bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulatory Potential of Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Boar Spermatozoa with Good and Poor Freezability
Authors: Fraser Leyland , Paukszto Łukasz , Mańkowska Anna , Brym Paweł , Gilun Przemysław , Jastrzębski Jan P. , Pareek Chandra S. , Kumar Dibyendu , Pierzchała Mariusz
Published: November 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are suggested to play an important role in the sperm biological processes. We performed de novo transcriptome assembly to characterize lncRNAs in spermatozoa, and to investigate the role of the potential target genes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in sperm freezability. We detected approximately 4007 DElncRNAs, which were differentially expressed in spermatozoa from boars classified as having good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively). Most of the DElncRNAs were upregulated in boars of the PSF group and appeared to significantly affect the sperm’s response to the cryopreservation conditions. Furthermore, we predicted that the potential target genes were regulated by DElncRNAs in cis or trans. It was found that DElncRNAs of both freezability groups had potential cis- and trans-regulatory effects on different protein-coding genes, such as COX7A2L, TXNDC8 and SOX-7. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment revealed that the DElncRNA target genes are associated with numerous biological processes, including signal transduction, response to stress, cell death (apoptosis), motility and embryo development. Significant differences in the de novo assembled transcriptome expression profiles of the DElncRNAs between the freezability groups were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. This study reveals the potential effects of protein-coding genes of DElncRNAs on sperm functions, which could contribute to further research on their relevance in semen freezability.
4,4′-(Pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole-1,4-diyl)dianiline
Authors: Giordano Lorenza , Ballesteros Rafael , Ballesteros-Garrido Rafael
Published: November 2020

4,4′-(Pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole-1,4-diyl)dianiline was synthesized in one step from benzene-1,4-diamine and ethylene glycol with Pd/Al2O3 and ZnO. The title compound was characterized by means of NMR techniques and HRMS mass spectrometry.
Conductivity Extraction Using a 180 GHz Quasi-Optical Resonator for Conductive Thin Film Deposited on Conductive Substrate
Authors: Ye Ming , Zhao Xiao-Long , Li Wei-Da , Zhou Yu , Chen Jia-Yi , He Yong-Ning
Published: November 2020

Measurement of electrical conductivity of conductive thin film deposited on a conductive substrate is important and challenging. An effective conductivity model was constructed for a bilayer structure to extract thin film conductivity from the measured Q-factor of a quasi-optical resonator. As a demonstration, aluminium films with thickness of 100 nm were evaporated on four silicon wafers whose conductivity ranges from ~101 to ~105 S/m (thus, the proposed method can be verified for a substrate with a wide range of conductivity). Measurement results at ~180 GHz show that average conductivities are 1.66 × 107 S/m (which agrees well with direct current measurements) with 6% standard deviation. The proposed method provides a contactless conductivity evaluation method for conductive thin film deposited on conductive substrate which cannot be achieved by the existing microwave resonant method.
Alloy Design, Thermodynamics, and Electron Microscopy of Ternary Ti-Ag-Nb Alloy with Liquid Phase Separation
Authors: Nagase Takeshi
Published: November 2020

The Ti–Ag alloy system is an important constituent of dental casting materials and metallic biomaterials with antibacterial functions. The binary Ti–Ag alloy system is characterized by flat liquidus lines with metastable liquid miscibility gaps in the phase diagram. The ternary Ti–Ag-based alloys with liquid phase separation (LPS) were designed based on the mixing enthalpy parameters, thermodynamic calculations using FactSage and Scientific Group Thermodata Europe (SGTE) database, and the predicted ground state diagrams constructed by the Materials Project. The LPS behavior in the ternary Ti–Ag–Nb alloy was investigated using the solidification microstructure analysis in arc-melted ingots and rapidly solidified melt-spun ribbons via trans-scale observations, combined with optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including electron probe micro analysis (EPMA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The solidification microstructures depended on the solidification processing in ternary Ti–Ag–Nb alloys; macroscopic phase-separated structures were observed in the arc-melted ingots, whereas fine Ag globules embedded in the Ti-based matrix were observed in the melt-spun ribbons.
Assessment of the Piezoelectric Response of an Epoxy Resin/SbSINanowires Composite Filling FDM Printed Grid
Authors: Kozioł Mateusz , Szperlich Piotr , Toroń Bartłomiej , Olesik Piotr , Jesionek Marcin
Published: November 2020

This paper shows a piezoelectric response from an innovative sensor obtained by casting epoxy-SbSI (antimony sulfoiodide) nanowires nanocomposite to a grid structure printed using a fuse deposition modeling (FDM) method. The grid is shown to be a support structure for the nanocomposite. The applied design approach prospectively enables the formation of sensors with a wide spectrum of shapes and a wide applicability. The voltage signal obtained as a result of the piezoelectric effect reached 1.5V and 0.5V under a maximum static stress of 8.5 MPa and under a maximum dynamic stress of 22.3 kPa, respectively. These values are sufficient for potential application in sensor systems. The effect of a systematic increase in the voltage signal with subsequent cycles was also observed, which similarly allows the use of these sensors in monitoring systems for structures exposed to unfavorable cyclical loads. The obtained results also show that the piezoelectric signal improves with increase in strain rate.
Low-Power pH Sensor Based on Narrow Channel Open-Gated Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaN HEMT and Package Integrated Polydimethylsiloxane Microchannels
Authors: Yang Xianghong , Ao Jiapei , Wu Sichen , Ma Shenhui , Li Xin , Hu Long , Liu Weihua , Han Chuanyu
Published: November 2020

