bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volatile Constituents in Essential Oil from Leaves of Withania adpressa Coss. Ex Exhibit Potent Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties against Clinically-Relevant Pathogens
Authors: Bourhia Mohammed , Alyousef Abdullah A. , Doumane Ghizlane , Saghrouchni Hamza , Giesy John P. , Ouahmane Lahcen , Gueddari Fatiha EL , Al-Sheikh Yazeed A. , Aboul-Soud Mourad A. M.
Published: March 2023

Withania adpressa Coss. ex is a plant used in traditional medications. Antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of the essential oil from leaves of Withania adpressa Coss ex. (EOW) were investigated. EOW was extracted using a Clevenger apparatus, and its volatile compounds were characterized by GC-MS. Antioxidant potency was determined using DPPH, FRAP, and TAC assays. Antibacterial effects were determined vs. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumonia; while its antifungal efficacy was determined vs. Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum using the disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration bioassays. A chromatographic analysis showed that EOW contained eight phytochemical compounds constituting 99.14% of the total mass of oil. Caryophyllene (24.74%), Longifolene (21.37%), δ-Cadinene (19.08%), and Carene (14.86%) were predominant compounds in EOW. The concentrations required to inhibit 50% of free radical (IC50) values of antioxidant activities of EOW were 0.031 ± 0.006 mg/mL (DPPH), 0.011 ± 0.003 mg/mL (FRAP), and 846.25 ± 1.07 mg AAE/g (TAC). Inhibition zone diameters of EOW vs. bacteria were 18.11 ± 0.5 mm (E. coli), 17.10 ± 0.42 mm (S. aureus), 12.13 ± 0.31 mm (K. pneumoniae), and 11.09 ± 0.47 mm (S. pneumoniae), while MIC values were 51 ± 3, 47 ± 5, 46 ± 3 and 31 ± 1 µg/mL, respectively. Inhibition zone diameters of EOW vs. fungi were 31.32 ± 1.32, 29.00 ± 1.5, 27.63 ± 2.10, and 24.51 ± s1.07 mm for A. flavus, C. albicans, F. oxysporum, and A. niger, respectively. MIC values were 8.41 ± 0.40, 28.04 ± 0.26, 9.05 ± 0.76, and 22.26 ± 0.55 µg/mL, respectively. Importantly, the highest dose of EOW (1 mg/mL) showed negligible (~5%) cytotoxicity against MCF-12, a normal human epithelial cell line derived from the mammary gland, thus underscoring its wide safety and selectivity against tested microbes. To sum it up, EOW has exhibited promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which suggests potential to abrogate antibiotic resistance.
Antileishmanial Activity of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives against Leishmania infantum
Authors: de Morais Mayara Castro , Medeiros Gisele Alves , Almeida Fernanda Silva , Rocha Juliana da Câmara , Perez-Castillo Yunierkis , Keesen Tatjana de Souza Lima , de Sousa Damião Pergentino
Published: March 2023

Leishmania infantum is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in South America, the Mediterranean basin, and West and Central Asia. The most affected country, Brazil, reported 4297 VL cases in 2017. L. infantum is transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies during successive blood meals. There are no validated vaccines to prevent the infection and the treatment relies on drugs that often present severe side effects, which justify the efforts to find new antileishmanial drugs. Cinnamic acid derivatives have shown several pharmacological activities, including antiparasitic action. Therefore, in the present study, the biological evaluation of cinnamic acid and thirty-four derivatives against L. infantum is reported. The compounds were prepared by several synthesis methods and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The results revealed that compound 32 (N-(4-isopropylbenzyl)cinnamamide) was the most potent antileishmanial agent (IC50 = 33.71 μM) with the highest selectivity index (SI > 42.46), followed by compound 15 (piperonyl cinnamate) with an IC50 = 42.80 μM and SI > 32.86. Compound 32 was slightly less potent and nineteen times more selective for the parasite than amphotericin B (MIC = 3.14 uM; SI = 2.24). In the molecular docking study, the most likely target for the compound in L. infantum was aspartyl aminopeptidase, followed by aldehyde dehydrogenase, mitochondrial. The data obtained show the antileishmanial potential of this class of compounds and may be used in the search for new drug candidates against Leishmania species.
Facile Synthesis of Battery-Type CuMn2O4 Nanosheet Arrays on Ni Foam as an Efficient Binder-Free Electrode Material for High-Rate Supercapacitors
Authors: Gopi Chandu V. V. Muralee , Ramesh R. , Vinodh Rajangam , Alzahmi Salem , Obaidat Ihab M.
Published: March 2023

