bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Fine Dust Effect of Fucoidan Extracted from Ecklonia maxima Leaves in Macrophages via Inhibiting Inflammatory Signaling Pathways
Authors: Nagahawatta D.P. , Liyanage N.M. , Jayawardhana H.H.A.C.K. , Lee Hyo-Geun , Jayawardena Thilina , Jeon You-Jin
Published: June 2022

Brown seaweeds contain fucoidan, which has numerous biological activities. Here, the anti-fine-dust activity of fucoidan extracted from Ecklonia maxima, an abundant brown seaweed from South Africa, was explored. Fourier transmittance infrared spectroscopy, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection analysis of the monosaccharide content, and nuclear magnetic resonance were used for the structural characterization of the polysaccharides. The toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were evaluated. The results revealed that E. maxima purified leaf fucoidan fraction 7 (EMLF7), which contained the highest sulfate content, showed the best anti-inflammatory activity by attenuating the TLR-mediated NF-κB/MAPK protein expressions in the particulate matter-stimulated cells. This was solidified by the successful reduction of Prostaglandin E2, NO, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. The current findings confirm the anti-inflammatory activity of EMLF7, as well as the potential use of E. maxima as a low-cost fucoidan source due to its abundance. This suggests its further application as a functional ingredient in consumer products.
Clinical Characteristics of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Diagnosed in Patients with Long COVID
Authors: Tokumasu Kazuki , Honda Hiroyuki , Sunada Naruhiko , Sakurada Yasue , Matsuda Yui , Yamamoto Koichiro , Nakano Yasuhiro , Hasegawa Toru , Yamamoto Yukichika , Otsuka Yuki , Hagiya Hideharu , Kataoka Hitomi , Ueda Keigo , Otsuka Fumio
Published: June 2022

Background and Objectives: COVID-19 can be serious not only in the acute phase but also after the acute phase and some patients develop ME/CFS. There have been few studies on patients with long COVID in whom ME/CFS was diagnosed by physicians based on standardized criteria after examinations and exclusion diagnosis and not based on only subjective symptoms. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the detailed characteristics of ME/CFS in patients with long COVID. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed for patients who visited a COVID-19 aftercare clinic established in Okayama University Hospital during the period was from February 2021 to April 2022. Results: Clinical data were obtained from medical records for 281 patients, and 279 patients who met the definition of long COVID were included. The overall prevalence rate of ME/CFS diagnosed by three sets of ME/CFS criteria (Fukuda, Canadian and IOM criteria) was 16.8% (48.9% in male and 51.1% in females). The most frequent symptoms in ME/CFS patients were general fatigue and post-exertional malaise (89.4% of the patients), headache (34.0%), insomnia (23.4%), dysosmia (21.3%) and dysgeusia (19.1%). Dizziness, chest pain, insomnia and headache were characteristic symptoms related to ME/CFS. The male to female ratio in ME/CFS patients was equal in the present study, although ME/CFS was generally more common in women in previous studies. Given that patients with ME/CFS had more severe conditions in the acute phase of COVID-19, the severity of the acute infectious state might be involved in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of ME/CFS and the characteristic sequelae in the long COVID condition were revealed in this study.
Type III Kounis Syndrome Secondary to Ciprofloxacin-Induced Hypersensitivity
Authors: Navarro-Navajas Alberto , Casallas Ingrid , Isaza Daniel , Ortiz Paola , Baracaldo-Santamaría Daniela , Calderon-Ospina Carlos-Alberto
Published: June 2022

Kounis syndrome (KS) is a rare syndrome characterized by the co-occurrence of acute coronary syndromes in the setting of mast cell and platelet activation in response to hypersensitivity reactions. It can be manifested as coronary vasospasms, acute myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis triggered by drugs, vaccines, foods, coronary stents, and insect bites. It is a life-threatening condition that needs to be adequately recognized for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In this case report, we present a 71-year-old patient with a history of arterial hypertension and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction six months earlier that was treated percutaneously with angioplasty plus stent implantation in the circumflex artery, who subsequently presented to the emergency department due to generalized itching associated with tongue swelling, dyspnea, and chest pain after ingestion of ciprofloxacin for the treatment of a urogenital infection. An electrocardiogram showed ST elevation in II, III, and aVF leads, and positive troponin; thus, a coronary arteriography was performed that showed complete thrombotic stent occlusion in the circumflex artery. Consequently, diagnosis of type 4b inferolateral acute myocardial infarction secondary to ciprofloxacin-triggered type III Kounis syndrome was made. The aim of this report is to understand the relationship between the allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin and the acute coronary syndrome, and to create awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal syndrome.
RETRACTED: Obesity and Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly: Prospective Study in Primary Care
Authors: Zulfiqar Abrar-Ahmad , Habchi Perla , Dembele Ibrahima
Published: June 2022

