bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully Connected Hashing Neural Networks for Indexing Large-Scale Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Liu Na , Mou Haiming , Tang Jun , Wan Lihong , Li Qingdu , Yuan Ye
Published: December 2022

With the emergence of big data, the efficiency of data querying and data storage has become a critical bottleneck in the remote sensing community. In this letter, we explore hash learning for the indexing of large-scale remote sensing images (RSIs) with a supervised pairwise neural network with the aim of improving RSI retrieval performance with a few binary bits. First, a fully connected hashing neural network (FCHNN) is proposed in order to map RSI features into binary (feature-to-binary) codes. Compared with pixel-to-binary frameworks, such as DPSH (deep pairwise-supervised hashing), FCHNN only contains three fully connected layers and incorporates another new constraint, so it can be significantly accelerated to obtain desirable performance. Second, five types of image features, including mid-level and deep features, were investigated in the learning of the FCHNN to achieve state-of-the-art performances. The mid-level features were based on Fisher encoding with affine-invariant local descriptors, and the deep features were extracted by pretrained or fine-tuned CNNs (e.g., CaffeNet and VGG-VD16). Experiments on five recently released large-scale RSI datasets (i.e., AID, NWPU45, PatternNet, RSI-CB128, and RSI-CB256) demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison with existing handcrafted or deep-based hashing methods.
Thermoelastic Analysis of Functionally Graded Nanobeams via Fractional Heat Transfer Model with Nonlocal Kernels
Authors: Atta Doaa , Abouelregal Ahmed E. , Alsharari Fahad
Published: December 2022

The small size and clever design of nanoparticles can result in large surface areas. This gives nanoparticles enhanced properties such as greater sensitivity, strength, surface area, responsiveness, and stability. This research delves into the phenomenon of a nanobeam vibrating under the influence of a time-varying heat flow. The nanobeam is hypothesized to have material properties that vary throughout its thickness according to a unique exponential distribution law based on the volume fractions of metal and ceramic components. The top of the FG nanobeam is made entirely of ceramic, while the bottom is made of metal. To address this issue, we employ a nonlocal modified thermoelasticity theory based on a Moore–Gibson–Thompson (MGT) thermoelastic framework. By combining the Euler–Bernoulli beam idea with nonlocal Eringen’s theory, the fundamental equations that govern the proposed model have been constructed based on the extended variation principle. The fractional integral form, utilizing Atangana–Baleanu fractional operators, is also used to formulate the heat transfer equation in the suggested model. The strength of a thermoelastic nanobeam is improved by performing detailed parametric studies to determine the effect of many physical factors, such as the fractional order, the small-scale parameter, the volume fraction indicator, and the periodic frequency of the heat flow.
BRCA1/2 Reversion Mutations in Patients Treated with Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitors or Platinum Agents
Authors: Darabi Sourat , Braxton David R. , Xiu Joanne , Carneiro Benedito A. , Swensen Jeff , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Liu Stephen V. , McKay Rana R. , Spetzler David , El-Deiry Wafik S. , Demeure Michael J.
Published: December 2022

Background: Reversion mutations in BRCA1/2, resulting in restoration of the open reading frame, have been identified as a mechanism of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy or PARP inhibition. We sought to explore the incidence of BRCA1/2 reversion mutations in different tumor types. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed molecular profiling results from primary and/or metastatic tumor samples submitted by multiple institutions. The samples underwent DNA and RNA sequencing at a CLIA/CAP-certified clinical lab. Reversion mutations were called only in patients whose available clinical records showed the use of PARP inhibitors or platinum agents prior to tumor profiling. Results: Reversion mutations were identified in 75 of 247,926 samples profiled across all tumor types. Among patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations, reversion mutations in BRCA1/2 genes were seen in ovarian cancer (OC) (30/3424), breast cancer (BC) (27/1460), endometrial cancer (4/564), pancreatic cancer (2/340), cholangiocarcinoma (2/178), prostate cancer (5/461), cervical cancer (1/117), cancer of unknown primary (1/244), bladder cancer (1/300), malignant pleural mesothelioma (1/10), and a neuroendocrine tumor of the prostate. We identified 22 reversion mutations in BRCA1 and 8 in BRCA2 in OC. In BC, we detected 6 reversion mutations in BRCA1 and 21 in BRCA2. We compared molecular profile results of 14 high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) with reversion mutations against 87 control HGSOC with pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations without reversion mutations. Tumors with reversion mutations trended to have had lower ER expression (25% vs. 64%, p = 0.024, q = 0.82) and higher KDM6A mutation rate (15% vs. 0, p = 0.016, q = 0.82). Conclusions: We present one of the largest datasets reporting reversion mutations in BRCA1/2 genes across various tumor types. These reversion mutations were rare; this may be because some patients may not have had repeat profiling post-treatment. Repeat tumor profiling at times of treatment resistance can help inform therapy selection in the refractory disease setting.
Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) and the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) in Romanian Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Diaconu Laura , Gaita Laura , Timar Bogdan , Deaconu Loredana , Lazar Sandra , Timar Romulus , Popescu Simona
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives: Anxiety disorders are common in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and have a negative impact on diabetes-related self-management and, therefore, on patients’ evolution and prognosis. In this context, it becomes necessary to accurately and easily assess anxiety and self-management behaviours. Thus, the aim of this research was translation and cultural adaptation for Romanian patients and validation of two instruments used for assessing diabetes self-management and anxiety, namely the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) and the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Materials and Methods: The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire (SDSCA) and the DSMQ instruments for assessing diabetes self-management, as well as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the SPIN instruments for assessing anxiety, have been administered to 117 patients from Timisoara, Romania, previously diagnosed with DM. Results: The SPIN has proven to have good internal consistency, excellent acceptability of its questions without non-responders and a median completion time of 3 min and 10 s, an excellent test–retest performance (Spearman’s rho = 0.971, p < 0.001 between two administrations of the test) and good validity in comparison with the GAD-7, a previously validated and comprehensive instrument. The DSMQ has also proven to have acceptable internal consistency, excellent acceptability of its questions without non-responders and a median completion time of 2 min and 28 s; however, it has shown a weak, positive correlation without statistical significance in comparison with the SDSCA, a previously validated questionnaire. Conclusions: The SPIN, translated in Romanian and culturally adapted, is a valid tool for the screening of social phobias in individuals with DM. The DSMQ requires additional data for its validation in DM patients from Romania.
Postoperative Acute-Phase Gait Training Using Hybrid Assistive Limb Improves Gait Ataxia in a Patient with Intradural Spinal Cord Compression Due to Spinal Tumors
Authors: Soma Yuichiro , Kubota Shigeki , Kadone Hideki , Shimizu Yukiyo , Hada Yasushi , Koda Masao , Sankai Yoshiyuki , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: December 2022

