bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Multi-Objective Optimization of a 12-Slot/10-Pole Integrated OBC Using Magnetic Equivalent Circuit Approach
Authors: Metwly Mohamed Y. , Hemeida Ahmed , Abdel-Khalik Ayman S. , Hamad Mostafa S. , Ahmed Shehab
Published: December 2021

Permanent magnet machines (PMs) equipped with fractional slot concentrated windings (FSCWs) have been preferably proposed for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Moreover, integrated on-board battery chargers (OBCs), which employ the powertrain elements in the charging process, promote the zero-emission future envisaged for transportation through the transition to EVs. Based on the available literature, the employed machine, as well as the adopted winding configuration, highly affects the performance of the integrated OBC. However, the optimal design of the FSCW-based PM machine in the charging mode of operation has not been conceived thus far. In this paper, the design and multi-objective optimization of an asymmetrical 12-slot/10-pole integrated OBC based on the efficient magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) approach are presented, shedding light on machine performance during charging mode. An ‘initial’ surface-mounted PM (SPM) machine is first designed based on the magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) model. Afterwards, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is utilized to define the optimal machine parameters. Finally, the optimal machine is compared to the ‘initial’ design using finite element (FE) simulations in order to validate the proposed optimization approach and to highlight the performance superiority of the optimal machine over its initial counterpart.
Projections of Tropical Fermat-Weber Points
Authors: Ding Weiyi , Tang Xiaoxian
Published: December 2021

This paper is motivated by the difference between the classical principal component analysis (PCA) in a Euclidean space and the tropical PCA in a tropical projective torus as follows. In Euclidean space, the projection of the mean point of a given data set on the principle component is the mean point of the projection of the data set. However, in tropical projective torus, it is not guaranteed that the projection of a Fermat-Weber point of a given data set on a tropical polytope is a Fermat-Weber point of the projection of the data set. This is caused by the difference between the Euclidean metric and the tropical metric. In this paper, we focus on the projection on the tropical triangle (the three-point tropical convex hull), and we develop one algorithm and its improved version, such that for a given data set in the tropical projective torus, these algorithms output a tropical triangle, on which the projection of a Fermat-Weber point of the data set is a Fermat-Weber point of the projection of the data set. We implement these algorithms in R language and test how they work with random data sets. We also use R language for numerical computation. The experimental results show that these algorithms are stable and efficient, with a high success rate.
Effect of Mold Width on the Flow Field in a Slab Continuous-Casting Mold with High-Temperature Velocity Measurement and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Liu Jian-Qiu , Yang Jian , Ma Chao , Guo Yi , He Wen-Yuan , Zhao Chang-Liang , Jiang Ren-Bo , Guo Yin-Tao
Published: December 2021

In this paper, the effects of the width of the mold on the surface velocity, flow field pattern, turbulent kinetic energy distribution, and surface-level fluctuation in the mold were studied with measurement of the flow velocity near the surface of the mold at high temperature with the rod deflection method and numerical calculation with the standard k-ε model coupled with the discrete-phase model (DPM) model for automobile exposed panel production. Under the conditions of low fixed steel throughput of 2.2 ton/min, a nozzle immersion depth of 140 mm, and an argon gas flow rate of 4 L/min, as the width of the mold increases from 880 mm to 1050 mm and 1300 mm, the flow velocity near the surface of the mold decreases. The flow direction changes from the positive velocity with the mold widths of 880 mm and 1050 mm to the unstable velocity with the mold width of 1300 mm. The calculated results are in good agreement with the measured results. The turbulent kinetic energy near the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) gradually increases, and the risk of slag entrainment increases. Under the conditions of high fixed steel throughput of 3.5 ton/min, the SEN immersion depth of 160 mm, and the argon gas flow rate of 10 L/min, as the width of the mold increases from 1600 mm to 1800 mm and 2000 mm, the velocity near the mold surface decreases. The flow velocity at 1/4 of the surface of the mold is positive with the mold width of 1600 mm, while the velocities are negative with the widths of 1800 mm and 2000 mm. The calculated results are basically consistent with the measured results. The high turbulent kinetic energy area near the nozzle expands to a narrow wall, and the risk of slag entrainment is significantly increased. In both cases of low and high fixed steel throughput, the change rules of the flow field in the mold with the width are basically the same. The argon gas flow rate and the immersion depth of SEN should be adjusted reasonably to optimize the flow field in the mold with different widths under the same fixed steel throughput in the practical production.
Microstructure and Phase Formation of Novel Al80Mg5Sn5Zn5X5 Light-Weight Complex Concentrated Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Sanchez Jon Mikel , Pascual Alejandro , Vicario Iban , Albizuri Joseba , Guraya Teresa , Galarraga Haize
Published: December 2021

