bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different Cell Responses to Hinokitiol Treatment Result in Senescence or Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma Cell Lines
Authors: Yang Shun-Cheng , Chen Hsuan-Ying , Chuang Wan-Ling , Wang Hui-Chun , Hsieh Cheng-Pu , Huang Yi-Fu
Published: January 2022

Hinokitiol is a tropolone-related compound isolated from the heartwood of cupressaceous plants. It is known to exhibit various biological functions including antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. In the study, we investigated the antitumor activities of hinokitiol against human osteosarcoma cells. The results revealed that hinokitiol treatment inhibited cell viability of human osteosarcoma U-2 OS and MG-63 cells in the MTT assay. Further study revealed that hinokitiol exposure caused cell cycle arrest at the S phase and a DNA damage response with the induction of γ-H2AX foci in both osteosarcoma cell lines. In U-2 OS cells with wild-type tumor suppressor p53, we found that hinokitiol exposure induced p53 expression and cellular senescence, and knockdown of p53 suppressed the senescence. However, in MG-63 cells with mutated p53, a high percentage of cells underwent apoptosis with cleaved-PARP expression and Annexin V staining after hinokitiol treatment. In addition, up-regulated autophagy was observed both in hinokitiol-exposed U-2 OS and MG-63 cells. As the autophagy was suppressed through the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, hinokitiol-induced senescence in U-2 OS cells was significantly enhanced accompanying more abundant p53 expression. In MG-63 cells, co-treatment of chloroquine increased hinokitiol-induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability of the treated cells. Our data revealed that hinokitiol treatment could result in different cell responses, senescence or apoptosis in osteosarcoma cell lines, and suppression of autophagy could promote these effects. We hypothesize that the analysis of p53 status and co-administration of autophagy inhibitors might provide more precise and efficacious therapies in hinokitiol-related trials for treating osteosarcoma.
To Be or Not to Be: The Divergent Action and Metabolism of Sphingosine-1 Phosphate in Pancreatic Beta-Cells in Response to Cytokines and Fatty Acids
Authors: Gurgul-Convey Ewa
Published: January 2022

Sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid with multiple functions conveyed by the activation of cell surface receptors and/or intracellular mediators. A growing body of evidence indicates its important role in pancreatic insulin-secreting beta-cells that are necessary for maintenance of glucose homeostasis. The dysfunction and/or death of beta-cells lead to diabetes development. Diabetes is a serious public health burden with incidence growing rapidly in recent decades. The two major types of diabetes are the autoimmune-mediated type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and the metabolic stress-related type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Despite many differences in the development, both types of diabetes are characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and inflammation. The inflammatory component of diabetes remains under-characterized. Recent years have brought new insights into the possible mechanism involved in the increased inflammatory response, suggesting that environmental factors such as a westernized diet may participate in this process. Dietary lipids, particularly palmitate, are substrates for the biosynthesis of bioactive sphingolipids. Disturbed serum sphingolipid profiles were observed in both T1DM and T2DM patients. Many polymorphisms were identified in genes encoding enzymes of the sphingolipid pathway, including sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2), the S1P generating enzyme which is highly expressed in beta-cells. Proinflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids have been shown to modulate the expression and activity of S1P-generating and S1P-catabolizing enzymes. In this review, the similarities and differences in the action of extracellular and intracellular S1P in beta-cells exposed to cytokines or free fatty acids will be identified and the outlook for future research will be discussed.
The iNKT Cell–Macrophage Axis in Homeostasis and Disease
Authors: Cruz Mariana S. , Loureiro José Pedro , Oliveira Maria J. , Macedo Maria Fatima
Published: January 2022

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are CD1d-restricted, lipid-reactive T cells that exhibit preponderant immunomodulatory properties. The ultimate protective or deleterious functions displayed by iNKT cells in tissues are known to be partially shaped by the interactions they establish with other immune cells. In particular, the iNKT cell–macrophage crosstalk has gained growing interest over the past two decades. Accumulating evidence has highlighted that this immune axis plays central roles not only in maintaining homeostasis but also during the development of several pathologies. Hence, this review summarizes the reported features of the iNKT cell–macrophage axis in health and disease. We discuss the pathophysiological significance of this interplay and provide an overview of how both cells communicate with each other to regulate disease onset and progression in the context of infection, obesity, sterile inflammation, cancer and autoimmunity.
Multiple Myeloma: Challenges Encountered and Future Options for Better Treatment
Authors: Das Srijit , Juliana Norsham , Yazit Noor Anisah Abu , Azmani Sahar , Abu Izuddin Fahmy
Published: January 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant hematological disease. The disease is characterized by the clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. MM accounts for 1.3% of all malignancies and has been increasing in incidence all over the world. Various genetic abnormalities, mutations, and translocation, including epigenetic modifications, are known to contribute to the disease’s pathophysiology. The prognosis is good if detected early, or else the outcome is very bad if distant metastasis has already occurred. Conventional treatment with drugs poses a challenge when there is drug resistance. In the present review, we discuss multiple myeloma and its treatment, drug resistance, the molecular basis of epigenetic regulation, the role of natural products in epigenetic regulators, diet, physical activity, addiction, and environmental pollutants, which may be beneficial for clinicians and researchers.
Diagnostic Performance of Pancreatic Cytology with the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology System: A Systematic Review, before Shifting into the Upcoming WHO International System
Authors: Nikas Ilias , Proctor Tanja , Seide Svenja , Chatziioannou Stylianos , Reynolds Jordan , Ntourakis Dimitrios
Published: January 2022

