bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endophytic Isaria javanica pf185 Persists after Spraying and Controls Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Colletotrichum acutatum (Glomerellales: Glomerellaceae) in Pepper
Authors: Bocco Roland , Lee Moran , Kim Dayeon , Ahn Seongho , Park Jin-Woo , Lee Sang-Yeob , Han Ji-Hee
Published: July 2021

This study endeavored to sustainably control aphids and anthracnose after spraying endophytic Isaria javanica pf185 under field conditions. Under two different tents; one batch of seedlings was sprayed with a 107 conidia/mL I. javanica pf185 suspension; while another was sprayed with 0.05% Tween 80® in distilled water. Six leaf discs from the top; middle; and bottom part of the plant canopy were weekly collected and placed on moistened filter paper in a Petri dish for insecticidal and antifungal bioassays against Myzus persicae and Colletotrichum acutatum. Differences were noticed from the 18th day after spraying with mortality (86.67 ± 0.57% versus 36.67 ± 0.64%) and leaf damage (13.45 ± 0.03% versus 41.18 ± 0.06%) on fungus-treated and controlled, respectively. The corrected insecticidal efficacy was 20.43, 39.82, 72.32, 66.43 and 70.04%, while the corrected fungicidal efficacy was 26.07, 38.01, 53.35, 29.08 and 41.81% during five successive weeks. A positive correlation was evident between insecticidal efficacy and relative humidity (r2 = 0.620) and temperature (r2 = 0.424), respectively. No correlation was found between antifungal activity and relative humidity (r2 = 0.061) and temperature (r2 = 0), respectively. The entomopathogenic fungus survived on leaf surface area and in tissues after spraying.
Encapsulation of Basil Essential Oil by Paste Method and Combined Application with Mechanical Trap for Oriental Fruit Fly Control
Authors: Tangpao Tibet , Krutmuang Patcharin , Kumpoun Wilawan , Jantrawut Pensak , Pusadee Tonapha , Cheewangkoon Ratchadawan , Sommano Sarana Rose , Chuttong Bajaree
Published: July 2021

In this work, the chemical compositions of basils oils, including those of lemon basil, white holy basil, Thai basil, tree basil and red holy basil, were analysed. Methyl eugenol was detected in all types of basils. The essential oils of red and white holy basils possessed a comparable ability (~25%) to attract male Oriental fruit fly to the synthesised fruit fly attractant in the laboratory experiment. To control the release of the active ingredients, the white holly basil oil (WBO) was encapsulated with maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA) by paste method. The essential oil is retained in the wall complex much longer with the addition of MD. The results also revealed that the combination of the MD:GA (25:75) had the highest loading efficiency of the oil (9.40%) as observed by the numerous porous structures by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of the encapsulated polymer confirmed traces of essential oil functional groups. The field test study advised that WBO-encapsulated products improved fruit fly attractive efficiency by maintaining the release rate of basil essential oil.
Clinical Epidemiology of Systolic and Diastolic Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Torino Claudia , Tripepi Rocco , Versace Maria Carmela , Vilasi Antonio , Tripepi Giovanni , Panuccio Vincenzo
Published: July 2021

Blood pressure changes upon standing reflect a hemodynamic response, which depends on the baroreflex system and euvolemia. Dysautonomia and fluctuations in blood volume are hallmarks in kidney failure requiring replacement therapy. Orthostatic hypotension has been associated with mortality in hemodialysis patients, but neither this relationship nor the impact of changes in blood pressure has been tested in patients on peritoneal dialysis. We investigated both these relationships in a cohort of 137 PD patients. The response to orthostasis was assessed according to a standardized protocol. Twenty-five patients (18%) had systolic orthostatic hypotension, and 17 patients (12%) had diastolic hypotension. The magnitude of systolic and diastolic BP changes was inversely related to the value of the corresponding supine BP component (r = −0.16, p = 0.056 (systolic) and r = −0.25, p = 0.003 (diastolic), respectively). Orthostatic changes in diastolic, but not in systolic, BP were linearly related to the death risk (HR (1 mmHg reduction): 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07, p = 0.006), and this was also true for CV death (HR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.12, p = 0.001). The strength of this association was not affected by further data adjustment (p ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest that independent of the formal diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension, even minor orthostatic reductions in diastolic BP bear an excess death risk in this population.
Clinical Outcomes between Stand-Alone Zero-Profile Spacers and Cervical Plate with Cage Fixation for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Retrospective Analysis of 166 Patients
Authors: Sommaruga Samuel , Camara-Quintana Joaquin , Patel Kishan , Nouri Aria , Tessitore Enrico , Molliqaj Granit , Panchagnula Shreyas , Robinson Michael , Virojanapa Justin , Sun Xin , Melnikov Fjodor , Kolb Luis , Schaller Karl , Abbed Khalid , Cheng Joseph
Published: July 2021

