bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposal of a New Approach for Protected Deposit Area Registration in Public Administration Information Systems—A Case Study from Slovakia
Authors: Bobikova Diana , Kuzevicova Zofia , Kuzevic Stefan , Alkhalaf Ibrahim
Published: November 2022

Perception of the meaning and wider context in recording important information about objects that represent strategically valuable data is the basis for increasing their value and binding in order to strengthen their credibility. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on digitization and electronic data collection and their interpretation, which ensures the promotion of real-world objects. The protection of mineral wealth and the creation of protected deposit areas (PDAs) is often limited to an analogue form of documentation ensuring the raw material potential of that country. The often inefficient and insufficient way of managing data in public information systems (ISs) and their subsequent use in the customary procedural stages of other decision-making procedures of state authorities leads to the loss of relevant information in connection with such protected areas. This paper on specific studies emphasizes the need to use and follow procedures in strengthening the Slovak national concept based on data and technical compatibility supporting the exchange of information, which will support the expansion of the IS environment with data in connection with the protection of mineral wealth in the form of PDAs. As a result of the existing legislation and historical background, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the contexts that fundamentally enter into the content of data in the ISs of individual institutions recording fundamental information about objects in connection with the protection of deposit areas. The methods used and the analysis of input data on PDAs from the relevant information systems pointed to insufficient and incomplete records and presentation of data regarding PDAs. In this document, a solution is proposed which, as a result, consolidates the disparate way of registering PDAs and presents an organizationally more profitable way of exchanging data. It was found that only modern ISs and their filling with data, respecting the rules and principles of standardization, prioritizing the content of established, and validly reflecting data, are a high-quality basis for an interoperable environment containing the necessary information, for example, in the establishment of three-dimensional records.
A Post-Processing Method Based on Radial Basis Functions for the Fast Retrieval of the Strain Field in Digital Image Correlation Methods
Authors: Groth Corrado , Chiappa Andrea , Porziani Stefano , Biancolini Marco Evangelos , Marotta Emanuele , Salvini Pietro
Published: November 2022

Digital image correlation methods allow the determination of the displacement (and thus the strain) field of a target by picture comparisons, without the application of strain gauges or other invasive devices. Homologous sites are mapped from the undeformed to the deformed configuration, and displacements retrieved at a cloud of points in a scattered fashion. Radial basis functions (RBF) offer a rapid and reliable tool to post-process on-the-fly data from image correlation, in order to compute deformations directly without the need for generating a numerical grid over the measurement points. Displacements and associated strains can be computed only where desired, tracking automatically only the most reliable features for each image. In this work, a post-processing strain evaluation method for large displacement problems, based on RBF and the Green–Lagrange tensor, is presented and demonstrated for several test cases. At first, the proposed method is adopted on a set of artificially generated pictures, demonstrating a faster convergence with respect to FEM even when few points are used. Finally, the approach is applied to cases for which experimental results are available in the literature, exhibiting a good agreement.
Analysis of the Influence of Activated Carbons’ Production Conditions on the Porous Structure Formation on the Basis of Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Isotherms
Authors: Kwiatkowski Mirosław , Hu Xin , Pastuszyński Piotr
Published: November 2022

The results of a study of the impact of activation temperature and the mass ratio of the activator to the carbonised precursor on the porous structure of nitrogen-doped activated carbons obtained from lotus leaves by carbonisation and chemical activation with sodium amide (NaNH2) are presented. The analyses were carried out via the new numerical clustering-based adsorption analysis, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, the Dubinin–Raduskevich, and the density functional theory methods applied to carbon dioxide adsorption isotherms. Carbon dioxide adsorption isotherms’ analysis provided much more detailed and reliable information about the pore structure analysed. The analyses showed that the surface area of the analysed activated carbons is strongly heterogeneous, but the analysed activated carbons are characterised by a bimodal pore structure, i.e., peaks are clearly visible, first in the range of pore size from about 0.6 to 2.0 nm and second in the range from about 2.0 to 4.0 nm. This pore structure provides optimal adsorption performance of carbon dioxide molecules in the pore structure both for adsorption at atmospheric pressure, which requires the presence of narrow pores for the highest packing density, as well as for adsorption at higher pressures, which requires the presence of large micropores and small mesopores. However, there are no micropores smaller than 0.5 nm in the analysed activated carbons, which precludes their use for carbon dioxide adsorption for processes conducted at pressures less than 0.01 MPa.
Investigation of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of SLM-Fabricated AlSi10Mg Alloy Post-Processed Using Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP)
Authors: Snopiński Przemysław , Appiah Augustine Nana Sekyi , Hilšer Ondrej , Kotoul Michal
Published: November 2022