The development of battery-type electrode materials with hierarchical nanostructures has recently gained considerable attention in high-rate hybrid supercapacitors. For the first time, in the present study novel hierarchical CuMn2O4 nanosheet arrays (NSAs) nanostructures are developed using a one-step hydrothermal route on a nickel foam substrate and utilized as an enhanced battery-type electrode material for supercapacitors without the need of binders or conducting polymer additives. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques are used to study the phase, structural, and morphological characteristics of the CuMn2O4 electrode. SEM and TEM studies show that CuMn2O4 exhibits a nanosheet array morphology. According to the electrochemical data, CuMn2O4 NSAs give a Faradic battery-type redox activity that differs from the behavior of carbon-related materials (such as activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, graphene, etc.). The battery-type CuMn2O4 NSAs electrode showed an excellent specific capacity of 125.56 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 with a remarkable rate capability of 84.1%, superb cycling stability of 92.15% over 5000 cycles, good mechanical stability and flexibility, and low internal resistance at the interface of electrode and electrolyte. Due to their excellent electrochemical properties, high-performance CuMn2O4 NSAs-like structures are prospective battery-type electrodes for high-rate supercapacitors.
The Potential of ICP-MS as a Complementary Tool in Nanoparticle–Protein Corona Analysis
Authors: Fuentes-Cervantes Ana , Ruiz Allica Julia , Calderón Celis Francisco , Costa-Fernández José M. , Ruiz Encinar Jorge
Published: March 2023

The prolific applicability of nanomaterials has made them a common citizen in biological systems, where they interact with proteins forming a biological corona complex. These complexes drive the interaction of nanomaterials with and within the cells, bringing forward numerous potential applications in nanobiomedicine, but also arising toxicological issues and concerns. Proper characterization of the protein corona complex is a great challenge typically handled with the combination of several techniques. Surprisingly, despite inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) being a powerful quantitative technique whose application in nanomaterials characterization and quantification has been consolidated in the last decade, its application to nanoparticle–protein corona studies is scarce. Furthermore, in the last decades, ICP-MS has experienced a turning point in its capabilities for protein quantification through sulfur detection, hence becoming a generic quantitative detector. In this regard, we would like to introduce the potential of ICP-MS in the nanoparticle protein corona complex characterization and quantification complementary to current methods and protocols.
Emotional Eating among Ghanaian University Students: Associations with Physical and Mental Health Measures
Authors: Amoako Mary , Amoah-Agyei Felicity , Du Chen , Fenton Jenifer I. , Tucker Robin M.
Published: March 2023

Eating behaviors are a set of cognitive processes that influence dietary decision making and, thus, overall health. Some of the most studied eating behaviors are those characterized by the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-18 (TFEQ). The TFEQ examines three eating behaviors: emotional eating (EE), uncontrolled eating (UE), and restrained eating (RE). While frequently used, there is little information characterizing these eating behaviors in the Ghanaian population. This cross-sectional study describes EE, UE, and RE behaviors in a university student population (n = 129) in Ghana. Of the three behaviors, EE was the only one associated with any of the health outcomes in this study: BMI for males (r = 0.388, p = 0.002) and anxiety (r = 0.471, p < 0.001, higher score is less desirable), and sleep quality (r = 0.464, p < 0.001, higher score is less desirable) for females. Overweight and obese females reported significantly higher EE scores compared to healthy weight females (35.7 ± 23.7 vs. 11.9 ± 15.6, p = 0.002). No such observation was observed among overweight and obese males (p > 0.05). EE, UE, and RE scores did not differ between males and females. While this study provides important information about the eating behaviors of Ghanaian university students and allows for comparison to students from other cultures, future work must develop culturally relevant tools for the Ghanaian population.
Repeated 28-Day Oral Toxicological Study and Gastroprotective Effects of Nigella sativa L. Oil (Shuhada) against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats
Authors: Sanpinit Sineenart , Wetchakul Palika , Chonsut Piriya , Ngamdokmai Ngamrayu , Ahmad Aktsar Roskiana , Warinhomhoun Sakan
Published: March 2023

Nigella sativa L. and black seeds are traditionally used for cooking and medicinal purposes in Arab and other countries. Although N. sativa seed extract has many known biological effects, the biological effects of cold-pressed N. sativa oil are poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effects and subacute oral toxicity of black seed oil (BSO) in an animal model. The gastroprotective effects of oral BSO (50% and 100%; 1 mg/kg) were tested using acute experimental models of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Gross and histological gastric lesions, ulcerated gastric areas, ulcer index score, percentage of inhibition rate, gastric juice pH, and gastric wall mucus were all evaluated. The subacute toxicity of BSO and its thymoquinone (TQ) content were also examined. The results indicated that the administration of BSO exerted gastroprotective effects by increasing the gastric wall mucus and decreasing gastric juice acidity. In the subacute toxicity test, the animals behaved normally, and their weight and water and food intake did not show significant variations. High-performance liquid chromatography detected 7.3 mg/mL TQ in BSO. These findings suggest that BSO may be a safe therapeutic drug for preventing gastric ulcers.
Capsaicin: A Potential Treatment to Improve Cerebrovascular Function and Cognition in Obesity and Ageing
Authors: Thornton Tammy , Mills Dean , Bliss Edward
Published: March 2023