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) reporting system classifies pancreatobiliary samples into six categories (I–VI), providing guidance for personalized management. As the World Health Organization (WHO) has been preparing an updated reporting system for pancreatobiliary cytopathology, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the risk of malignancy (ROM) of each PSC category, also the sensitivity and specificity of pancreatic FNA cytology using the current PSC system. Five databases were investigated with a predefined search algorithm. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select the eligible studies for subsequent data extraction. A study quality assessment was also performed. Eight studies were included in the qualitative analysis. The ROM of the PSC categories I, II, III, IV, V, VI were in the ranges of 8–50%, 0–40%, 28–100%, 0–31%, 82–100%, and 97–100%, respectively. Notably, the ROM IVB (“neoplastic—benign”) subcategory showed a 0% ROM. Four of the included studies reported separately the ROMs for the IVO subcategory (“neoplastic—other”; its overall ROM ranged from 0 to 34%) with low (LGA) and high-grade atypia (HGA). ROM for LGA ranged from 4.3 to 19%, whereas ROM for HGA from 64 to 95.2%. When the subcategory IVO with HGA was considered as cytologically positive, together with the categories V and VI, there was a higher sensitivity of pancreatic cytology, at minimal expense of the specificity. Evidence suggests the proposed WHO international system changes—shifting the IVB entities into the “benign/negative for malignancy” category and establishing two new categories, the “pancreatic neoplasm, low-risk/grade” and “pancreatic neoplasm, high-risk/grade”—could stratify pancreatic neoplasms more effectively than the current PSC system.
Identification of NLRP3PYD Homo-Oligomerization Inhibitors with Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Moasses Ghafary Soroush , Soriano-Teruel Paula M. , Lotfollahzadeh Shima , Sancho Mónica , Serrano-Candelas Eva , Karami Fatemeh , Barigye Stephen J. , Fernández-Pérez Iván , Gozalbes Rafael , Nikkhah Maryam , Orzáez Mar , Hosseinkhani Saman
Published: January 2022

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that represent critical elements of the inflammatory response. The dysregulation of the best-characterized complex, the NLRP3 inflammasome, has been linked to the pathogenesis of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. While there exist molecular inhibitors specific for the various components of inflammasome complexes, no currently reported inhibitors specifically target NLRP3PYD homo-oligomerization. In the present study, we describe the identification of QM380 and QM381 as NLRP3PYD homo-oligomerization inhibitors after screening small molecules from the MyriaScreen library using a split-luciferase complementation assay. Our results demonstrate that these NLRP3PYD inhibitors interfere with ASC speck formation, inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1-β release, and decrease pyroptotic cell death. We employed spectroscopic techniques and computational docking analyses with QM380 and QM381 and the PYD domain to confirm the experimental results and predict possible mechanisms underlying the inhibition of NLRP3PYD homo-interactions.
Genome-Wide Analysis Indicates a Complete Prostaglandin Pathway from Synthesis to Inactivation in Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Yang Hao , Chen Xiaoli , Li Zhi , Wu Xugan , Zhou Mingyu , Zhang Xin , Liu Yujie , Sun Yuying , Zhu Chunhua , Guo Qiuhui , Chen Ting , Zhang Jiquan
Published: January 2022

Prostaglandins (PGs) play many essential roles in the development, immunity, metabolism, and reproduction of animals. In vertebrates, arachidonic acid (ARA) is generally converted to prostaglandin G2 (PGG2) and H2 (PGH2) by cyclooxygenase (COX); then, various biologically active PGs are produced through different downstream prostaglandin synthases (PGSs), while PGs are inactivated by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH). However, there is very limited knowledge of the PG biochemical pathways in invertebrates, particularly for crustaceans. In this study, nine genes involved in the prostaglandin pathway, including a COX, seven PGSs (PGES, PGES2, PGDS1/2, PGFS, AKR1C3, and TXA2S), and a PGDH were identified based on the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) genome, indicating a more complete PG pathway from synthesis to inactivation in crustaceans than in insects and mollusks. The homologous genes are conserved in amino acid sequences and structural domains, similar to those of related species. The expression patterns of these genes were further analyzed in a variety of tissues and developmental processes by RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR. The mRNA expression of PGES was relatively stable in various tissues, while other genes were specifically expressed in distant tissues. During embryo development to post-larvae, COX, PGDS1, GDS2, and AKR1C3 expressions increased significantly, and increasing trends were also observed on PGES, PGDS2, and AKR1C3 at the post-molting stage. During the ovarian maturation, decreasing trends were found on PGES1, PGDS2, and PGDH in the hepatopancreas, but all gene expressions remained relatively stable in ovaries. In conclusion, this study provides basic knowledge for the synthesis and inactivation pathway of PG in crustaceans, which may contribute to the understanding of their regulatory mechanism in ontogenetic development and reproduction.
Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation before Catheter Ablation and Cardioversion: Risk Factors beyond the CHA2DS2-VASc Score
Authors: Cai Yangwei , Xiong Qingsong , Chen Shaojie , Jiang Xi , Liao Jia , Chen Weijie , Zou Lili , Su Lei , Zhu Yefeng , Yin Yuehui , Ling Zhiyu
Published: January 2022