pH sensors with low-power and strong anti-interference are extremely important for industrial online real-time detection. Herein, a narrow channel pH sensor based on Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with package integrated Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels is proposed. The fabricated device has shown potential advantages in improving stability and reducing power consumption in response to pH changes of the solution. The performance of the pH sensor was demonstrated where the preliminary results showed an ultra-low power (<5.0 μW) at VDS = 1.0 V. Meanwhile, the sensitivity was 0.06 μA/V·pH in the range of pH = 2 to pH = 10, and the resolution of the sensor was 0.1 pH. The improvement in performance of the proposed sensor can be related to the narrow channel and microchannel, which can be attributed to better surface GaxOy in a microchannel with larger H+ and HO− concentration on the sensing surface during the detection process. The low-power sensor with excellent stability can be widely used in various unattended or harsh environments, and it is more conducive to integration and intelligence, which lays the foundation for online monitoring in vivo.
Immittance Studies of Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 Ceramics
Authors: Lisińska-Czekaj Agata , Czekaj Dionizy , Garbarz-Glos Barbara , Bąk Wojciech
Published: November 2020

Results of studies focusing on the electric behavior of Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 (BFTO) ceramics are reported. BFTO ceramics were fabricated by solid state reaction methods. The simple oxides Bi2O3, TiO2, and Fe2O3 were used as starting materials. Immittance spectroscopy was chosen as a method to characterize electric and dielectric properties of polycrystalline ceramics. The experimental data were measured in the frequency range Δν = (10−1–107) Hz and the temperature range ΔT = (−120–200) °C. Analysis of immittance data was performed in terms of complex impedance, electric modulus function, and conductivity. The activation energy corresponding to a non-Debye type of relaxation was found to be EA = 0.573 eV, whereas the activation energy of conductivity relaxation frequency was found to be EA = 0.570 eV. An assumption of a hopping conductivity mechanism for BFTO ceramics was studied by ‘universal’ Jonscher’s law. A value of the exponents was found to be within the “Jonscher’s range” (0.54 ≤ n ≤ 0.72). The dc-conductivity was extracted from the measurements. Activation energy for dc-conductivity was calculated to be EDC = 0.78 eV, whereas the dc hopping activation energy was found to be EH = 0.63 eV. The obtained results were discussed in terms of the jump relaxation model.
Novel Aggregation-Induced Emission Materials/Cadmium Sulfide Composite Photocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Absence of Sacrificial Reagent
Authors: Ke Xi , Wang Kunqiang , Tu Chen , Huang Runda , Luo Dongxiang , Zhang Menglong
Published: November 2020

This work focuses on the development of a novel organic–inorganic photoactive material composited by aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIE) and CdS. Tetraphenylethene-based AIE (TPE-Ca) is synthesized on CdS to form CdS/TPE-Ca electrode, due to its suitable band structure and potential capability of renewable energy production. The CdS/TPE-Ca electrode presents over three-fold improved photocurrent density and dramatically reduced interfacial resistance, compared with the pure CdS electrode. In addition, the engineering of the band alignment allows the holes to accumulate on the valance band of TPE-Ca, which would partially prevent the CdS from photo-corrosion, thus improving the stability of the sacrificial-free electrolyte photoelectrochemical cell.
Structural Ceramics Modified by Water Treatment Plant Sludge
Authors: Orlov Alexander , Belkanova Marina , Vatin Nikolay
Published: November 2020

Water treatment plant (WTP) sludge is actively used in building materials production. The object of this research was modifying additives for ceramic bricks from WTP aluminium-containing sludge. The research aim of this study was to determine the suitability of a million-plus population city’s WTP sludge as a burning-out additive in the production of structural ceramics and to establish the optimal conditions for obtaining products with the best characteristics. The raw water belongs to water belongs to the hydrocarbonate class, the calcium group, and it is of low turbidity (1.5–40 mg/L kaolin). Sludge, sourced from WTP sedimentation tanks, was dewatered by adding lime or by using the freezing-thawing method. The spray-dried WTP sludge is introduced into the clay in amounts of 5% to 20% by weight. The addition of 20% reduces the sensitivity of the clay to drying, reduces the density of ceramic by 20% and simultaneously increases its compressive strength from 7.0 to 10.2 MPa. The use of WTP sludge as a modifying additive, pretreated by the freezing-thawing method, makes it possible to obtain ceramic bricks with improved properties. The results can be used for WTP sludge containing aluminium obtained by treating water of medium turbidity and medium colour.
Large-Scale and Localized Laser Crystallization of Optically Thick Amorphous Silicon Films by Near-IR Femtosecond Pulses
Authors: Bronnikov Kirill , Dostovalov Alexander , Cherepakhin Artem , Mitsai Eugeny , Nepomniaschiy Alexander , Kulinich Sergei A. , Zhizhchenko Alexey , Kuchmizhak Aleksandr
Published: November 2020