Background: Obesity is a chronic pathology that affects people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, residing in both developed and developing countries. Objective: Our aim is to study the link between obesity and frailty in the elderly. Method: A prospective study was carried out in 12 General Medicine practices in Champagne-Ardenne, in the Departments of Marne and the Ardennes, France, for a period of 12 months (from 2 May 2019 through 30 April 2020). All patients included were aged 65 or older, in consultation with a general practitioner, and had an ADL (Activity of Daily Living) greater than or equal to 4. Frailty was measured using the Fried scale and the simplified ZULFIQAR frailty scale. Results: 268 patients aged 65 and over were included, with an average age of 77.5 years. A total of 100 were obese according to BMI. The mean Fried (/5) in the series was 1.57, and the mean sZFS (/5) was 0.91. Our study shows that obesity is not significantly correlated with frailty according to the FRIED sarcopenic scale, but is significantly correlated with frailty according to the sZFS scale. Conclusions: The link between obesity and frailty remains much debated, with the underlying emergence of sarcopenic obesity equally prevalent among the elderly. This is a preliminary study that should be followed by large-scale outpatient studies to better clarify the links between sarcopenia and obesity.
High-Order Groove-Shape Curve Roll Design for Aluminum Alloy 7075 Wire Rolling
Authors: Sheu Jinn-Jong , Ho Chien-Jen , Yu Cheng-Hsien , Kao Chi-Yuan
Published: June 2022

A Bézier curve groove-shape roll design method was proposed and compared to round-oval-round designs for the wire rolling process. CAE simulations were adopted to predict the rolling forces and torques required for the rolling process. The rolling torque required for the case of 28% vertical compression rate is 73% higher than the case of 12% compression rate. The curve fittings of the rolling torque and the compression force with respect to the compression rate were obtained with very high R-square values (0.99 and 0.98) in the first rolling pass. The rolling force required for the Bézier curve groove-shape design is no different compared to the oval design with the same compression rate, but the rolling torque requirement for the next rolling station is 6% less than the oval groove design. Furthermore, the equivalent strain distribution on the cross section of the product was uniform, and no fin flash defects occurred. The proposed Bézier curve groove-shape is a better design from the viewpoint of uniform product mechanical property requirement, and a larger compression rate per pass could be achieved.
Fabrication of Highly Efficient Perovskite Nanocrystal Light-Emitting Diodes via Inkjet Printing
Authors: Ye Taikang , Jia Siqi , Wang Zhaojin , Cai Rui , Yang Hongcheng , Zhao Fangqing , Tan Yangzhi , Sun Xiaowei , Wu Dan , Wang Kai
Published: June 2022

As an effective manufacturing technology, inkjet printing is very suitable for the fabrication of perovskite light-emitting diodes in next-generation displays. However, the unsatisfied efficiency of perovskite light-emitting diode created with the use of inkjet printing impedes its development for future application. Here, we report highly efficient PeLEDs using inkjet printing, with an external quantum efficiency of 7.9%, a current efficiency of 32.0 cd/A, and the highest luminance of 2465 cd/m2; these values are among the highest values for the current efficiency of inkjet-printed PeLED in the literature. The outstanding performance of our device is due to the coffee-ring-free and uniform perovskite nanocrystal layer on the PVK layer, resulting from vacuum post-treatment and using a suitable ink. Moreover, the surface roughness and thickness of the perovskite layer are effectively controlled by adjusting the spacing of printing dots. This study makes an insightful exploration of the use of inkjet printing in PeLED fabrication, which is one of the most promising ways for future industrial production of PeLEDs.
Dual-Mode Scandium-Aluminum Nitride Lamb-Wave Resonators Using Reconfigurable Periodic Poling
Authors: Rassay Sushant , Mo Dicheng , Tabrizian Roozbeh
Published: June 2022

This paper presents the use of ferroelectric behavior in scandium–aluminum nitride (ScxAl1−xN) to create dual-mode Lamb-wave resonators for the realization of intrinsically configurable radio-frequency front-end systems. An integrated array of intrinsically switchable dual-mode Lamb-wave resonators with frequencies covering the 0.45–3 GHz spectrum. The resonators are created in ferroelectric scandium–aluminum nitride (Sc0.28Al0.72N) film and rely on period poling for intrinsic configuration between Lamb modes with highly different wavelengths and frequencies. A comprehensive analytical model is presented, formulating intrinsically switchable dual-mode operation and providing closed-form derivation of electromechanical coupling (kt2) in the two resonance modes as a function of electrode dimensions and scandium content. Fabricated resonator prototypes show kt2s as high as 4.95%, when operating in the first modes over 0.45–1.6 GHz, 2.23% when operating in the second mode of operation over 0.8–3 GHz, and series quality factors (Qs) over 300–800. Benefiting from lithographical frequency tailorability and intrinsic switchability that alleviate the need for external multiplexers, and large kt2 and Q, dual-mode Sc0.28Al0.72N Lamb-wave resonators are promising candidates to realize single-chip multi-band reconfigurable spectral processors for radio-frequency front-ends of modern wireless systems.
Propagation Characteristics of Circular Airy Vortex Beams in a Uniaxial Crystal along the Optical Axis
Authors: Zheng Guoliang , Wu Qingyang , He Tiefeng , Zhang Xuhui
Published: June 2022