Left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) is a surrogate of thromboembolic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We aimed to investigate the risk factors for LAAT formation before catheter ablation and cardioversion beside the CHA2DS2-VASc score. In this case-control study, patients with NVAF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Demographic data, laboratory results, and echocardiographic measurements were retrospectively collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors predicting LAAT. Of the 543 included patients, LAAT was identified in 50 patients (9.2%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis for the entire cohort showed that NT-proBNP (per 500 ng/L increase, OR (95% CI): 1.09 (1.00–1.19), p = 0.038) and LDL-C (per 1 mmol/L increase, OR (95% CI): 1.70 (1.05–2.77), p = 0.032) were independently correlated with the presence of LAAT after the adjustment for CHA2DS2-VASc score and anticoagulant therapy. The subgroup analysis of patients without anticoagulant therapy also yielded similar results. Regarding patients with CHA2DS2-VASc scores ≤ 1, a higher level of LDL-C (per 1 mmol/L increase, OR (95% CI): 6.31 (2.38–16.74), p < 0.001) independently correlated with the presence of LAAT. The present study suggests that beyond CHA2DS2-VASc score, raised NT-proBNP and LDL-C are additional predictors for LAAT in NVAF patients.
Relevance of Sociodemographics and Clinical Tests in Single- and Dual-Task Conditions as Gait Speed Predictors of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: San Martín Valenzuela Constanza , Dueñas Lirios , Tomás José M. , Correa-Ghisays Patricia , Serra-Añó Pilar
Published: January 2022

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the patient characteristics and clinical test results that predict the functional gait speed of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The impact of dual tasks on gait in Parkinson’s disease (PD) reveals a lack of automaticity and increased cognitive demands. We explored which characteristics explained walking speed with and without dual-task interference and if they reflected the cognitive demands of the task. The preferred gait speed, stride length, and cadence were measured in individuals with PD through five conditions: single-task (ST) and visual, verbal, auditory, and motor dual-tasks (DTs). Sociodemographic and disease characteristics and the results from clinical tests such as the Dynamic Parkinson’s Disease Gait Scale (DYPAGS), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), among others, were also recorded. Two models of multiple regression analysis were used to explore the predictive value of outcomes concerning speed. In Model I, clinical results were included, and in Model II, spatiotemporal variables were added to the significant predictors of Model I. Forty PD patients (aged 66.72 (7.5) years) completed the assessments. All the models generated were significant (p < 0.01). Models I and II accounted for 47% and 93% of the variance, respectively, in the single-task condition. A patient’s gender, prescribed medication (drugs), academic level, and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage, along with the FAB, DYPAGS, and PDQ-39 scores, were significant predictors of gait speed in Model I for the ST and DT conditions. In Model II, the H&Y stage and prescribed medication (drugs), along with the FAB and DYPAGS scores, remained significant predictors. This research found that sociodemographics, the patient’s stage disease, and their clinical test results contribute to their walking speed, highlighting the multifactorial nature of gait in demanding environments.
Longitudinal Speckle Tracking Strain Abnormalities in Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gómez-Ochoa Sergio Alejandro , Rojas Lyda Z. , Hernández-Vargas Juliana Alexandra , Largo Jorge , Muka Taulant , Echeverría Luis E.
Published: January 2022

Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) is ranked among heart failure etiologies with the highest mortality rates. CCM is characterized by alterations in left ventricular function with a typical and unique pattern of myocardial involvement. Left ventricle longitudinal speckle tracking strain is emerging as an important additive method for evaluating left ventricular function and risk of future cardiovascular events. This systematic review aimed to characterize the left ventricle (LV) longitudinal strain by speckle tracking patterns in the different stages of Chagas disease, compared to healthy controls. Methods: Searches in Medline, EMBASE, and LILACS databases (from inception to 20 May 2021) were performed. Articles written in any language that assessed patients with Chagas disease and reported any measures derived from the left ventricular strain by speckle tracking were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Of 1044 references, ten studies, including a total of 1222 participants (CCM: 477; indeterminate form: 444; healthy controls: 301), fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the final analysis. Patients with CCM had a significantly higher mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) value than indeterminate form (IF) patients (SMD 1.253; 95% CI 0.53, 1.98. I2 = 94%), while no significant difference was observed between IF patients and healthy controls (SMD 0.197; 95% CI −0.19, 0.59. I2 = 80%). Segmental strain analyses revealed that patients with the IF form of CD had significantly worse strain values in the basal-inferoseptal (SMD 0.49; 95% CI 0.24, 0.74. I2: 24%), and mid-inferoseptal (SMD 0.28; 95% CI 0.05, 0.50. I2: 10%) segments compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: Our results suggest different levels of functional derangements in myocardial function across different stages of Chagas disease. Further research is needed to assess the prognostic role of LV longitudinal strain and other measures derived from speckle tracking in CD patients regarding progression to cardiomyopathy and clinical outcomes prediction.
Cardiac Surgery in Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Hullin Roger , Meyer Philippe , Yerly Patrick , Kirsch Matthias
Published: January 2022

Mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation are established surgical options for treatment of advanced heart failure. Since the prevalence of advanced heart failure is progressively increasing, there is a clear need to treat more patients with mechanical circulatory support and to increase the number of heart transplantations. This narrative review summarizes recent progress in surgical treatment options of advanced heart failure and proposes an algorithm for treatment of the advanced heart failure patient at >65 years of age.
Visualization of Interstitial Pore Fluid Flow
Authors: Li Linzhu , Iskander Magued
Published: January 2022

Pore scale analysis of flow through porous media is of interest because it is essential for understanding internal erosion and piping, among other applications. Past studies have mainly focused on exploring macroscopic flow to infer microscopic phenomena. An innovative method is introduced in this study which permits visualization of interstitial fluid flow through the pores of a saturated synthetic transparent granular medium at the microscale. Several representative images of Ottawa sand were obtained using dynamic image analysis (DIA), for comparison with flow through perfect cylinders. Magnified transparent soil particles made of hydrogel were cast in 3D printed molds. Custom 3D printed jigs were employed for accurate positioning of the particles to ensure that particles have the same flow area within the soil. The pore fluid was embedded with silver-coated hollow microspheres that allowed for their florescence and tracking their movement within the model when illuminated by a laser light source. Images of the flow were captured from the model using a high-speed camera. This, along with particle image velocimetry (PIV) provided for the velocity and direction analysis of fluid flow movements within the pore space of a planar 2D model. Comparison of interstitial flow through homogeneous porosity-controlled Ottawa-shaped and cylindrical particles demonstrates that the magnitude of turbulence is related to particle roundness.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Journalism and Media in 2021
Authors:   Journalism and Media Editorial Offic
Published: January 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Verification of De-Identification Techniques for Personal Information Using Tree-Based Methods with Shapley Values
Authors: Lee Junhak , Jeong Jinwoo , Jung Sungji , Moon Jihoon , Rho Seungmin
Published: January 2022

With the development of big data and cloud computing technologies, the importance of pseudonym information has grown. However, the tools for verifying whether the de-identification methodology is correctly applied to ensure data confidentiality and usability are insufficient. This paper proposes a verification of de-identification techniques for personal healthcare information by considering data confidentiality and usability. Data are generated and preprocessed by considering the actual statistical data, personal information datasets, and de-identification datasets based on medical data to represent the de-identification technique as a numeric dataset. Five tree-based regression models (i.e., decision tree, random forest, gradient boosting machine, extreme gradient boosting, and light gradient boosting machine) are constructed using the de-identification dataset to effectively discover nonlinear relationships between dependent and independent variables in numerical datasets. Then, the most effective model is selected from personal information data in which pseudonym processing is essential for data utilization. The Shapley additive explanation, an explainable artificial intelligence technique, is applied to the most effective model to establish pseudonym processing policies and machine learning to present a machine-learning process that selects an appropriate de-identification methodology.
Evaluation of Different Shallow Groundwater Tables and Alfalfa Cultivars for Forage Yield and Nutritional Value in Coastal Saline Soil of North China
Authors: Wang Shichao , Guo Kai , Ameen Asif , Fang Dong , Li Xiaolin , Liu Xiaojing , Han Lipu
Published: January 2022

Freshwater shortage and soil salinization are the major constraints for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth in coastal salt–alkali soil of North China. In this study, we analyzed the effects of shallow groundwater tables and alfalfa cultivars on forage yield and nutritional value. A field simulation experiment was conducted during the growing season of 2019–2021 with three groundwater depths (80, 100, and 120 cm) and five alfalfa cultivars (Magnum 551, Phabulous, Zhongmu No. 1, Zhongmu No. 3, and WL525HQ) under subsurface pipe systems. Alfalfa forage was harvested six times in total during the growing season. Results revealed significant variation among alfalfa cultivars for forage yield at each shallow groundwater depth. The greatest forage yield was recorded in cultivar Phabulous (32.2 and 35.9 t ha−1 in 2020 and 2021) when planted at 100 cm shallow groundwater depth. Forage yield during the first harvest was 24.6–25.7%, exhibiting the highest ratio of the total annual yield. The effects of shallow groundwater depth, cultivar, and their interaction were significant (p < 0.01) on the turn-green ratio of alfalfa. Cultivar Zhongmu No. 1 had the highest turn-green ratio at the 100 cm groundwater depth, while cultivar WL525HQ showed the lowest turn-green ratio at each groundwater depth. Moreover, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content were also significantly affected by shallow groundwater depth, cultivars, and their interaction at different harvests. Cultivars Magnum551, Zhongmu No. 1, Zhongmu No. 3, and Phabulous furnished the highest CP, while cultivar WL525HQ performed the poorest in terms of CP in this study. These results propose that planting the cultivar Phabulous at a groundwater depth of 100 cm could be a suitable agronomic practice for alfalfa forage production in the coastal salt–alkali area of North China.
The Beneficial Effects of Cyanobacterial Co-Culture on Plant Growth
Authors: Kollmen Jonas , Strieth Dorina
Published: January 2022

