bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Strength Properties for Concrete Containing Fine-Rubber Particles Using UPV
Authors: Choi Yeol , Kim Il-Hyun , Lim Hyeon-Jin , Cho Chang-Geun
Published: May 2022

Since the early 1990s, many studies were conducted to utilize waste tires as a replacement for natural coarse and fine aggregates in concrete, known as rubberized concrete or rubber-concrete. In this paper, an experimental study was performed on the strength properties of concrete containing fine-rubber particles as a replacement of fine aggregate, using destructive and non-destructive tests. Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests were used to evaluate the strength property of rubber-concrete as a non-destructive test. Compressive and splitting tensile strengths were determined for four different volume contents of fine-rubber particles and exponential equations were proposed for the relationship between compressive, splitting tensile strength and the UPV of rubber-concrete, respectively. With the limited conditions in this paper, it found that UPV tests could also be used to estimate the compressive and tensile strengths of rubber-concrete, that are used in other types of concrete.
A Resistivity Plate Loading Device for Assessing the Factors Affecting the Stiffness of a Cement-Stabilized Subgrade
Authors: Feng Huaiping , Siaw Ackah Frank , Wang Hailiang
Published: May 2022

The extent of mixing in the stabilization process and the control of the cement content (C) and water content (w) in the mixture are key to the outcome of the engineering performance of a cement-stabilized subgrade. Intelligent Compaction (IC) quality control has improved quality control and management practices during construction. Intelligent Compaction Measurement Values (ICMVs) selected to evaluate the stiffness properties of cement-stabilized soils do not directly relate to the stiffness properties of the cement-stabilized subgrade and do not consider w and C. Additional tests need to be conducted for calibration of ICMVs. In this study, our solution is the development of a resistivity plate loading test. The resistivity plate loading test features the flexibility in determining the soil stiffness, w, C, and other important factors, such as the time of test effect (hydration) (T) and dry density (ρd). To verify the accuracy of the testing method, laboratory experimental studies were conducted on cemented soils considering ρd, w, C, and T at different factor levels. Multiple response studies based on grey rational analysis (GRA) were conducted. Analysis of the input factors was performed, and their effects on the measured responses were quantified. According to the study, the ρ measured by the device was a powerful indicator of stiffness, ρd, w, C, and T, which showed that the device can be useful equipment for quality control and an advancement in the in situ testing technologies and test equipment. A statistical regression model based on the linear and linear plus interaction terms among the factors is proposed to predict the average responses.
Detection of Chlorpyrifos Using Bio-Inspired Silver Nanograss
Authors: Park Hyunjun , Park Joohyung , Lee Gyudo , Kim Woong , Park Jinsung
Published: May 2022

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is widely used as an organophosphorus insecticide; however, owing to developmental neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and other adverse effects, it is harmful not only to livestock but also to humans. Therefore, the use of CPF was recently regulated, and its sensitive detection is crucial, as it causes serious toxicity, even in the case of residual pesticides. Because it is hard to detect the chlorpyrifos directly using spectroscopy (especially in SERS) without chemical reagents, we aimed to develop a SERS platform that could detect the chlorpyrifos directly in the water. In this study, we utilized the intrinsic properties of natural lawns that grow randomly and intertwine with each other to have a large surface area to promote photosynthesis. To detect CPF sensitively, we facilitated the rapid fabrication of biomimetic Ag nanograss (Ag-NG) as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate using the electrochemical over-deposition method. The efficiency of the SERS method was confirmed through experiments and finite element method (FEM)-based electromagnetic simulations. In addition, the sensitive detection of CPF was enhanced by pretreatment optimization of the application of the SERS technique (limit of detection: 500 nM). The Ag-NG has potential as a SERS platform that could precisely detect organic compounds, as well as various toxic substances.
Flake Graphene-Based Nanomaterial Approach for Triggering a Ferroptosis as an Attractive Theranostic Outlook for Tackling Non-Small Lung Cancer: A Mini Review
Authors: Pancewicz Joanna , Niklińska Wiesława Ewa , Chlanda Adrian
Published: May 2022

Lung cancer is a highly aggressive neoplasm that is now a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. One of the major approaches for killing cancer cells is related with activation of apoptotic cell death with anti-cancer drugs. However, the efficiency of apoptosis induction in tumors is limited. Consequently, the development of other forms of non-apoptotic cell death is up to date challenge for scientists worldwide. This situation motivated us to define the aim of this mini-review: gathering knowledge regarding ferroptosis—newly defined programmed cell death process characterized by the excessive accumulation of iron—and combining it with yet another interesting nanomaterial-based graphene approach. In this manuscript, we presented brief information about non-small lung cancer and ferroptosis, followed by a section depicting the key-features of graphene-based nanomaterials influencing their biologically relevant properties.
Effect of 3-Mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane Modified Illite on the Reinforcement of SBR
Authors: Wang Zhepeng , Zhang Hao , Liu Qiang , Wang Shaojuan , Yan Shouke
Published: May 2022