Circular airy vortex beams (CAVBs) have attracted much attention due to their “abruptly autofocusing” effect, phase singularity, and their potential applications in optical micromanipulation, communication, etc. In this paper, we numerically investigated the propagation properties of circular airy beams (CABs) imposed with different optical vortices (OVs) along the optical axis of a uniaxial crystal for the first time. Like other common beams, a left-hand circular polarized (LHCP) CAVB, propagating along the optical axis in a uniaxial crystal, can excite a right-hand circular polarized (RHCP) component superimposed with an on-axis vortex of topological charge (TC) number of 2. When the incident beam is an LHCP CAB imposed with an on-axis vortex of TC number of l = 1, both of the two components have an axisymmetric intensity distribution during propagation and form hollow beams near the focal plane because of the phase singularity. The phase pattern shows that the LHCP component carries an on-axis vortex of TC number of l = 1, while the RHCP component carries an on-axis vortex of TC number of l = 3. With a larger TC number (l = 3), the RHCP component has a larger hollow region in the focal plane compared to the LHCP component. We also studied cases of CABs imposed with one and two off-axis OVs. The off-axis OV makes the CAVB’s profile remain asymmetric throughout the propagation. As the propagation distance increases, the off-axis OVs move near the center of the beam and overlap, resulting in a special intensity and phase distribution near the focal plane.
Hybrid Nanowire–Rectangular Plasmonic Waveguide for Subwavelength Confinement at 1550 Nm
Authors: Wang Yindi , Liu Hongxia , Wang Shulong , Cai Ming
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a hybrid waveguide based on metal surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at 1550 nm comprising two silver (Ag) nanowires and a rectangular silicon (Si) waveguide. Due to the strong coupling effect observed in both the metal SPP mode and Si waveguide mode, excellent waveguide characteristics, such as a small effective modal area and long transmission length, could be achieved. The research results revealed that the proposed hybrid waveguide could achieve an ultra-long transmission distance of 270 µm and normalized effective mode area of 0.01. Furthermore, the cross-sectional size of the waveguide was 500 nm × 500 nm, which helped in achieving a subwavelength size. In addition, the hybrid waveguide was resistant to manufacturing errors. These excellent performances indicate that the proposed waveguide has great application potential in optoelectronic integrated circuits.
Petrography and Provenance of the Sub-Himalayan Kuldana Formation: Implications for Tectonic Setting and Palaeoclimatic Conditions
Authors: Bilal Ahmer , Mughal Muhammad Saleem , Janjuhah Hammad Tariq , Ali Johar , Niaz Abrar , Kontakiotis George , Antonarakou Assimina , Usman Muhammad , Hussain Syed Asim , Yang Renchao
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the depositional environment, age, and tectonic context of the Sub-Himalayan Kuldana Formation are discussed in detail. To determine the Kuldana Formation’s depositional environment, age, and tectonic setting, sedimentological, palaeontological, and petrographic investigations have been conducted accordingly. The Kuldana Formation lithologically consists of both siliciclastic and carbonate rocks. Petrographically, the Kuldana Formation’s sandstone is divided into litharenite and feldspathic litharenite petrofacies. The sandstone plots on the QtFL and QmFLt suggest that the sandstone of the Kuldana Formation derived from a recycled orogen provenance field that developed during the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates in the Lesser and Higher Himalayas. The plots in the diamond diagram further demonstrate that the detritus of the Kuldana Formation was derived from low and middle-to-upper rank metamorphic rocks of the Himalayas. Throughout the deposition of sandstone, paleo-climate conditions were semi-humid to semiarid. Dolostone and limestone are the two main types of carbonate rocks found in the Kuldana Formation. According to Dunham’s Classification, the Kuldana Formation limestone is classified as mudstone, wackstone, and packstone. These petrofacies suggest that the limestone was deposited in an inner-outer ramp setting. The bioclasts include bivalves, brachiopods, crinoid, gastropods, Globigerinoides spp., Lockhartia pustulosa, miliolids, Nummulites atacicus, Nummulites discorbina, Nummulites mamillatus, Nummulites djodjokartae, Nummulites vascus, and ostracods suggesting that the age of Kuldana Formation is Middle Eocene-early Oligocene. The Kuldana Formation was deposited during the initial stages of the Himalayan Orogeny as a result of the Ceno-Tethys Ocean’s regression and transgression, as revealed by a succession of siliciclastic and non-clastic rocks.
Photocrosslinking Probes Proximity of Thymine Modifiers Tethering Excitonically Coupled Dye Aggregates to DNA Holliday Junction
Authors: Basu Shibani , Cervantes-Salguero Keitel , Yurke Bernard , Knowlton William B. , Lee Jeunghoon , Mass Olga A.
Published: June 2022

A DNA Holliday junction (HJ) has been used as a versatile scaffold to create a variety of covalently templated molecular dye aggregates exhibiting strong excitonic coupling. In these dye-DNA constructs, one way to attach dyes to DNA is to tether them via single long linkers to thymine modifiers incorporated in the core of the HJ. Here, using photoinduced [2 + 2] cycloaddition (photocrosslinking) between thymines, we investigated the relative positions of squaraine-labeled thymine modifiers in the core of the HJ, and whether the proximity of thymine modifiers correlated with the excitonic coupling strength in squaraine dimers. Photocrosslinking between squaraine-labeled thymine modifiers was carried out in two distinct types of configurations: adjacent dimer and transverse dimer. The outcomes of the reactions in terms of relative photocrosslinking yields were evaluated by denaturing polyacrylamide electrophoresis. We found that for photocrosslinking to occur at a high yield, a synergetic combination of three parameters was necessary: adjacent dimer configuration, strong attractive dye–dye interactions that led to excitonic coupling, and an A-T neighboring base pair. The insight into the proximity of dye-labeled thymines in adjacent and transverse configurations correlated with the strength of excitonic coupling in the corresponding dimers. To demonstrate a utility of photocrosslinking, we created a squaraine tetramer templated by a doubly crosslinked HJ with increased thermal stability. These findings provide guidance for the design of HJ-templated dye aggregates exhibiting strong excitonic coupling for exciton-based applications such as organic optoelectronics and quantum computing.
Novel Silver-Plated Nickel-Coated Graphite Powder with Excellent Heat and Humidity Resistance: Facile Preparation and Performance Investigation
Authors: Lv Xin-Kun , Yu Jin-Gang
Published: June 2022