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous phototrophic prokaryotes that find a wide range of applications in industry due to their broad product spectrum. In this context, the application of cyanobacteria as biofertilizers and thus as an alternative to artificial fertilizers has emerged in recent decades. The benefit is mostly based on the ability of cyanobacteria to fix elemental nitrogen and make it available to the plants in a usable form. However, the positive effects of co-cultivating plants with cyanobacteria are not limited to the provision of nitrogen. Cyanobacteria produce numerous secondary metabolites that can be useful for plants, for example, they can have growth-promoting effects or increase resistance to plant diseases. The effects of biotic and abiotic stress can as well be reduced by many secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the biofilms formed by the cyanobacteria can lead to improved soil conditions, such as increased water retention capacity. To exchange the substances mentioned, cyanobacteria form symbioses with plants, whereby the strength of the symbiosis depends on both partners, and not every plant can form symbiosis with every cyanobacterium. Not only the plants in symbiosis benefit from the cyanobacteria, but also vice versa. This review summarizes the beneficial effects of cyanobacterial co-cultivation on plants, highlighting the substances exchanged and the strength of cyanobacterial symbioses with plants. A detailed explanation of the mechanism of nitrogen fixation in cyanobacterial heterocysts is given. Finally, a summary of possible applications of co-cultivation in the (agrar-)industry is given.
Evaluation of Breaking Force of Different Suture Materials Used in Dentistry: An In Vitro Mechanical Comparison
Authors: Manfredini Mattia , Ferrario Susanna , Beretta Paola , Farronato Davide , Poli Pier Paolo
Published: January 2022

The success of surgical procedures is strictly related to the biomechanical properties of the suture. Mechanical comparisons are scarcely reported in the literature, so the purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the mechanical behavior of different sutures commonly used in oral surgery in terms of traction resistance. Sutures made of eight different materials were analyzed: silk (S), polyglycolide-co-caprolactone (PGCL), polypropylene (PP), rapid polyglycolide (rPGA), standard polyglycolide (PGA), polyamide (PA), polyester (PE), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). For each material, three different sizes were tested: 3-0, 4-0, and 5-0. The breaking force of each suture was assessed with a uniaxial testing machine after being immersed in artificial saliva at 37 °C. The outcomes analyzed were the breaking force, the needle–thread detachment breaking-point and the node response after forward–reverse–forward (FRF) tying when subjected to a tensile force. The 3-0 rPGA provided the maximum resistance, while the lowest value was recorded for the 5-0 PGCL. In general, 3-0 and 4-0 gauges showed non-statistically significant differences in terms of needle–thread detachment. The highest needle–thread detachment was found for the 3-0 PGA, whereas the lowest value was observed for the 5-0 PGCL. After tying the knot with an FRF configuration, the thread that showed the highest resistance to tension was the 3/0 silk, while the thread with the lowest resistance was the 5/0 silk. These data should be considered so that the operator is aware of as many aspects as possible on the behavior of various materials to ensure successful healing.
Spark Plasma Sintering of WC-Based 10wt%Co Hard Alloy: A Study of Sintering Kinetics and Solid-Phase Processes
Authors: Buravleva Anastasia A. , Fedorets Alexander N. , Vornovskikh Anastasia A. , Ognev Alexey V. , Nepomnyushchaya Valeria A. , Sakhnevich Vladimir N. , Lembikov Aleksey O. , Kornakova Zlata E. , Kapustina Olesya V. , Tarabanova Anna E. , Reva Victor P. , Buravlev Igor Yu.
Published: January 2022

The paper describes the method for producing WC-10wt%Co hard alloy with 99.6% of the theoretical density and a Vickers hardness of ~1400 HV 0.5. Experimental data on densification dynamics, phase composition, morphology, mechanical properties, and grain size distribution of WC-10%wtCo using spark plasma sintering (SPS) within the range of 1000–1200 °C are presented. The high quality of the product is provided by the advanced method of high-speed powder mixture SPS-consolidation at achieving a high degree of densification with minimal calculated grain growth at 1200 °C.
Doxorubicin-Loaded Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles as Acid-Activatable Hydroxyl Radical Nanogenerators for Enhanced Chemo/Chemodynamic Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Li Honghui , Zhang Ying , Liang Lingxia , Song Jiaxing , Wei Zixuan , Yang Shuyue , Ma Yunong , Chen Wei R. , Lu Cuixia , Wen Liewei
Published: January 2022

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used first-line antitumor agent; however, acquired drug resistance and side effects have become the main challenges to effective cancer therapy. Herein, DOX is loaded into iron-rich metal–organic framework/tannic acid (TA) nanocomplex to form a tumor-targeting and acid-activatable drug delivery system (MOF/TA-DOX, MTD). Under the acidic tumor microenvironment, MTD simultaneously releases DOX and ferrous ion (Fe2+) accompanied by degradation. Apart from the chemotherapeutic effect, DOX elevates the intracellular H2O2 levels through cascade reactions, which will be beneficial to the Fenton reaction between the Fe2+ and H2O2, to persistently produce hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Thus, MTD efficiently mediates chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and remarkably enhances the sensitivity of chemotherapy. More encouragingly, the cancer cell killing efficiency of MTD is up to ~86% even at the ultralow equivalent concentration of DOX (2.26 μg/mL), while the viability of normal cells remained >88% at the same concentration of MTD. Taken together, MTD is expected to serve as drug-delivery nanoplatforms and •OH nanogenerators for improving chemo/chemodynamic synergistic therapy and reducing the toxic side effects.
Damage Identification Method for Medium- and Small-Span Bridges Based on Macro-Strain Data under Vehicle–Bridge Coupling
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhong Zhixin , Duan Junmiao , Yang Jianke , Zheng Zhichao , Liu Guangxun
Published: January 2022