To achieve the sustainable development of the rubber industry, the substitute of carbon black, the most widely used but non-renewable filler produced from petroleum, has been considered one of the most effective ways. The naturally occurring illite with higher aspect ratio can be easily obtained in large amounts at lower cost and with lower energy consumption. Therefore, the expansion of its application in advanced materials is of great significance. To explore their potential use as an additive for reinforcing rubber, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites with illites of different size with and without 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (KH580) modification were studied. It was found that the modification of illite by KH580 increases the K-illite/SBR interaction, and thus improves the dispersion of K-illite in the SBR matrix. The better dispersion of smaller size K-illite with stronger interfacial interaction improves the mechanical properties of SBR remarkably, by an increment of about nine times the tensile strength and more than ten times the modulus. These results demonstrate, except for the evident effect of particle size, the great importance of filler–rubber interaction on the performance of SBR composites. This may be of great significance for the potential wide use of the abundant naturally occurring illite as substitute filler for the rubber industry.
Management of Solid Waste Containing Fluoride—A Review
Authors: Olejarczyk Małgorzata , Rykowska Iwona , Urbaniak Włodzimierz
Published: May 2022

Technological and economic development have influenced the amount of post-production waste. Post-industrial waste, generated in the most considerable amount, includes, among others, waste related to the mining, metallurgical, and energy industries. Various non-hazardous or hazardous wastes can be used to produce new construction materials after the “solidification/stabilization” processes. They can be used as admixtures or raw materials. However, the production of construction materials from various non-hazardous or hazardous waste materials is still very limited. In our opinion, special attention should be paid to waste containing fluoride, and the reuse of solid waste containing fluoride is a high priority today. Fluoride is one of the few trace elements that has received much attention due to its harmful effects on the environment and human and animal health. In addition to natural sources, industry, which discharges wastewater containing F− ions into surface waters, also increases fluoride concentration in waters and pollutes the environment. Therefore, developing effective and robust technologies to remove fluoride excess from the aquatic environment is becoming extremely important. This review aims to cover a wide variety of procedures that have been used to remove fluoride from drinking water and industrial wastewater. In addition, the ability to absorb fluoride, among others, by industrial by-products, agricultural waste, and biomass materials were reviewed.
Revealing Localised Mechanochemistry of Biomaterials Using In Situ Multiscale Chemical Analysis
Authors: Farr Nicholas T.H.
Published: May 2022

The study of mechanical and chemical phenomena arising within a material that is being subjected to external stress is termed mechanochemistry (MC). Recent advances in MC have revealed the prospect not only to enable a greener route to chemical transformations but also to offer previously unobtainable opportunities in the production and screening of biomaterials. To date, the field of MC has been constrained by the inability of current characterisation techniques to provide essential localised multiscale chemically mapping information. A potential method to overcome this is secondary electron hyperspectral imaging (SEHI). SEHI is a multiscale material characterisation technique applied within a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on the collection of secondary electron (SE) emission spectra at low primary beam energies, SEHI is applicable to the chemical assessment of uncoated polymer surfaces. Here, we demonstrate that SEHI can provide in situ MC information using poly(glycerol sebacate)-methacrylate (PGS-M) as an example biomaterial of interest. This study brings the use of a bespoke in situ SEM holder together with the application of SEHI to provide, for the first time, enhanced biomaterial mechanochemical characterisation.
Scale-Up and Testing of Polyurethane Bio-Foams as Potential Cryogenic Insulation Materials
Authors: Kurańska Maria , Cabulis Ugis , Prociak Aleksander , Polaczek Krzysztof , Uram Katarzyna , Kirpluks Mikelis
Published: May 2022

This article compares the properties of closed-cell PUR bio-foams produced on a laboratory scale and on an industrial scale. In the formulation used, the polyol premix contained 40 wt.% of a bio-polyol based on rapeseed oil. Selected useful properties of the foams obtained on the two scales and the use of one-step and spraying methods were compared. In the case of the spraying method, the experimental system was compared to a commercial one. Given the possibility of applying the bio-foams in insulation systems for cryogenic and liquefied natural gas (LNG) applications, a compressive strength analysis of the foams was carried out at room temperature as well as at −196 °C. It was found that the foams modified with the bio-polyol were characterized by a higher compressive strength at low temperatures than commercial foams based on a petrochemical polyol.
Synthesis of High Crystallinity 1.13 nm Tobermorite and Xonotlite from Natural Rocks, Their Properties and Application for Heat-Resistant Products
Authors: Siauciunas R. , Smalakys G. , Eisinas A. , Prichockiene E.
Published: May 2022