Impaired cognition is the primary symptom of dementia, which can lead to functional disability and reduced quality of life among an increasingly ageing population. Ageing is associated with increased oxidative stress, chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, which reduces cerebrovascular function leading to cognitive decline. Chronic low-grade systemic inflammatory conditions, such as obesity, exacerbate this decline beyond normal ageing and predispose individuals to neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. Capsaicin, the major pungent molecule of chilli, has recently demonstrated improvements in cognition in animal models via activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1). Capsaicin-induced TRPV1 activation reduces adiposity, chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as improves endothelial function, all of which are associated with cerebrovascular function and cognition. This review examines the current literature on capsaicin and Capsimax, a capsaicin supplement associated with reduced gastrointestinal irritation compared to capsaicin. Acute and chronic capsaicin treatment can improve cognition in animals. However, studies adequately assessing the effects of capsaicin on cerebrovascular function, and cognition in humans do not exist. Capsimax may be a potentially safe therapeutic intervention for future clinical trials testing the effects of capsaicin on cerebrovascular function and cognition.
Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of the Anti-HT-29 Colorectal Cell Line Activity of Novel 8-Oxyquinolinate-Platinum(II)-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Targeted with Riboflavin
Authors: Boztepe Tugce , Scioli-Montoto Sebastián , Gambaro Rocio C. , Ruiz María Esperanza , Cabrera Silvia , Alemán José , Islan Germán A. , Castro Guillermo R. , León Ignacio E.
Published: March 2023

Colorectal cancer is occasionally called colon or rectal cancer, depending on where cancer begins to form, and is the second leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. The platinum-based [PtCl(8-O-quinolinate)(dmso)] (8-QO-Pt) compound has demonstrated encouraging anticancer activity. Three different systems of 8-QO-Pt-encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) with riboflavin (RFV) were investigated. NLCs of myristyl myristate were synthesized by ultrasonication in the presence of RFV. RFV-decorated nanoparticles displayed a spherical shape and a narrow size dispersion in the range of 144–175 nm mean particle diameter. The 8-QO-Pt-loaded formulations of NLC/RFV with more than 70% encapsulation efficiency showed sustained in vitro release for 24 h. Cytotoxicity, cell uptake, and apoptosis were evaluated in the HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. The results revealed that 8-QO-Pt-loaded formulations of NLC/RFV showed higher cytotoxicity than the free 8-QO-Pt compound at 5.0 µM. All three systems exhibited different levels of cellular internalization. Moreover, the hemotoxicity assay showed the safety profile of the formulations (less than 3.7%). Taken together, RFV-targeted NLC systems for drug delivery have been investigated for the first time in our study and the results are promising for the future of chemotherapy in colon cancer treatment.
Does Cytokine-Release Syndrome Induced by CAR T-Cell Treatment Have an Impact on the Pharmacokinetics of Meropenem and Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Patients with Hematological Malignancies? Findings from an Observational Case-Control Study
Authors: Liu Chun , Cojutti Pier Giorgio , Giannella Maddalena , Roberto Marcello , Casadei Beatrice , Cristiano Gianluca , Papayannidis Cristina , Vianelli Nicola , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Viale Pierluigi , Bonifazi Francesca , Pea Federico
Published: March 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a promising approach for some relapse/refractory hematological B-cell malignancies; however, in most patients, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) may occur. CRS is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) that may affect the pharmacokinetics of some beta-lactams. The aim of this study was to assess whether the pharmacokinetics of meropenem and piperacillin may be affected by CAR T-cell treatment. The study included CAR T-cell treated patients (cases) and oncohematological patients (controls), who were administered 24-h continuous infusion (CI) meropenem or piperacillin/tazobactam, optimized by therapeutic drug monitoring, over a 2-year period. Patient data were retrospectively retrieved and matched on a 1:2 ratio. Beta-lactam clearance (CL) was calculated as CL = daily dose/infusion rate. A total of 38 cases (of whom 14 and 24 were treated with meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam, respectively) was matched with 76 controls. CRS occurred in 85.7% (12/14) and 95.8% (23/24) of patients treated with meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam, respectively. CRS-induced AKI was observed in only 1 patient. CL did not differ between cases and controls for both meropenem (11.1 vs. 11.7 L/h, p = 0.835) and piperacillin (14.0 vs. 10.4 L/h, p = 0.074). Our findings suggest that 24-h CI meropenem and piperacillin dosages should not be reduced a priori in CAR T-cell patients experiencing CRS.
Rotational Doppler Velocimetry of a Surface at Larger Tilt Angles
Authors: Zhang Yanxiang , Zhang Zijing , Liu Liping , Zhao Yuan
Published: March 2023

Here, we experimentally demonstrate a straightforward-to-implement scheme that enables the rotating velocimetry of a noncooperative target at large deflection angles. This scheme is based upon the combination of digital modal decomposition with the rotational Doppler effect of orbital angular momentum (OAM)-carried light modes. To achieve this, we first theoretically analyzed the tilt effect of a rotating surface on the OAM complex spectra and rotational Doppler spectrum. Our findings validate that the tilted surface causes not only the broadening of OAM power and phase spectra, but also the broadening of the scattered Doppler spectrum. Furthermore, we introduce a compensation phase for tilted OAM light that effectively suppresses the sidebands of the OAM power spectrum, thereby restraining the sideband amplitudes of the Doppler spectrum. As a consequence, the rotating velocimetry can be extended to cover larger tilt angles (as large as 70 degrees) than those of existing systems. Our outcomes have the advantages of providing, in addition to profound insight into the interaction between OAM-carrying light and object motion, potential opportunities for noncontact optical metrology and the telemetry of angular speeds, particularly in meteorological applications.
275–305 GHz FM-CW Radar 3D Imaging for Walk-Through Security Body Scanner
Authors: Ikari Tomofumi , Sasaki Yoshiaki , Otani Chiko
Published: March 2023