Stand-alone (SA) zero-profile implants are an alternative to cervical plating (CP) in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). In this study, we investigate differences in surgical outcomes between SA and CP in ACDF. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 166 patients with myelopathy and/or radiculopathy who had ACDF with SA or CP from Jan 2013–Dec 2016. We measured surgical outcomes including Bazaz dysphagia score at 3 months, Nurick grade at last follow-up, and length of hospital stay. 166 patients (92F/74M) were reviewed. 92 presented with radiculopathy (55%), 37 with myelopathy (22%), and 37 with myeloradiculopathy (22%). The average operative time with CP was longer than SA (194 ± 69 vs. 126 ± 46 min) (p < 0.001), as was the average length of hospital stay (2.1 ± 2 vs. 1.5 ± 1 days) (p = 0.006). At 3 months, 82 patients (49.4%) had a follow-up for dysphagia, with 3 patients reporting mild dysphagia and none reporting moderate or severe dysphagia. Nurick grade at last follow-up for the myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy cohorts improved in 63 patients (85%). Prolonged length of stay was associated with reduced odds of having an optimal outcome by 0.50 (CI = 0.35–0.85, p = 0.003). Overall, we demonstrate that there is no significant difference in neurological outcome or rates of dysphagia between SA and CP, and that both lead to overall improvement of symptoms based on Nurick grading. However, we also show that the SA group has shorter length of hospital stay and operative time compared to CP.
CT-Based Prediction of Liver Function and Post-PVE Hypertrophy Using an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Heise Daniel , Schulze-Hagen Maximilian , Bednarsch Jan , Eickhoff Roman , Kroh Andreas , Bruners Philipp , Eickhoff Simon B. , Brecheisen Ralph , Ulmer Florian , Neumann Ulf Peter
Published: July 2021

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether hypertrophy after portal vein embolization (PVE) and maximum liver function capacity (LiMAx) are predictable by an artificial neural network (ANN) model based on computed tomography (CT) texture features. Methods: We report a retrospective analysis on 118 patients undergoing preoperative assessment by CT before and after PVE for subsequent extended liver resection due to a malignant tumor at RWTH Aachen University Hospital. The LiMAx test was carried out in a subgroup of 55 patients prior to PVE. Associations between CT texture features and hypertrophy as well as liver function were assessed by a multilayer perceptron ANN model. Results: Liver volumetry showed a median hypertrophy degree of 33.9% (16.5–60.4%) after PVE. Non-response, defined as a hypertrophy grade lower than 25%, was found in 36.5% (43/118) of the cases. The ANN prediction of the hypertrophy response showed a sensitivity of 95.8%, specificity of 44.4% and overall prediction accuracy of 74.6% (p < 0.001). The observed median LiMAx was 327 (248–433) μg/kg/h and was strongly correlated with the predicted LiMAx (R2 = 0.89). Conclusion: Our study shows that an ANN model based on CT texture features is able to predict the maximum liver function capacity and may be useful to assess potential hypertrophy after performing PVE.
Vibration Perception Thresholds of Skin Mechanoreceptors Are Influenced by Different Contact Forces
Authors: Zippenfennig Claudio , Wynands Bert , Milani Thomas L.
Published: July 2021

Determining vibration perception thresholds (VPT) is a central concern of clinical research and science to assess the somatosensory capacity of humans. The response of different mechanoreceptors to an increasing contact force has rarely been studied. We hypothesize that increasing contact force leads to a decrease in VPTs of fast-adapting mechanoreceptors in the sole of the human foot. VPTs of 10 healthy subjects were measured at 30 Hz and 200 Hz at the heel of the right foot using a vibration exciter. Contact forces were adjusted precisely between 0.3 N–9.6 N through an integrated force sensor. Significant main effects were found for frequency and contact force. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction for frequency and contact force, meaning that the influence of an increasing contact force was more obvious for the 30 Hz condition. We presume that the principles of contrast enhancement and spatial summation are valid in Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles, respectively. In addition to spatial summation, we presume an effect on Pacinian corpuscles due to their presence in the periosteum or interosseous membrane.
Biomaterials for Cell-Surface Engineering and Their Efficacy
Authors: Jang Seoyoung , Jeong Jin Gil , Oh Tong In , Lee EunAh
Published: July 2021

Literature in the field of stem cell therapy indicates that, when stem cells in a state of single-cell suspension are injected systemically, they show poor in vivo survival, while such cells show robust cell survival and regeneration activity when transplanted in the state of being attached on a biomaterial surface. Although an attachment-deprived state induces anoikis, when cell-surface engineering technology was adopted for stem cells in a single-cell suspension state, cell survival and regenerative activity dramatically improved. The biochemical signal coming from ECM (extracellular matrix) molecules activates the cell survival signal transduction pathway and prevents anoikis. According to the target disease, various therapeutic cells can be engineered to improve their survival and regenerative activity, and there are several types of biomaterials available for cell-surface engineering. In this review, biomaterial types and application strategies for cell-surface engineering are presented along with their expected efficacy.
Molecular Testing of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration: Local Issues and Solutions. An Interventional Cytopathologist Perspective
Authors: Bellevicine Claudio , Sgariglia Roberta , Nacchio Mariantonia , De Luca Caterina , Pisapia Pasquale , Pepe Francesco , Troncone Giancarlo
Published: July 2021