Nickel-coated graphite (Ni/C) powder has many applications in diverse areas such as paint, print ink, adhesive, conductive rubber, and so on. To increase its stability in harsh environmental conditions, the electroless plating of silver film on Ni/C via ascorbic acid was studied. A silver layer with a thickness of 2.5 μm was successfully plated on Ni/C powder’s surface with an Ag loading of 44.35 wt.%. Silica gel blended with the Ag/Ni/C powder exhibited much higher conductivity under aging conditions of 85 °C and 85% RH for 1000 h than that with pristine Ni/C powder. Further tests showed that the conductivity of Ag/Ni/C powder remained almost unchanged even in an extremely humid and hot condition for 1000 h. Aging tests were carried out for Ag/Ni/C and Ni/C powders under long-term humid and hot conditions (85 °C, 85% RH), in which Ag/Ni/C samples showed much better electromagnetic shielding performance. Due to the excellent properties and reasonable price, the potential applications of Ag/Ni/C in conductive glue and electromagnetic shielding glue could be expected.
HDAC Inhibitory and Anti-Cancer Activities of Curcumin and Curcumin Derivative CU17 against Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Authors: Namwan Narissara , Senawong Gulsiri , Phaosiri Chanokbhorn , Kumboonma Pakit , Somsakeesit La-or , Samankul Arunta , Leerat Chadaporn , Senawong Thanaset
Published: June 2022

Previous research reported that the curcumin derivative (CU17) inhibited several cancer cell growths in vitro. However, its anticancer potential against human lung cancer cells (A549 cell lines) has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this research was to examine the HDAC inhibitory and anti-cancer activities of CU17 compared to curcumin (CU) in A549 cells. An in vitro study showed that CU17 had greater HDAC inhibitory activity than CU. CU17 inhibited HDAC activity in a dose dependent manner with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.30 ± 0.086 µg/mL against HDAC enzymes from HeLa nuclear extract. In addition, CU17 could bind at the active pockets of both human class I HDACs (HDAC1, 2, 3, and 8) and class II HDACs (HDAC4, 6, and 7) demonstrated by molecular docking studies, and caused hyperacetylation of histone H3 (Ac-H3) in A549 cells shown by Western blot analysis. MTT assay indicated that both CU and CU17 suppressed A549 cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Besides, CU and CU17 induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and p53-independent apoptosis in A549 cells. Both CU and CU17 down-regulated the expression of p53, p21, Bcl-2, and pERK1/2, but up-regulated Bax expression in this cell line. Although CU17 inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells less effectively than CU, it showed less toxicity than CU for non-cancer cells. Accordingly, CU17 is a promising agent for lung cancer treatment. Additionally, CU17 synergized the antiproliferative activity of Gem in A549 cells, indicating the possibility of employing CU17 as an adjuvant treatment to enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of Gem in lung cancer.
Regioselective One-Pot Synthesis, Biological Activity and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Conjugates N-(p-Aryltriazolyl)-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-ones as Potent Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents
Authors: Nsira Asma , Mtiraoui Hasan , Chniti Sami , Al-Ghulikah Hanan , Gharbi Rafik , Msaddek Moncef
Published: June 2022

Novel 1,2,3-triazolo-linked-1,5-benzodiazepinones were designed and synthesized via a Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar alkyne-azide coupling reaction (CuAAC). The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HMBC, HRMS, and elemental analysis. The compounds were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Several compounds exhibited good to moderate activities compared to those of established standard drugs. Furthermore, the binding interactions of these active analogs were confirmed through molecular docking.
Novel Nitric Oxide Donor Dinitroazetidine-Coumarin Hybrids as Potent Anti-Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Agents
Authors: Yu Zhihui , Li Mengru , Guo Shiqi , Wang Weijie , Qu Feng , Ma Yulei , Liu Hongrui , Chen Ying
Published: June 2022

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) is a serious liver cancer threatening human health. However, there are a few chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of iCC in the clinic. It is extremely urgent to develop new drugs for iCC. In this study, twenty dinitroazetidine and coumarin hybrids were synthesized and evaluated anti-iCC bioactivity as a new type of nitric oxide (NO) donors. Among them, compounds 2–5 and 21 showed a higher antiproliferative activity against RBE cell lines (human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines) and low cytotoxicity in nontumor cells (HOSEpiC and T29). The preliminary study of pharmacology mechanism indicated that compounds 2–5 and 21 could release effective concentration of NO in RBE cell lines, which leaded to inhibit the proliferation of RBE cell lines. The research results revealed that compound 3 inhibited the proliferation of RBE cell lines by inducing apoptosis and arresting cell cycle at G2/M phase. Additionally, compound 3 had acceptable metabolic stability. Therefore, compound 3 was merited to further explore for developing a desirable NO donor lead with anti-iCC activity.
Synthesis and Characterization of Catechol-Containing Polyacrylamides with Adhesive Properties
Authors: Hennig Kathleen , Meyer Wolfdietrich
Published: June 2022