Imaging using millimeter waves (MMW) and terahertz (THz) waves can help inspect hazardous materials hidden beneath clothing in a non-contact and non-invasive manner. A 3D terahertz imaging system for security gate applications in the 275–305 GHz range was developed and experimentally demonstrated to detect concealed objects carried by pedestrians. This system performs 3D measurements by combining depth detection using frequency-modulated continuous wave (FM-CW) radar, vertical scanning of the detection spot using a 1D high-speed mechanical beam scanner, and horizontal movement of the irradiated area and detection spot as the pedestrian walks. The high-speed beam scanner comprises an F-Theta telecentric lens and a polygon mirror. It has a vertical line scan rate of 142 lines/s and spatial resolution of ~10 mm, consistent with the design value, and a depth resolution of ~7 mm, which is 40% larger than the theoretical value estimated from the FM-CW radar principle. The depth-dependent lateral distortion in 3D images, known as telecentricity, measured using the body scanner imaging system, was also evaluated. Consequently, images with the same magnification were obtained at a range of more than 500 mm of focus depth. Finally, the detection of concealed objects carried by pedestrians was demonstrated, showing that the system can work for a pedestrian walking at speeds from 4 km/h to 7 km/h.
Phase Change Composite Microcapsules with Low-Dimensional Thermally Conductive Nanofillers: Preparation, Performance, and Applications
Authors: Yang Danni , Tu Sifan , Chen Jiandong , Zhang Haichen , Chen Wanjuan , Hu Dechao , Lin Jing
Published: March 2023

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been extensively utilized in latent thermal energy storage (TES) and thermal management systems to bridge the gap between thermal energy supply and demand in time and space, which have received unprecedented attention in the past few years. To effectively address the undesirable inherent defects of pristine PCMs such as leakage, low thermal conductivity, supercooling, and corrosion, enormous efforts have been dedicated to developing various advanced microencapsulated PCMs (MEPCMs). In particular, the low-dimensional thermally conductive nanofillers with tailorable properties promise numerous opportunities for the preparation of high-performance MEPCMs. In this review, recent advances in this field are systematically summarized to deliver the readers a comprehensive understanding of the significant influence of low-dimensional nanofillers on the properties of various MEPCMs and thus provide meaningful enlightenment for the rational design and multifunction of advanced MEPCMs. The composition and preparation strategies of MEPCMs as well as their thermal management applications are also discussed. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges of low-dimensional thermally conductive nanofillers for constructing high performance MEPCMs are outlined.
Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction of Bioactive Pigments from Spirulina platensis and Electrospinning Ability Assessment
Authors: Martins Rodrigo , Mouro Cláudia , Pontes Rita , Nunes João , Gouveia Isabel
Published: March 2023

The first ever nanofibers produced by the electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Spirulina platensis extracts are presented in this article. Spirulina platensis extracts were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using two different solvents: a glucose/glycerol-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) and water. Through spectrophotometry analysis, it was possible to determine the pigment yield of the extractions for both extracts: phycocyanin = 3.79 ± 0.05 mg/g of dry biomass (DB); chlorophylls = 0.24 ± 0.05 mg/g DB; carotenoids = 0.13 ± 0.03 mg/g DB for the NADES/Spirulina extracts, and phycocyanin = 0.001 ± 0.0005 mg/g DB; chlorophylls = 0.10 ± 0.05 mg/g DB; carotenoids = 0.20 ± 0.05 mg/g DB for water/Spirulina extracts. Emulsions were formed by mixing the microalgae extracts in PVA (9%, w/v) at different concentrations: 5, 20, 40, and 50% (v/v). Electrospinning was carried out at the following conditions: 13 cm of distance to collector; 80 kV of applied voltage; and 85 rpm of electrode rotation. After the nanofibers were collected, they were checked under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). ImageJ was also used to determine fiber diameter and frequency. SEM results showed the formation of nanofibers for 5 and 20% (v/v) of NADES/Spirulina extract content in the electrospinning emulsions, presenting diameters of 423.52 ± 142.61 nm and 680.54 ± 271.92 nm, respectively. FTIR confirmed the presence of the NADES extracts in the nanofibers produced. Overall, the nanofibers produced showed promising antioxidant activities, with the NADES/Spirulina- and PVA-based nanofibers displaying the highest antioxidant activity (47%). The highest antimicrobial activity (89.26%) was also obtained by the NADES/Spirulina and PVA nanofibers (20%, v/v). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed positive correlations between both the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the electrospun nanofibers, and extract content in the emulsions. Moreover, PCA also indicated positive correlations between the viscosity and conductivity of the emulsions and the diameter of the nanofibers produced.
A Flexible Bi-Stable Composite Antenna with Reconfigurable Performance and Light-Responsive Behavior
Authors: Huang Yaoli , Zheng Cong , Jiang Jinhua , Shao Huiqi , Chen Nanliang
Published: March 2023