Molecular testing has acquired a relevant role for diagnostic and prognostic stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules. Besides the available commercial solutions marketed in the United States, various local testing strategies have been developed in the last decade. In this setting, the modern interventional cytopathologist, the physician who performs the both aspirate and the morphologic interpretation plays a key role in the correct handling of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples not only for microscopy but also for molecular techniques. This review summarizes experiences with local approaches to the molecular testing of thyroid FNA, highlighting the role of the modern interventional cytopathologist.
Response to Environmental Factors of Spawning Ground in the Pearl River Estuary, China
Authors: Wang Dongliang , Yao Lijun , Yu Jing , Chen Pimao , Hu Ruirui
Published: July 2021

Spawning grounds are important areas for fish survival and reproduction, and play a key role in the supplement of fishery resources. This study investigated environmental effects on the spatiotemporal variability of spawning ground in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China, using the generalized additive model (GAM), based on satellite remote sensing (sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), sea surface salinity (SSS), depth), and in situ observations. Results showed that 39.8% of the total variation in fish egg density was explained by these factors. Among them, the most important factor was SST, accounting for 14.3%, followed by Depth, SSS, and Chl-a, with contributions of 9.7%, 8.5%, and 7.3%, respectively. Spawning grounds in the PRE were mainly distributed in the waters with SST of 22 °C, depth of 30–50 m, SSS of 16–35 ‰, and Chl-a of 6–15 mg/m3. From spring to summer, the spawning ground moved from the outlet of the PRE to the east. The distribution of the spawning ground in the PRE was mainly affected by the Pearl River Plume (PRP), Guangdong Coastal Current (GCC), and monsoons in this area.
A Reappraisal of the Prebisch-Singer Hypothesis Using Wavelets Analysis
Authors: Fahmy Hany
Published: July 2021

The Prebisch-Singer (PS) hypothesis, which postulates the presence of a downward secular trend in the price of primary commodities relative to manufacturers, remains at the core of a continuing debate among international trade economists. The reason is that the results of testing the PS hypothesis depend on the starting point of the technical analysis, i.e., stationarity, nonlinearity, and the existence of structural breaks. The objective of this paper is to appraise the PS hypothesis in the short- and long-run by employing a novel multiresolution wavelets decomposition to a unique data set of commodity prices. The paper also seeks to assess the impact of the terms of trade (also known as Incoterms) on the test results. The analysis reveals that the PS hypothesis is not supported in the long run for the aggregate commodity price index and for most of the individual commodity price series forming it. Furthermore, in addition to the starting point of the analysis, the results show that the PS test depends on the term of trade classification of commodity prices. These findings are of particular significance to international trade regulators and policymakers of developing economies that depend mainly on primary commodities in their exports.
Loan Delinquency: Some Determining Factors
Authors: Chong Fennee
Published: July 2021

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the determining factors of loan delinquencies from the perspective of borrower attributes and loan characteristics. Empirical results indicated that the borrower-lender distance factor, collateral, education levels as well as availability of a monthly budget are having significant effects on loan delinquencies. On the other hand, level of income and gender have no significant impact on repayment behaviour. Credit is good as it allows the borrowers financial flexibility, however, debt is viewed as bad if it was not managed properly. Therefore, a correct attitude towards credit management and self-discipline can be encouraged to reduce loan default rates.
Analyzing Characteristics and Implications of the Mortgage Default of Agricultural Land Management Rights in Recent China Based on 724 Court Decisions
Authors: Zheng Hongguang , Zhang Zhanbin
Published: July 2021

The transfer of rural land contractual management rights belongs to the recessive transition of land use. The mortgage of rural land management rights is a way of rural land circulation, and has an important impact on the transformation of land use. Rural land management rights mortgage loans can enable farmers to obtain more credit funds, which is conducive to agricultural development and Rural Revitalization. However, with the development of rural land mortgage financing, the associated risk has become increasingly prominent. The most typical risk is the default risk of farmers’ mortgage loans. Based on court decisions regarding rural land mortgage default during 2014–2020, this paper analyzes the characteristics of farmers’ default in different periods and locations. The empirical results reveal that the time and space of rural land mortgage default cases are widely distributed in China, especially in Heilongjiang Province. In the default judgement, the loan amount of CNY 50,000 to CNY 100,000 and the loan periods of 1 year accounted for the highest proportion. When making mortgage loan policies for rural land management rights, financial institutions should give farmers the most preferential treatment regarding the amount, term and interest rate of loans. Farmers’ social security should be improved, and agricultural insurance should be strengthened. Meanwhile, the credit review of small and short-term loan farmers should be heightened.
Effect of Different Landscapes on Heat Load to Buildings
Authors: Kanaan Ahmed , Leinauer Bernd , Serena Matteo , Sevostianova Elena , Donaldson Burl , Sevostianov Igor
Published: July 2021