In this study, a row of four analogous dopamine acryl- and methacrylamide derivatives, namely N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyethyl) acrylamide, N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyethyl) meth acrylamide, N-phenethyl methacrylamide, N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl) methacrylamide were synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR, followed by further solvent-based radical polymerization with N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide. All copolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR, dynamic differential calorimetry, and gel permeation chromatography. The dependency of the used comonomer ratios to the molecular mass of the corresponding copolymers has been described. The synthesis of the various polymers serves as a feasibility study and provides important data for a future biometric application in the medical field. We synthesized N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyethyl) acrylamide copolymer up to 80 mol% by free radical polymerization without using any protecting groups. All polymers show identical perfect adhesive properties by a simple scratch test. Further, the monomers were used as a photo reactive glue formulation to test its adherence to a medical titanium surface sample by tensile shear test.
Insight into the Nucleation Mechanism of p-Methoxybenzoic Acid in Ethanol-Water System from Metastable Zone Width
Authors: Wang Guangle , Shang Zeren , Liu Mingdi , Dong Weibing , Li Haichao , Yin Haiqing , Gong Junbo , Wu Songgu
Published: June 2022

The metastable zone width (MSZW) of p-methoxybenzoic acid (PMBA) in an ethanol-water system was measured using the polythermal method. The nucleation order m obtained by the Nývlt’s model indicates the nucleation of PMBA following a progressive nucleation mechanism at low saturation temperature (m = 3.18–7.50) and an instantaneous nucleation mechanism at high saturation temperature (m = 1.46–2.55). Then, combined with the metastable zone experiment and the Sangwal model, we found that the MSZW and the interfacial energy reached the maximum when the mass fraction of ethanol was 0.8, which resulted in the smallest crystal product size. Meanwhile, the maximum rcrit and ΔGcrit obtained based on the modified Sangwal model indicating the PMBA needs to overcome a higher nucleation barrier in the ethanol mass fraction of 0.8. Finally, we proposed a preferential strategy for adjusting MSZW by correlating the interfacial energy with the change in ethanol mass fraction, saturation temperature, and cooling rate, respectively.
Determination of the Highly Sensitive Carboxyl-Graphene Oxide-Based Planar Optical Waveguide Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor
Authors: Chen Chien-Hsing , Chiang Chang-Yue
Published: June 2022

This study develops a highly sensitive and low-cost carboxyl-graphene-oxide-based planar optical waveguide localized surface plasmon resonance biosensor (GO-OW LSPR biosensor), a system based on measuring light intensity changes. The structure of the sensing chip comprises an optical waveguide (OW)-slide glass and microfluidic-poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate, and the OW-slide glass surface-modified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) combined with graphene oxide (GO). As the GO has an abundant carboxyl group (–COOH), the number of capture molecules can be increased. The refractive index sensing system uses silver-coated reflective film to compare the refractive index sensitivity of the GO-OW LSPR biosensor to increase the refractive index sensitivity. The result shows that the signal variation of the system with the silver-coated reflective film is 1.57 times that of the system without the silver-coated reflective film. The refractive index sensitivity is 5.48 RIU−1 and the sensor resolution is 2.52 ± 0.23 × 10−6 RIU. The biochemical sensing experiment performs immunoglobulin G (IgG) and streptavidin detection. The limits of detection of the sensor for IgG and streptavidin are calculated to be 23.41 ± 1.54 pg/mL and 5.18 ± 0.50 pg/mL, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the repeatability experiment (sample numbers = 3) is smaller than 10.6%. In addition, the affinity constants of the sensor for anti-IgG/IgG and biotin/streptavidin are estimated to be 1.06 × 107 M−1 and 7.30 × 109 M−1, respectively. The result shows that the GO-OW LSPR biosensor has good repeatability and very low detection sensitivity. It can be used for detecting low concentrations or small biomolecules in the future.
The Aggregation of Destabilized Ag Triangular Nanoplates and Its Application in Detection of Thiram Residues
Authors: Zhang Chunhong , Ren Hao , Jiang Xiangkui , Jia Guangfeng , Pan Zhigang , Liu Yongchun
Published: June 2022