Amorphous silicon (α-Si) film present an inexpensive and promising material for optoelectronic and nanophotonic applications. Its basic optical and optoelectronic properties are known to be improved via phase transition from amorphous to polycrystalline phase. Infrared femtosecond laser radiation can be considered to be a promising nondestructive and facile way to drive uniform in-depth and lateral crystallization of α-Si films that are typically opaque in UV-visible spectral range. However, so far only a few studies reported on use of near-IR radiation for laser-induced crystallization of α-Si providing less information regarding optical properties of the resultant polycrystalline Si films demonstrating rather high surface roughness. The present work demonstrates efficient and gentle single-pass crystallization of α-Si films induced by their direct irradiation with near-IR femtosecond laser pulses coming at sub-MHz repetition rate. Comprehensive analysis of morphology and composition of laser-annealed films by atomic-force microscopy, optical, micro-Raman and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as numerical modeling of optical spectra, confirmed efficient crystallization of α-Si and high-quality of the obtained films. Moreover, we highlight localized laser-induced crystallization of α-Si as a promising way for optical information encryption, anti-counterfeiting and fabrication of micro-optical elements.
Correction: Saeed, S., et al. Enhancement of Photorefraction in Vanadium-Doped Lithium Niobate through Iron and Zirconium Co-Doping. Materials 2019, Vol. 12, 3143
Authors: Saeed Shahzad , Liu Hongde , Xue Liyun , Zheng Dahuai , Liu Shiguo , Chen Shaolin , Kong Yongfa , Rupp Romano , Xu Jingjun
Published: November 2020

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
The Removal of Platinum Group Metals, Cs, Se, and Te from Nuclear Waste Glass Using Liquid Sb Extraction and Phase Separation Methods
Authors: Zhang Meng , Lv Ying , Xu Zhanglian , Wang Sheng , Wang Jie
Published: November 2020

Recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs: Pd, Ru, Rh), Cs, Se, and Te from molten borosilicate glass containing simulated high level radwaste through the combination of liquid metal extraction and phase separation method under reductive heat-treatment was studied. In this process, the PGMs were extracted in recovered liquid metal phase, where Sb and Bi metals were used as the collecting metals. Meanwhile, Cs, Se, and Te were enriched in the phase separated potassium-rich materials on glass surface, which were extracted by water. The type of liquid metals had profound influence on the extraction behaviors of PGMs and other fission products from the glass melt. As a result, except the near extraction efficiency of Pd, Sb showed higher affinity for Ru and Rh than Bi metal. The higher phase separation efficiency of potassium-rich materials led to the higher extraction efficiencies of Cs, Se, and Te in liquid Sb extraction than Bi. Among the examined conditions, using liquid Sb extraction, the Pd, Ru, and Rh extraction efficiencies were 78.6%, 62.1% and 100% in liquid Sb metal phase, and 93.76% of Cs, 60.4% of Se, and 23.65% of Te in leachate were obtained.
Spin Crossover and Magnetic-Dielectric Bistability Induced by Hidden Pseudo-Jahn–Teller Effect
Authors: Bersuker Isaac B.
Published: November 2020

In a semi-review paper, we show that the hidden Jahn–Teller effect (JTE) and pseudo-JTE (PJTE) in molecular systems and solids, under certain conditions lead to the formation of two coexisting stable space configurations with different magnetic and dielectric properties, switchable by external perturbations. One of the stable configurations has a high space symmetry and a non-zero or higher spin (HS) (non-zero magnetic moment), the other being distorted, but with zero or lower spin (LS). The number of systems with hidden JTE or PJTE is innumerable; we demonstrate this on the (no exhaustible, too) group of systems with half-filed closed-shell degenerate electronic (orbital or band) configurations e2 and t3. The spin-crossover-change from the high symmetry HS arrangement to the low-symmetry LS geometry is accompanied by (driven by the PJTE) orbital disproportionation, in which the system prefers spins-paired states with two electrons on the same orbital (and lower symmetry charge distribution) over the Hund’s spin-parallel arrangement involving several orbitals. Ab initio calculations previously carried out on a series of molecular systems and clusters in crystals, including CuF3, Si3, Si4, Ge4, C4H4, Na4−, C603−, CuO6 (in two crystal environments, LiCuO2 and NaCuO2), etc., confirmed the general theory and allowed for estimates of the parameter values including relaxation times. The hidden JTE and PJTE are thus general tools for search and studies of polyatomic systems with bistabilities.
Risk Analysis through the Half-Normal Distribution
Authors: Bosch-Badia Maria-Teresa , Montllor-Serrats Joan , Tarrazon-Rodon Maria-Antonia
Published: November 2020

We study the applicability of the half-normal distribution to the probability–severity risk analysis traditionally performed through risk matrices and continuous probability–consequence diagrams (CPCDs). To this end, we develop a model that adapts the financial risk measures Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) to risky scenarios that face only negative impacts. This model leads to three risk indicators: The Hazards Index-at-Risk (HIaR), the Expected Hazards Damage (EHD), and the Conditional HIaR (CHIaR). HIaR measures the expected highest hazards impact under a certain probability, while EHD consists of the expected impact that stems from truncating the half-normal distribution at the HIaR point. CHIaR, in turn, measures the expected damage in the case it exceeds the HIaR. Therefore, the Truncated Risk Model that we develop generates a measure for hazards expectations (EHD) and another measure for hazards surprises (CHIaR). Our analysis includes deduction of the mathematical functions that relate HIaR, EHD, and CHIaR to one another as well as the expected loss estimated by risk matrices. By extending the model to the generalised half-normal distribution, we incorporate a shape parameter into the model that can be interpreted as a hazard aversion coefficient.
New Modeling Approaches Based on Varimax Rotation of Functional Principal Components
Authors: Acal Christian , Aguilera Ana M. , Escabias Manuel
Published: November 2020

Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) is an important dimension reduction technique to interpret the main modes of functional data variation in terms of a small set of uncorrelated variables. The principal components can not always be simply interpreted and rotation is one of the main solutions to improve the interpretation. In this paper, two new functional Varimax rotation approaches are introduced. They are based on the equivalence between FPCA of basis expansion of the sample curves and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of a transformation of the matrix of basis coefficients. The first approach consists of a rotation of the eigenvectors that preserves the orthogonality between the eigenfunctions but the rotated principal component scores are not uncorrelated. The second approach is based on rotation of the loadings of the standardized principal component scores that provides uncorrelated rotated scores but non-orthogonal eigenfunctions. A simulation study and an application with data from the curves of infections by COVID-19 pandemic in Spain are developed to study the performance of these methods by comparing the results with other existing approaches.
Fractional Diffusion–Wave Equation with Application in Electrodynamics
Authors: Pskhu Arsen , Rekhviashvili Sergo
Published: November 2020

We consider a diffusion–wave equation with fractional derivative with respect to the time variable, defined on infinite interval, and with the starting point at minus infinity. For this equation, we solve an asympotic boundary value problem without initial conditions, construct a representation of its solution, find out sufficient conditions providing solvability and solution uniqueness, and give some applications in fractional electrodynamics.
Cognitive Emotional Embedded Representations of Text to Predict Suicidal Ideation and Psychiatric Symptoms
Authors: Toledo-Acosta Mauricio , Barreiro Talin , Reig-Alamillo Asela , Müller Markus , Aroca Bisquert Fuensanta , Barrigon Maria Luisa , Baca-Garcia Enrique , Hermosillo-Valadez Jorge
Published: November 2020

Mathematical modeling of language in Artificial Intelligence is of the utmost importance for many research areas and technological applications. Over the last decade, research on text representation has been directed towards the investigation of dense vectors popularly known as word embeddings. In this paper, we propose a cognitive-emotional scoring and representation framework for text based on word embeddings. This representation framework aims to mathematically model the emotional content of words in short free-form text messages, produced by adults in follow-up due to any mental health condition in the outpatient facilities within the Psychiatry Department of Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz in Madrid, Spain. Our contribution is a geometrical-topological framework for Sentiment Analysis, that includes a hybrid method that uses a cognitively-based lexicon together with word embeddings to generate graded sentiment scores for words, and a new topological method for clustering dense vector representations in high-dimensional spaces, where points are very sparsely distributed. Our framework is useful in detecting word association topics, emotional scoring patterns, and embedded vectors’ geometrical behavior, which might be useful in understanding language use in this kind of texts. Our proposed scoring system and representation framework might be helpful in studying relations between language and behavior and their use might have a predictive potential to prevent suicide.
Heating a 2D Thermoelastic Half-Space Induced by Volumetric Absorption of a Laser Radiation
Authors: Tayel Ismail M.
Published: November 2020

In this work, the generalized theory with dual-phase-lag of thermoelasticity is employed to study the influences induced by absorbing a penetrating laser radiation inside a 2D thermoelastic semi-infinite medium. The medium’s surface is presumed to be exposed to temperature-dependent heat losses and is traction-free. The considered problem is solved using the integral transforms technique by applying the double-transformation Laplace and Hankel. A numerical fashion is applied to obtain the inverse of the Laplace transformation. The results of this problem are presented graphically for some studied fields.
Application-Oriented Marine Isomerases in Biocatalysis
Authors: Trincone Antonio
Published: November 2020

The class EC 5.xx, a group of enzymes that interconvert optical, geometric, or positional isomers are interesting biocatalysts for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical intermediates. This class, named “isomerases,” can transform cheap biomolecules into expensive isomers with suitable stereochemistry useful in synthetic medicinal chemistry, and interesting cases of production of l-ribose, d-psicose, lactulose, and d-phenylalanine are known. However, in two published reports about potential biocatalysts of marine origin, isomerases are hardly mentioned. Therefore, it is of interest to deepen the knowledge of these biocatalysts from the marine environment with this specialized in-depth analysis conducted using a literature search without time limit constraints. In this review, the focus is dedicated mainly to example applications in biocatalysis that are not numerous confirming the general view previously reported. However, from this overall literature analysis, curiosity-driven scientific interest for marine isomerases seems to have been long-standing. However, the major fields in which application examples are framed are placed at the cutting edge of current biotechnological development. Since these enzymes can offer properties of industrial interest, this will act as a promoter for future studies of marine-originating isomerases in applied biocatalysis.
Monitoring Biofouling Potential Using ATP-Based Bacterial Growth Potential in SWRO Pre-Treatment of a Full-Scale Plant
Authors: Abushaban Almotasembellah , Salinas-Rodriguez Sergio G. , Kapala Moses , Pastorelli Delia , Schippers Jan C. , Mondal Subhanjan , Goueli Said , Kennedy Maria D.
Published: November 2020