The main measure to reduce energy losses is the usage of insulating materials. When the temperature exceeds 500 °C, silicate and ceramic products are most commonly used. In this work, high-crystallinity 1.13 nm tobermorite and xonotlite were hydrothermally synthesized from lime and Ca–Si sedimentary rock, opoka. By XRD, DSC, TG and dilatometry methods, it has been shown that 1.13 nm tobermorite becomes the predominant compound in stirred suspensions at 200 °C after 4 h of synthesis in the mixture with a molar ratio CaO/SiO2 = 0.83. It is suitable for the production of insulating products with good physical–mechanical properties (average density < 200 kg·m−1, compressive strength ~0.9 MPa) but has a limited operating temperature (up to 700 °C). Sufficiently pure xonotlite should be used to obtain materials with a higher operating temperature. Even small amounts of semi-amorphous C–S–H(I) significantly increase its linear shrinkage during firing. It has also been observed that an increase in the strength values of the samples correlated well with the increase in the size of xonotlite crystallites. The optimal technological parameters are as follows: molar ratio of mixture CaO/SiO2 = 1.2; water/solid ratio W/S = 20.0; duration of hydrothermal synthesis at 220 °C—8 h, duration of autoclaving at 220 °C—4 h. The average density of the samples was ~180 kg·m−1, the operating temperature was at least 1000 °C, and the compressive strengths exceeded 1.5 MPa.
Anomalous Hall Effect and Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect in Pt/Co/Pt Heterostructure
Authors: Sun Yiming , Wu Liangwei , Yang Mengmeng , Xia Mengjia , Gao Wei , Luo Dongxiang , Huo Nengjie , Li Jingbo
Published: May 2022

Magnetic multilayer with large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) has attracted sustained interest owing to its importance to fundamental physics and applications. In this work, the high quality of Pt/Co/Pt heterostructures with large PMA was successfully achieved to exhibit a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE) with squared Hall loops. By calculating the proportional relationship between the longitudinal resistivity (ρxx) and the abnormal Hall coefficient (Rs), it is confirmed that the basic mechanism of AHE comes from the external skew scattering (SS) and side jump (SJ), while SS contribution, related to asymmetric scattering from impurities, is dominant in the AHE. Furthermore, the obvious magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) was also observed using the polar MOKE microscopy. The obviously circular magnetic domain can form and propagate in response to the applied out-of-plane magnetic field, resulting in the magnetization reversal of the entire film. This work offers important information in terms of both AHE and MOKE in the ultrathin ferromagnetic films with perpendicular anisotropy, establishing the application foundation for the nonvolatile memories and spintronics.
Preface to the Special Issue “Mathematical Modeling with Differential Equations in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Economics”
Authors: Palestini Arsen
Published: May 2022

First of all, I would like to express my warmest thanks to all the scholars who participated by submitting their papers to this Special Issue [...]
Modelling the Dynamic Interaction between Economic Policy Uncertainty and Commodity Prices in India: The Dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach
Authors: Dehghanzadeh Shahabad Rasool , Balcilar Mehmet
Published: May 2022

This study examines the dynamic interaction between oil, natural gas, and prices with Indian economic policy uncertainty (EPU). The study finds that gold prices and industrial production are fundamental drivers of Indian economic policy uncertainty in both the short and long runs, using a dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model with monthly data ranging from January 2003 to July 2020. Gold prices are positively related to the Indian EPU, while industrial production is negatively related to it. Thus, investors in the Indian economy should use gold as a hedge for portfolio diversification and as a safe haven during an economic crisis. We also find a significant positive interconnection between gold prices and crude oil prices in both the short run and the long run, while the significant positive impact of natural gas prices on crude oil prices manifests only in the long run. The evidence also indicates that the EPUs of the US and Europe positively affect the Indian EPU, while the EPU of China does not have a significant effect. Higher crude oil prices are associated with higher gas prices, whereas higher gold prices are negatively associated with the natural gas price and vice versa. Furthermore, the evidence shows that the Indian EPU does not have a significant effect on the changes in the prices of goods.
Visual Poetry and Real Context Situations in Mathematical Problem Posing and Solving: A Study of the Affective Impact
Authors: Bataller Alexandre , Ferrando Irene , Reyes-Torres Agustín
Published: May 2022

Affective aspects are key mediators in the learning process. Whereas some of them can be associated with a certain discipline, others are situational and connected with specific activities that trigger positive emotions. This study analyzes these affective aspects based on two ways of approaching mathematical problems: problem posing and problem solving. In both cases, the starting point will be situations presented in multimodal representation, but with three different mediating elements: a real situation close to the students’ reality (text with data and image), a real situation far from the students’ reality (text with data and image), and a visual poem (hybrid text with implicit mathematical content that generates critical reading and provokes an aesthetic emotion). The aim is to explore the extent to which the mediating elements have affective and performance implications. To this end, an investigation was designed with future primary school teachers. As will be shown, the results, both in terms of performance and affective factors, are different for problem posing and problem solving. Problem posing based on a visual poem is a stimulating challenge for future teachers. However, in problem solving, as this study shows, the problem posed in a remote real situation is more successful in both performance and affective aspects.
Bayesian and Non-Bayesian Inference for Weibull Inverted Exponential Model under Progressive First-Failure Censoring Data
Authors: Fathi Abdullah , Farghal Al-Wageh A. , Soliman Ahmed A.
Published: May 2022