Sensory ataxia due to posterior cord syndrome is a relevant, disabling condition in nontraumatic spinal cord dysfunction. Ataxic gait is a common symptom of sensory ataxia that restricts activities of daily living. A 70-year-old woman with severe sensory disturbance was diagnosed with intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors found in the thoracic spine region (T8). Surgical management of the tumors was performed. The patient received gait training 20 days after surgery (postoperative acute phase) using a hybrid assistive limb (HAL). HAL is a wearable exoskeleton cyborg that provides real-time assistance to an individual for walking and limb movements through actuators mounted on the bilateral hip and knee joints. Walking ability was assessed using the 10 m walking test, which included evaluating walking speed, step length, and cadence in every session. To evaluate the immediate effects of HAL training, walking speed and step length were measured before and after the training in each session. During the 10 m walking test, gait kinematics and lower muscle activity were recorded using a motion capture system and wireless surface electromyography before the first session and after completion of all HAL sessions. After the HAL training sessions, improvement in the patient’s gait performance was observed in the gait joint angles and muscle activity of the lower limb. After 10 training sessions, we observed the following changes from baseline: walking speed (from 0.16 m/s to 0.3 m/s), step length (from 0.19 m to 0.37 m), and cadence (from 50.9 steps/min to 49.1 steps/min). The average standard deviations of the knee (from right, 7.31; left, 6.75; to right, 2.93; p < 0.01, left, 2.63; p < 0.01) and ankle joints (from right, 6.98; left, 5.40; to right, 2.39; p < 0.01, left, 2.18; p < 0.01) were significantly decreased. Additionally, walking speed and step length improved immediately after completing all the HAL training sessions. This suggests that HAL gait training might be a suitable physical rehabilitation program for patients with sensory ataxia causing dysfunctional movement of the lower limb.
HOT CRT—The Effective Combination of Conventional Cardiac Resynchronization and His Bundle Pacing
Authors: Wolff Peter-Stephan , Winnicka Anna , Ciesielski Adam , Unkell Malte , Zawadzki Grzegorz , Sławuta Agnieszka , Gajek Jacek
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) has, besides its benefits, various limitations. For instance, atrial fibrillation (AF) has a huge impact on the therapy efficacy. It usually reduces the overall BiV pacing percentage and leads, inevitably, to lack of fusion beats. In many patients with heart failure that could benefit from resynchronization, the QRS morphology is often IVCD and atypical, or non-LBBB, which further diminishes the CRT response. In those cases, we established His pacing combined with LV pacing as a feasible option to reduce the impact of AF on the CRT response and regain partially physiological ventricular activation to improve the electromechanical sequence. Materials and Methods: We implanted two patients with AF, HF, EF < 35%, NYHA II-III and QRS > 150 ms with CRT-D systems modified to HOT-CRT and observed their clinical, ECG and echocardiographic improvements over a follow-up period of three months. Results: In both patients we observed improvements of the initial parameters. We were able to shorten the QRS duration to approx. 120 ms, improve NYHA functional class, increase the EF by approximately 12% and distinctly reduce mitral regurgitation. Conclusion: Since the conventional CRT reaches its limits within this specific patient group, we need to consider alternative pacing sites and the effective combination of them. Our results and respectively other studies that are also mentioned in the current guidelines, support the feasibility of HOT-CRT in the above mentioned patient group.
A Hydrodynamic Approach to the Study of HIV Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Tangential Flow Filtration
Authors: Wolf Tobias , Rosengarten Jamila , Härtel Ina , Stitz Jörn , Barbe Stéphan
Published: December 2022