Several potential growth methods have been developed to monitor biological/organic fouling potential in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO), but to date the correlation between these methods and biofouling of SWRO has not been demonstrated. In this research, the relation between a new adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bacterial growth potential (BGP) test of SWRO feed water and SWRO membrane performance is investigated. For this purpose, the pre-treatment of a full-scale SWRO plant including dissolved air flotation (DAF) and two stage dual media filtration (DMF) was monitored for 5 months using BGP, orthophosphate, organic fractions by liquid chromatography coupled with organic carbon detection (LC-OCD), silt density index (SDI), and modified fouling index (MFI). Results showed that particulate fouling potential was well controlled through the SWRO pre-treatment as the measured SDI and MFI in the SWRO feed water were below the recommended values. DAF in combination with coagulation (1–5 mg-Fe3+/L) consistently achieved 70% removal of orthophosphate, 50% removal of BGP, 25% removal of biopolymers, and 10% removal of humic substances. Higher BGP (100–950 µg-C/L) in the SWRO feed water corresponded to a higher normalized pressure drop in the SWRO, suggesting the applicability of using BGP as a biofouling indicator in SWRO systems. However, to validate this conclusion, more SWRO plants with different pre-treatment systems need to be monitored for longer periods of time.
A New Method for Determining the Brittle-to-Ductile Transition Temperature of a TiAl Intermetallic
Authors: Nizamoglu Sarper , Lang Karl-Heinz , Guth Stefan , Heilmaier Martin
Published: November 2020

Intermetallic materials typically change their deformation behavior from brittle to ductile at a certain temperature called the Brittle-to-Ductile Transition Temperature (BDTT). This specific temperature can be determined by the Charpy impact, tensile or bending tests conducted at different temperatures and strain rates, which usually requires a large number of specimens. In order to reduce the number of necessary specimens for finding the BDTT, a new methodology comprising cyclic loadings as the crucial step was studied on a fully lamellar TiAl alloy with composition Ti-48Al-2Nb-0.7Cr-0.3Si. The loading blocks are applied isothermally under strain control and repeated on the same specimen at different temperatures. The development of plastic strain amplitude with increasing temperature is analyzed to determine the BDTT of the specimen. The BDTTs found with the described method agree well with literature data derived with conventional methods. With the loading strategy presented in this study, the BDTT and additionally the effect of strain rate on it can be found by using a single specimen.
Prediction of Leidenfrost Temperature in Spray Cooling for Continuous Casting and Heat Treatment Processes
Authors: Hnizdil Milan , Kominek Jan , Lee Tae-Woo , Raudensky Miroslav , Carnogurska Maria , Chabicovsky Martin
Published: November 2020

Spray cooling of hot steel surfaces is an inherent part of continuous casting and heat treatment. When we consider the temperature interval between room temperature and for instance 1000 °C, different boiling regimes can be observed. Spray cooling intensity rapidly changes with the surface temperature. Secondary cooling in continuous casting starts when the surface temperature is well above a thousand degrees Celsius and a film boiling regime can be observed. The cooled surface is protected from the direct impact of droplets by the vapour layer. As the surface temperature decreases, the vapour layer is less stable and for certain temperatures the vapour layer collapses, droplets reach the hot surface and heat flux suddenly jumps enormously. It is obvious that the described effect has a great effect on control of cooling. The surface temperature which indicates the sudden change in the cooling intensity is the Leidenfrost temperature. The Leidenfrost temperature in spray cooling can occur anywhere between 150 °C and over 1000 °C and depends on the character of the spray. This paper presents an experimental study and shows function for prediction of the Leidenfrost temperature based on spray parameters. Water impingement density was found to be the most important parameter. This parameter must be combined with information about droplet size and velocity to produce a good prediction of the Leidenfrost temperature.
Extended Applications of the Depth-Sensing Indentation Method
Authors: Olasz Dániel , Lendvai János , Szállás Attila , Gulyás Gábor , Chinh Nguyen Q.
Published: November 2020

The depth-sensing indentation method has been applied for almost 30 years. In this review, a survey of several extended applications developed during the last three decades is provided. In depth-sensing indentation measurements, the load and penetration depth data are detected as a function of time, in most cases at controlled loading rates. Therefore, beside the determination of hardness and Young’s modulus, different deformation mechanisms and many other dynamic characteristics and phenomena, such as the dynamic elastic modulus, load-induced phase transition, strain rate sensitivity, etc. can be studied. These extended applications of depth-sensing indentation measurements are briefly described and reviewed.
Strain-Dependent Cheese Spoilage Potential of Clostridium tyrobutyricum
Authors: Podrzaj Lucija , Burtscher Johanna , Küller Franziska , Domig Konrad J.
Published: November 2020