In this article, the estimation of the parameters and the reliability and hazard functions for Weibull inverted exponential (WIE) distribution is considered based on progressive first-failure censoring (PFFC) data. For non-Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood (ML) estimators are acquired; meanwhile, their existence is verified. Via asymptotic normality of ML estimators and delta method, the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) of the parameters and the reliability and hazard functions are constructed. For Bayesian inference, Lindley’s approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques are proposed to obain the Bayes estimators and the corresponding credible intervals (CRIs). To this end, both symmetric and asymmetric loss functions are used. A large number of Monte Carlo simulations are implemented to evaluate the efficiency of the developed methods. Eventually, a numerical example is analyzed for illustrative purposes.
Microwave Characterization and Modelling of PA6/GNPs Composites
Authors: Pittella Erika , Piuzzi Emanuele , Russo Pietro , Fabbrocino Francesco
Published: May 2022

The interest in composite materials has increased in the last decades since they have the advantages of combining intrinsic properties of each component and offer better performance with respect to the base constituents. In particular, these kinds of materials can have different electrical characteristics by varying the filling percentage and, therefore, they can be used in diverse applications. Thus, a detailed study of the microwave response of these composite systems is of great practical importance. In fact, the dielectric constant and loss tangent are key factors in the design of microwave components. In this frame, the outstanding properties of graphene-like fillers may be exploited to develop new very interesting materials to study and characterize. In this paper, microwave characterization of compounds, based on nylon 6 containing different percentages of graphene nanoplatelets, is carried out taking the neat matrix sample processed under the same conditions as benchmark. The measurements were carried out using two microwave systems, operating at two different frequency bands, appropriate to characterize solid and compact material samples. The achieved results, in line with limited data from the literature and from material data sheets, highlight the possibility to use the present polymers as an excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, as confirmed by full wave electromagnetic numerical simulations that were conducted with a numerical electromagnetic software.
Therapeutic Strategies for Ovarian Cancer in Point of HGF/c-MET Targeting
Authors: Kim Hyun Jung
Published: May 2022

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women and is regarded as one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Currently, studies are being conducted to develop therapeutic agents for effective treatment of ovarian cancer. In this review, we explain the properties of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) and how the signaling pathway of HGF/c-MET is activated in different cancers and involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis of ovarian cancer. We present the findings of clinical studies using small chemicals or antibodies targeting HGF/c-MET signaling in various cancer types, particularly in ovarian cancer. We also discuss that HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy, when combined with chemo drugs, could be an effective strategy for ovarian cancer therapeutics.
A Novel Proline-Rich Cathelicidin from the Alpaca Vicugna pacos with Potency to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Mechanism of Action and the Functional Role of the C-Terminal Region
Authors: Panteleev Pavel V. , Safronova Victoria N. , Kruglikov Roman N. , Bolosov Ilia A. , Bogdanov Ivan V. , Ovchinnikova Tatiana V.
Published: May 2022

Over recent years, a growing number of bacterial species have become resistant to clinically relevant antibiotics. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) having a potent antimicrobial activity and a negligible toxicity toward mammalian cells attract attention as new templates for the development of antibiotic drugs. Here, we mined genomes of all living Camelidae species and found a novel family of Bac7-like proline-rich cathelicidins which inhibited bacterial protein synthesis. The N-terminal region of a novel peptide from the alpaca Vicugna pacos named VicBac is responsible for inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis with an IC50 value of 0.5 µM in the E. coli cell-free system whereas the C-terminal region allows the peptide to penetrate bacterial membranes effectively. We also found that the full-length VicBac did not induce bacterial resistance after a two-week selection experiment, unlike the N-terminal truncated analog, which depended on the SbmA transport system. Both pro- and anti-inflammatory action of VicBac and its N-terminal truncated variant on various human cell types was found by multiplex immunoassay. The presence of the C-terminal tail in the natural VicBac does not provide for specific immune-modulatory effects in vitro but enhances the observed impact compared with the truncated analog. The pronounced antibacterial activity of VicBac, along with its moderate adverse effects on mammalian cells, make this molecule a promising scaffold for the development of peptide antibiotics.
Oxidation Behavior of Intermetallic Phase and Its Contribution to the Oxidation Resistance in Fe-Cr-Zr Ferritic Alloy
Authors: Chen Shenghu , Rong Lijian
Published: May 2022