In this work, three novel complex concentrated aluminum alloys were developed. To investigate the unexplored region of the multicomponent phase diagrams, thermo-physical parameters and the CALPHAD method were used to understand the phase formation of the Al80Mg5Sn5Zn5Ni5, Al80Mg5Sn5Zn5Mn5, and Al80Mg5Sn5Zn5Ti5 alloys. The ingots of the alloys were manufactured by a gravity permanent mold casting process, avoiding the use of expensive, dangerous, or scarce alloying elements. The microstructural evolution as a function of the variable element (Ni, Mn, or Ti) was studied by means of different microstructural characterization techniques. The hardness and compressive strength of the as-cast alloys at room temperature were studied and correlated with the previously characterized microstructures. All the alloys showed multiphase microstructures with major α-Al dendritic matrix reinforced with secondary phases. In terms of mechanical properties, the developed alloys exhibited a high compression yield strength up to 420 MPa, high compression fracture strength up to 563 MPa, and elongation greater than 12%.
Titanium and Its Alloys for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Jung Hyun-Do
Published: December 2021

In the past decades, metals have been considered as promising materials in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering [...]
Complex Structure Modification and Improvement of Properties of Aluminium Casting Alloys with Various Silicon Content
Authors: Shlyaptseva Anastasiya D. , Petrov Igor A. , Ryakhovsky Alexandr P. , Medvedeva Elena V. , Tcherdyntsev Victor V.
Published: December 2021

The possibility of using complex structure modification for aluminium casting alloys’ mechanical properties improvement was studied. The fluxes widely used in the industry are mainly intended for the modification of a single structural component of Al–Si alloys, which does not allow unifying of the modification process in a production environment. Thus, a new modifying flux that has a complex effect on the structure of Al–Si alloys has been developed. It consists of the following components: TiO2, containing a primary α-Al grain size modifier; BaF2 containing a eutectic silicon modifier; KF used to transform titanium and barium into the melt. The effect of the complex titanium dioxide-based modifier on the macro-, microstructure and the mechanical properties of industrial aluminium–silicon casting alloys containing 5%, 6%, 9%, 11% and 17% Si by weight was studied. It was found that the tensile strength (σB) of Al–Si alloys exceeds the similar characteristics for the alloys modified using the standard sodium-containing flux to 32%, and the relative elongation (δ) increases to 54%. The alloys’ mechanical properties improvement was shown to be the result of the flux component’s complex effect on the macro- and microstructure. The effect includes the simultaneous reduction in secondary dendritic arm spacing due to titanium, the refinement and decreasing size of silicon particles in the eutectic with barium and potassium, and the modifying of the primary silicon. The reliability of the studies was confirmed using up-to-date test systems, a significant amount of experimental data and the repeatability of the results for a large number of samples in the identical initial state.
Effect of Autoclaving Cycles on the Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Race and Race Evo Nickel-Titanium Endodontic Rotary Files: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Almohareb Rahaf A. , Barakat Reem , Albakri Aroob , Altamimi Manal
Published: December 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of autoclave sterilization on the resistance to cyclic fatigue of two nickel-titanium (NiTi) endodontic files of identical design and taper, but with different NiTi alloy treatments: the newly introduced heat-treated Race Evo and the electropolished Race files. Materials and methods: Fifteen Race (25/0.06) files and fifteen Race Evo (25/0.06) files (n = 30 in total) were randomly assigned to five sub-groups each consisting of three files of the same NiTi alloy treatment. One group served as a control with files unautoclaved. The four remaining groups were sterilized in a steam sterilizer for 1, 3, 5, and 10 autoclave cycles, respectively. Files then underwent cyclic fatigue testing in a simulated metal canal block. A scanning electron microscope was used to inspect the surface of the fractured instruments. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent t-test and multi-factorial analysis of variance with significance set at a p value of ≤0.05. Results: Both Race Evo and Race files showed no significant difference between the different autoclaving cycles in terms of the number of cycles to fracture (p = 0.232 and p = 0.359). Despite rotating at a higher speed, the number of cycles to fracture of heat-treated Race Evo files was significantly higher than that of Race files (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: Autoclave sterilization has no significant effect on the resistance to cyclic fatigue of heat-treated Race Evo or electropolished Race files. However, Race Evo files showed superior resistance to cyclic fatigue irrespective of autoclaving cycles.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Advanced Materials, Structures and Processing Technologies Based on Pulsed Laser
Authors: Rong Youmin , Wu Congyi , Huang Yu
Published: December 2021