Emerging as a promising pathway to HIV vaccines, Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) have drawn considerable attention in recent years. A challenge of working with HIV VLPs in biopharmaceutical processes is their low rigidity, and factors such as shear stress, osmotic pressure and pH variation have to be reduced during their production. In this context, the purification and concentration of VLPs are often achieved by means of Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) involving ultrafiltration hollow fiber modules. Despite the urgent need for robust upscaling strategies and further process cost reduction, very little attention has been dedicated to the identification of the mechanisms limiting the performance of HIV VLP TFF processes. In this work, for the first time, a hydrodynamic approach based on particle friction was successfully developed as a methodology for both the optimization and the upscaling of HIV VLP TFF. Friction forces acting on near-membrane HIV VLPs are estimated, and the plausibility of the derived static coefficients of friction is discussed. The particle friction-based model seems to be very suitable for the fitting of experimental data related to HIV VLP TFF as well as for upscaling projections. According to our predictions, there is still considerable room for improvement of HIV VLP TFF, and operating this process at slightly higher flow velocities may dramatically enhance the efficiency of VLP purification and concentration. This work offers substantial guidance to membrane scientists during the design of upscaling strategies for HIV VLP TFF.
Enhanced Separation Performance of Polyamide Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes with Interlayer by Constructed Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: A Critical Review
Authors: Yu Yifei , Zhang Xianjuan , Lu Peng , He Dingbin , Shen Liqiang , Li Yanshuo
Published: December 2022

Thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) membrane has been widely applied in nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and forward osmosis, including a PA rejection layer by interfacial polymerization on a porous support layer. However, the separation performance of TFC membrane is constrained by the trade-off relationship between permeability and selectivity. Although thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane can enhance the permeability, due to the existence of functionalized nanoparticles in the PA rejection layer, the introduction of nanoparticles leads to the problems of the poor interface compatibility and the nanoparticles agglomeration. These issues often lead to the defect of PA rejection layers and reduction in selectivity. In this review, we summarize a new class of structures of TFN membranes with functionalized interlayers (TFNi), which promises to overcome the problems associated with TFN membranes. Recently, functionalized two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have received more attention in the assembly materials of membranes. The reported TFNi membranes with 2D interlayers exhibit the remarkable enhancement on the permeability, due to the shorter transport path by the “gutter mechanism” of 2D interlayers. Meanwhile, the functionalized 2D interlayers can affect the diffusion of two-phase monomers during the interfacial polymerization, resulting in the defect-free and highly crosslinked PA rejection layer. Thus, the 2D interlayers enabled TFNi membranes to potentially overcome the longstanding trade-off between membrane permeability and selectivity. This paper provides a critical review on the emerging 2D nanomaterials as the functionalized interlayers of TFNi membranes. The characteristics, function, modification, and advantages of these 2D interlayers are summarized. Several perspectives are provided in terms of the critical challenges for 2D interlayers, managing the trade-off between permeability, selectivity, and cost. The future research directions of TFNi membranes with 2D interlayers are proposed.
Impact of Sidestream Pre-Treatment on Ammonia Recovery by Membrane Contactors: Experimental and Economic Evaluation
Authors: Aguilar-Moreno Miguel , Vinardell Sergi , Reig Mònica , Vecino Xanel , Valderrama César , Cortina José Luis
Published: December 2022

Membrane contactor is a promising technology for ammonia recovery from the anaerobic digestion centrate. However, high suspended solids and dissolved organic matter concentrations can reduce the effectiveness of the technology. In this study, coagulation–flocculation (C/F) and aeration pre-treatments were evaluated to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, suspended solids and alkalinity before the ammonia recovery stage using a membrane contactor. The mass transfer coefficient (Km) and total ammonia (TAN) recovery efficiency of the membrane contactor increased from 7.80 × 10−7 to 1.04 × 10−5 m/s and from 8 to 67%, respectively, after pre-treating the real sidestream centrate. The pre-treatment results showed that dosing aluminium sulphate (Al2(SO4)3) at 30 mg Al/L was the best strategy for the C/F process, providing COD, turbidity and TSS removal efficiencies of 50 ± 5, 95 ± 3 and 90 ± 4%, respectively. The aeration step reduced 51 ± 6% the HCO3− content and allowed reducing alkaline consumption by increasing the pH before the membrane contactor. The techno-economic evaluation showed that the combination of C/F, aeration and membrane contactor can be economically feasible for ammonia recovery. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that C/F and aeration are simple and effective techniques to improve membrane contactor performance for nitrogen recovery from the anaerobic digestion centrate.
Vacuum Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide Scale to Prepare Porous 316 Stainless Steel
Authors: Zhang Fang , Peng Jun , Chang Hongtao , Wang Yongbin
Published: December 2022