With the aim of improving the excellent mechanical properties of the SLM-produced AlSi10Mg alloy, this research focuses on post-processing using ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing). In our article, two different post-processing strategies were investigated: (1) low-temperature annealing (LTA) and subsequent ECAP processing at 150 °C; (2) no heat treatment and subsequent ECAP processing at 350 °C, 400 °C and 450 °C. The microstructure and mechanical properties of this alloy were analyzed at each stage of post-treatment. Metallographic observations, combined with SEM and EBSD studies, showed that the alloys produced by SLM have a unique cellular microstructure consisting of Si networks surrounding the Al-based matrix phase. Low-temperature annealing (LTA), followed by ECAP treatment, facilitated the microstructural evolution of the alloy with partial breakup of the Si network and observed nucleation of β-Si precipitates throughout the Al matrix. This resulted in a Vickers microhardness of 153 HV and a yield strength of 415 MPa. The main results show that post-processing of SLM-produced AlSi10Mg alloys using ECAP significantly affects the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy.
The Corrosion Resistance of Reinforced Lightweight Aggregate Concrete in Strong Brine Environments
Authors: Chen How-Ji , Chen Yung-Chieh , Tang Chao-Wei , Lin Xuan-Fan
Published: November 2022

Taiwan has used technology in reservoir sediments and industrial waste to produce high-performance lightweight aggregate (LWA). LWA can be used to manufacture lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) with structural strength ratings. At present, Taiwan’s offshore wind turbines are gradually developing and are moving from coastal areas to deep-sea areas. With this in mind, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of applying LWAC with synthetic LWA from reservoir sediments to floating offshore wind turbine foundations. LWAC and normal-weight concretes (NWC) of different strengths were prepared, and their fresh, hardened, and durability properties were tested. In addition, reinforced concrete and steel sheets were immersed in a tank of high salinity seawater to examine their resistance to seawater-accelerated corrosion. The test results showed that the total passing charge of the two groups of concrete within six hours was less than 1000 coulombs. Both groups of concrete were classified as having “Very Low” chloride permeability. The average corrosion potential of most reinforced concrete specimens was found to be greater than −200 mV, which means that the corrosion probability of the steel bars was less than 10%. Furthermore, the use of coatings for seawater corrosion protection on steel sheets was not found to be as effective as reinforced concrete. This shows that the use of LWAC with synthetic LWA from reservoir sediments for the floating foundations of offshore wind turbines is feasible and has design flexibility.
Extrusion 3D (Bio)Printing of Alginate-Gelatin-Based Composite Scaffolds for Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering
Authors: Sonaye Surendrasingh Y. , Ertugral Elif G. , Kothapalli Chandrasekhar R. , Sikder Prabaha
Published: November 2022

Volumetric muscle loss (VML), which involves the loss of a substantial portion of muscle tissue, is one of the most serious acute skeletal muscle injuries in the military and civilian communities. The injured area in VML may be so severely affected that the body loses its innate capacity to regenerate new functional muscles. State-of-the-art biofabrication methods such as bioprinting provide the ability to develop cell-laden scaffolds that could significantly expedite tissue regeneration. Bioprinted cell-laden scaffolds can mimic the extracellular matrix and provide a bioactive environment wherein cells can spread, proliferate, and differentiate, leading to new skeletal muscle tissue regeneration at the defect site. In this study, we engineered alginate–gelatin composite inks that could be used as bioinks. Then, we used the inks in an extrusion printing method to develop design-specific scaffolds for potential VML treatment. Alginate concentration was varied between 4–12% w/v, while the gelatin concentration was maintained at 6% w/v. Rheological analysis indicated that the alginate–gelatin inks containing 12% w/v alginate and 6% w/v gelatin were most suitable for developing high-resolution scaffolds with good structural fidelity. The printing pressure and speed appeared to influence the printing accuracy of the resulting scaffolds significantly. All the hydrogel inks exhibited shear thinning properties and acceptable viscosities, though 8–12% w/v alginate inks displayed properties ideal for printing and cell proliferation. Alginate content, crosslinking concentration, and duration played significant roles (p < 0.05) in influencing the scaffolds’ stiffness. Alginate scaffolds (12% w/v) crosslinked with 300, 400, or 500 mM calcium chloride (CaCl2) for 15 min yielded stiffness values in the range of 45–50 kPa, i.e., similar to skeletal muscle. The ionic strength of the crosslinking concentration and the alginate content significantly (p < 0.05) affected the swelling and degradation behavior of the scaffolds. Higher crosslinking concentration and alginate loading enhanced the swelling capacity and decreased the degradation kinetics of the printed scaffolds. Optimal CaCl2 crosslinking concentration (500 mM) and alginate content (12% w/v) led to high swelling (70%) and low degradation rates (28%) of the scaffolds. Overall, the results indicate that 12% w/v alginate and 6% w/v gelatin hydrogel inks are suitable as bioinks, and the printed scaffolds hold good potential for treating skeletal muscle defects such as VML.
Microstructure, Interface and Strengthening Mechanism of Ni-CNTs/AZ91 Magnesium Matrix Composites
Authors: Liu Zhengzheng , Qin Shaoyong , Wang Wuxiao , Liu Jian , Liu Dongchao , Chen Xiaogang , Li Wuzhao , Mei Bingchu
Published: November 2022