The damage identification method based on macro-strain modality has shown good results for large-span flexible bridges. However, medium- and small-span bridges have a high stiffness, and the axle system is embodied. The strong time-varying vibration characteristics, coupled with the non-stationary characteristics of vehicle loads, make it difficult to accurately determine the stable strain modes of such bridges. To solve this problem, a damage localization index in the form of an amplitude vector matrix of the mutual energy density spectrum based on macro-strain was constructed using wavelet transform de-noising and reconstruction technology and cross-correlation function. The macro-static strain and macro-dynamic strain data obtained from a vehicle–bridge coupling experiment were reconstructed through wavelet transform, and the factors influencing the damage indices were analyzed. The results showed that the proposed indicators could help realize an accurate damage localization for medium- and small-span bridge systems with different damage degrees under the action of vehicle–bridge coupling.
Evolution of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Electron Traps at Grain Boundary during Sintering ZnO Based Varistor Ceramics
Authors: Xie Pengkang , Wang Ziyue , Wu Kangning
Published: January 2022

In this paper, evolution of microstructures, electrical properties and defects of the double Schottky barrier during the sintering process were investigated by quenching ZnO varistor ceramics at different sintering stages. It was found that morphology of the samples changed little when the temperature was below 800 °C. Remarkable enhancement of the Schottky barrier height and electrical properties took place in the temperature range between 600 °C and 800 °C. The Bi-rich intergranular layer changed from β phase to α phase. The interfacial relaxation at depletion/intergranular layers became detectable in the samples. Meanwhile, a distinct relaxation loss peak from electron trapping of interface states was observed instead of two dispersed ones. It indicated that the differences among the Schottky barriers in ZnO varistor ceramics became smaller with the process of sintering, which was also supported by the admittance spectra. In addition, oxygen vacancy was found more sensitive to the sintering process than zinc interstitial. The results could provide guidance for fine manipulating the Schottky barrier and its underlying defect structures by optimizing sintering process.
Influence of R=Y, Gd, Sm on Crystallization and Sodium Ion Conductivity of Na5RSi4O12 Phase
Authors: Schilm Jochen , Anton Rafael , Wagner Dörte , Huettl Juliane , Kusnezoff Mihails , Herrmann Mathias , Kim Hong Ki , Lee Chang Woo
Published: January 2022

New sodium-based battery concepts require solid electrolytes as ion conducting separators. Besides NaSICON and β-Al2O3 in the Na2O-R2O3-SiO2 system (R = rare earth), a rarely noticed glass-ceramic solid electrolyte with the composition Na5RSi4O12 (N5-type) exists. The present study addresses the investigation of the ionic conductivity of Na5RSi4O12 solid electrolytes sintered from pre-crystallized glass-ceramic powders. The sintering behavior (optical dilatometry), the microstructure (SEM/EDX), and phase composition (XRD), as well as electrochemical properties (impedance spectroscopy), were investigated. To evaluate the effect of the ionic radii, Y, Sm and Gd rare elements were chosen. All compositions were successfully synthesized to fully densified compacts having the corresponding conducting N5-type phase as the main component. The densification behavior was in agreement with the melting point, which decreased with increasing ionic radii and specific cell volume. Alternatively, the ionic conductivities of N5-phases decreased from Y to Gd and Sm containing samples. The highest ionic conductivity of 1.82 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 20 °C was obtained for Na5YSi4O12 composition. The impact of grain boundaries and bulk conductivity on measured values is discussed. A powder-based synthesis method of this glass-ceramic solid electrolyte using different rare earth elements opens possibilities for optimizing ionic conductivity and scalable technological processing by tape casting.
Study of Bulk Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Alloys Fabricated by High-Sphericity Fe84Si7B5C2Cr2 Amorphous Powders at Different Spark-Plasma-Sintering Temperatures
Authors: Dong Yannan , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Pu , Zhao Huan , Pang Jing , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Jiaquan
Published: January 2022

The new generation of high-frequency and high-efficiency motors has high demands on the soft magnetic properties, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of its core materials. Bulk amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys not only meet its performance requirements but also conform to the current technical concept of integrated forming. At present, spark plasma sintering (SPS) is expected to break through the cooling-capacity limitation of traditional casting technology with high possibility to fabricate bulk metallic glasses (BMGs). In this study, Fe84Si7B5C2Cr2 soft magnetic amorphous powders with high sphericity were prepared by a new atomization technology, and its characteristic temperature was measured by DSC to determine the SPS temperature. The SEM, XRD, VSM and universal testing machine were used to analyze the compacts at different sintering temperatures. The results show that the powders cannot be consolidated by cold pressing (50 and 500 MPa) or SPS temperature below 753 K (glass transition temperature Tg = 767 K), and the tap density is only 4.46 g·cm−3. When SPS temperature reached above 773 K, however, the compact could be prepared smoothly, and the density, saturation magnetization, coercivity and compressive strength of the compacts increased with the elevated sintering temperature. In addition, due to superheating, crystallization occurred even when the sintering temperature was lower than 829 K (with the first crystallization onset temperature being Tx1 = 829 K). The compact was almost completely crystallized at 813 K, resulting in a sharp increase in the coercivity of the compact from 55.55 A·m−1 at 793 K to 443.17 A·m−1. It is noted that the nanocrystals kept growing in size as the temperature increased to 833 K, which increased the coercivity remarkably but showed an enhanced saturation magnetization.
Cobalt Minimisation in Violet Co3P2O8 Pigment
Authors: Tena Mª Ángeles , Mendoza Rafael , Trobajo Camino , García-Granda Santiago
Published: January 2022