In order to improve the added value of iron oxide scale and reduce the manufacturing cost of porous stainless steel, steel rolling iron oxide scale as an iron-containing raw material was used to prepare porous 316 stainless steel by high-temperature sintering under vacuum conditions, while carbon was used as a reducing agent and pore-forming agent, and the necessary metal powders were added. In our work, the specific reduction system was confirmed, including the sintering temperature, sintering time, vacuum degree and carbon amount, through thermodynamic calculation combined with experiments. Thermodynamic analysis results showed that the transformation process of the chromium element in the raw materials at 10−4 atm and 300~1600 °C was FeCr2O4 + Cr3O4→Cr2O3 + Cr3O4 + Cr23C6→Cr23C6 + Cr7C3 + FCC→FCC + Cr23C6→FCC→FCC + BCC→Cr(liq). The FCC phase with qualified carbon content could be obtained at 10−4 atm and 1200 °C, while 90.88 g iron oxide scale, 17.17 g carbon, 17.00 g metal chromium, 12.00 g metal nickel and 2.5 g metal molybdenum were necessary to produce 100 g porous 316 stainless steel. The porous 316 stainless steel with a carbon content of 0.025% could be obtained at 10−4 atm and 1200 °C for 180 min, while the chromium element underwent the transformation of metal, Cr→FeCr2O4→Cr23C6→Austenite. The porosity of the porous 316 stainless steel was 42.07%. The maximum size of impurity particles was 5 μm when the holding time reached 180 min. Magnetic separation was an effective method to reduce impurities in the porous stainless steel.
Influence of Mold Design on Shrinkage Porosity of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Ingots
Authors: He Tongzheng , Chen Yuyong
Published: December 2022

Mold design is one of the important ways to control shrinkage porosity. In this study, four mold forms with different tapers were first designed, the corresponding three-dimensional finite element models were built using the ProCAST software, and the influence of mold design on the filling and solidification processes of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was investigated. The results showed that the titanium alloy ingots exhibit typical characteristics of layer-by-layer solidification, and that the removal of the riser results in: (a) shortening the time it takes for molten metal to reach the bottom of the mold and the time needed to complete mold filling; (b) decreasing the maximum flow velocity and improving the filling stability; and (c) moving the shrinkage cavities up along the central axis of the ingot and decreasing the cavity volume. Meanwhile, it was also found that the shrinkage cavity volume decreases significantly with increasing mold taper, meaning a significant increase in ingot utilization rate. The shrinkage cavity formation mechanism was revealed through macrostructure analysis. During solidification, a grain frame is formed as a large number of equiaxed crystals intersect, thus creating an isolated liquid phase zone. When the liquid in this zone solidifies, the last zone to do so, its volume shrinkage cannot be compensated, thus leading to the formation of a shrinkage cavity.
Amino Acids Metabolism in Retinopathy: From Clinical and Basic Research Perspective
Authors: Xia Mengxue , Zhang Fang
Published: December 2022

Retinopathy, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), are the leading cause of blindness among seniors, working-age populations, and children. However, the pathophysiology of retinopathy remains unclear. Accumulating studies demonstrate that amino acid metabolism is associated with retinopathy. This study discusses the characterization of amino acids in DR, AMD, and ROP by metabolomics from clinical and basic research perspectives. The features of amino acids in retinopathy were summarized using a comparative approach based on existing high-throughput metabolomics studies from PubMed. Besides taking up a large proportion, amino acids appear in both human and animal, intraocular and peripheral samples. Among them, some metabolites differ significantly in all three types of retinopathy, including glutamine, glutamate, alanine, and others. Studies on the mechanisms behind retinal cell death caused by glutamate accumulation are on the verge of making some progress. To develop potential therapeutics, it is imperative to understand amino acid-induced retinal functional alterations and the underlying mechanisms. This review delineates the significance of amino acid metabolism in retinopathy and provides possible direction to discover therapeutic targets for retinopathy.
Childhood-Onset GH Deficiency versus Adult-Onset GH Deficiency: Relevant Differences Regarding Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Garmes Heraldo Mendes , Castillo Alejandro Rosell , Monte Alegre Sarah , de Souza Aglecio Luiz , Atala Yeelen Ballesteros , Zantut-Wittmann Denise Engelbrecht
Published: December 2022

The results of the studies on the pattern of insulin sensitivity (IS) are contradictory in patients with GH deficiency (GHD); however, the interference of the GHD onset stage, childhood or adulthood in the IS has not been assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC), a gold-standard method for the assessment of insulin sensitivity. In a prospective cross-sectional study, we assessed IS and body composition in 17 adults with hypopituitarism without GH replacement, ten with childhood-onset (COGHD) and seven with adulthood-onset (AOGHD) and compared them to paired control groups. COGHD presented higher IS (p = 0.0395) and a similar percentage of fat mass (PFM) to AOGHD. COGHD showed higher IS than the control group (0.0235), despite a higher PFM (0.0022). No differences were found between AODGH and the control group. In AOGHD and the control group, IS was negatively correlated with PFM (rs: −0.8214, p = 0.0234 and rs: −0.3639, p < 0.0344), while this correlation was not observed with COGHD (rs: −0.1152, p = 0.7514). Despite the higher PFM, patients with COGHD were more sensitive to insulin than paired healthy individuals, while patients with AOGHD showed similar IS compared to controls. The lack of GH early in life could modify the metabolic characteristics of tissues related to the glucose metabolism, inducing beneficial effects on IS that persist into adulthood. Thus, the glycometabolic findings in patients with COGHD seems to be not applicable to AOGHD.
Target Metabolites to Slow Down Progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Mice
Authors: Ogbu Destiny , Zhang Yongguo , Claud Katerina , Xia Yinglin , Sun Jun
Published: December 2022