Ni-CNTs/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites were fabricated by ultrasound treatment combined with a semi-solid stirred method for the first time. The agglomerated spherical Ni-CNTs transferred from spherical shape to clear tubular shape after pre-dispersion treatment. For the Ni-CNTs/AZ91 magnesium matrix composite prepared by semi-solid stirring followed by ultrasonic treatment, Ni-CNTs were evenly distributed in the magnesium matrix or wrapped on the β (Mg17Al12) phase. Mg2Ni were formed at the interface of the magnesium matrix and CNTs by in-situ reaction, which significantly improved the interface bonding strength of CNTs and the Mg matrix. The tensile strength and elongation of 1.0wt.% Ni-CNTs/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites were improved by 36% and 86%, respectively, compared with those of AZ91 matrix alloy. After Ni-CNTs were added to AZ91 matrix alloy, more dimples were observed at the fracture surface. The fracture behavior of Ni-CNTs/AZ91 composite was transformed from a cleavage fracture of AZ91 matrix alloy to a quasi-cleavage fracture. Meanwhile, the CNTs dispersed near the fracture showed a “pull-out” state, which would effectively bear and transfer loads. The strengthening mechanism of CNTs was also discussed.
High Piezoelectric Output Voltage from Blue Fluorescent N,N-Dimethyl-4-nitroaniline Nano Crystals in Poly-L-Lactic Acid Electrospun Fibers
Authors: Baptista Rosa M. F. , Silva Bruna , Oliveira João , Isfahani Vahideh B. , Almeida Bernardo , Pereira Mário R. , Cerca Nuno , Castro Cidália , Rodrigues Pedro V. , Machado Ana , Belsley Michael , Gomes Etelvina de Matos
Published: November 2022

N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline is a piezoelectric organic superplastic and superelastic charge transfer molecular crystal that crystallizes in an acentric structure. Organic mechanical flexible crystals are of great importance as they stand between soft matter and inorganic crystals. Highly aligned poly-l-lactic acid polymer microfibers with embedded N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline nanocrystals are fabricated using the electrospinning technique, and their piezoelectric and optical properties are explored as hybrid systems. The composite fibers display an extraordinarily high piezoelectric output response, where for a small stress of 5.0 × 103 Nm−2, an effective piezoelectric voltage coefficient of geff = 4.1 VmN−1 is obtained, which is one of the highest among piezoelectric polymers and organic lead perovskites. Mechanically, they exhibit an average increase of 67% in the Young modulus compared to polymer microfibers alone, reaching 55 MPa, while the tensile strength reaches 2.8 MPa. Furthermore, the fibers show solid-state blue fluorescence, important for emission applications, with a long lifetime decay (147 ns) lifetime decay. The present results show that nanocrystals from small organic molecules with luminescent, elastic and piezoelectric properties form a mechanically strong hybrid functional 2-dimensional array, promising for applications in energy harvesting through the piezoelectric effect and as solid-state blue emitters.
Determination of Optimal Line-Heating Conditions for Flatness Control of Wind Tower Blocks Using Strain as Direct Boundary Method
Authors: Yoon Hee-Chan , Lim Hun-Bong , Noh Hong-Jun , Han Young-Hwan , Lee Jae-Chul , Yang Hyun-Ik
Published: November 2022

The wind tower block is welded with the flange to assemble the wind tower. The inherent strain due to local heating and cooling of the weld affects the flatness of the flange. Therefore, line heating is performed to satisfy the design criteria of the flange flatness, but the work variables depend on the operator’s empirical judgment. This study proposed a method to determine the optimum linear heating conditions to control the welded flatness of wind tower blocks and flanges. A proposed method uses the inherent strain method, a simple analysis method, and the optimization is performed based on the deformation superposition method. The changes in flange flatness due to welding and single-point heating were calculated. Then, the flatness change due to single-point heating is superimposed with a scale factor, which represents the magnitude of line heating, and is added to the flatness change due to welding. Using the optimization procedure, the line heating conditions used to derive the flatness that satisfies the design criteria were derived and applied to the analytical model for verification.
Power Scheduling Optimization Method of Wind-Hydrogen Integrated Energy System Based on the Improved AUKF Algorithm
Authors: Wang Yong , Wen Xuan , Gu Bing , Gao Fengkai
Published: November 2022

With the proposal of China’s green energy strategy, the research and development technologies of green energy such as wind energy and hydrogen energy are becoming more and more mature. However, the phenomenon of wind abandonment and anti-peak shaving characteristics of wind turbines have a great impact on the utilization of wind energy. Therefore, this study firstly builds a distributed wind-hydrogen hybrid energy system model, then proposes the power dispatching optimization technology of a wind-hydrogen integrated energy system. On this basis, a power allocation method based on the AUKF (adaptive unscented Kalman filter) algorithm is proposed. The experiment shows that the power allocation strategy based on the AUKF algorithm can effectively reduce the incidence of battery overcharge and overdischarge. Moreover, it can effectively deal with rapid changes in wind speed. The wind hydrogen integrated energy system proposed in this study is one of the important topics of renewable clean energy technology innovation. Its grid-connected power is stable, with good controllability, and the DC bus is more secure and stable. Compared with previous studies, the system developed in this study has effectively reduced the ratio of abandoned air and its performance is significantly better than the system with separate grid connected fans and single hydrogen energy storage. It is hoped that this research can provide some solutions for the research work on power dispatching optimization of energy systems.
Theoretical Analysis of Electroconvection in the Electrodialysis Desalination Channel under the Action of Direct Current
Authors: Uzdenova Aminat , Kovalenko Anna , Urtenov Makhamet
Published: November 2022