An aggregation or assembly of Ag triangular nanoplates (Ag TNPs) can cause dramatic changes in their optical properties, which is widely used in applications in the field of sensing. The assembly forms of nanoparticles are crucial for obtaining sensitive sensing signals, but it is unknown what kind of assembly dominates the aggregated Ag TNPs in aqueous solutions. Herein, using thiram-induced Ag TNP aggregation as a model, six different assembly models were established, including three planar (side-by-side, side-to-tip, and tip-to-tip) assemblies and three tridimensional (plane-to-plane, plane-to-tip, and plane-to-side) assemblies. The corresponding optical properties were then investigated. Both theoretical and experimental findings indicate that three-dimensional assemblies, especially plane-to-plane assembly, dominate the Ag TNPs aggregation solution, causing a blue shift of the absorption spectrum. Analysis of charge distribution patterns in Ag TNPs indicates that such a blue shift is caused by the electrostatic repulsive force in plane-to-plane assembly. Thus, we propose a simple colorimetric method for thiram detection using Ag TNPs as an indicator. The method exhibits a selective and sensitive response to thiram with a limit of detection of 0.13 μM in the range of 0.2–0.5 μM, as well as excellent performance in real samples like wheat.
Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Rock Wool as a Novel Material for Efficient Water-Splitting Application
Authors: El-Gharbawy Sahar , Al-Dossari Mawaheb , Zayed Mohamed , Saudi Heba , Hassaan Mohamed , Alfryyan Nada , Shaban Mohamed
Published: June 2022

Rock wool (RW) nanostructures of various sizes and morphologies were prepared using a combination of ball-mill and hydrothermal techniques, followed by an annealing process. Different tools were used to explore the morphologies, structures, chemical compositions and optical characteristics of the samples. The effect of initial particle size on the characteristics and photoelectrochemical performance of RW samples generated hydrothermally was investigated. As the starting particle size of ball-milled natural RW rises, the crystallite size of hydrothermally formed samples drops from 70.1 to 31.7 nm. Starting with larger ball-milled particle sizes, the nanoparticles consolidate and seamlessly combine to form a continuous surface with scattered spherical nanopores. Water splitting was used to generate photoelectrochemical hydrogen using the samples as photocatalysts. The number of hydrogen moles and conversion efficiencies were determined using amperometry and voltammetry experiments. When the monochromatic wavelength of light was increased from 307 to 460 nm for the manufactured RW>0.3 photocatalyst, the photocurrent density values decreased from 0.25 to 0.20 mA/mg. At 307 nm and +1 V, the value of the incoming photon-to-current efficiency was ~9.77%. Due to the stimulation of the H+ ion rate under the temperature impact, the Jph value increased by a factor of 5 when the temperature rose from 40 to 75 °C. As a result of this research, for the first time, a low-cost photoelectrochemical catalytic material is highlighted for effective hydrogen production from water splitting.
Multifunctional Nanomaterials for Energy Applications
Authors: Rackauskas Simas , Cesano Federico , Uddin Mohammed Jasim
Published: June 2022

In the last few decades, global energy requirements have grown exponentially, and increased demand is expected in the upcoming decades [...]
Optical Computing: Status and Perspectives
Authors: Kazanskiy Nikolay L. , Butt Muhammad A. , Khonina Svetlana N.
Published: June 2022

For many years, optics has been employed in computing, although the major focus has been and remains to be on connecting parts of computers, for communications, or more fundamentally in systems that have some optical function or element (optical pattern recognition, etc.). Optical digital computers are still evolving; however, a variety of components that can eventually lead to true optical computers, such as optical logic gates, optical switches, neural networks, and spatial light modulators have previously been developed and are discussed in this paper. High-performance off-the-shelf computers can accurately simulate and construct more complicated photonic devices and systems. These advancements have developed under unusual circumstances: photonics is an emerging tool for the next generation of computing hardware, while recent advances in digital computers have empowered the design, modeling, and creation of a new class of photonic devices and systems with unparalleled challenges. Thus, the review of the status and perspectives shows that optical technology offers incredible developments in computational efficiency; however, only separately implemented optical operations are known so far, and the launch of the world’s first commercial optical processing system was only recently announced. Most likely, the optical computer has not been put into mass production because there are still no good solutions for optical transistors, optical memory, and much more that acceptance to break the huge inertia of many proven technologies in electronics.
Switchable Terahertz Absorber from Single Broadband to Dual Broadband Based on Graphene and Vanadium Dioxide
Authors: Wang Guan , Wu Tong , Jia Yang , Gao Yang , Gao Yachen
Published: June 2022

A multifunctional switchable terahertz (THz) absorber based on graphene and vanadium dioxide (VO2) is presented. The properties of the absorber are studied theoretically by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The results illustrate that the structure switches between the single-broadband or double-broadband absorption depending on the temperature of VO2. Moreover, the amplitude of the absorptivity can be adjusted by changing the Fermi energy level (EF) of graphene or the conductivity of VO2 separately. Via impedance matching theory, the physical mechanism of the absorber is researched. Furthermore, the effects of incidence angle on absorption have also been studied. It is found that the absorber is insensitive to the polarization of electromagnetic waves.
Bio-Convection Effects on Prandtl Hybrid Nanofluid Flow with Chemical Reaction and Motile Microorganism over a Stretching Sheet
Authors: Shah Syed Asif Ali , Ahammad N. Ameer , Din ElSayed M. Tag El , Gamaoun Fehmi , Awan Aziz Ullah , Ali Bagh
Published: June 2022