An integrated solution providing a bi-stable antenna with reconfigurable performance and light-responsive behavior is presented in this paper for the first time. The proposed antenna includes a radiation layer with conductivity, which is integrated onto the bi-stable substrate. First, the effect of the radiation layer material and substrate layer parameters on antenna performance was studied. The experiment showed that an antenna with CNTF has a wider impedance bandwidth than one with CSP, namely 10.37% versus 3.29%, respectively. The resonance frequency increases gradually with the increase in fiber laying density and fiber linear density. Second, the influence of state change of the substrate layer on the antenna radiation pattern was studied. The measured results showed that the maximum radiation angle and gain of states I and II are at 90°, 1.21 dB and 225°, 1.53 dB, respectively. The gain non-circularities of the antenna at states I and II are 4.48 dB and 8.35 dB, respectively, which shows that the antenna has good omnidirectional radiation performance in state I. The display of the array antenna, which shows that the array antenna has good omnidirectional radiation performance in state A, with gain non-circularities of 4.20 dB, proves the feasibility of this bi-stable substrate in reconfigurable antennas. Finally, the antenna deforms from state I to state II when the illumination stimulus reaches 22 s, showing good light-responsive behavior. Moreover, the bi-stable composite antenna has the characteristics of small size, light weight, high flexibility, and excellent integration.
Eco-Friendly Synthesis of TiO2/ZIF-8 Composites: Characterization and Application for the Removal of Imidacloprid from Wastewater
Authors: Bogdan Lucija , Palčić Ana , Duplančić Marina , Leskovac Mirela , Tomašić Vesna
Published: March 2023

The aim of this work was to develop hybrid TiO2/ZIF-8 photocatalysts and test their activity for the removal of agricultural pollutants in water. The hybrid photocatalysts were prepared by an innovative method involving hydrothermal synthesis at 150 °C using a mechanochemically synthesized zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) and titanium tetraisopropoxide as a titanium dioxide (TiO2) precursor. Three composite photocatalysts with different mass fractions of titanium dioxide (5, 50, and 95 wt%) were synthesized and characterized, and their adsorption and photocatalytic properties investigated for the removal of imidacloprid. The equilibrium adsorption test showed that ZIF-8 is a good adsorbent and can adsorb 65% of the model component under the working conditions used in this work, while the hybrid photocatalysts can adsorb 1–3% of the model component. It is assumed that the adsorption is hindered by the TiO2 layer on the surface of ZIF-8, which blocks the interactions of ZIF-8 and imidacloprid. A significant decrease in band gap energies (3.1–3.6 eV) was observed for the hybrid TiO2/ZIF-8 photocatalysts compared to the values obtained with ZIF-8 (5 eV), depending on the mass fractions of TiO2. The highest removal efficiency of imidacloprid was achieved with the hybrid photocatalysts containing 5 wt% TiO2.
Quantitative Interpretation Model of Interwell Tracer for Fracture-Cavity Reservoir Based on Fracture-Cavity Configuration
Authors: Jing Cheng , Duan Qiong , Han Guangshun , Nie Jianfeng , Li Lu , Ge Mingxu
Published: March 2023

The fracture-cavity combination structure between wells in fracture-cavity reservoirs is complex and changeable. Reliably identifying and quantitatively characterizing the fracture-cavity combination structure between wells has become an important prerequisite for flow channel adjustment in fracture-cavity reservoirs after water channeling and flooding. Aiming at the problems that it is difficult for the existing carving technology to characterize the flow characteristics of the injected fluid in the interwell fracture-cavity composite structure during the production process, and it is difficult for the existing interwell tracer proxy model to consider the specific fracture-cavity composite structure, this paper proposes a quantitative interpretation model for interwell tracers in fracture-cavity reservoirs with different architectures. Taking the Tahe fracture-cavity reservoir as the object, the matching relationship between the interwell fracture-cavity structure and the tracer curve was analyzed, and the tracer curve characteristics of five types of fracture-cavity structures were clarified. Considering the basic idea of tracing, a unified quantitative interpretation model of tracers under different fracture-cavity configurations based on branched flow channels and karst caves was deduced and established, and the input parameters required to apply the model, the parameters obtained directly by fitting, and further expandable calculated parameters were clarified. The interpretation model was used to fit, quantitatively interpret, and verify the reliability of the tracer curves of three wells in group TK411 of fracture-cavity unit S48 in the fourth area of Tahe Oilfield. The results show that the tracer curve fitting effect of each well was good, and the average relative error between the total flow rate explained by the tracer and the daily water production during the tracer monitoring period in the mine was only 3.02%, which effectively shows that the applicability and reliability of the quantitative interpretation model are established. The research results provide an effective way to apply tracer data in deep mining while improving the quantitative characterization ability of interwell tracer monitoring in fracture-cavity reservoirs.
Research on the Factors Affecting the Formation of Ore-Free Zone at Blast Furnace Throat Based on DEM
Authors: Xu Hao , Wang Yici , Li Chuanhui , Guo Hongwei , Yan Bingji
Published: March 2023