The development of electroconvection in electromembrane systems is a factor that increases the efficiency of the electrolyte solution desalination process. The desalination of the solution, manifested by a change in the distribution of the ion concentration, can affect the mechanisms of development of electroconvection. The purpose of this work is to study the electroconvective flow developing in the desalination channel under various desalination scenarios. The study was carried out on the basis of a mathematical model of the transfer of binary electrolyte ions in the desalination channel formed between the anion and cation exchange membranes under the action of DC current. An analytical estimation of the threshold current density reflecting the conditions of the system transition into a quasi-stationary state has been obtained. The chronopotentiograms of the desalination channel and the thickness of the electroconvective mixing layer are calculated for both pre-threshold and supra-threshold values of the current density.
Controlling the Thermal Conductivity of Monolayer Graphene with Kirigami Structure
Authors: Gao Yuan , Lu Shuaijie , Chen Weiqiang , Zhang Jinyuan , Feng Chundi , Liu Yanming
Published: November 2022

In this work, the thermal conductivity performance of graphene kirigami (GK) was systematically investigated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results indicate that the degree of defects (DD) on GK has a significant influence on thermal conductivity. Reducing the DD is the most effective way to decrease the thermal conductivity of GK. For zigzag-incised GK sheets, the change rate of thermal conductivity can reach up to 1.86 W/mK per 1% change in DD by tuning the incision length. The rate of changing thermal conductivity with DD can be slowed down by changing the width among incisions. Compared with the zigzag-incised GK sheets, heat transfer across the armchair-incised GK comes out more evenly, without significant steep and gentle stages along the heat transfer routes. More importantly, the GK structure can adjust the thermal conductivity by stretching, which the previously reported nanoporous graphene does not have. The change rate of thermal conductivity achieves about 0.17 W/mK with 1% stretching strain for simulated GK and can be further reduced at high tensile strain rates, benefiting the precise and variable control of the thermal conductivity of the monolayer graphene.
Bioactive Efficacy of Novel Carboxylic Acid from Halophilic Pseudomonas aeruginosa against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Santhaseelan Henciya , Dinakaran Vengateshwaran Thasu , Sakthivel Balasubramaniyan , Somasundaram Maharaja , Thanamegam Kaviarasan , Devendiran Velmurugan , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Rathinam Arthur James
Published: November 2022

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasingly causing morbidity and mortality; thus, drugs with multifunctional efficacy against MRSA are needed. We extracted a novel compound from the halophilic Pseudomonas aeruginosa using an ethyl acetate (HPAEtOAcE). followed by purification and structure elucidation through HPLC, LCMS, and 1H and 13C NMR, revealing the novel 5-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-pentyl-1,3-oxazole-2-carboxylic acid (Compound 1). Molecular docking of the compound against the MRSA PS (pantothenate synthetase) protein was confirmed using the CDOCKER algorithm in BDS software with specific binding to the amino acids Arg (B:188) and Lys (B:150) through covalent hydrogen bonding. Molecular dynamic simulation of RMSD revealed that the compound–protein complex was stabilized. The proficient bioactivities against MRSA were attained by the HPAEtOAcE, including MIC and MBCs, which were 0.64 and 1.24 µg/mL, respectively; 100% biomass inhibition and 99.84% biofilm inhibition were observed with decayed effects by CLSM and SEM at 48 h. The hla, IrgA, and SpA MRSA genes were downregulated in RT-PCR. Non-hemolytic and antioxidant potential in the DPPH assay were observed at 10 mg/mL and IC50 29.75 ± 0.38 by the HPAEtOAcE. In vitro growth inhibition assays on MRSA were strongly supported by in silico molecular docking; Lipinski’s rule on drug-likeness and ADMET toxicity prediction indicated the nontoxic nature of compound.
Technical Evaluation of qPCR Multiplex Assays for the Detection of Ixodes ricinus-Borne Pathogens
Authors: Azagi Tal , Hoeve-Bakker B. J. A. , Jonker Mark , Roelfsema Jeroen H. , Sprong Hein , Kerkhof Karen
Published: November 2022

Background: The extent to which infections with Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens (TBPs), other than Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), cause disease in humans remains unclear. One of the reasons is that adequate diagnostic modalities are lacking in routine or research settings. Methods: We evaluated the analytical specificity, sensitivity and robustness of qPCR assays for the detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Spiroplasma ixodetis, several Babesia species and Spotted Fever Rickettsia species as well as Bartonella species in human samples. Results: The qPCRs were found to perform well, given the difficulties of dealing with microorganisms for which confirmed patient materials are scarce or non-existent, a hurdle that was partially overcome by using synthetic controls. Spiking blood samples with the tested microorganisms showed that the detection of the TBPs was not inhibited by the presence of blood. The acceptable sensitivity when multiplexing the different pathogens, the good inter-assay variability and the absence of cross-reactivity make them potentially suitable as human diagnostics. Conclusions: The qPCRs evaluated in this study are technically suitable for the laboratory diagnostic assessment of clinical samples for infection with tick-borne pathogens. However, clinical validation and independent confirmation are still needed, pending the availability of sufficient human samples for testing in different laboratories.
Viral Infection and Antiviral Treatments in Ocular Pathologies
Authors: Petrillo Francesco , Petrillo Arianna , Sasso Francesca Paola , Schettino Antonietta , Maione Angela , Galdiero Marilena
Published: November 2022