Clostridium tyrobutyricum, a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium, is considered as one of the main causative agents for spoilage of hard and semihard cheeses. Growth of C. tyrobutyricum in cheese is critically influenced by ripening temperature and time, pH, salt and lactic acid concentration, moisture and fat content, and the presence of other microorganisms. Previous studies revealed high intraspecies diversity of C. tyrobutyricum strains and variable tolerance toward pH, temperatures, and salt concentrations. These findings indicate that strain-dependent characteristics may be relevant to assess the risk for cheese spoilage if clostridial contamination occurs. In this study, we aimed to compare the phenotypes of 12 C. tyrobutyricum strains which were selected from 157 strains on the basis of genotypic and proteotypic variability. The phenotypic analysis comprised the assessment of gas production and organic acid concentrations in an experimental cheese broth incubated at different temperatures (37, 20, and 14 °C). For all tested strains, delayed gas production at lower incubation temperatures and a strong correlation between gas production and the change in organic acid concentrations were observed. However, considering the time until gas production was visible at different incubation temperatures, a high degree of heterogeneity was found among the tested strains. In addition, variation among replicates of the same strain and differences due to different inoculum levels became evident. This study shows, that, among other factors, strain-specific germination and growth characteristics should be considered to evaluate the risk of cheese spoilage by C. tyrobutyricum.
E6/E7 Sequence Diversity of High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses in Two Geographically Isolated Populations of French Guiana
Authors: Nacher Mathieu , Godefroy Gersande , Dufit Valentin , Douine Maylis , Najioullah Fatiha , Césaire Raymond , Thomas Nadia , Drak Alsibai Kinan , Adenis Antoine , Lacoste Vincent
Published: November 2020

Amerindian and Maroon populations of French Guiana have been living in isolation for generations and sexual networks remained mostly endogamous. The present study aimed to describe the phylogeny of E6 and E7 sequences of the most common high-risk HPV genotypes in these regions, to ascertain the diversity of intra-type variants and describe evolutionary relationships. There were 106 women with at least one of HPV16, 18, 31, 52, 58, and 68 genotypes. The most clear-cut phylogenetic pattern was obtained for HPV18 and HPV58 for which the major branches were crisply divided between Amerindian villages on the Oyapock and Maroon villages on the Maroni. Such clustering was less clear for HPV31 and 52. For HPV16, there was also some evidence of clustering on the Oyapock with type A European viruses and on the Maroni with type B and C African viruses among Maroon women. HPV68 showed the largest sequence heterogeneity of the six genotypes at both nucleotide and amino acid levels and was restricted to Maroon women. The present results show that there were significant geographically based differences of E6 and E7 oncogenes. These differences were compatible with different ancestral virus populations and local virus evolution in a context of prolonged population isolation.
Spectroscopic and Crystal-Chemical Features of Sodalite-Group Minerals from Gem Lazurite Deposits
Authors: Chukanov Nikita V. , Sapozhnikov Anatoly N. , Shendrik Roman Yu. , Vigasina Marina F. , Steudel Ralf
Published: November 2020

Five samples of differently colored sodalite-group minerals from gem lazurite deposits were studied by means of electron microprobe and wet chemical analyses, infrared, Raman, electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Various extra-framework components (SO42−, S2− and Cl− anions, S3•−, S2•− and SO3•− radical anions, H2O, CO2, COS, cis- as well as trans- or gauche-S4 neutral molecules have been identified. It is shown that S3•− and S4 are the main blue and purple chromophores, respectively, whereas the S2•− yellow chromophore and SO3•− blue chromophore play a subordinate role. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples of sodalite-group minerals from lazurite deposits studied in this work contain superstructure reflections which indicate different kinds of incommensurate modulation of the structures.
Quantification of Solute Composition in H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 Solutions Using Cryogenic 2D Raman Mapping
Authors: Chu Haixia , Chi Guoxiang , Xue Chunji
Published: November 2020

Various analytical techniques have been developed to determine the solution composition of fluid inclusions, including destructive, non-destructive, single-inclusion, and bulk-inclusion methods. Cryogenic Raman spectroscopy, as a non-destructive and single-inclusion method, has emerged as a potentially powerful tool of quantitative analysis of fluid inclusion composition. A method of point analysis using cryogenic Raman spectroscopy has been previously proposed to quantitatively estimate the solute composition of H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 solutions, but there are uncertainties related to heterogeneity of frozen fluid inclusions and potential bias in the processing of Raman spectra. A new method of quantitative analysis of solute composition of H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 solutions using Raman mapping technology is proposed in this study, which can overcome the problems encountered in the point analysis. It is shown that the NaCl/(NaCl + CaCl2) molar ratio of the solution, X(NaCl, m), can be related to the area fraction of hydrohalite over hydrohalite plus antarcticite, Fhydrohalite, by the equation X(NaCl, m) = 1.1435 Fhydrohalite − 0.0884, where Fhydrohalite = hydrohalite area/(hydrohalite area + antarcticite area). This equation suggests that the molar fraction of a salt component may be estimated from the fraction of the Raman peak area of the relevant hydrate. This study has established a new way of estimating solute composition of fluid inclusions using cryogenic Raman mapping technique, which may be extended to other solutions.
Investigation of the Selectivity of L-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels 1.3 for Pyrimidine-2,4,6-Triones Derivatives Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Ye Qi , Zhang Zhenyu , Zhang Wenying , Ding Yushan , Zhao Fan , Zhang Jinghai , Song Yongbo
Published: November 2020