This study aims to determine the heat transfer properties of a magnetohydrodynamic Prandtl hybrid nanofluid over a stretched surface in the presence of bioconvection and chemical reaction effects. This article investigates the bio-convection, inclined magnetohydrodynamic, thermal linear radiations, and chemical reaction of hybrid nanofluid across stretching sheets. Also, the results are compared with the nanofluid flow. Moreover, the non-Newtonian fluid named Prandtl fluid is considered. Microfluidics, industry, transportation, the military, and medicine are just a few of the real-world applications of hybrid nanofluids. Due to the nonlinear and convoluted nature of the governing equations for the problem, similarity transformations are used to develop a simplified mathematical model with all differential equations being ordinary and asymmetric. The reduced mathematical model is computationally analyzed using the MATLAB software package’s boundary value problem solver, Runge-Kutta-fourth-fifth Fehlberg’s order method. When compared to previously published studies, it is observed that the acquired results exhibited a high degree of symmetry and accuracy. The velocity profiles of basic nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid are increased by increasing the Prandtl parameters’ values, which is consistent with prior observations. Additionally, the concentration and temperature of simple and hybrid nanofluids increase with the magnetic parameter values.
Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of a Flexible Anisotropic Rubber-Based Composite
Authors: Dong Jie , Wang Chunhai , Fan Xingyu , Wei Liang , Shen Guodong , Sun Runjun , Li Rong
Published: June 2022

Rubber-based conductive composites are widely used in sensors, wearable electronic devices and electromagnetic fields. In this work, by using the two-roll milling and hot-pressing process, chopped glass fiber (CGF) and graphene (Gr) as additives, and acrtlinitrile-brtadiene rubber (NBR) as the matrix, a series of anisotropic flexible rubber-based composites were prepared. Using this preparation method, both CGF and Gr additives were directly arranged in the material. When the content of CGF was 1 wt.%, the tensile strength in both the T and W directions of the material reached 27 MPa and 28 MPa, respectively. When the content of CGF was fixed at 1 wt.% and Gr was 1.5 wt.% and the elongation at break in both directions reached 328% and 347%. By focusing on the comparison of the dielectric differences in the T and W directions in the X band, it was found that the directional arrangement of the additives led to differences in the dielectric properties.
Annealing Optimization of Lithium Cobalt Oxide Thin Film for Use as a Cathode in Lithium-Ion Microbatteries
Authors: Bekzhanov Akzhan , Uzakbaiuly Berik , Mukanova Aliya , Bakenov Zhumabay
Published: June 2022

The microbatteries field is an important direction of energy storage systems, requiring the careful miniaturization of existing materials while maintaining their properties. Over recent decades, LiCoO2 has attracted considerable attention as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to its promising electrochemical properties for high-performance batteries. In this work, the thin films of LiCoO2 were obtained by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering of the corresponding target. In order to obtain the desired crystal structure, the parameters such as annealing time, temperature, and heating rate were varied and found to influence the rhombohedral phase formation. The electrochemical performances of the prepared thin films were examined as a function of annealing time, temperature, and heating rate. The LiCoO2 thin film cathode annealed at 550 °C for 1 h 20 min demonstrated the best cycling performance with a discharge specific capacity of around 135 mAh g−1 and volumetric capacity of 50 µAh cm−2µm−1 with a 77% retention at 0.5 C rate.
The Increase in FGF23 Induced by Calcium Is Partially Dependent on Vitamin D Signaling
Authors: Rayego-Mateos Sandra , Doladé Nuria , García-Carrasco Alicia , Diaz-Tocados Juan Miguel , Ibarz Merce , Valdivielso Jose Manuel
Published: June 2022

Background: Increased FGF23 levels are an early pathological feature in chronic kidney disease (CKD), causing increased cardiovascular risk. The regulation of FGF23 expression is complex and not completely understood. Thus, Ca2+ has been shown to induce an increase in FGF23 expression, but whether that increase is mediated by simultaneous changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) and/or vitamin D is not fully known. Methods: Osteoblast-like cells (OLCs) from vitamin D receptor (VDR)+/+ and VDR−/− mice were incubated with Ca2+ for 18 h. Experimental hypercalcemia was induced by calcium gluconate injection in thyro-parathyroidectomized (T-PTX) VDR +/+ and VDR−/− mice with constant PTH infusion. Results: Inorganic Ca2+ induced an increase in FGF23 gene and protein expression in osteoblast-like cells (OLCs), but the increase was blunted in cells lacking VDR. In T-PTX VDR +/+ and VDR−/− mice with constant PTH levels, hypercalcemia induced an increase in FGF23 levels, but to a lower extent in animals lacking VDR. Similar results were observed in FGF23 expression in bone. Renal and bone 1α-hydroxylase expression was also modulated. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that Ca2+ can increase FGF23 levels independently of vitamin D and PTH, but part of the physiological increase in FGF23 induced by Ca2+ is mediated by vitamin D signaling.
Urinary Aflatoxin M1 Concentration and Its Determinants in School-Age Children in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebreegziabher Tafere , Dean Melanie , Elias Elilta , Tsegaye Workneh , Stoecker Barbara J.
Published: June 2022