Ocular viral infections are common and widespread globally. These infectious diseases are a major cause of acute red eyes and vision loss. The eye and its nearby tissues can be infected by several viral agents, causing infections with a short course and limited ocular implications or a long clinical progression and serious consequences for the function and structure of the ocular region. Several surveillance studies underline the increased emergence of drug resistance among pathogenic viral strains, limiting treatment options for these infections. Currently, in the event of resistant infections, topical or systemic corticosteroids are useful in the management of associated immune reactions in the eye, which contribute to ocular dysfunction. Many cases of viral eye infections are misdiagnosed as being of bacterial origin. In these cases, therapy begins late and is not targeted at the actual cause of the infection, often leading to severe ocular compromises, such as corneal infiltrates, conjunctival scarring, and reduced visual acuity. The present study aims at a better understanding of the viral pathogens that cause eye infections, along with the treatment options available.
Insights into the Inhibitory Mechanism of Viniferifuran on Xanthine Oxidase by Multiple Spectroscopic Techniques and Molecular Docking
Authors: Yang Yaxin , Chen Qian , Ruan Shiyang , Ao Junli , Liao Shang-Gao
Published: November 2022

Viniferifuran was investigated for its potential to inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), a key enzyme catalyzing xanthine to uric acid. An enzyme kinetics analysis showed that viniferifuran possessed a strong inhibition on XO in a typical anti-competitive manner with an IC50 value of 12.32 μM (IC50 for the first-line clinical drug allopurinol: 29.72 μM). FT-IR and CD data analyses showed that viniferifuran could induce a conformational change of XO with a decrease in the α-helix and increases in the β-sheet, β-turn, and random coil structures. A molecular docking analysis revealed that viniferifuran bound to the amino acid residues located within the activity cavity of XO by a strong hydrophobic interaction (for Ser1214, Val1011, Phe914, Phe1009, Leu1014, and Phe649) and hydrogen bonding (for Asn768, Ser876, and Tyr735). These findings suggested that viniferifuran might be a promising XO inhibitor with a favorable mechanism of action.
Phenol Derivatives Obtained from Grape Seed Extract Show Virucidal Activity against Murine Norovirus
Authors: Kudkyal Vyankatesh Raml , Matsuura Iori , Hiramatsu Hiroaki , Hayashi Kyoko , Kawahara Toshio
Published: November 2022

Human noroviruses are the most common pathogens known to cause acute gastroenteritis, a condition that can lead to severe illness among immunocompromised individuals such as organ transplant recipients and the elderly. To date, no safe and effective vaccines or therapeutic agents have been approved for treating norovirus infections. Therefore, we aimed to demonstrate the virucidal activity of grape seed extract (GSE), which contains >83% proanthocyanidins, against murine norovirus (MNV), a surrogate for human norovirus. GSE showed virucidal activity against MNV in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Atomic force microscopic analysis showed viral particle aggregates after treatment of MNV with GSE. MNV treated with 50 µg/mL of GSE for 10 min resulted in the absence of pathogenicity in an animal model of infection, indicating that GSE has irreversible virucidal activity against MNV particles. Thus, GSE may aid in the development of treatments for norovirus infections.
Strategies for Solubility and Bioavailability Enhancement and Toxicity Reduction of Norcantharidin
Authors: Liu Qian , Sun Henglai , Li Xinyu , Sheng Huagang , Zhu Liqiao
Published: November 2022

Cantharidin (CTD) is the main active ingredient isolated from Mylabris, and norcantharidin (NCTD) is a demethylated derivative of CTD, which has similar antitumor activity to CTD and lower toxicity than CTD. However, the clinical use of NCTD is limited due to its poor solubility, low bioavailability, and toxic effects on normal cells. To overcome these shortcomings, researchers have explored a number of strategies, such as chemical structural modifications, microsphere dispersion systems, and nanodrug delivery systems. This review summarizes the structure–activity relationship of NCTD and novel strategies to improve the solubility and bioavailability of NCTD as well as reduce the toxicity. This review can provide evidence for further research of NCTD.
Acute Toxicity and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Trattinnickia rhoifolia Willd (Sucuruba) Using the Zebrafish Model
Authors: de Souza Agerdânio Andrade , Ortíz Brenda Lorena Sánchez , Borges Swanny Ferreira , Pinto Andria Vanessa Pena , Ramos Ryan da Silva , Pena Igor Colares , Rocha Koga Rosemary de Carvalho , Batista Carla Estefani , de Souza Gisele Custódio , Ferreira Adriana Maciel , Duvoisin Junior Sergio , Tavares Carvalho José Carlos
Published: November 2022