This study considers the limitations of cobalt violet orthophosphate, Co3P2O8, in the ceramic industry due to its large amount of cobalt. MgxCo3−xP2O8 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) solid solutions with the stable Co3P2O8 structure were synthesised via the chemical coprecipitation method. The formation of solid solutions between the isostructural Co3P2O8 and Mg3P2O8 compounds decreased the toxically large amount of cobalt in this inorganic pigment and increased the melting point to a temperature higher than 1200 °C when x ≥ 1.5. Co3P2O8 melted at 1160 °C, and compositions with x ≥ 1.5 were stable between 800 and 1200 °C. The substitution of Co(II) with Mg(II) decreased the toxicity of these materials and decreased their price; hence, the interest of these materials for the ceramic industry is greater. An interesting purple colour with a* = 31.6 and b* = −24.2 was obtained from a powdered Mg2.5Co0.5P2O8 composition fired at 1200 °C. It considerably reduced the amount of cobalt, thus improving the colour of the Co3P2O8 pigment (a* = 16.2 and b* = −20.1 at 1000 °C). Co3P2O8 is classified as an inorganic pigment (DCMA-8-11-1), and the solid solutions prepared were also inorganic pigments when unglazed. When introducing 3% of the sample (pigment) together with enamel, spreading the mixture on a ceramic support and calcining the whole in an electric oven, a colour change from violet to blue was observed due to the change in the local environment of Co(II), which could be seen in the UVV spectra of the glazed samples with the displacement of the bands towards higher wavelengths and with the appearance of a new band assigned to tetrahedral Co(II). This blue colour was also obtained with Co2SiO4, MgCoSiO4 or Co3P2O8 pigments containing a greater amount of cobalt.
Development of Quaternary InAlGaN Barrier Layer for High Electron Mobility Transistor Structures
Authors: Jorudas Justinas , Prystawko Paweł , Šimukovič Artūr , Aleksiejūnas Ramūnas , Mickevičius Jūras , Kryśko Marcin , Michałowski Paweł Piotr , Kašalynas Irmantas
Published: January 2022

A quaternary lattice matched InAlGaN barrier layer with am indium content of 16.5 ± 0.2% and thickness of 9 nm was developed for high electron mobility transistor structures using the metalorganic chemical-vapor deposition method. The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the layer were investigated planning realization of microwave power and terahertz plasmonic devices. The measured X-ray diffraction and modeled band diagram characteristics revealed the structural parameters of the grown In0.165Al0.775Ga0.06N/Al0.6Ga0.4N/GaN heterostructure, explaining the origin of barrier photoluminescence peak position at 3.98 eV with the linewidth of 0.2 eV and the expected red-shift of 0.4 eV only. The thermally stable density of the two-dimension electron gas at the depth of 10.5 nm was experimentally confirmed to be 1.2 × 1013 cm−2 (1.6 × 1013 cm−2 in theory) with the low-field mobility values of 1590 cm2/(V·s) and 8830 cm2/(V·s) at the temperatures of 300 K and 77 K, respectively.
Blurry Definability
Authors: Fuchs Gunter
Published: January 2022

I begin the study of a hierarchy of (hereditarily) <κ-blurrily ordinal definable sets. Here for a cardinal κ, a set is <κ-blurrily ordinal definable if it belongs to an OD set of cardinality less than κ, and it is hereditarily so if it and each member of its transitive closure is. I show that the class of hereditarily <κ-blurrily ordinal definable sets is an inner model of ZF. It satisfies the axiom of choice iff it is a κ-c.c. forcing extension of HOD, and HOD is definable inside it (even if it fails to satisfy the axiom of choice). Of particular interest are cardinals λ such that some set is hereditarily <λ-blurrily ordinal definable but not hereditarily <κ-blurrily ordinal definable for any cardinal κ<λ. Such cardinals I call leaps. The main results concern the structure of leaps. For example, I show that if λ is a limit of leaps, then the collection of all hereditarily <λ-blurrily ordinal definable sets is a model of ZF in which the axiom of choice fails. Using forcing, I produce models exhibiting various leap constellations, for example models in which there is a (regular/singular) limit leap whose cardinal successor is a leap. Many open questions remain.
Thermal Conductivity Identification in Functionally Graded Materials via a Machine Learning Strategy Based on Singular Boundary Method
Authors: Xu Wenzhi , Fu Zhuojia , Xi Qiang
Published: January 2022