The ore-free zone in the center of the blast furnace throat is a major feature of the charging system, ensuring the permeability of the center. Factors that influence the formation of the ore-free zone need to be researched to increase the control precision. In this paper, on the basis of a 1:1 3D model of a blast furnace, the formation of an ore-free zone at the burden surface at the throat was simulated by using the discrete element method (DEM). The effects of burden line depth, batch weight, and distribution angle on the formation of ore-free zones were investigated. The results showed that with increasing burden line depth, the width of the ore-free zone increased, the thickness decreased, the ore-to-coke ratio decreased, and the central airflow developed. Only changing the ore batch weight affected the thickness and width of the ore-free zone and had a greater impact on the permeability of the ore-free zone. The greater the ore batch weight was, the worse the permeability, while changing the batch weight of both coke and ore mainly affected the thickness of the ore-free zone. The greater the batch weight of coke and ore was, the greater the thickness of the ore-free zone. In the case of changing only the angle of ore in the matrix, with the angle increasing, the ore-to-coke ratio around the ore-free zone decreased, the ore-to-coke ratio around the furnace wall increased, and the edge airflow was suppressed. In the case of changing the angle of coke and ore at the same time, with the simultaneous increase in both angles, the ore-free area was compressed in the direction of smaller charge segregation, the area with better permeability in the center of the furnace throat was reduced, and the central airflow was suppressed.
Effect of Dry and Wet Cycles on the Strength Characteristics of Biochar–Clay Mixture
Authors: Liu Deyang , Sun Wenjing , Kong Yi , Zhang Shuyun
Published: March 2023

Biochar is an economical and environmentally friendly “green material” with potential benefits in greenhouse gas emission reduction, soil performance improvement, and environmental restoration. Mixing biochar with clay and using it as a landfill cover can effectively reduce the escape of greenhouse gases into the air, which is important for environmental protection. It is suggested that biochar should be mixed with clay and used as a landfill covering layer. In this study, the shear strength was obtained by direct shear test, and the shear strength characteristics of biochar–clay mixture under the influence of different dry and wet cycles, biochar contents, and moisture conditions were studied. The results show that the shear strength of the biochar–clay mixture in the saturated state decreases with increasing wet and dry cycles, with shear strength decreases ranging from 6% to 19%. The cohesion and internal friction angles of the clays and mixtures show a decreasing trend under wet and dry cycles, with the cohesion and internal friction angles decreasing in the range of 2% to 16%. The shear stress–shear displacement curve for the biochar–clay mixture in the saturated state shows strain hardening after wet and dry cycles; the curve in the dry state shows strain softening with a distinct peak and a platform at the front end of the curve. The shear strength of clay in a dry state is larger than that of biochar–clay mixture and always larger than that of clay in a saturated state. The shear strength difference of the mixture between dry and saturated states is obviously smaller than that of pure clay. This paper, therefore, provides theoretical guidance for the application of biochar–clay mixtures to landfill covers.
Centering the Born Rule
Authors: Wilhelm Isaac
Published: March 2023

The centered Everett interpretation solves a problem that various approaches to quantum theory face. In this paper, I continue developing the theory underlying that solution. In particular, I defend the centered Everett interpretation against a few objections, and I provide additional motivation for some of its key features.
High-Precision 3D-DIC Measurement Method Based on Improved Forward Newton Iteration
Authors: Wen Huihui , Liu Ze , Gao Weizhe , Wang Yu
Published: March 2023

To solve the problems of the traditional 3D-DIC algorithm based on feature information or FFT search at the expense of accuracy in exchange for time, such as error-point extraction, mismatching of feature points, poor robustness, and accuracy loss caused by poor anti-noise performance, an improved high-precision 3D-DIC measurement method was proposed. In this method, the exact initial value is obtained by an exhaustive search. Then, the forward Newton iteration method is used for pixel classification, and the first-order nine-point interpolation is designed, which can quickly obtain the elements of Jacobian and Hazen matrix, and achieve accurate sub-pixel positioning. The experimental results show that the improved method has high accuracy, and its mean error and standard deviation stability and extreme value are better than similar algorithms. Compared with the traditional forward Newton method, the total iteration time of the improved forward Newton method is reduced in the subpixel iteration stage, and the computational efficiency is 3.8 times that of the traditional NR algorithm. The whole process of the proposed algorithm is simple and efficient, and it has application value in the precision occasions requiring high precision.
Spherical Fourier-Transform-Based Real-TimeNear-Field Shaping and Focusing in Beyond-5G Networks
Authors: Felaco Alessandro , Kapusuz Kamil Yavuz , Rogier Hendrik , Vande Ginste Dries
Published: March 2023

For ultra-reliable high-data-rate communication, the beyond fifth generation (B5G) and the sixth generation (6G) wireless networks will heavily rely on beamforming, with mobile users often located in the radiative near-field of large antenna systems. Therefore, a novel approach to shape both the amplitude and phase of the electric near-field of any general antenna array topology is presented. Leveraging on the active element patterns generated by each antenna port, the beam synthesis capabilities of the array are exploited through Fourier analysis and spherical mode expansions. As a proof-of-concept, two different arrays are synthesized from the same active antenna element. These arrays are used to obtain 2D near-field patterns with sharp edges and a 30 dB difference between the fields’ magnitudes inside and outside the target regions. Various validation and application examples demonstrate the full control of the radiation in every direction, yielding optimal performance for the users in the focal zones, while significantly improving the management of the power density outside of them. Moreover, the advocated algorithm is very efficient, allowing for a fast, real-time modification and shaping of the array’s radiative near-field.
Change Point Detection for Fine-Grained MFR Work Modes with Multi-Head Attention-Based Bi-LSTM Network
Authors: Fang Yiying , Zhai Qihang , Zhang Ziwei , Yang Jing
Published: March 2023