The species Trattinnickia rhoifolia Willd, (T. rhoifolia), which belongs to the Burseraceae family, is widely used in ethnopharmacological cultural practices by traditional Amazonian people for anti-inflammatory purposes, sometimes as their only therapeutic resource. Although it is used in teas, infusions, macerations and in food, the species is still unexplored in regard to its pharmacophoric potential and chemical profile. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a phytochemical characterization of the hydroethanolic extract of T. rhoifolia leaves (HELTr) and to evaluate the acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of this species using zebrafish (Danio rerio). The extract was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The evaluation of the acute toxicity of the HELTr in adult zebrafish was determined using the limit test (2000 mg/kg), with behavioral and histopathological evaluations, in addition to the analysis of the anti-inflammatory potential of HELTr in carrageenan-induced abdominal edema, followed by the use of the computational method of molecular docking. The phytochemical profile of the species is chemically diverse, suggesting the presence of the fatty acids, ester, alcohol and benzoic acid classes, including propanoic acid, ethyl ester and hexadecanoic acid. In the studies of zebrafish performed according to the index of histopathological changes (IHC), the HELTr did not demonstrate toxicity in the behavioral and histopathological assessments, since the vital organs remained unchanged. Carrageenan-induced abdominal edema was significantly reduced at all HELTr doses (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) in relation to the negative control, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), while the 200 mg/kg dose showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in relation to the positive control (indomethacin). With these activities being confirmed by molecular docking studies, they showed a good profile for the inhibition of the enzyme Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as the interactions established at the sites of the receptors used in the docking study were similar to the controls (RCX, IMN and CEL). Therefore, the HELTr has an acceptable degree of safety for acute toxicity, defined in the analysis of behavioral changes, mortality and histopathology, with a significant anti-inflammatory action in zebrafish at all doses, which demonstrates the high pharmacophoric potential of the species. These results may direct future applications and drug development but still require further elucidation.
Influence of Fermentation Time on the Phenolic Compounds, Vitamin C, Color and Antioxidant Activity in the Winemaking Process of Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Wine Obtained by Maceration
Authors: Varo M. Angeles , Serratosa Maria P. , Martín-Gómez Juan , Moyano Lourdes , Mérida Julieta
Published: November 2022

Flavonoid compounds, including anthocyanins and flavan-3-ol derivatives, total tannins, total vitamin C and resveratrol were analyzed by HPLC in blueberry fruits, their skin and pulp, as well as in wines produced from them. Two wines were elaborated, with different times of fermentation. The fruit analysis provided information on the distribution of bioactive compounds in the berries, showing that the skin had the highest concentrations of all compounds. The winemaking process needed a maceration stage to extract these compounds from skins to wine. This maceration process increased the concentration of all compounds and the antioxidant activity values measured by the DPPH assay, but long maceration times decreased the compounds and the antioxidant activity, due to the phenolic compounds that were involved in several reactions, such as polymerization, copigmentation, degradation, formation of pyranoanthocyanins and reactions between anthocyanins and tannins. The sensorial analysis of wines showed that partial fermentation wine had better characteristics than total fermentation wine, although both wines had a high acidity.
Activity-Based Fluorescent Probes Based on Hemicyanine for Biomedical Sensing
Authors: Luo Pan , Wang Min , Liu Wenguang , Liu Lin , Xu Peng
Published: November 2022

In recent years, fluorescent probes, as an analytical tool that can target and rapidly detect analytes, have been increasingly used for applications related to medical treatment, detection, and bioimaging. Researchers are interested in hemicyanine-based fluorescent probes because of their high quantum yield, tunable spectrum characteristics, absorption and emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region, and good photo-stability. The development of these dyes and their derivatives as NIR fluorescent probes for biological applications has advanced significantly in the last ten years. This review introduces processes for making hemicyanine dyes and the methodology for creating functional activity-based fluorescent probes. A variety of hemicyanine-based probes have been systematically developed for the detection of small biomolecules in various illnesses. Finally, the potential drawbacks of hemicyanine-based functional probes, and the prospects for future research and translation into clinical medicine, are also discussed. This study is intended to provide strategies for the development and design of novel fluorescence probes.
Interaction of Antibiotics and Humic Substances: Environmental Consequences and Remediation Prospects
Authors: Kulikova Natalia A. , Solovyova Alexandra A. , Perminova Irina V.
Published: November 2022