Oxidation resistance of the ferritic Fe-Cr-W-Zr alloy with dispersed Fe2Zr phase were investigated in stagnant air and in static oxygen-saturated liquid Pb-Bi eutectic separately considering the service environment in the advanced generation IV nuclear reactors. A duplex structure including an outer Fe2O3 layer and an inner (Fe,Cr,Zr)2O3 layer is developed after oxidation in air, while a three-layered structure consisting of outer magnetite layer, inner Fe-Cr spinel layer, and internal oxidation zone is formed after oxidation in liquid Pb-Bi eutectic. The dispersed Fe2Zr phase shows delayed oxidation with respect to the α-Fe in air and in liquid Pb-Bi eutectic, which significantly affects the oxidation behaviors of the alloy. After oxidation in air at 923 K, the incorporated Fe2Zr phase in the scale would obstruct the diffusion of metal/oxygen across the scale, resulting in the nonuniform oxidation behavior. After oxidation in static oxygen-saturated liquid Pb-Bi eutectic at 823 K, a reduction in the Fe supply to the magnetite/Fe-Cr spinel interface is present adjacent to the Fe2Zr phase, which might lead to the creation of cavities in the outer magnetite layer with prolonged oxidation time.
Investigation of Hot Deformation Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Lightweight Fe-35Mn-10Al-1C Steel
Authors: Churyumov Alexander Yu. , Kazakova Alena A. , Pozdniakov Andrey V. , Churyumova Tatiana A. , Prosviryakov Alexey S.
Published: May 2022

The deformation behavior of lightweight Fe-35Mn-10Al-1C steel with an elevated concentration of Mn was investigated. Hot compression tests at temperatures of 950–1150 °C and strain rates of 0.1–10 s−1 were carried out using the thermomechanical simulator, Gleeble 3800. Strain compensated constitutive model of hot deformation behavior with high accuracy (error was 4.6%) has shown significant increases in the effective activation energy (410–460 kJ/mol) in comparison with low Mn steels. The significant influence of the strain rate and temperature on the grain size was shown. The grain size decreases from the initial value of 42 ± 6 μm to the value of 3.5 ± 0.7 μm after the deformation at 1050 °C and 10 s−1. The model of the microstructure evolution of the investigated steel was constructed. The average error of the constructed model was 8.5%. The high accuracy of the constructed models allows for their application for the optimization of the hot deformation technologies using finite element simulation.
Optimization of Imputation Strategies for High-Resolution Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HR GC–MS) Metabolomics Data
Authors: Ampong Isaac , Zimmerman Kip D. , Nathanielsz Peter W. , Cox Laura A. , Olivier Michael
Published: May 2022

Gas chromatography–coupled mass spectrometry (GC–MS) has been used in biomedical research to analyze volatile, non-polar, and polar metabolites in a wide array of sample types. Despite advances in technology, missing values are still common in metabolomics datasets and must be properly handled. We evaluated the performance of ten commonly used missing value imputation methods with metabolites analyzed on an HR GC–MS instrument. By introducing missing values into the complete (i.e., data without any missing values) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plasma dataset, we demonstrate that random forest (RF), glmnet ridge regression (GRR), and Bayesian principal component analysis (BPCA) shared the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) in technical replicate data. Further examination of these three methods in data from baboon plasma and liver samples demonstrated they all maintained high accuracy. Overall, our analysis suggests that any of the three imputation methods can be applied effectively to untargeted metabolomics datasets with high accuracy. However, it is important to note that imputation will alter the correlation structure of the dataset and bias downstream regression coefficients and p-values.
Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome Show Altered Fecal Lipidomic Profiles with No Signs of Intestinal Inflammation or Increased Intestinal Permeability
Authors: Coleman Mia J. , Espino Luis M. , Lebensohn Hernan , Zimkute Marija V. , Yaghooti Negar , Ling Christina L. , Gross Jessica M. , Listwan Natalia , Cano Sandra , Garcia Vanessa , Lovato Debbie M. , Tigert Susan L. , Jones Drew R. , Gullapalli Rama R. , Rakov Neal E. , Torrazza Perez Euriko G. , Castillo Eliseo F.
Published: May 2022

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a clinical diagnosis where patients exhibit three out of the five risk factors: hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, or increased abdominal obesity. MetS arises due to dysregulated metabolic pathways that culminate with insulin resistance and put individuals at risk to develop various comorbidities with far-reaching medical consequences such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease. As it stands, the exact pathogenesis of MetS as well as the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract in MetS is not fully understood. Our study aimed to evaluate intestinal health in human subjects with MetS. Methods: We examined MetS risk factors in individuals through body measurements and clinical and biochemical blood analysis. To evaluate intestinal health, gut inflammation was measured by fecal calprotectin, intestinal permeability through the lactulose-mannitol test, and utilized fecal metabolomics to examine alterations in the host–microbiota gut metabolism. Results: No signs of intestinal inflammation or increased intestinal permeability were observed in the MetS group compared to our control group. However, we found a significant increase in 417 lipid features of the gut lipidome in our MetS cohort. An identified fecal lipid, diacyl-glycerophosphocholine, showed a strong correlation with several MetS risk factors. Although our MetS cohort showed no signs of intestinal inflammation, they presented with increased levels of serum TNFα that also correlated with increasing triglyceride and fecal diacyl-glycerophosphocholine levels and decreasing HDL cholesterol levels. Conclusion: Taken together, our main results show that MetS subjects showed major alterations in fecal lipid profiles suggesting alterations in the intestinal host–microbiota metabolism that may arise before concrete signs of gut inflammation or intestinal permeability become apparent. Lastly, we posit that fecal metabolomics could serve as a non-invasive, accurate screening method for both MetS and NAFLD.
Multilateration with Self-Calibration: Uncertainty Assessment, Experimental Measurements and Monte-Carlo Simulations
Authors: Guillory Joffray , Truong Daniel , Wallerand Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2022

