II) complexes with Ac-ACHA-NH2 and Ac-AHCA-NH2 are comparable, and a similar tendency is observed for Fe(II), while in the case of Ni(II), the order of Cys and His does matter—complexes in which the metal is anchored on the third Cys (Ac-AHCA-NH2) are thermodynamically stronger than those where Cys is in position two (Ac-ACHA-NH2) at basic pH, at which point amides start to take part in the binding. Cysteine residues are much better Zn(II)-anchoring sites than histidines; Zn(II) clearly prefers the Cys–Cys type of ligands to Cys–His and His–Cys ones. In the case of His- and Cys-containing peptides, non-binding residues may have an impact on the stability of Ni(II) complexes, most likely protecting the central Ni(II) atom from interacting with solvent molecules.
Chemical Constitution, Pharmacological Effects and the Underlying Mechanism of Atractylenolides: A Review
Authors: Xie Zhiyi , Lin Minqiu , He Xinglishang , Dong Yingjie , Chen Yigong , Li Bo , Chen Suhong , Lv Guiyuan
Published: May 2023

Atractylenolides, comprising atractylenolide I, II, and III, represent the principal bioactive constituents of Atractylodes macrocephala, a traditional Chinese medicine. These compounds exhibit a diverse array of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and organ-protective effects, underscoring their potential for future research and development. Recent investigations have demonstrated that the anti-cancer activity of the three atractylenolides can be attributed to their influence on the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways primarily mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds. Atractylenolides can protect multiple organs by modulating oxidative stress, attenuating the inflammatory response, activating anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, and inhibiting cell apoptosis. These protective effects extend to the heart, liver, lung, kidney, stomach, intestine, and nervous system. Consequently, atractylenolides may emerge as clinically relevant multi-organ protective agents in the future. Notably, the pharmacological activities of the three atractylenolides differ. Atractylenolide I and III demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory and organ-protective properties, whereas the effects of atractylenolide II are infrequently reported. This review systematically examines the literature on atractylenolides published in recent years, with a primary emphasis on their pharmacological properties, in order to inform future development and application efforts.
Identification of Daphne genkwa and Its Vinegar-Processed Products by Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography–Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics
Authors: Mi Hongying , Zhang Ping , Yao Lingwen , Gao Huiyuan , Wei Feng , Lu Tulin , Ma Shuangcheng
Published: May 2023

Crude herbs of Daphne genkwa (CHDG) are often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat scabies baldness, carbuncles, and chilblain owing to their significant purgation and curative effects. The most common technique for processing DG involves the use of vinegar to reduce the toxicity of CHDG and enhance its clinical efficacy. Vinegar-processed DG (VPDG) is used as an internal medicine to treat chest and abdominal water accumulation, phlegm accumulation, asthma, and constipation, among other diseases. In this study, the changes in the chemical composition of CHDG after vinegar processing and the inner components of the changed curative effects were elucidated using optimized ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Untargeted metabolomics, based on multivariate statistical analyses, was also used to profile differences between CHDG and VPDG. Eight marker compounds were identified using orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis, which indicated significant differences between CHDG and VPDG. The concentrations of apigenin-7-O-β-d-methylglucuronate and hydroxygenkwanin were considerably higher in VPDG than those in CHDG, whereas the amounts of caffeic acid, quercetin, tiliroside, naringenin, genkwanines O, and orthobenzoate 2 were significantly lower. The obtained results can indicate the transformation mechanisms of certain changed compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to employ mass spectrometry to detect the marker components of CHDG and VPDG.
Structural Modeling of Nanobodies: A Benchmark of State-of-the-Art Artificial Intelligence Programs
Authors: Valdés-Tresanco Mario S. , Valdés-Tresanco Mario E. , Jiménez-Gutiérrez Daiver E. , Moreno Ernesto
Published: May 2023

The number of applications for nanobodies is steadily expanding, positioning these molecules as fast-growing biologic products in the biotechnology market. Several of their applications require protein engineering, which in turn would greatly benefit from having a reliable structural model of the nanobody of interest. However, as with antibodies, the structural modeling of nanobodies is still a challenge. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), several methods have been developed in recent years that attempt to solve the problem of protein modeling. In this study, we have compared the performance in nanobody modeling of several state-of-the-art AI-based programs, either designed for general protein modeling, such as AlphaFold2, OmegaFold, ESMFold, and Yang-Server, or specifically designed for antibody modeling, such as IgFold, and Nanonet. While all these programs performed rather well in constructing the nanobody framework and CDRs 1 and 2, modeling CDR3 still represents a big challenge. Interestingly, tailoring an AI method for antibody modeling does not necessarily translate into better results for nanobodies.
Visualization of Phototherapy Evolution by Optical Imaging
Authors: Li Zhiheng , Li Zheng , Wang Jie
Published: May 2023

Phototherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), is a non-invasive and effective approach used for cancer treatment, in which phototherapeutic agents are irradiated with an appropriate light source to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) or heat to ablate cancer cells. Unfortunately, traditional phototherapy lacks a facile imaging method to monitor the therapeutic process and efficiency in real time, usually leading to severe side effects due to high levels of ROS and hyperthermia. To realize precise cancer treatment methods, it is highly desired to develop phototherapeutic agents possessing an imaging ability to evaluate the therapeutic process and efficacy in real time during cancer phototherapy. Recently, a series of self-reporting phototherapeutic agents were reported to monitor PDT and PTT processes by combining optical imaging technologies with phototherapy. Due to the real-time feedback provided by optical imaging technology, therapeutic responses or dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment could be evaluated in a timely manner, thereby achieving personalized precision treatment and minimizing toxic side effects. In this review, we focus on the advances in the development of self-reporting phototherapeutic agents for a cancer phototherapy evaluation based on optical imaging technology to realize precision cancer treatments. Additionally, we propose the current challenges and future directions of self-reporting agents for precision medicine.
Amelioration of Obesity-Related Disorders in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice following Fecal Microbiota Transplantation from Inulin-Dosed Mice
Authors: Huang Yinli , Ying Na , Zhao Qihui , Chen Junli , Teow Sin-Yeang , Dong Wei , Lin Minjie , Jiang Lingling , Zheng Hong
Published: May 2023

The role of inulin in alleviating obesity-related disorders has been documented; yet, its underlying mechanisms still need to be further investigated. This study attempted to elucidate the causative link between the gut microbiota and the beneficial effect of inulin on obesity-related disorders via transferring the fecal microbiota from inulin-dosed mice to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese recipient mice. The results show that inulin supplementation can decrease body weight, fat accumulation, and systemic inflammation and can also enhance glucose metabolism in HFD-induced obese mice. Treatment with inulin reshaped the structure and composition of the gut microbiota in HFD-induced obese mice, as characterized by increases in the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium and Muribaculum and decreases in unidentified_Lachnospiraceae and Lachnoclostridium. In addition, we found that these favorable effects of inulin could be partially transferable by fecal microbiota transplantation, and Bifidobacterium and Muribaculum might be the key bacterial genera. Therefore, our results suggest that inulin ameliorates obesity-related disorders by targeting the gut microbiota.
Superior Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption Capacity in Aqueous Solution by High-Density Thiol-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxides
Authors: Kim Ho-Geun , Bae Jong-Seong , Hwang Injoo , Kim Sung-Hoon , Jeon Ki-Wan
Published: May 2023

The preparation of mercapto-reduced graphene oxides (m-RGOs) via a solvothermal reaction using P4S10 as a thionating agent has demonstrated their potential as an absorbent for scavenging heavy metal ions, particularly Pb2+, from aqueous solutions due to the presence of thiol (–SH) functional groups on their surface. The structural and elemental analysis of m-RGOs was conducted using a range of techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At pH 7 and 25 °C, the maximum adsorption capacity of Pb2+ ions on the surface of m-RGOs was determined to be approximately 858 mg/g. The heavy metal–S binding energies were used to determine the percent removal of the tested heavy metal ions, with Pb2+ exhibiting the highest percentage removal, followed by Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions having the lowest percent removal, and the binding energies observed were Pb–S at 346 kJ/mol, Hg–S at 217 kJ/mol, and Cd–S at 208 kJ/mol. The time-dependent removal study of Pb2+ ions also yielded promising results, with almost 98% of Pb2+ ions being removed within 30 min at pH 7 and 25 °C using a 1 ppm Pb2+ solution as the test solution. The findings of this study clearly demonstrate the potential and efficiency of thiol-functionalized carbonaceous material for the removal of environmentally harmful Pb2+ from groundwater.
Approaches for Memristive Structures Using Scratching Probe Nanolithography: Towards Neuromorphic Applications
Authors: Tominov Roman V. , Vakulov Zakhar E. , Avilov Vadim I. , Shikhovtsov Ivan A. , Varganov Vadim I. , Kazantsev Victor B. , Gupta Lovi Raj , Prakash Chander , Smirnov Vladimir A.
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes two different approaches to studying resistive switching of oxide thin films using scratching probe nanolithography of atomic force microscopy (AFM). These approaches allow us to assess the effects of memristor size and top-contact thickness on resistive switching. For that purpose, we investigated scratching probe nanolithography regimes using the Taguchi method, which is known as a reliable method for improving the reliability of the result. The AFM parameters, including normal load, scratch distance, probe speed, and probe direction, are optimized on the photoresist thin film by the Taguchi method. As a result, the pinholes with diameter ranged from 25.4 ± 2.2 nm to 85.1 ± 6.3 nm, and the groove array with a depth of 40.5 ± 3.7 nm and a roughness at the bottom of less than a few nanometers was formed. Then, based on the Si/TiN/ZnO/photoresist structures, we fabricated and investigated memristors with different spot sizes and TiN top contact thickness. As a result, the HRS/LRS ratio, USET, and ILRS are well controlled for a memristor size from 27 nm to 83 nm and ranged from ~8 to ~128, from 1.4 ± 0.1 V to 1.8 ± 0.2 V, and from (1.7 ± 0.2) × 10−10 A to (4.2 ± 0.6) × 10−9 A, respectively. Furthermore, the HRS/LRS ratio and USET are well controlled at a TiN top contact thickness from 8.3 ± 1.1 nm to 32.4 ± 4.2 nm and ranged from ~22 to ~188 and from 1.15 ± 0.05 V to 1.62 ± 0.06 V, respectively. The results can be used in the engineering and manufacturing of memristive structures for neuromorphic applications of brain-inspired artificial intelligence systems.