Strategies to conserve water have been implemented by many municipalities in the US Southwest to minimize quantities of water used for irrigating urban landscapes. Some of them encourage and even enforce homeowners to remove the turfgrass to reduce the irrigation water demands. This strategy not only ignores the numerous benefits derived from the turfgrasses but also fails to recognize the energy savings for the buildings surrounded by green landscapes. Quantitative analysis of the effect and importance of different types of landscapes on urban heat load and the subsequent energy consumption inside those buildings is of great practical need. Field experiments were conducted at New Mexico State University to assess the effect of different landscapes on heat transfer and ambient air and surface temperatures from June 2017 to October 2018. Two standard wood frame walls covered with stucco and surrounded by either Kentucky bluegrass or by hardscape were set up and equipped with sensors, measuring wall and air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and the solar and far infrared radiation balance. Our results show that overall heat load from the xeric landscape is noticeably higher than the one from the grass landscape. Based on these data, we assessed the potential for energy savings by utilizing turfgrass landscaping.
Acceptance of Tourist Offers and Territory: Cluster Analysis of Ibiza Residents (Spain)
Authors: Ramón-Cardona José , Peña-Miranda David Daniel , Sánchez-Fernández María Dolores
Published: July 2021

Heterogeneity studies have analyzed different clusters of residents according to their perception and attitude toward tourism in general or a specific type of tourism, but there are still no studies on the heterogeneity in the acceptance of tourist offers. The aim of this article was to segment residents according to their acceptance of different tourist offers focused on the territory. This is a new approach that seeks to determine the profiles of residents based on their preferences for the future development of a destination’s offer in order to solve land-related problems. Cluster analysis carried out by the K-means algorithm made it possible to create five clusters: Disappointed, favorable with nuances, moderate, enthusiasts but anti-nightclub, and enthusiasts. The clusters were characterized by the rejection of the “all inclusive” offer and by the acceptance of most offers. The types of tourism that involve an enhancement of the landscape and heritage were shown to be the best valued. The differences between the clusters were marked by the degree of general acceptance and by the rejection of some offers considered “conflicting.” The offers that imply a high consumption of land (golf courses) or annoyances from the immediate surroundings (nightclubs) generated discrepancies.
Hippo Signaling Pathway as a New Potential Target in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bednarski Igor Aleksander , Ciążyńska Magdalena , Wódz Karolina , Dróżdż Izabela , Skibińska Małgorzata , Narbutt Joanna , Lesiak Aleksandra
Published: July 2021

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), are the most frequently diagnosed cancers in humans, however, their exact pathogenesis is not fully understood. In recent years, it has been hypothesized that the recently discovered Hippo pathway could play a detrimental role in cutaneous carcinogenesis, but no direct connections have been made. The Hippo pathway and its effector, YAP, are responsible for tissue growth by accelerating cell proliferation, however, YAP upregulation and overexpression have also been reported in numerous types of tumors. There is also evidence that disrupted YAP/Hippo signaling is responsible for cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. In this short review, we will explore whether the Hippo pathway is an important regulator of skin carcinogenesis and if it could be a promising target for future therapies.
The Nanosystems Involved in Treating Lung Cancer
Authors: Crintea Andreea , Dutu Alina Gabriela , Samasca Gabriel , Florian Ioan Alexandru , Lupan Iulia , Craciun Alexandra Marioara
Published: July 2021

Even though there are various types of cancer, this pathology as a whole is considered the principal cause of death worldwide. Lung cancer is known as a heterogeneous condition, and it is apparent that genome modification presents a significant role in the occurrence of this disorder. There are conventional procedures that can be utilized against diverse cancer types, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but they are hampered by the numerous side effects. Owing to the many adverse events observed in these therapies, it is imperative to continuously develop new and improved strategies for managing individuals with cancer. Nanomedicine plays an important role in establishing new methods for detecting chromosomal rearrangements and mutations for targeted chemotherapeutics or the local delivery of drugs via different types of nano-particle carriers to the lungs or other organs or areas of interest. Because of the complex signaling pathways involved in developing different types of cancer, the need to discover new methods for prevention and detection is crucial in producing gene delivery materials that exhibit the desired roles. Scientists have confirmed that nanotechnology-based procedures are more effective than conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with minor side effects. Several nanoparticles, nanomaterials, and nanosystems have been studied, including liposomes, dendrimers, polymers, micelles, inorganic nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes, and even siRNA delivery systems. The cytotoxicity of such nanosystems is a debatable concern, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems must be improved to increase the bioavailability, biocompatibility, and safety profiles, since these nanosystems boast a remarkable potential in many biomedical applications, including anti-tumor activity or gene therapy. In this review, the nanosystems involved in treating lung cancer and its associated challenges are discussed.
Polyethylene Migration from Food Packaging on Cheese Detected by Raman and Infrared (ATR/FT-IR) Spectroscopy
Authors: Katsara Klytaimnistra , Kenanakis George , Viskadourakis Zacharias , Papadakis Vassilis M.
Published: July 2021