Large-volume metrology is essential to many high-value industries and contributes to the factories of the future. In this context, we have developed a tri-dimensional coordinate measurement system based on a multilateration technique with self-calibration. In practice, an absolute distance meter, traceable to the SI metre, is shared between four measurement heads by fibre-optic links. From these stations, multiple distance measurements of several target positions are then performed to, at the end, determine the coordinates of these targets. The uncertainty on these distance measurements has been determined with a consistent metrological approach and it is better than 5 µm. However, the propagation of this uncertainty into the measured positions is not a trivial task. In this paper, an analytical solution for the uncertainty assessment of the positions of both targets and heads under a multilateration scenario with self-calibration is provided. The proposed solution is then compared to Monte-Carlo simulations and to experimental measurements: it follows that all three approaches are well agreed, which suggests that the proposed analytical model is accurate. The confidence ellipsoids provided by the analytical solution described well the geometry of the errors.
Microfluidics for High Pressure: Integration on GaAs Acoustic Biosensors with a Leakage-Free PDMS Based on Bonding Technology
Authors: Hammami Saber , Oseev Aleksandr , Bargiel Sylwester , Zeggari Rabah , Elie-Caille Céline , Leblois Thérèse
Published: May 2022

Microfluidics integration of acoustic biosensors is an actively developing field. Despite significant progress in “passive” microfluidic technology, integration with microacoustic devices is still in its research state. The major challenge is bonding polymers with monocrystalline piezoelectrics to seal microfluidic biosensors. In this contribution, we specifically address the challenge of microfluidics integration on gallium arsenide (GaAs) acoustic biosensors. We have developed a robust plasma-assisted bonding technology, allowing strong connections between PDMS microfluidic chip and GaAs/SiO2 at low temperatures (70 °C). Mechanical and fluidic performances of fabricated device were studied. The bonding surfaces were characterized by water contact angle measurement and ATR-FTIR, AFM, and SEM analysis. The bonding strength was characterized using a tensile machine and pressure/leakage tests. The study showed that the sealed chips were able to achieve a limit of high bonding strength of 2.01 MPa. The adhesion of PDMS to GaAs was significantly improved by use of SiO2 intermediate layer, permitting the bonded chip to withstand at least 8.5 bar of burst pressure. The developed bonding approach can be a valuable solution for microfluidics integration in several types of MEMS devices.
Influences of Microscopic Imaging Conditions on Accuracy of Cell Morphology Discrimination Using Convolutional Neural Network of Deep Learning
Authors: Yamamoto Masashi , Miyata Shogo
Published: May 2022

Recently, automated cell culture devices have become necessary for cell therapy applications. The maintenance of cell functions is critical for cell expansion. However, there are risks of losing these functions, owing to disturbances in the surrounding environment and culturing procedures. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive and highly accurate evaluation method for cell phenotypes. In this study, we focused on an automated discrimination technique using image processing with a deep learning algorithm. This study aimed to clarify the effects of the optical magnification of the microscope and cell size in each image on the discrimination accuracy for cell phenotypes and morphologies. Myoblast cells (C2C12 cell line) were cultured and differentiated into myotubes. Microscopic images of the cultured cells were acquired at magnifications of 40× and 100×. A deep learning architecture was constructed to discriminate between undifferentiated and differentiated cells. The discrimination accuracy exceeded 90% even at a magnification of 40× for well-developed myogenic differentiation. For the cells under immature myogenic differentiation, a high optical magnification of 100× was required to maintain a discrimination accuracy over 90%. The microscopic optical magnification should be adjusted according to the cell differentiation to improve the efficiency of image-based cell discrimination.
A Magnetically Coupled Piezoelectric–Electromagnetic Low-Frequency Multidirection Hybrid Energy Harvester
Authors: Zhu Yongqiang , Zhang Zhaoyang , Zhang Pingxia , Tan Yurong
Published: May 2022

The traditional single electromechanical conversion energy harvester can collect energy only in a single vibration direction. Moreover, it requires high environmental vibration frequency, and its output power is low. To solve these problems, a cross-shaped magnetically coupled piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid harvester is proposed. The harvester comprised a ring-shaped support frame, a piezoelectric generation structure, and an electromagnetic generation structure. The harvester could simultaneously generate energy piezoelectrically and electrically, in addition, it could generate electricity efficiently at a lower environmental vibration, and it can collect the energy in two vibration directions simultaneously. To verify the effectiveness of the device, we set up a vibration experiment system and conducted comparative experiments about non-magnetically coupled piezoelectric, magnetically coupled piezoelectric, and magnetically coupled piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid energy harvesters. The experimental results showed that the output power of the magnetically coupled piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid energy harvester was 2.13 mW for the piezoelectric structure and 1.76 mW for the electromagnetic structure under the vibration of single-direction resonant frequency. The total hybrid output power was 3.89 mW. The hybrid harvester could collect vibration energy parallel to the ring in any direction. Furthermore, compared with the non-magnetically coupled piezoelectric energy harvester and the magnetically coupled piezoelectric energy harvester, the output power was increased by 141.6% and 55.6%, respectively.
Hydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells Based on Bacterial Anodes Encapsulated in a Small Bioreactor Platform
Authors: Amar Dubrovin Irina , Ouaknin Hirsch Lea , Rozenfeld Shmuel , Gandu Bharath , Menashe Ofir , Schechter Alex , Cahan Rivka
Published: May 2022