A machine learning strategy based on the semi-analytical singular boundary method (SBM) is presented for the thermal conductivity identification of functionally graded materials (FGMs). In this study, only the temperature or heat flux on the surface or interior of FGMs can be measured by the thermal sensors, and the SBM is used to construct the database of the relationship between the thermal conductivity and the temperature distribution of the functionally graded structure. Based on the aforementioned constructed database, the artificial neural network-based machine learning strategy was implemented to identify the thermal conductivity of FGMs. Finally, several benchmark examples are presented to verify the feasibility, robustness, and applicability of the proposed machine learning strategy.
Fixed Point Results for Cirić and Almost Contractions in Convex b-Metric Spaces
Authors: Rathee Savita , Kadyan Anshuka , Kumar Anil , Tas Kenan
Published: January 2022

We establish a fixed point theorem for Cirić contraction in the context of convex b-metric spaces. Furthermore, we ensure that there is a fixed point for the maps satisfying the condition (B) (a kind of almost contraction) in convex b-metric spaces and demonstrate its uniqueness as well. Supporting examples to substantiate the generality of the proved results are given.
Dynamical Analysis of a Delayed Diffusive Predator–Prey Model with Additional Food Provided and Anti-Predator Behavior
Authors: Yang Ruizhi , Zhao Xiao , An Yong
Published: January 2022

We studied a delayed predator–prey model with diffusion and anti-predator behavior. Assume that additional food is provided for predator population. Then the stability of the positive equilibrium is considered. The existence of Hopf bifurcation is also discussed based on the Hopf bifurcation theory. The property of Hopf bifurcation is derived through the theory of center manifold and normal form method. Finally, we analyze the effect of time delay on the model through numerical simulations.
Adaptive Dual Synchronization of Fractional-Order Chaotic System with Uncertain Parameters
Authors: Liu Dehui , Li Tianzeng , Wang Yu
Published: January 2022

The problem of the dual synchronization of two different fractional-order chaotic systems with uncertain parameters is studied. This paper introduces a synchronization method in accordance with Lyapunov stability theory, and the adaptive controllers and adaptive laws are designed to realize the dual synchronization of fractional order chaotic systems. Finally, two numerical examples of unknown different fractional-order chaotic systems are also given to prove the accuracy of the theory in the paper, and the effectiveness and performance of the proposed adaptive dual synchronization strategy are verified by simulation.
Editorial from the Editor-in-Chief: People Matter!
Authors: Purcell Wendy M.
Published: January 2022

People are the focus of Merits, an international, peer-reviewed open access journal [...]
Taylor Impact Tests with Copper Cylinders: Experiments, Microstructural Analysis and 3D SPH Modeling with Dislocation Plasticity and MD-Informed Artificial Neural Network as Equation of State
Authors: Rodionov Egor S. , Lupanov Victor G. , Gracheva Natalya A. , Mayer Polina N. , Mayer Alexander E.
Published: January 2022

Taylor impact tests involving the collision of a cylindrical sample with an anvil are widely used to study the dynamic properties of materials and to test numerical methods. We apply a combined experimental-numerical approach to study the dynamic plasticity of cold-rolled oxygen-free high thermal conductivity OFHC copper. In the experimental part, impact velocities up to 113.6 m/s provide a strain up to 0.3 and strain rates up to 1.7 × 104 s−1 at the edge of the sample. Microstructural analysis allows us to find out pore-like structures with a size of about 15–30 µm and significant refinement of the grain structure in the deformed parts of the sample. In terms of modeling, the dislocation plasticity model, which was previously tested for the problem of a shock wave upon impact of a plate, is implemented in the 3D case using the numerical scheme of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The model includes an equation of state implemented in the form of an artificial neural network (ANN) and trained according to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of uniform isothermal stretching/compression of representative volumes of copper. The dislocation friction coefficient is taken from previous MD simulations. These two efforts are aimed at building a fully MD-based material model. Comparison of the final shape of the projectile, the reduction of the sample length and increase in the diameter of the impacted edge of the sample confirm the applicability of the developed model and allow us to optimize the model parameters for the case of cold-rolled OFHC copper.
Stool Microbiota Diversity Analysis of Blastocystis-Positive and Blastocystis-Negative Individuals
Authors: Stensvold Christen Rune , Sørland Brede Aksdal , Berg Rebecca P. K. D. , Andersen Lee O’Brien , van der Giezen Mark , Bowtell Joanna L. , El-Badry Ayman A. , Belkessa Salem , Kurt Özgür , Nielsen Henrik Vedel
Published: January 2022

Blastocystis is a unicellular eukaryote found in the gastrointestinal tract of both human and other animal hosts. The clinical significance of colonic Blastocystis colonization remains obscure. In this study, we used metabarcoding and bioinformatics analyses to identify differences in stool microbiota diversity between Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative individuals (n = 1285). Alpha diversity was significantly higher in Blastocystis carriers. At phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were enriched in carriers, while Proteobacteria were enriched in non-carriers. The genera Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Flavonifracter, Clostridium, Succinivibrio, and Oscillibacter were enriched in carriers, whereas Escherichia, Bacteroides, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas were enriched in non-carriers. No difference in beta diversity was observed. Individuals with Blastocystis-positive stools appear to have gut microbiomes associated with eubiosis unlike those with Blastocystis-negative stools, whose gut microbiomes are similar to those associated with dysbiosis. The role of Blastocystis as an indicator organism and potential modulator of the gut microbiota warrants further scrutiny.