For multiple years, food packaging migration has been a major concern in food and health sciences. Plastics, such as polyethylene, are continuously utilized in food packaging for preservation and easy handling purposes during transportation and storage. In this work, three types of cheese, Edam, Kefalotyri and Parmesan, of different hardness were studied under two complementary vibrational spectroscopy methods, ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, to determine the migration of low-density polyethylene from plastic packaging to the surface of cheese samples. The experimental duration of this study was set to 28 days due to the degradation time of the selected cheese samples, which is clearly visible after 1 month in refrigerated conditions at 4 °C. Raman and ATR-FTIR measurements were performed at a 4–3–4–3 day pattern to obtain comparative results. Initially, consistency/repeatability measurement tests were performed on Day0 for each sample of all cheese specimens to understand if there is any overlap between the characteristic Raman and ATR-FTIR peaks of the cheese with the ones from the low-density polyethylene package. We provide evidence that on Day14, peaks of low-density polyethylene appeared due to polymeric migration in all three cheese types we tested. In all cheese samples, microbial outgrowth started to develop after Day21, as observed visually and under the bright-field microscope, causing peak reverse. Food packaging migration was validated using two different approaches of vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FT-IR), revealing that cheese needs to be consumed within a short time frame in refrigerated conditions at 4 °C.
Mechanical Properties of Cemented Particulate Composite: A 3D Micromechanical Model
Authors: Tao Chenglin , Liang Xi , Bi Xiaoxue , Liu Zeliang , Li Huijian
Published: July 2021

Cemented particulate composite is a kind of composite material with high strength, high energy absorption, and multifunctional characteristics, which is widely used in engineering practice. The calculation of the mechanical properties of granular composites based on theoretical methods has always been a topic of discussion. A micromechanical model with a three-dimensional rigid beam-spring network (3D-RBSN) is proposed here. The stiffness matrix of the model was calculated theoretically. The model was applied to the analysis of the mechanical properties of composites material with glass beads and epoxy resin. The results indicate that the 3D-RBSN model can effectively predict the mechanical properties of composite materials, such as Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Furthermore, the damage evolution process of cemented particulate composite with initial defects was analyzed based on the 3D-RBSN model.
Sol-Gel Synthesis of the Double Perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 by Microwave Technique
Authors: Valdés Jesús , Reséndiz Daniel , Cuán Ángeles , Nava Rufino , Aguilar Bertha , Cortés-Romero Carlos M. , Navarro Oracio
Published: July 2021

The effect of microwave radiation on the hydrothermal synthesis of the double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 has been studied based on a comparison of the particle size and structural characteristics of products from both methods. A temperature, pressure, and pH condition screening was performed, and the most representative results of these are herein presented and discussed. Radiation of microwaves in the hydrothermal synthesis method led to a decrease in crystallite size, which is an effect from the reaction temperature. The particle size ranged from 378 to 318 nm when pH was 4.5 and pressure was kept under 40 bars. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) results coupled with the size-strain plot method, the product obtained by both synthesis methods (with and without microwave radiation) have similar crystal purity. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques showed that the morphology and the distribution of metal ions are uniform. The Curie temperature obtained by thermogravimetric analysis indicates that, in the presence of microwaves, the value was higher with respect to traditional synthesis from 335 K to 342.5 K. Consequently, microwave radiation enhances the diffusion and nucleation process of ionic precursors during the synthesis, which promotes a uniform heating in the reaction mixture leading to a reduction in the particle size, but keeping good crystallinity of the double perovskite. Precursor phases and the final purity of the Sr2FeMoO6 powder can be controlled via hydrothermal microwave heating on the first stages of the Sol-Gel method.
Mechanism Influencing the Drying Behavior of Bitumen Emulsion
Authors: Li Chun , Ouyang Jian , Dou Fangjie , Shi Jingtao
Published: July 2021

The drying process of bitumen emulsion largely dominates the strength development of emulsion-based mixtures for pavement structure, thus it can be used to judge the quality of bitumen emulsion. However, the drying behaviour of bitumen emulsions was seldom considered. The emulsion drying and film formation theory are employed to study the drying process of different bitumen emulsions with a thin layer. Results indicated the drying process of bitumen emulsion can be divided into three stages: (a) an initial high evaporation rate stage; (b) an intermediate stage with a rapidly decreasing evaporation rate; (c) a final stage with a very small evaporation rate. The boundaries among the three stages can be identified by studying the water evaporation rate. Three drying parameters, i.e., the critical volume fractions of bitumen defining the boundaries among the three stages and the maximum packing fraction of bitumen droplets, are proposed to quantitatively characterize the drying behavior of bitumen emulsion. High values of these parameters indicate a bitumen emulsion that has rapid drying behavior. Therefore, these parameters are independent of the emulsifier type, but they are highly dependent on the bitumen’s droplet size. These drying parameters increase with a decrease in bitumen droplet size. Therefore, bitumen emulsion with a smaller size distribution of bitumen droplets can have a more rapid drying behavior, which is recommended in real engineering.
Influence of Different Solvents and High-Electric-Field Cycling on Morphology and Ferroelectric Behavior of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Hexafluoropropylene) Films
Authors: Mälzer Till , Mathies Lena , Band Tino , Gorgas Robert , Leipner Hartmut S.
Published: July 2021