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are an emerging technology capable of harvesting part of the potential chemical energy in organic compounds while producing hydrogen. One of the main obstacles in MECs is the bacterial anode, which usually contains mixed cultures. Non-exoelectrogens can act as a physical barrier by settling on the anode surface and displacing the exoelectrogenic microorganisms. Those non-exoelectrogens can also compete with the exoelectrogenic microorganisms for nutrients and reduce hydrogen production. In addition, the bacterial anode needs to withstand the shear and friction forces existing in domestic wastewater plants. In this study, a bacterial anode was encapsulated by a microfiltration membrane. The novel encapsulation technology is based on a small bioreactor platform (SBP) recently developed for achieving successful bioaugmentation in wastewater treatment plants. The 3D capsule (2.5 cm in length, 0.8 cm in diameter) physically separates the exoelectrogenic biofilm on the carbon cloth anode material from the natural microorganisms in the wastewater, while enabling the diffusion of nutrients through the capsule membrane. MECs based on the SBP anode (MEC-SBPs) and the MECs based on a nonencapsulated anode (MEC control) were fed with Geobacter medium supplied with acetate for 32 days, and then with artificial wastewater for another 46 days. The electrochemical activity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), bacterial anode viability and relative distribution on the MEC-SBP anode were compared with the MEC control. When the MECs were fed with artificial wastewater, the MEC-SBP produced (at −0.6 V) 1.70 ± 0.22 A m−2, twice that of the MEC control. The hydrogen evolution rates were 0.017 and 0.005 m3 m−3 day−1, respectively. The COD consumption rate for both was about the same at 650 ± 70 mg L−1. We assume that developing the encapsulated bacterial anode using the SBP technology will help overcome the problem of contamination by non-exoelectrogenic bacteria, as well as the shear and friction forces in wastewater plants.
Invasive and Subcutaneous Infections Caused by Filamentous Fungi: Report from a Portuguese Multicentric Surveillance Program
Authors: Veríssimo Cristina , Toscano Cristina , Ferreira Teresa , Abreu Gabriela , Simões Helena , Diogo José , Carvalho Dinah , Santiago Felicidade , Lima Ana , Queirós Ana Maria , Sabino Raquel
Published: May 2022

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) have significantly increased over the past years due to advances in medical care for the at-risk immunocompromised population. IFI are often difficult to diagnose and manage, and can be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aims to contribute to understanding the etiology of invasive and subcutaneous fungal infections, their associated risk factors, and to perceive the outcome of patients who developed invasive disease, raising awareness of these infections at a local level but also in a global context. A laboratory surveillance approach was conducted over a seven-year period and included: (i) cases of invasive and subcutaneous fungal infections caused by filamentous/dimorphic fungi, confirmed by either microscopy or positive culture from sterile samples, (ii) cases diagnosed as probable IFI according to the criteria established by EORTC/MSG when duly substantiated. Fourteen Portuguese laboratories were enrolled. Cases included in this study were classified according to the new consensus definitions of invasive fungal diseases (IFD) published in 2020 as follows: proven IFI (N = 31), subcutaneous fungal infection (N = 23). Those proven deep fungal infections (N = 54) totalized 71.1% of the total cases, whereas 28.9% were classified as probable IFI (N = 22). It was possible to identify the etiological fungal agent in 73 cases (96%). Aspergillus was the most frequent genera detected, but endemic dimorphic fungi represented 14.47% (N = 11) of the total cases. Despite the small number of cases, a high diversity of species were involved in deep fungal infections. This fact has implications for clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and on the therapeutic management of these infections, since different species, even within the same genus, can present diverse patterns of susceptibility to antifungals.
The GDSL-Lipolytic Enzyme Lip1 Is Required for Full Virulence of the Cucurbit Pathogenic Bacterium Acidovorax citrulli
Authors: Rosenberg Tally , Jiménez-Guerrero Irene , Tamir-Ariel Dafna , Yarnitzky Tali , Burdman Saul
Published: May 2022