The occurrence and distribution of antibiotics in the environment has received increasing attention due to their potential adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. Humic substances (HS) influence the mobility, reactivity, and bioavailability of antibiotics in the environment significantly due to their interaction. As a result, HS can affect the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes, which is one of the main problems arising from contamination with antibiotics. The review provides quantitative data on the binding of HS with fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines and reports the proposed mechanisms of their interaction. The main issues of the quantification of antibiotic–HS interaction are discussed, which are a development of standard approaches and the accumulation of a dataset using a standard methodology. This would allow the implementation of a meta-analysis of data to reveal the patterns of the binding of antibiotics to HS. Examples of successful development of humic-based sorbents for fluoroquinolone and tetracycline removal from environmental water systems or polluted wastewaters were given. Data on the various effects of HS on the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) were summarized. The detailed characterization of HS properties as a key point of assessing the environmental consequences of the formation of antibiotic–HS complexes, such as the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, was proposed.
Separation and Structural Characterization of a Novel Exopolysaccharide from Rhizopus nigricans
Authors: Li Zhang , Li Jianhua , Xu Xuan , Luo Zhen , Sun Jiayi , Wang Hongyun , Liu Chunyan , Ni Xiuwen , Sun Jianqi , Xu Jun , Chen Kaoshan
Published: November 2022

The present study aims to analyze the structural characterization and antioxidant activity of a novel exopolysaccharide from Rhizopus nigricans (EPS2-1). For this purpose, EPS2-1 was purified through DEAE-52, Sephadex G-100, and Sephadex G-75 chromatography. The structural characterization of EPS2-1 was analyzed using high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The results revealed that EPS2-1 is composed of mannose (Man), galactose (Gal), glucose (Glc), arabinose (Ara), and Fucose (Fuc), and possesses a molecular weight of 32.803 kDa. The backbone of EPS2-1 comprised →2)-α-D-Manp-(1→ and →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, linked with the O-6 position of (→2,6)-α-D-Manp-(1→) of the main chain is branch α-D-Manp-(1→6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, linked with the O-6 positions of (→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→) of the main chain are branches →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→ and →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated that EPS2-1 also shows free radical scavenging activity and iron ion reducing ability. At the same time, EPS2-1 could inhibit the proliferation of MFC cells and increase the cell viability of RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggested that EPS2-1 is a novel polysaccharide, and EPS2-1 has antioxidant activity. In addition, EPS2-1 may possess potential immunomodulatory and antitumor activities. This study promoted the application of EPS2-1 as the functional ingredients in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Bud-Poplar-Extract-Embedded Chitosan Films as Multifunctional Wound Healing Dressing
Authors: Russo Carla , Piccioni Miranda , Lorenzini Maria Laura , Catalano Chiara , Ambrogi Valeria , Pagiotti Rita , Pietrella Donatella
Published: November 2022

Wounds represent a major global health challenge. Acute and chronic wounds are sensitive to bacterial infection. The wound environment facilitates the development of microbial biofilms, delays healing, and promotes chronic inflammation processes. The aim of the present work is the development of chitosan films embedded with bud poplar extract (BPE) to be used as wound dressing for avoiding biofilm formation and healing delay. Chitosan is a polymer with antimicrobial and hydrating properties used in wound dressing, while BPE has antibacterial, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Chitosan-BPE films showed good antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against Gram-positive bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans. BPE extract induced an immunomodulatory effect on human macrophages, increasing CD36 expression and TGFβ production during M1/M2 polarization, as observed by means of cytofluorimetric analysis and ELISA assay. Significant antioxidant activity was revealed in a cell-free test and in a human neutrophil assay. Moreover, the chitosan-BPE films induced a good regenerative effect in human fibroblasts by in vitro cell migration assay. Our results suggest that chitosan-BPE films could be considered a valid plant-based antimicrobial material for advanced dressings focused on the acceleration of wound repair.
Formulation of the Polysaccharide FucoPol into Novel Emulsified Creams with Improved Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Baptista Sílvia , Freitas Filomena
Published: November 2022

Driven by the customers’ growing awareness of environmental issues, the production of topical formulations based on sustainable ingredients is receiving widespread attention from researchers and the industry. Although numerous sustainable ingredients (natural, organic, or green chemistry-derived compounds) have been investigated, there is a lack of comparative studies between conventional ingredients and sustainable alternatives. In this study, olive oil (30 wt.%) and α-tocopherol (2.5 wt.%) containing oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized with the bacterial fucose-rich polysaccharide FucoPol were formulated envisaging their validation as cosmetic creams. After formula composition design by Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the optimized FucoPol-based emulsion was prepared with 1.5 wt.% FucoPol, 1.5 wt.% cetyl alcohol, and 3.0 wt.% glycerin. The resulting emulsions had an apparent viscosity of 8.72 Pa.s (measured at a shear rate 2.3 s−1) and droplet size and zeta potential values of 6.12 µm and −97.9 mV, respectively, which are within the values reported for cosmetic emulsified formulations. The optimized formulation displayed the desired criterium of a thin emulsion system, possessing the physicochemical properties and the stability comparable to those of commercially available products used in cosmeceutical applications.
Effect of Arm Pivot Joints on Stiffness Discrimination in Haptic Environments
Authors: Hafiz Khandaker Nusaiba , Karadoğan Ernur
Published: November 2022