P(VdF-HFP) films are fabricated via a solution casting doctor blade method using high (HVS) and low (LVS) volatile solvents, respectively. The structural properties and the ferroelectric behavior are investigated. The surface structure and crystal phase composition are found to be strongly dependent on the type of solvent. LVS leads to a rougher copolymer surface structure with large spherulites and a lower crystallinity in contrast with HVS. The crystalline phase of copolymer films fabricated with HVS consists almost exclusively of α-phase domains, whereas films from LVS solution show a large proportion of γ-phase domains, as concluded from Raman and X-ray diffraction spectra. Virgin films show no ferroelectric (FE) switching polarization at electric field amplitudes below 180 MV/m, independent of the solvent type, observed in bipolar dielectric displacement—electric field measurements. After applying electric fields of above 180 MV/m, a FE behavior emerges, which is significantly stronger for LVS films. In a repeated measurement, FE polarization switching already occurs at lower fields. A shielding effect may be related to this observation. Additionally, Raman bands of polar γ-phase increase by high-electric-field cycling for the LVS sample. The solvent used and the resulting crystal phase composition of the virgin sample is crucial for the copolymer behavior during bipolar electrical cycling.
Johnson–Cook Parameter Identification for Commercially Pure Titanium at Room Temperature under Quasi-Static Strain Rates
Authors: Siegel Alice , Laporte Sébastien , Sauter-Starace Fabien
Published: July 2021

Background: To simulate mechanical shocks on an intracranial implant called WIMAGINE®, Clinatec chose a Johnson–Cook model to account for the viscoplastic behavior of grade 2 titanium in a dynamic study using Radioss©. Methods: Thirty tensile specimens were subjected to tensile tests at room temperature, and the influence of the strain rate (8 × 10−3 and 8 × 10−2 s−1) and sandblasting was analyzed. Relaxations were included in the tests to analyze viscosity phenomena. Results: A whole set of parameters was identified for the elastic and plastic parts. Strain rate influence on stress was negligible at these strain rates. As expected, the sandblasting hardened the material during the tests by decreasing the hardening parameters, while local necking occurred at an earlier strain. Conclusions: This article provides the parameters of a Johnson–Cook model to simulate the elastoplastic behavior of pure titanium (T40, grade 2) in Finite Element Model (FEM) software.
Adhesion Studies during Generative Hybridization of Textile-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites via Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Maier Johanna , Vogel Christian , Lebelt Tobias , Geske Vinzenz , Behnisch Thomas , Modler Niels , Gude Maik
Published: July 2021

Generative hybridization enables the efficient production of lightweight structures by combining classic manufacturing processes with additive manufacturing technologies. This type of functionalization process allows components with high geometric complexity and high mechanical properties to be produced efficiently in small series without the need for additional molds. In this study, hybrid specimens were generated by additively depositing PA6 (polyamide 6) via fused layer modeling (FLM) onto continuous woven fiber GF/PA6 (glass fiber/polyamide 6) flat preforms. Specifically, the effects of surface pre-treatment and process-induced surface interactions were investigated using optical microscopy for contact angle measurements as well as laser profilometry and thermal analytics. The bonding characteristic at the interface was evaluated via quasi-static tensile pull-off tests. Results indicate that both the bond strength and corresponding failure type vary with pre-treatment settings and process parameters during generative hybridization. It is shown that both the base substrate temperature and the FLM nozzle distance have a significant influence on the adhesive tensile strength. In particular, it can be seen that surface activation by plasma can significantly improve the specific adhesion in generative hybridization.
Modeling the Depth of Surface Cracks in Brake Disc
Authors: Sawczuk Wojciech , Jüngst Mateusz , Ulbrich Dariusz , Kowalczyk Jakub
Published: July 2021

The article presents the state of knowledge and research in the field of surface cracks occurring in disc braking systems of rail and car vehicles. The craze formed during the operation of vehicles is particularly dangerous and leads to breaking the disc into several pieces. It may lead to a loss of braking force and damage to the entire disc brake caliper. The main aim of the research is to identify surface cracks in brake discs made of cast iron and use experimental methods to estimate their depth. Research were conducted on the disc braking system developed by the authors. In examining the location and depth of cracks, the penetration method, ultrasound, as well as a special probe were used. This device measures the crack depth based on the electrical resistance between two points on the surface of the metallic object. The tests showed that the first microcracks on the brake discs appeared after 309 braking tests on the test stand. In addition, it was observed that the surface cracks length of the disc increased linearly to depth until they reached about 11.5–12 mm with corresponded to crack lengths in the range of 65–70 mm. However, determination of the regression functions presented in the article allows to estimate the depth of surface cracks up to 70 mm long on cast iron brake discs by measuring their length.
Controlled Release of 18-β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid from Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Effects on Cytotoxicity and Intracellular Concentration in HepG2 Cell Line
Authors: Nocca Giuseppina , D’Avenio Giuseppe , Amalfitano Adriana , Chronopoulou Laura , Mordente Alvaro , Palocci Cleofe , Grigioni Mauro
Published: July 2021