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that can contaminate grains, legumes, and oil seeds. These toxic compounds are an especially serious problem in tropical and sub-tropical climates. The objective of this study was to raise awareness of aflatoxin exposure among primary school children in Shebedino woreda, southern Ethiopia, by measuring urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). The study employed a cross-sectional design and systematic random sampling of children from eight schools in the district. The mean ± SD age of the children was 9.0 ± 1.8 years. Most (84.6%) households were food insecure with 17.9% severely food insecure. Urinary AFM1 was detected in more than 93% of the children. The median [IQR] concentration of AFM1/Creat was 480 [203, 1085] pg/mg. Based on a multiple regression analysis: DDS, consumption of haricot bean or milk, source of drinking water, maternal education, and household food insecurity access scale scores were significantly associated with urinary AFM1/Creat. In conclusion, a high prevalence of urinary AFM1 was observed in this study. However, the relation between AFM1 and dietary intake was analyzed based on self-reported dietary data; hence, all of the staple foods as well as animal feeds in the study area should be assessed for aflatoxin contamination.
Elevation of Serum Spermidine in Obese Patients: Results from a Cross-Sectional and Follow-Up Study
Authors: Gao Hanshu , Zhang Qianlong , Xu Jiahui , Yuan Wei , Li Ruixue , Guo Hui , Gu Cuiying , Feng Wenjing , Ma Yanan , Sun Zhaoqing , Zheng Liqiang
Published: June 2022

Background: Spermidine, a natural polyamine, appears to be a promising intervention for the treatment of obesity in animal studies, but epidemiological studies on the association between spermidine and obesity are inadequate. Methods: In the cross-sectional study, a total of 4230 eligible Chinese rural participants aged ≥ 35 years at baseline were recruited, of whom 1738 completed the two-year follow-up. Serum spermidines were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Obesity and change in BMI were used as outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Participants who were obese had higher serum spermidine concentrations than those who were of normal weight (median (IQR), 27.2 ng/mL (14.8–53.4 ng/mL) vs. 23.8 ng/mL (12.8–46.6 ng/mL), p = 0.002). Compared with participants in the first quartile, those in the third quartile (OR 1.327, 95% CI 1.050 to 1.678) and the fourth quartile (OR 1.417, 95% CI 1.121 to 1.791) had a significantly increased risk of prevalent obesity after adjustment for confounding factors. In the follow-up study, participants in the third quartile (OR 0.712, 95% CI 0.535 to 0.946) and the fourth quartile (OR 0.493, 95% CI 0.370 to 0.657) had significantly lower risks of an increase in BMI after adjustment for confounding factors, with the lowest quartile as the reference. Meanwhile, we found a nonlinear relationship between spermidine and BMI in the follow-up study (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Serum spermidine was positively associated with increased odds of obesity in the cross-sectional study but reduced odds of an increase in BMI in the follow-up study among Chinese adults. Future studies are warranted to determine the exact mechanism underlying the association between spermidine and obesity and the scope for interventions.
Effects of Developmental Failure of Swallowing Threshold on Obesity and Eating Behaviors in Children Aged 5–15 Years
Authors: Fujita Yuko
Published: June 2022

Background: The aim of the present study was to identify factors related to developmental failure of swallowing threshold in children aged 5–15 years. Methods: A total of 83 children aged 5–15 years were included in this study. A self-administered lifestyle questionnaire was completed, along with hand grip strength and oral function tests. Swallowing threshold was determined based on the concentration of dissolved glucose obtained from gummy jellies when the participants signaled that they wanted to swallow the chewed gummy jellies. Developmental failure of swallowing threshold was defined as glucose concentrations in the lowest 20th percentile. After univariate analysis, multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with developmental failure of swallowing threshold. Results: Hand grip strength was significantly correlated with masticatory performance (r = 0.611, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed factors related to developmental failure of swallowing threshold, i.e., overweight/obesity (Odds ratio) (OR) = 5.343, p = 0.031, 95% CI = 1.168–24.437) and eating between meals at least once a day (OR = 4.934, p = 0.049, 95% CI = 1.004–24.244). Conclusions: Developmental failure of swallowing threshold was closely associated with childhood obesity in 5- to 15-year-old children.
Plant-Based Foods and Vascular Function: A Systematic Review of Dietary Intervention Trials in Older Subjects and Hypothesized Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Tucci Massimiliano , Marino Mirko , Martini Daniela , Porrini Marisa , Riso Patrizia , Del Bo’ Cristian
Published: June 2022

Cardiovascular diseases, still the leading cause of mortality in the world, are closely related to vascular function. Older subjects are more susceptible to endothelial dysfunction and therefore it is important to define possible preventive or support strategies, such as consumption of foods with health-promoting effects. This systematic review aims to summarize the currently available evidence on acute or chronic trials testing the effect of selected plant-based foods on vascular function parameters in older subjects, and consider plausible mechanisms that may support the main findings. A total of 15 trials were included and analyzed, testing the effects of beetroot, plum, blueberry, and vegetable oils. We found some interesting results regarding markers of vascular reactivity, in particular for beetroot, while no effects were found for markers of arterial stiffness. The amelioration of vascular function seems to be more related to the restoration of a condition of nitric oxide impairment, exacerbated by diseases or hypoxic condition, rather than the enhancement of a physiological situation, as indicated by the limited effects on healthy older subjects or in control groups with young subjects. However, the overall set of selected studies is, in any case, rather limited and heterogeneous in terms of characteristics of the studies, indicating the need for additional high-quality intervention trials to better clarify the role of vegetable foods in restoring and/or improving vascular function in order to better elucidate the mechanisms through which these foods may exert their vascular health benefits in older subjects.