Detection of the changes in Multi-Functional Radar (MFR) work modes is a critical situation assessment task for Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems. There are two major challenges that must be addressed: (i) The received radar pulse stream may contain multiple work mode segments of unknown number and duration, which makes the Change Point Detection (CPD) difficult. (ii) Modern MFRs can produce a variety of parameter-level (fine-grained) work modes with complex and flexible patterns, which are challenging to detect through traditional statistical methods and basic learning models. To address the challenges, a deep learning framework is proposed for fine-grained work mode CPD in this paper. First, the fine-grained MFR work mode model is established. Then, a multi-head attention-based bi-directional long short-term memory network is introduced to abstract high-order relationships between successive pulses. Finally, temporal features are adopted to predict the probability of each pulse being a change point. The framework further improves the label configuration and the loss function of training to mitigate the label sparsity problem effectively. The simulation results showed that compared with existing methods, the proposed framework effectively improves the CPD performance at parameter-level. Moreover, the F1-score was increased by 4.15% under hybrid non-ideal conditions.
Optimized Weight Low-Frequency Search Coil Magnetometer for Ground–Airborne Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Method
Authors: Teng Fei , Tong Ye , Zou Bofeng
Published: March 2023

The vertical component magnetic field signal in the ground–airborne frequency domain electromagnetic (GAFDEM) method is detected by the air coil sensor, which is parallel to the ground. Unfortunately, the air coil sensor has low sensitivity in the low-frequency band, making it challenging to detect effective low-frequency signals and causing low accuracy and large error for interpreted deep apparent resistivity in actual detection. This work develops an optimized weight magnetic core coil sensor for GAFDEM. The cupped flux concentrator is used in the sensor to reduce the weight of the sensor while maintaining the magnetic gathering capacity of the core coil. The winding of the core coil is optimized to resemble the shape of a rugby ball, taking full advantage of the magnetic gathering capacity at the core center. Laboratory and field experiment results show that the developed optimized weight magnetic core coil sensor for the GAFDEM method is highly sensitive in the low-frequency band. Therefore, the detection results at depth are more accurate compared with those obtained using existing air coil sensors.
Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Structural Proteins to Hemoglobin and Myoglobin Studied by SPR and DR LPG
Authors: Dyankov Georgi , Genova-Kalou Petia , Eftimov Tinko , Ghaffari Sanaz Shoar , Mankov Vihar , Kisov Hristo , Veselinov Petar , Hikova Evdokia , Malinowski Nikola
Published: March 2023

One of the first clinical observations related to COVID-19 identified hematological dysfunctions. These were explained by theoretical modeling, which predicted that motifs from SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins could bind to porphyrin. At present, there is very little experimental data that could provide reliable information about possible interactions. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) method and double resonance long period grating (DR LPG) were used to identify the binding of S/N protein and the receptor bind domain (RBD) to hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb). SPR transducers were functionalized with Hb and Mb, while LPG transducers, were only with Hb. Ligands were deposited by the matrix-assisted laser evaporation (MAPLE) method, which guarantees maximum interaction specificity. The experiments carried out showed S/N protein binding to Hb and Mb and RBD binding to Hb. Apart from that, they demonstrated that chemically-inactivated virus-like particles (VLPs) interact with Hb. The binding activity of S/N- and RBD proteins was assessed. It was found that protein binding fully inhibited heme functionality. The registered N protein binding to Hb/Mb is the first experimental fact that supports theoretical predictions. This fact suggests another function of this protein, not only binding RNA. The lower RBD binding activity reveals that other functional groups of S protein participate in the interaction. The high-affinity binding of these proteins to Hb provides an excellent opportunity for assessing the effectiveness of inhibitors targeting S/N proteins.
Wearable and Portable Devices for Acquisition of Cardiac Signals while Practicing Sport: A Scoping Review
Authors: Romagnoli Sofia , Ripanti Francesca , Morettini Micaela , Burattini Laura , Sbrollini Agnese
Published: March 2023

Wearable and portable devices capable of acquiring cardiac signals are at the frontier of the sport industry. They are becoming increasingly popular for monitoring physiological parameters while practicing sport, given the advances in miniaturized technologies, powerful data, and signal processing applications. Data and signals acquired by these devices are increasingly used to monitor athletes’ performances and thus to define risk indices for sport-related cardiac diseases, such as sudden cardiac death. This scoping review investigated commercial wearable and portable devices employed for cardiac signal monitoring during sport activity. A systematic search of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. After study selection, a total of 35 studies were included in the review. The studies were categorized based on the application of wearable or portable devices in (1) validation studies, (2) clinical studies, and (3) development studies. The analysis revealed that standardized protocols for validating these technologies are necessary. Indeed, results obtained from the validation studies turned out to be heterogeneous and scarcely comparable, since the metrological characteristics reported were different. Moreover, the validation of several devices was carried out during different sport activities. Finally, results from clinical studies highlighted that wearable devices are crucial to improve athletes’ performance and to prevent adverse cardiovascular events.
Direct Ink-Write Printing of Ceramic Clay with an Embedded Wireless Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor
Authors: Marquez Cory , Mata Jesus J. , Renteria Anabel , Gonzalez Diego , Gomez Sofia Gabriela , Lopez Alexis , Baca Annette N. , Nuñez Alan , Hassan Md Sahid , Burke Vincent , Perlasca Dina , Wang Yifeng , Xiong Yongliang , Kruichak Jessica N. , Espalin David , Lin Yirong
Published: March 2023