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a pentacyclic triterpene with promising hepatoprotective and anti-Hepatocellular carcinoma effects. GA low water solubility however reduces its biodistribution and bioavailability, limiting its applications in biomedicine. In this work we used core-shell NPs made of PolyD-L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) coated with chitosan (CS), prepared through an osmosis-based methodology, to efficiently entrap GA. NPs morphology was investigated with SEM and TEM and their GA payload was evaluated with a spectrophotometric method. GA-loaded NPs were administered to HepG2 cells and their efficiency in reducing cell viability was compared with that induced by the free drug in in vitro tests. Cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay, as well as with Electric Cells-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS), that provided a real-time continuous monitoring. It was possible to correlate the toxic effect of the different forms of GA with the bioavailability of the drug, evidencing the importance of real-time tests for studying the effects of bioactive substances on cell cultures.
Influence of Bath Hydrodynamics on the Micromechanical Properties of Electrodeposited Nickel-Cobalt Alloys
Authors: Khazi Isman , Mescheder Ulrich , Wilde Jürgen
Published: July 2021

The influence of bath hydrodynamics on the resultant micromechanical properties of electrodeposited nickel-cobalt alloy system is investigated. The bath hydrodynamics realized by magnetic stirring is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics and a region of minimum variation in velocity within the electrolytic cell is determined and validated experimentally. Nickel-cobalt alloy and nickel coating samples are deposited galvanostatically (50 mA/cm2) with varying bath velocity (0 to 42 cm/s). The surface morphology of samples gradually changed from granular (fractal dimension 2.97) to more planar (fractal dimension 2.15) growth type, and the according average roughness decreased from 207.5 nm to 11 nm on increasing the electrolyte velocity from 0 to 42 cm/s for nickel-cobalt alloys; a similar trend was also found in the case of nickel coatings. The calculated grain size from the X-ray diffractograms decreased from 31 nm to 12 nm and from 69 nm to 26 nm as function of increasing velocity (up to 42 cm/s) for nickel-cobalt and nickel coatings, respectively. Consecutively, the measured Vickers microhardness values increased by 76% (i.e., from 393 HV0.01 to 692 HV0.01) and by 49% (i.e., from 255 HV0.01 to 381 HV0.01) for nickel-cobalt and nickel coatings, respectively, which fits well with the Hall–Petch relation.
Voting in Transfer Learning System for Ground-Based Cloud Classification
Authors: Manzo Mario , Pellino Simone
Published: July 2021

Cloud classification is a great challenge in meteorological research. The different types of clouds, currently known and present in our skies, can produce radioactive effects that impact the variation of atmospheric conditions, with consequent strong dominance over the earth’s climate and weather. Therefore, identifying their main visual features becomes a crucial aspect. In this paper, the goal is to adopt pretrained deep neural networks-based architecture for clouds image description, and subsequently, classification. The approach is pyramidal. Proceeding from the bottom up, it partially extracts previous knowledge of deep neural networks related to original task and transfers it to the new task. The updated knowledge is integrated in a voting context to provide a classification prediction. The framework trains the neural models on unbalanced sets, a condition that makes the task even more complex, and combines the provided predictions through statistical measures. An experimental phase on different cloud image datasets is performed, and the results achieved show the effectiveness of the proposed approach with respect to state-of-the-art competitors.
Marine Skeletal Biopolymers and Proteins and Their Biomedical Application
Authors: Rahman M. Azizur
Published: July 2021

Skeletal biopolymers and proteins in marine organisms are present as complex mixtures and have great potential applications in the biomedical field [...]
Myelomeningocele Surgery over the 10 Years Following the MOMS Trial: A Systematic Review of Outcomes in Prenatal versus Postnatal Surgical Repair
Authors: Paslaru Francesca Gabriela , Panaitescu Anca Maria , Iancu George , Veduta Alina , Gica Nicolae , Paslaru Alexandru Catalin , Gheorghiu Anamaria , Peltecu Gheorghe , Gorgan Radu Mircea
Published: July 2021

Background and Objectives: Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida, a congenital neural tube defect arising from an incomplete neural tube closure during early development with damage worsening with advancing gestational age. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) Trial proved that surgery performed before 26 weeks of gestation significantly improved the prognosis, significantly changing treatment paradigms. This article aims to provide a review of the changes and updates in spina bifida repair over the 10-year period following the MOMS Trial. Material and methods: We performed a systematic review in the PubMed and Cochrane databases as well as a hand-search of high-impact journals using the reference list of all identified articles, searching for randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Results: We identified 27 articles published between 2011 and 2021 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and review them in the present study. Conclusions: With growing experience and with the improvement of prenatal open and fetoscopic techniques, the outcome of SB-associated conditions could be improved and the risks to both the mother and the fetus reduced. A continuous follow-up of the treated infants and further randomized trials are essential to study the complications and advantages or disadvantages of any given treatment strategy.
Synthesis of ZIF-11 Membranes: The Influence of Preparation Technique and Support Type
Authors: Reif Benjamin , Somboonvong Jan , Hartmann Martin , Kaspereit Malte , Schwieger Wilhelm
Published: July 2021