Human Cav1.3 (hCav1.3) is of great interest as a potential target for Parkinson’s disease. However, common medications like dihydropyridines (DHPs), a kind of classic calcium channel blocker, have poor selectivity to hCav1.3 in clinical treatment, mainly due to being implicated in cardiovascular side-effects mediated by human Cav1.2 (hCav1.2). Recently, pyrimidine-2,4,6-triones (PYTs) have received extensive attention as prominent selective inhibitors to hCav1.3. In this study, we describe the selectivity mechanism of PYTs for hCav1.2 and hCav1.3 based on molecular dynamic simulation methods. Our results reveal that the van der Waals (vdW) interaction was the most important force affecting selectivity. Moreover, the hydrophobic interaction was more conducive to the combination. The highly hydrophobic amino acid residues on hCav1.3, such as V162 (IR1), L303 (IR2), M481 (IR3), and F484 (IR3), provided the greatest contributions in the binding free energy. On the other hand, the substituents of a halogen-substituted aromatic ring, cycloalkyl and norbornyl on PYTs, which are pertinent to the steric hindrance of the compounds, played core roles in the selectivity and affinity for hCav1.3, whereas strong polar substituents needed to be avoided. The findings could provide valuable information for designing more effective and safe medicines for Parkinson’s disease.
New Grafted Copolymers Carrying Betaine Units Based on Gellan and N-Vinylimidazole as Precursors for Design of Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Racovita Stefania , Baranov Nicolae , Macsim Ana Maria , Lionte Catalina , Cheptea Corina , Sunel Valeriu , Popa Marcel , Vasiliu Silvia , Desbrieres Jacques
Published: November 2020

New grafted copolymers possessing structural units of 1-vinyl-3-(1-carboxymethyl) imidazolium betaine were obtained by graft copolymerization of N-vinylimidazole onto gellan gum followed by the polymer-analogous reactions on grafted polymer with the highest grafting percentage using sodium chloroacetate as the betainization agent. The grafted copolymers were prepared using ammonium persulfate/N,N,N′,N′ tetramethylethylenediamine in a nitrogen atmosphere. The grafting reaction conditions were optimized by changing one of the following reaction parameters: initiator concentration, monomer concentration, polymer concentration, reaction time or temperature, while the other parameters remained constant. The highest grafting yield was obtained under the following reaction conditions: ci = 0.08 mol/L, cm = 0.8 mol/L, cp = 8 g/L, tr = 4 h and T = 50 °C. The kinetics of the graft copolymerization of N-vinylimidazole onto gellan was discussed and a suitable reaction mechanism was proposed. The evidence of the grafting reaction was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The grafted copolymer with betaine structure was obtained by a nucleophilic substitution reaction where the betainization agent was sodium chloroacetate. Preliminary results prove the ability of the grafted copolymers to bind amphoteric drugs (cefotaxime) and, therefore, the possibility of developing the new sustained drug release systems.
Design, Synthesis, and Antitumor Activity of a Series of Novel 4-(Aromatic Sulfonyl)-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-ones
Authors: Xing Naiguo , Chen Chen , Zhong Qiu , Zheng Shilong , Wang Guangdi , He Ling
Published: November 2020

Many sulfonamides show anticancer activity. Based on benzenesulfonylazaspirodienone (HL-X9) identified in our previous work, we optimized the lead compound for better efficacy, thereby synthesizing a series of novel 4-(aromatic sulfonyl)-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-one derivatives through a key step of metal-catalyzed cascade cyclization. The preliminary antiproliferative tests have shown that the anticancer activities of acetyl-protected mannose-linked sulfonylazaspirodienone derivatives (7i–7l) have been greatly improved. Among them, 7j is the most potent derivative, with IC50 values of 0.17 µM, 0.05 µM, and 0.07 µM for A549, MDA-MB-231, and HeLa cell lines, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis shows that 7j arrests MDA-MB-231 cells in the G2/M phase and has a certain effect on the apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the acute toxicity of 7j was lower than that of adriamycin.
(E)-1-(Furan-2-yl)-(substituted phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one Derivatives as Tyrosinase Inhibitors and Melanogenesis Inhibition: An In Vitro and In Silico Study
Authors: Jung Hee Jin , Noh Sang Gyun , Ryu Il Young , Park Chaeun , Lee Ji Young , Chun Pusoon , Moon Hyung Ryong , Chung Hae Young
Published: November 2020

A series of (E)-1-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one derivatives (compounds 1–8) were synthesized and evaluated for their mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Among these series, compound 8 (2,4-dihydroxy group bearing benzylidene) showed potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity, with respective IC50 values of 0.0433 µM and 0.28 µM for the monophenolase and diphenolase as substrates in comparison to kojic acid as standard compound 19.97 µM and 33.47 µM. Moreover, the enzyme kinetics of compound 8 were determined to be of the mixed inhibition type and inhibition constant (Ki) values of 0.012 µM and 0.165 µM using the Lineweaver-Burk plot. Molecular docking results indicated that compound 8 can bind to the catalytic and allosteric sites 1 and 2 of tyrosinase to inhibit enzyme activity. The computational molecular dynamics analysis further revealed that compound 8 interacted with two residues in the tyrosinase active site pocket, such as ASN260 and MET280. In addition, compound 8 attenuated melanin synthesis and cellular tyrosinase activity, simulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. Compound 8 also decreased tyrosinase expressions in B16F10 cells. Based on in vitro and computational studies, we propose that compound 8 might be a worthy candidate for the development of an antipigmentation agent.
Contents of Functionally Bioactive Peptides, Free Amino Acids, and Biogenic Amines in Dutch-Type Cheese Models Produced with Different Lactobacilli
Authors: Garbowska Monika , Pluta Antoni , Berthold-Pluta Anna
Published: November 2020