Microbial metabolites affect the neuron system and muscle cell functions. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial neuromuscular disease. Our previous study has demonstrated elevated intestinal inflammation and dysfunction of the microbiome in patients with ALS and an ALS mouse model (human-SOD1G93A transgenic mice). However, the metabolites in ALS progression are unknown. Using an unbiased global metabolomic measurement and targeted measurement, we investigated the longitudinal changes of fecal metabolites in SOD1G93A mice over the course of 13 weeks. We further compared the changes of metabolites and inflammatory response in age-matched wild-type (WT) and SOD1G93A mice treated with the bacterial product butyrate. We found changes in carbohydrate levels, amino acid metabolism, and the formation of gamma-glutamyl amino acids. Shifts in several microbially contributed catabolites of aromatic amino acids agree with butyrate-induced changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. Declines in gamma-glutamyl amino acids in feces may stem from differential expression of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in response to butyrate administration. Due to the signaling nature of amino acid-derived metabolites, these changes indicate changes in inflammation, e.g., histamine, and contribute to differences in systemic levels of neurotransmitters, e.g., γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. Butyrate treatment was able to restore some of the healthy metabolites in ALS mice. Moreover, microglia in the spinal cord were measured by IBA1 staining. Butyrate treatment significantly suppressed the IBA1 level in the SOD1G93A mice. Serum IL-17 and LPS were significantly reduced in the butyrate-treated SOD1G93A mice. We have demonstrated an inter-organ communications link among microbial metabolites, neuroactive metabolites from the gut, and inflammation in ALS progression. The study supports the potential to use metabolites as ALS hallmarks and for treatment.
New Frontiers in Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: Salicone Simona
Published: December 2022

Metrology is the science of measurements [...]
Novel Electrothermal Microgrippers Based on a Rotary Actuator System
Authors: Vargas-Chable Pedro , Tecpoyotl-Torres Margarita , Vera-Dimas Gerardo , Grimalsky Volodymyr , Mireles García José
Published: December 2022

Microgrippers are devices that have found applications in various fields of research and industry. They are driven by various actuation methods. In this article, an electrothermal rotary actuator recently proposed in the literature is explored to obtain a novel microgripper design (Model 1). In addition, the use of the rotary actuator as part of the chevron actuated microgrippers (Model 2) is also discussed. The theoretical analysis of the rotary actuator is supported by an equivalent U-shaped-like microactuator. The small error values validate the approximation used. Numerical modeling is performed with ANSYSTM (Student version 2022, ANSYS, PA, USA). A comparison of theoretical and numerical results provides acceptable error values. The total inter-jaw displacement values obtained for models 1 and 2 are 12.28 μm and 21.2 μm, respectively, and the reaction force is 8.96 μN and 34.2 μN, respectively. The performance parameters of both microgrippers could make their use feasible for different nanoapplications. Model 2 can be used when higher force and displacement are required.
Manufacturing of a Transdermal Patch in 3D Printing
Authors: Villota Isabella , Calvo Paulo César , Campo Oscar Iván , Villarreal-Gómez Luis Jesús , Fonthal Faruk
Published: December 2022

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that affects glucose metabolism, making the body unable to effectively use the insulin it produces. Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) has attracted strong interest from researchers, as it allows minimally invasive and painless insulin administration, showing advantages over conventional delivery methods. Systems composed of microneedles (MNs) assembled in a transdermal patch provide a unique route of administration, which is innovative with promising results. This paper presents the design of a transdermal patch composed of 25 microneedles manufactured with 3D printing by stereolithography with a class 1 biocompatible resin and a printing angle of 0°. Finite element analysis with ANSYS software is used to obtain the mechanical behavior of the microneedle (MN). The values obtained through the analysis were: a Von Misses stress of 18.057 MPa, a maximum deformation of 2.179×10−3, and a safety factor of 4. Following this, through a flow simulation, we find that a pressure of 1.084 Pa and a fluid velocity of 4.800 ms were necessary to ensure a volumetric flow magnitude of 4.447×10−5cm3s. Furthermore, the parameters found in this work are of great importance for the future implementation of a transdermal drug delivery device.
Fuzzy Control Modeling to Optimize the Hardness and Geometry of Laser Cladded Fe-Based MG Single Track on Stainless Steel Substrate Prepared at Different Surface Roughness
Authors: Lashin Maha M. A. , Ibrahim Mahmoud Z. , Khan Muhammad Ijaz , Guedri Kamel , Saxena Kuldeep K. , Eldin Sayed M.
Published: December 2022