Bacterial fruit blotch caused by Acidovoraxcitrulli is a serious disease of cucurbit crops. Here we report characterization of a mutant strain of A. citrulli M6 defective in lip1, a gene encoding a lipolytic enzyme. The M6-lip1- mutant was detected in a mutant library screen aimed at identifying M6 mutants with altered levels of twitching motility. In this screen M6-lip1- was the only mutant that showed significantly larger twitching motility haloes around colonies than wild-type M6. Sequence analyses indicated that lip1 encodes a member of the GDSL family of secreted lipolytic enzymes. In line with this finding, lipolytic assays showed that the supernatants of M6-lip1- had lower lipolytic activity as compared with those of wild-type M6 and a lip1-complemented strain. The mutant was also affected in swimming motility and had compromised virulence on melon seedlings and on Nicotiana benthamiana leaves relative to wild-type and complemented strains. Lip1 contains a predicted N-terminal signal sequence for type II secretion. Evidence from our study confirms Lip1 is indeed secreted in a type II secretion-dependent manner, and this is required for full virulence of A. citrulli. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study reporting contribution of lipolytic activity to virulence of a plant-pathogenic Acidovorax species.
Genesis and Metallogenic Characteristics of the Zhunsujihua Granitic Intrusions in Sonid Left Banner, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Shi Qianxiong , Guo Hu , Liu Cong , Lai Yong
Published: May 2022

The Zhunsujihua porphyry Mo-Cu deposit is located in the Erenhot–East Ujimqin metallogenic belt in northeastern China. Granodioritic intrusions in the mining area are dominated by granodiorite and granodiorite porphyry, but the Mo mineralization is limited within the granodiorite. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 301.5 ± 3.0 Ma for granodiorite and 296.0 ± 3.0 Ma for granodiorite porphyry. These ages constrain the magmatic activity at the Zhunsujihua deposit that took place during the subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate. Whole-rock geochemical data suggest that the granodioritic intrusions belong to calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline series, and are characterized by enrichment in K, Rb, U, Th, and Pb, and depletion in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P. The negative Eu, Ba, and Sr anomalies suggest that they have experienced extensive fractionation of plagioclase. Trace element compositions of zircons from the Zhunsujihua deposit provide constraints on the oxygen fugacity (ƒO2) of the magma, which is shown to high values with ∆FMQ = +0.5 to +5.6. The wide range of zircon εHf (t) (+1.3~+9.4) values, positive whole-rock εNd (t) (+2.5~+3.9) values, and relatively low initial (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.70367~0.70561) ratios indicate that the magmas mainly originated from a juvenile lower crust source derived from depleted mantle, but mixed with pre-existing crustal components. Moreover, the juvenile lower crust represents the main source of Mo for the Zhunsujihua deposit. A high magmatic oxygen fugacity and fractional crystallization played key roles in forming the Zhunsujihua deposit.
Bioactive Evaluation of Ursane-Type Pentacyclic Triterpenoids: β-Boswellic Acid Interferes with the Glycosylation and Transport of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells
Authors: Nakano Kaori , Sasaki Saki , Kataoka Takao
Published: May 2022

Ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids exert various biological effects, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. We previously reported that ursolic acid, corosolic acid, and asiatic acid interfered with the intracellular trafficking and glycosylation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1α. However, the structure–activity relationship of ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids remains unclear. In the present study, the biological activities of seven ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids (β-boswellic acid, uvaol, madecassic acid, 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, ursolic acid, corosolic acid, and asiatic acid) were investigated. We revealed that the inhibitory activities of ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids on the cell surface expression and glycosylation of ICAM-1 and α-glucosidase activity were influenced by the number of hydroxy groups and/or the presence and position of a carboxyl group. We also showed that β-boswellic acid interfered with ICAM-1 glycosylation in a different manner from other ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids.
Green and Effective Preparation of α-Hydroxyphosphonates by Ecocatalysis
Authors: Cybulska Pola , Legrand Yves-Marie , Babst-Kostecka Alicja , Diliberto Sébastien , Leśniewicz Anna , Oliviero Erwan , Bert Valérie , Boulanger Clotilde , Grison Claude , Olszewski Tomasz K.
Published: May 2022

A green and effective approach for the synthesis of structurally diversed α-hydroxyphosphonates via hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes under solventless conditions and promoted by biosourced catalysts, called ecocatalysts “Eco-MgZnOx” is presented. Ecocatalysts were prepared from Zn-hyperaccumulating plant species Arabidopsis halleri, with simple and benign thermal treatment of leaves rich in Zn, and without any further chemical treatment. The elemental composition and structure of Eco-MgZnOx were characterized by MP–AES, XRPD, HRTEM, and STEM–EDX techniques. These analyses revealed a natural richness in two unusual and valuable mixed zinc–magnesium and iron–magnesium oxides. The ecocatalysts were employed in this study to demonstrate their potential use in hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes, leading to various α-hydroxyphosphonate derivatives, which are critical building blocks in the modern chemical industry. Computational chemistry was performed to help discriminate the role of some of the constituents of the mixed oxide ecocatalysts. High conversions, broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and easy purification of the final products together with simplicity of the preparation of the ecocatalysts are the major advantages of the presented protocol. Additionally, Eco-MgZnOx-P could be recovered and reused for up to five times.