Cheese ripening involves a number of biochemical processes, mainly of a proteolytic nature, which are initially triggered principally by milk-coagulating enzymes and, afterward, by microorganisms or enzymes of microbial origin. The proteolytic reactions affect, primarily, the synthesis of macro- and medium-molecular peptides from casein. In turn, the advanced proteolysis ends in the formation of short peptides and free amino acids. Further reactions may lead to the formation of nutritionally unfavorable biogenic amines. The present study aimed to determine changes in the contents of bioactive peptides (anserine and L-carnosine), free amino acids, and biogenic amines throughout the ripening of cheese models produced with the addition of Lactobacillus genus bacteria. The contents of amino acids varied considerably in the cheese models, depending on the bacterial strain added and ripening time. After five weeks of ripening, the total content of free amino acids in the cheese models ranged from 611.02 (a cheese model with Lactobacillus casei 2639) to 1596.64 mg kg−1 (a cheese model with Lb. acidophilus 2499). After the same time, the contents of the total biogenic amines in the cheese models with the addition of lactobacilli were lower than in the control cheese model (except for the model with Lb. rhamnosus 489). Anserine was detected in all cheese models (79.29–119.02 mg kg−1), whereas no L-carnosine was found over a five-week ripening period in the cheese models with Lb. delbrueckii 490 and Lb. casei 2639. After a five-week ripening, the highest total content of bioactive peptides was determined in the cheese models containing Lb. acidophilus 2499 (136.11 mg kg−1).
Comparative Study of the Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of Fresh Juices from Romanian Cucurbitaceae Varieties
Authors: Busuioc Anna Cazanevscaia , Botezatu Andreea-Veronica Dediu , Furdui Bianca , Vinatoru Costel , Maggi Filippo , Caprioli Giovanni , Dinica Rodica-Mihaela
Published: November 2020

Cucurbitaceae is a family of health-promoting plants due to their compounds with beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to analyze, for the first time, the chemical composition, the antioxidant activity and the metal chelating properties of fruit juices obtained from four different species of the Cucurbitaceae family cultivated in Romania, namely Momordica charantia, Cucumis metuliferus, Benincasa hispida and Trichosanthes cucumerina. The samples of juice were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and all the four species displayed high levels of the two triterpenes, oleanolic and ursolic acids, and also in phenolic compounds, including catechin, (−)-epicatechin and gallic acid. The juices demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (ranging from 20 to 95%,), a good iron binding ability (ranging from 7.45 ± 0.28% to 86.95 ± 0.97%) and also promising antioxidant potential against the ABTS radical (ranging from 4.97 to 32.60 μETx/mL juice). Our findings raise interesting questions for further research on Cucurbitaceae fruit juices and, consequently, their very good antioxidant potential suggests these fruits should be further explored for their protective effect against oxidative damage. This is the first time the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of fruit juices from these four Romanian Cucurbitaceae varieties have been investigated.
Anacyclus pyrethrum (L): Chemical Composition, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing Properties
Authors: Jawhari Fatima Zahra , El Moussaoui Abdelfattah , Bourhia Mohammed , Imtara Hamada , Mechchate Hamza , Es-Safi Imane , Ullah Riaz , Ezzeldin Essam , Mostafa Gamal A. , Grafov Andriy , Ibenmoussa Samir , Bousta Dalila , Bari Amina
Published: November 2020

Background: Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) is a wild species belonging to the family Asteraceae, which is used in traditional medicines. Aim of the study: This work was undertaken to study the chemical composition, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) of A. pyrethrum. Material and Methods: The phytochemical analysis of the studied extracts was conducted by GC-MS. The analgesic activity was evaluated in mice using acetic acid and formaldehyde methods. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the inhibitory method of edema induced in rats. The healing activity of the hydroethanolic extracts was explored by excision and incision wound healing models in rats. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the studied plant extracts affirmed the presence of interesting compounds, including some newly detected elements, such as sarcosine, N-(trifluoroacetyl)-butyl ester, levulinic acid, malonic acid, palmitic acid, morphinan-6-One, 4,5.alpha.-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl, 2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diyne-N-tyramide, and isovaleric acid. The extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) exhibited promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound healing effects, with percentages of inhibition up to 98%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: This study might contribute towards the well-being of society as it provides evidence on the potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of A. pyrethrum.
1,3,5-Triaryl-1,3,5-Triazinane-2,4,6-Trithiones: Synthesis, Electronic Structure and Linear Optical Properties
Authors: Rabouel Ismaël , Richy Nicolas , Amar Anissa , Boucekkine Abdou , Roisnel Thierry , Mongin Olivier , Humphrey Mark G. , Paul Frédéric
Published: November 2020

The synthesis of four new 1,3,5-triaryl-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trithione derivatives (thioisocyanurates) and two new partially thionated analogues from the corresponding 1,3,5-triaryl-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-triones (isocyanurates) is reported, together with their spectroscopic properties. DFT calculations and comparison with the corresponding isocyanurates evidence the impact of the oxygen-for-sulfur replacement on the electronic structure and linear optical properties of these heterocycles. A bathochromic shift of the absorption bands and more efficient quenching of the fluorescence was observed.