Metallic glass (MG) is a promising coating material developed to enhance the surface hardness of metallic substrates, with laser cladding having become popular to develop such coatings. MGs properties are affected by the laser cladding variables (laser power, scanning speed, spot size). Meanwhile, the substrate surface roughness significantly affects the geometry and hardness of the laser-cladded MG. In this research, Fe-based MG was laser-cladded on substrates with different surface roughness. For this purpose, the surfaces of the substrate were prepared for cladding using two methods: sandpaper polishing (SP) and sandblasting (SB), with two levels of grit size used for each method (SP150, SP240, SB40, SB100). The experiment showed that substrate surface roughness affected the geometry and hardness of laser-cladded Fe-based MG. To predict and optimize the geometry and hardness of laser-cladded Fe-based MG single tracks at different substrate surface roughness, a fuzzy logic control system (FLCS) was developed. The FLCS results indicate that it is an efficient tool to select the proper preparation technique of the substrate surface for higher clad hardness and maximum geometry to minimize the number of cladding tracks for full surface cladding.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Piezoelectric Transducers: Materials, Devices and Applications, Volume II
Authors: Sanchez-Rojas Jose Luis
Published: December 2022

This is the second volume of the Special Issue focused on piezoelectric transducers, covering a wide range of topics, including the design, fabrication, characterization, packaging, and system integration or final applications of mili/micro/nano-electro–mechanical systems-based transducers, featuring piezoelectric materials and devices [...]
Removal of Pb (II) from Aqueous Solution by a Pectin-Producing Alga, Penium margaritaceum, Immobilized on Filter Paper
Authors: Byamba Tsogjargal , Hasegawa Kazutoshi , Maeda Isamu
Published: December 2022

Lead (Pb) pollution from local mines and industrial use increases risks for human, animal, and plant health. Pectin is an effective chelator of Pb, and it has been shown that a unicellular green alga, Penium margaritaceum, synthesizes pectin in the cell wall. In this study, the ability of P. margaritaceum to remove Pb from an aqueous solution was investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that two strains of P. margaritaceum accumulated Pb on the cell surface. Hence, P. margaritaceum cells were immobilized on cellulose filter paper. The immobilized algal cells were soaked in 1.0 mg/L Pb solution with gentle shaking for 8 h, and Pb in the solution and on the filter paper was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The immobilized algal cells continuously decreased the Pb concentration to less than 0.5 mg/L and recovered 31.8–32.7% of added Pb. The specific decrease in Pb and increase in Ca were observed in the presence of 1.0 mg/L each of Ca, Mg, Na, and K. Fourier transform infrared spectra suggested that the carboxylic acid group would be responsible for the adsorption of Pb. This study is the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of the immobilized P. margaritaceum cell in removing Pb from aqueous solutions with simple solid–liquid separation.
The Production of Pyruvate in Biological Technology: A Critical Review
Authors: Yuan Wei , Du Yongbao , Yu Kechen , Xu Shiyi , Liu Mengzhu , Wang Songmao , Yang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yinjun , Sun Jie
Published: December 2022

Pyruvic acid has numerous applications in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The high costs of chemical synthesis have prevented the extensive use of pyruvate for many applications. Metabolic engineering and traditional strategies for mutation and selection have been applied to microorganisms to enhance their ability to produce pyruvate. In the past decades, different microbial strains were generated to enhance their pyruvate production capability. In addition to the development of genetic engineering and metabolic engineering in recent years, the metabolic transformation of wild-type yeast, E. coli, and so on to produce high-yielding pyruvate strains has become a hot spot. The strategy and the understanding of the central metabolism directly related to pyruvate production could provide valuable information for improvements in fermentation products. One of the goals of this review was to collect information regarding metabolically engineered strains and the microbial fermentation processes used to produce pyruvate in high yield and productivity.
Instability Mechanism and Control Method of Surrounding Rock of Water-Rich Roadway Roof
Authors: Wang Furong , Wu Chengle , Yao Qiangling , Li Xuehua , Chen Shengyan , Li Yinghu , Li Haitao , Zhu Guiwei
Published: December 2022

Surrounding rock properties and occurrence stability of a coal seam roof are prerequisites for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of mines. In this study, the mechanisms and control of weakened water-rich roadway roof slabs were investigated regarding the engineering background of water-rich roadway roof slab destabilization in a coal mine in the western Qingyang mining area. The spatial and temporal evolution law of rock deformation and damage of such roadways during excavation were determined through field measurements. First, we tested the strength of the roof slab surrounding rock in water-rich roadways with different water contents and concluded that the primary and excavation-disturbing fissures of the coal-sedimentary rock body are the external conditions for the occurrence of water–rock interaction in water-rich coal seam roadways. Moreover, the rock mechanical damage phenomenon exhibited by clay minerals in contact with water is the key factor leading to the destabilization of the water-rich roof slab’s surrounding rock. Second, a technical approach for controlling the stability of the surrounding rock by adjusting the form of the roadway section and optimizing the support parameters was proposed, and the distribution law of the surrounding rock stress field and displacement field of each section was revealed via numerical calculation. It is considered that adjustment of the stress and displacement control of the surrounding rock of the roadway is more favorable for the straight wall circular arch section. Based on the results of the sensitive orthogonal numerical simulation test, the technical parameters and scheme of the roadway support optimization were proposed. Finally, the research results were applied in the field, and the deformations of the top and bottom slab and the two ribs of the roadway after optimizing the section and support parameters were calculated as 61% and 34% lower, respectively, than those before optimization, indicating that the proposed approach can effectively control the deformation of the water-rich roadway’s surrounding rock and achieve more economic and effective stability control of this type of roadway. The research results provide new ideas and methods for controlling the surrounding rock of water-rich soft rock roadways in the western mining areas of China, which has broad application value and prospects.
Geochronology and Petrogenesis of Ahetala Granodiorite in South Tianshan Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang: New Constraints on the Tectonic Evolution of the South Tianshan Ocean
Authors: Xu Yang , Yin Jingwu , Xiao Keyan , Wang Chunlian , Xu Haiming , Fang Jingling , Fan Mingjing
Published: December 2022