We investigated the effect of arm pivot joints that are typically used during haptic exploration by evaluating four joints of the human arm (metacarpophalangeal joint of the index finger, wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints). Using a virtual stiffness discrimination task, a four-session psychophysical experiment was conducted with 38 participants (25 male and 13 female); each session was conducted with one of the four joints as the pivot joint during haptic exploration. The participants were asked to judge the stiffness of the top surface of two computer-generated cylinders by determining the stiffer one while using their dominant hand’s index finger. A two-alternative forced-choice procedure was employed by assigning one cylinder a constant stiffness value of 1.0 N/mm (standard side) and the remaining cylinder a variable stiffness value (comparison side). Using a custom-made stylus for the Geomagic TouchTM (3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC, USA) haptic interface, the participants were able to feel the stiffness of these virtual surfaces only with their index fingers. It was observed that the average Weber fraction monotonically decreased as the pivot joint shifted toward the torso (i.e., a shift from the metacarpophalangeal joint to the shoulder joint); this decrease was not statistically significant, which suggests that the selection of the pivot joint was not a determining factor for the sensitivity to discriminate stiffness. In general, the palpation speed and force exerted by the participants on the standard side during the haptic exploration showed a tendency to increase when the pivot joint shifted toward the torso; the difference in average palpation speed and force across the pivot joints was not statistically significant.
Design and Manufacturing of Antibacterial Electrospun Polysulfone Membranes Functionalized by Ag Nanocoating via Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Fiaschini Noemi , Giuliani Chiara , Vitali Roberta , Tammaro Loredana , Valerini Daniele , Rinaldi Antonio
Published: November 2022

Antibacterial properties of engineered materials are important in the transition to a circular economy and societal security, as they are central to many key industrial areas, such as health, food, and water treatment/reclaiming. Nanocoating and electrospinning are two versatile, simple, and low-cost technologies that can be combined into new advanced manufacturing approaches to achieve controlled production of innovative micro- and nano-structured non-woven membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties. The present study investigates a rational approach to design and manufacture electrospun membranes of polysulfone (PSU) with mechanical properties optimized via combinatorial testing from factorial design of experiments (DOE) and endowed with antimicrobial silver (Ag) nanocoating. Despite the very low amount of Ag deposited as a conformal percolating nanocoating web on the polymer fibers, the antimicrobial resistance assessed against the Gram-negative bacteria E. coli proved to be extremely effective, almost completely inhibiting the microbial proliferation with respect to the reference uncoated PSU membrane. The results are relevant, for example, to improve antifouling behavior in ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis in water treatment.
Characterization of an Etch Profile at a Wafer Edge in Capacitively Coupled Plasma
Authors: Seong Inho , Lee Jinho , Kim Sijun , Lee Youngseok , Cho Chulhee , Lee Jangjae , Jeong Wonnyoung , You Yebin , You Shinjae
Published: November 2022

Recently, the uniformity in the wafer edge area that is normally abandoned in the fabrication process has become important for improving the process yield. The wafer edge structure normally has a difference of height between wafer and electrode, which can result in a sheath bend, distorting important parameters of the etch, such as ionic properties, resulting in nonuniform etching. This problem nowadays is resolved by introducing the supplemented structure called a focus ring on the periphery of the wafer. However, the focus ring is known to be easily eroded by the bombardment of high-energy ions, resulting in etch nonuniformity again, so that the focus ring is a consumable part and must be replaced periodically. Because of this issue, there are many simulation studies being conducted on the correlation between the sheath structural characteristics and materials of focus rings to find the replacement period, but the experimental data and an analysis based on this are not sufficient yet. In this study, in order to experimentally investigate the etching characteristics of the wafer edge area according to the sheath structure of the wafer edge, the etching was performed by increasing the wafer height (thickness) in the wafer edge area. The result shows that the degree of tilt in the etch profile at the wafer edge and the area where the tilt is observed severely are increased with the height difference between the wafer and electrode. This study is expected to provide a database for the characteristics of the etching at the wafer edge and useful information regarding the tolerance of the height difference for untilted etch profile and the replacement period of the etch ring.
Preparation and Characterization of QPVA/PDDA Electrospun Nanofiber Anion Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells
Authors: Samsudin Asep Muhamad , Roschger Michaela , Wolf Sigrid , Hacker Viktor
Published: November 2022

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) as part of fuel cell technology. Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) provide a significant contribution to the development of fuel cells, particularly in terms of performance and efficiency. Polymer composite membranes composed of quaternary ammonium poly(vinyl alcohol) (QPVA) as electrospun nanofiber mats and a combination of QPVA and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as interfiber voids matrix filler were prepared and characterized. The influence of various QPVA/PDDA mass ratios as matrix fillers on anion exchange membranes and alkaline fuel cells was evaluated. The structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of AEMs were characterized. To evaluate the AEMs’ performances, several measurements comprise swelling properties, ion exchange capacity (IEC), hydroxide conductivity (σ), alkaline stability, and single-cell test in fuel cells. The eQP-PDD0.5 acquired the highest hydroxide conductivity of 43.67 ms cm−1 at 80 °C. The tensile strength of the membranes rose with the incorporation of the filler matrix, with TS ranging from 23.18 to 24.95 Mpa. The peak power density and current density of 24 mW cm−2 and 131 mA cm−2 were achieved with single cells comprising eQP-PDD0.5 membrane at 57 °C.