Due to its structural features, ZIF-11 is one of the most interesting materials for gas separation applications. Herein, we report a systematic study on the synthesis of ZIF-11 as a supported membrane. For this, we adapted optimized conditions for the ZIF-11 powder synthesis, identified in our previous works, to form ZIF layers on symmetric and asymmetric stainless-steel and asymmetric α-Al2O3 supports. Different techniques were investigated for the challenging layer formation, namely, in situ crystallization (ISC), multiple in situ crystallization (MISC), and the seeding and secondary growth (SSG) method. It was possible to deposit ZIF-11 on different supports by ISC and MISC, although it was difficult to obtain complete layers. SSG, in turn, was more effective in forming dense and well-intergrown ZIF-11 layers. This agrees well with the generally accepted fact that seeding considerably facilitates layer formation. Systematic studies of both individual steps of SSG (seeding and secondary growth) led to a basic understanding of layer formation of ZIF-11 on the different supports. The best membranes prepared by rub seeding and secondary growth achieved Knudsen selectivity. Improved gas separation performance is expected if the formation of defects can be avoided.
Studies on the Formation and Processing of Aluminium Dross with Particular Focus on Special Metals
Authors: Wibner Stefan , Antrekowitsch Helmut , Meisel Thomas C.
Published: July 2021

In terms of production volume, aluminium is the leading metal in non-ferrous metallurgy. In particular, the recycling of aluminium-containing residues has strongly increased in recent years and will continue to gain importance in the future. Due to the high affinity of aluminium to oxygen, the oxidation of the molten bath is unavoidable, which leads to the formation of dross on the surface. This has a high content of metallic aluminium and therefore represents a valuable residual material that must be further processed. In the presented work, a study is conducted on the formation and possible further processing of aluminium dross. Within the scope of this experimental work, the pyrometallurgical treatment of Al-dross in the salt drum furnace was evaluated on the basis of an experiment in a TBRC (top blown rotary converter) by adding a salt mixture. In addition, the behaviour of special metals, in particular the rare earth elements (REEs), was investigated during such a melting process. This knowledge will be particularly important in the future, as inadequate scrap processing leads to more of these partially valuable contaminants entering the aluminium scrap cycle. The result of the experimental study was that the metal yield of the dross used in the melting experiment at the Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy was higher than that achieved by external reprocessing. Regarding the distribution of the rare earths, there was a direct transition of these from the dross into the emerging salt slag phase.
A Review of Alternative Procedures to the Bond Ball Mill Standard Grindability Test
Authors: Nikolić Vladimir , García Gloria G. , Coello-Velázquez Alfredo L. , Menéndez-Aguado Juan M. , Trumić Milan , Trumić Maja S.
Published: July 2021

Over the years, alternative procedures to the Bond grindability test have been proposed aiming to avoid the need for the standard mill or to reduce and simplify the grinding procedure. Some of them use the standard mill, while others are based on a non-standard mill or computation techniques. Therefore, papers targeting to propose a better alternative claim to improve validity, to reduce test duration, or to propose simpler and faster alternative methods for determining the Bond work index (wi). In this review paper, a compilation and critical analysis of selected proposals is performed, concluding that some of the short procedures could be useful for control purposes, while the simulation-based procedures could be interesting within a process digitalisation strategy.
Diversity Models and Applications of 3D Breast Tumor-on-a-Chip
Authors: Song Kena , Zu Xiangyang , Du Zhe , Hu Zhigang , Wang Jingjing , Li Jinghua
Published: July 2021

Breast disease is one of the critical diseases that plague females, as is known, breast cancer has high mortality, despite significant pathophysiological progress during the past few years. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are needed to break the stalemate. An organ-on-chip approach is considered due to its ability to repeat the real conditions found in the body on microfluidic chips, offsetting the shortcomings of traditional 2D culture and animal tests. In recent years, the organ-on-chip approach has shown diversity, recreating the structure and functional units of the real organs/tissues. The applications were also developed rapidly from the laboratory to the industrialized market. This review focuses on breast tumor-on-a-chip approaches concerning the diversity models and applications. The models are summarized and categorized by typical biological reconstitution, considering the design and fabrication of the various breast models. The breast tumor-on-a-chip approach is a typical representative of organ chips, which are one of the precedents in the market. The applications are roughly divided into two categories: fundamental mechanism research and biological medicine. Finally, we discuss the prospect and deficiencies of the emerging technology. It has excellent prospects in all of the application fields, however there exist some deficiencies for promotion, such as the stability of the structure and function, and uniformity for quantity production.