The Ahetala granodiorite is located in the western section of the South Tianshan Orogenic Belt (STOB), which is of great significance regarding the dispute on the closing date of the South Tianshan Ocean (STO) and the tectonic evolution of STOB. To determine the tectonic setting and petrogenesis, the study of petrography, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb geochronology, and major and trace elements analyses are carried out for Ahetala granodiorite. Based on LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating, the granodiorite was emplaced at 282.1 ± 1.3 Ma (MSWD = 1.11). Geochemically, Ahetala granodiorite is characterized by metaluminous (A/CNK = 0.86–0.87), rich alkali (K2O + Na2O = 6.80–7.13), which belongs to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granite. They are enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE (LREE/HREE = 9.02–13.89) and exhibit insignificant Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.94–0.97). Ahetala granodiorite is enriched in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., K, Sr, Ba) and depleted in high field-strength elements (e.g., Ta, Ti, Nb, P). The Nb/Ta values (10.97–18.10), Zr/Hf values (39.41–40.19), and Mg# (54.87–56.02) of the granodiorite and the MgO content of biotites (13.42–14.16), the M value (M = Mg/(Mg + Fe2+)) of amphiboles (0.68–0.75), suggest that granodiorite originates from the crustal contamination of the mantle-derived magmas. Combined with regional geological background, previous research, and the nature of the Ahetala granodiorite, we suggest that Ahetala granodiorite was emplaced at a transitional stage of the volcanic arc (syn-collision) to post-collision setting and the South Tianshan Ocean was closed in the Early Permian.
Chemical Composition Profiling and Antifungal Activity of Saffron Petal Extract
Authors: Naim Nadia , Fauconnier Marie-Laure , Ennahli Nabil , Tahiri Abdessalem , Baala Mohammed , Madani Ilham , Ennahli Said , Lahlali Rachid
Published: December 2022

Numerous fungal plant pathogens can infect fresh fruits and vegetables during transit and storage conditions. The resulting infections were mainly controlled by synthetic fungicides, but their application has many drawbacks associated with the threatened environment and human health. Therefore, the use of natural plants with antimicrobial potential could be a promising alternative to overcome the side effects of fungicides. In this regard, this study aimed at evaluating the antifungal activity potential of saffron petal extract (SPE) against three mains important fungal pathogens: Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium digitatum and Botritys cinerea, which cause rot decay on the tomato, orange and apple fruits, respectively. In addition, the organic composition of SPE was characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy and its biochemical, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were carried out. The obtained results highlighted an increased inhibition rate of the mycelial growth and spore germination of the three pathogenic fungi with increasing SPE concentrations. The mycelial growth and spore germination were completely inhibited at 10% of the SPE for Rhizopus stolonifer and Penicillium digitatum and at 5% for B. cinerea. Interestingly, the in vivo test showed the complete suppression of Rhizopus rot by the SPE at 10%, and a significant reduction of the severity of grey mold disease (37.19%) and green mold, when applied at 5 and 10%, respectively. The FT-IR spectra showed characteristic peaks and a variety of functional groups, which confirmed that SPE contains phenolic and flavonoid components. In addition, The average value of the total phenolic content, flavonoid content and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) were 3.09 ± 0.012 mg GAE/g DW, 0.92 ± 0.004 mg QE/g DW and 235.15 ± 2.12 µg/mL, respectively. A volatile analysis showed that the most dominant component in the saffron petal is 2(5H)-Furanone (92.10%). Taken together, it was concluded that SPE could be used as an alternative to antioxidant and antifungal compounds for the control of postharvest diseases in fruits.
Aminoclay Nanoparticles Induce Anti-Inflammatory Dendritic Cells to Attenuate LPS-Elicited Pro-Inflammatory Immune Responses
Authors: Park Hyun Jung , Lee Sung Won , Song Jae Geun , Van Kaer Luc , Cheon Jae Hee , Lim Soo-Jeong , Han Hyo-Kyung , Hong Seokmann
Published: December 2022