This research presents a simple method to additively manufacture Cone 5 porcelain clay ceramics by using the direct ink-write (DIW) printing technique. DIW has allowed the application of extruding highly viscous ceramic materials with relatively high-quality and good mechanical properties, which additionally allows a freedom of design and the capability of manufacturing complex geometrical shapes. Clay particles were mixed with deionized (DI) water at different ratios, where the most suitable composition for 3D printing was observed at a 1:5 w/c ratio (16.2 wt.%. of DI water). Differential geometrical designs were printed to demonstrate the printing capabilities of the paste. In addition, a clay structure was fabricated with an embedded wireless temperature and relative humidity (RH) sensor during the 3D printing process. The embedded sensor read up to 65% RH and temperatures of up to 85 °F from a maximum distance of 141.7 m. The structural integrity of the selected 3D printed geometries was confirmed through the compressive strength of fired and non-fired clay samples, with strengths of 70 MPa and 90 MPa, respectively. This research demonstrates the feasibility of using the DIW printing of porcelain clay with embedded sensors, with fully functional temperature- and humidity-sensing capabilities.
ZIF-8 Assisted Polyacrylamide Functionalized Silica Core-Shell Stationary Phase for Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Zhang Tong , Li Yijing , Lu Xiaofeng , Guo Yong , Wang Licheng , Liang Xiaojing
Published: March 2023

A novel ZIF-8 assisted polyacrylamide functionalized silica polar stationary phase was prepared by a facile method of adding ZIF-8 nanoparticles and silica into polyacrylamide (PAM) aqueous solution, and then stirring the mixture until the solution was evaporated absolutely with the help of mechanical agitator. Interestingly, the prepared stationary phase (PAM-Sil@ZIF-8/PAM) showed favorable hydrophilicity, as demonstrated by good separation performance and strong retention ability toward several types of polar compounds, such as amino acids, saccharides, and alkaloids. In addition, PAM-Sil@ZIF-8(50 mg)/PAM showed better separation performance compared with amino-modified silica and Sil/PAM stationary phase due to the addition of ZIF-8. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the addition of ZIF-8 improved the specific surface area and provided extra interaction sites for the stationary phase and analytes, which is beneficial for the separation of samples. In addition, the column efficiency can reach 7861.9 plates/m for colchicine. Moreover, it exhibited good stability and reproducibility under our operation conditions. In short, a novel stationary phase, which can be used for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography, was obtained and proved that the separation performance of polymer modifying silica stationary phase can be greatly improved by the addition of MOF nanoparticles.
Defining Important Areas for Ecosystem Conservation in Qinghai Province under the Policy of Ecological Red Line
Authors: He Jundong , Chen Jun , Xiao Juan , Zhao Tingting , Cao Pengxi
Published: March 2023

Delimiting important ecological conservation areas is critical for ecological integrity, sustainability of the ecological service function, and management of environmental degradation. However, the process of defining important areas for ecological protection purposes is elusive, especially in the Qinghai Province of China, which is home to unique ecosystems. To address this issue, we selected biodiversity (endangered mammals, birds, and plants), soil retention, water storage, and carbon sequestration to define and delimit important areas for the protection of these ecosystem functions. We found that the important endangered birds of Qinghai Province were mainly distributed in the eastern and southern parts, while important endangered plants were relatively centralized, with relatively high distribution in the Golog of Qinghai Province. The total amounts were 2.245 billion tons, 46.513 billion m3, and 60.91 Tg for soil retention, water storage, and carbon sequestration in Qinghai ecosystems, respectively. Soil retention and carbon sequestration presented a similar trend, with high levels in the eastern and low levels in the western parts of Qinghai, while water storage was higher in the south than in the north. Among various ecosystem types, the grassland ecosystem was the main body of soil retention, water retention, and carbon sequestration; soil retention, water retention, and carbon sequestration were quite small in the desert, town, and city ecosystems. By evaluating the spatial distribution of the service functions of ecosystems, we found that extremely important areas of the ecosystem service function in Qinghai Province totaled 247,200 square kilometers, and the important areas summed to 124,500 square kilometers. Combined extremely important and important areas of the ecosystem service function reached 371,700 square kilometers and accounted for 53.36% of the total area of Qinghai. The ecological protection red line has now become an important national strategy for ecological protection. The demarcation of the ecological protection red line has great significance in safeguarding Qinghai’s ecological security. It is the basic guarantee for sustainable economic and social development in China.