Although 3-aminopropyl functionalized magnesium phyllosilicate nanoparticles (hereafter aminoclay nanoparticles, ACNs) are well-known nanomaterials employed as drug carriers, their effects on immune cells remain unclear. To address this issue, we explored murine dendritic cells (DCs) as these cells belong to the innate arm of the immune system and function as antigen-presenting cells to elicit adaptive immune responses. We examined the in vitro effects of ACNs on DCs isolated from B6 mice. ACN treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of inflammasome-related markers, including NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL1β. The ACNs-induced anti-inflammatory DC phenotype was further confirmed by down-regulation of the AKT/mTOR/HIF1α signaling pathway. Such anti-inflammatory effects of ACNs on DCs occurred independently of DC subtypes. To document the effects of ACNs on DCs more clearly, we examined their anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated DCs. As expected, excessive inflammatory responses (increased mitochondrial ROS and Th1-type cytokines such as IL12 and IL1β) of LPS-activated DCs were dramatically attenuated by ACN treatment. Furthermore, ACNs down-regulated IFNγ production by antigen-specific CD4+ T cells, which is consistent with a reduced inflammatory phenotype of DCs. Overall, our results provide support for employing ACNs as drug delivery materials with therapeutic potential to control inflammatory disorders.
Role of STAT3 and NRF2 in Tumors: Potential Targets for Antitumor Therapy
Authors: Tian Yanjun , Liu Haiqing , Wang Mengwei , Wang Ruihao , Yi Guandong , Zhang Meng , Chen Ruijiao
Published: December 2022

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NRF2, also known as NFE2L2), are two of the most complicated transcription regulators, which participate in a variety of physiological processes. Numerous studies have shown that they are overactivated in multiple types of tumors. Interestingly, STAT3 and NRF2 can also interact with each other to regulate tumor progression. Hence, these two important transcription factors are considered key targets for developing a new class of antitumor drugs. This review summarizes the pivotal roles of the two transcription regulators and their interactions in the tumor microenvironment to identify potential antitumor drug targets and, ultimately, improve patients’ health and survival.
Sodium Succinate as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel Rebars in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed , Visco Donald P. , Bastidas David M.
Published: December 2022

The inhibiting performance of sodium succinate (Na2C4H4O4) was evaluated as an organic environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel rebars in 0.6 M Cl− simulated concrete pore solution. Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were utilized to evaluate the inhibitor performance at different temperatures and concentrations. The investigated corrosion inhibitor showed strong corrosion inhibition performance as it adsorbs on the surface of the rebar, creating a protective adsorption film. According to PDP, the inhibitor is classified as a mixed-type inhibitor with an inhibitor efficiency of 77, 69, 59, and 54% for 25, 35, 45, and 55 °C, respectively. EIS validated the PDP tests, showing that sodium succinate displaces the water molecules at the interface, creating an adsorption film by complexing with ferrous ions. The film thickness was calculated, and sodium succinate was able to produce a thicker protective film (span of nanometers) relative to the reference at every temperature. The adsorption of sodium succinate follows the Temkin adsorption isotherm. ΔG0ads was found to be −32.75 kJ/mol, indicating that the inhibitor adsorption is a combined physisorption and chemisorption process. Different surface characterizations were utilized to substantiate the adsorption of sodium succinate, these include scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Finally, quantum chemical calculations showed that the delocalized electrons in the carboxyl group have high HOMO energies and electrostatic potential, which facilitates the adsorption of sodium succinate corrosion inhibitor onto the carbon steel rebar surface.
Cold Ethanol Extraction of Cannabinoids and Terpenes from Cannabis Using Response Surface Methodology: Optimization and Comparative Study
Authors: Addo Philip Wiredu , Sagili Sai Uday Kumar Reddy , Bilodeau Samuel Eichhorn , Gladu-Gallant Frederick-Alexandre , MacKenzie Douglas A. , Bates Jennifer , McRae Garnet , MacPherson Sarah , Paris Maxime , Raghavan Vijaya , Orsat Valérie , Lefsrud Mark
Published: December 2022

Efficient cannabis biomass extraction can increase yield while reducing costs and minimizing waste. Cold ethanol extraction was evaluated to maximize yield and concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes at different temperatures. Central composite rotatable design was used to optimize two independent factors: sample-to-solvent ratio (1:2.9 to 1:17.1) and extraction time (5.7 min–34.1 min). With response surface methodology, predicted optimal conditions at different extraction temperatures were a cannabis-to-ethanol ratio of 1:15 and a 10 min extraction time. With these conditions, yields (g 100 g dry matter−1) were 18.2, 19.7, and 18.5 for −20 °C, −40 °C and room temperature, respectively. Compared to the reference ground sample, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid changed from 17.9 (g 100 g dry matter−1) to 15, 17.5, and 18.3 with an extraction efficiency of 83.6%, 97.7%, 102.1% for −20 °C, −40 °C, and room temperature, respectively. Terpene content decreased by 54.1% and 32.2% for extraction at −20 °C and room temperature, respectively, compared to extraction at −40 °C. Principal component analysis showed that principal component 1 and principal component 2 account for 88% and 7.31% of total variance, respectively, although no significant differences in cold ethanol extraction at different temperatures were observed.