Pulsed lasers are lasers with a single laser pulse width of less than 0 [...]
History of COVID-19 Symptoms and Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in HIV-Infected Patients in Northern France after the First Wave of the Pandemic
Authors: Meybeck Agnès , Huleux Thomas , Tétart Macha , Thill Pauline , Derdour Vincent , Bocket Laurence , Alidjinou Enagnon Kazali , Patoz Pierre , Robineau Olivier , Ajana Faiza
Published: December 2021

To assess the prevalence of COVID-19 in people living with HIV (PLWHIV), we performed an epidemiological survey from 1 April through 1 August 2020 in an HIV reference center in Northern France. PLWHIV completed a questionnaire about risk exposures and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and performed a SARS-CoV-2 serology. Among the 600 PLWHIV included, 16 have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were frequent both in SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients (67% vs. 32%, p = 0.02). Among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, one (6%) has been hospitalized and five (31%) have been asymptomatic. Close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case was the only factor associated with COVID-19 acquisition (40% vs. 13%, p = 0.01). The prevalence of COVID-19 in PLWHIV was 2.5%, half of the overall population estimate after the first wave of the pandemic in France. In conclusion, proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 was high in PLWHIV. The prevalence of COVID-19 in PLWHIV was two times lower than in the general population.
Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Alone or Jointly with Human Papillomavirus Associates with Down-Regulation of miR-145 in Oral Squamous-Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Heawchaiyaphum Chukkris , Ekalaksananan Tipaya , Patarapadungkit Natcha , Worawichawong Suchin , Pientong Chamsai
Published: December 2021

Down-regulation of tumor-suppressive miR-145 has been reported in various malignancies, including oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC) that is influenced by several factors, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). Oncoviruses can modulate the expression of cellular microRNAs. Therefore, we sought to investigate the association of miR-145 down-regulation in OSCC with EBV and/or HPV infection, which might be a possible mechanism of these viruses in oral carcinogenesis. Herein, prevalence of EBV, HPV, and their co-infection was significantly higher in tumors than normal tissues of OSCC. EBV infection alone or jointly with HPV was significantly associated with down-regulation of miR-145 in tumors compared with normal adjacent tissues. In cell lines infected with EBV or HPV, miR-145 was also down-regulated. Consistently, methylation of miR-145 was significantly greater in tumors, and well correlated with increased expression of DNMT3B, which was influenced by infection with EBV and HPV. In cell lines, only EBV infection was associated with increased expression of DNMT3B. Moreover, the level of EBV-LMP1 mRNA in tumors was negatively correlated with miR-145 and positively correlated with DNMT3B. Therefore, EBV alone or jointly with HPV is associated with down-regulation of miR-145 and may influence on miR-145 promoter methylation through the induction of DNMT3B in OSCC.
Phytochemical Analysis, Antispasmodic, Myorelaxant, and Antioxidant Effect of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants Flower Hydroethanolic Extracts and Its Chloroform and Ethyl Acetate Fractions
Authors: Kandsi Fahd , Conte Raffaele , Marghich Mohamed , Lafdil Fatima Zahra , Alajmi Mohamed F. , Bouhrim Mohamed , Mechchate Hamza , Hano Christophe , Aziz Mohammed , Gseyra Nadia
Published: December 2021

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants is an annual or ephemeral perennial herb used traditionally in the Mediterranean region in folk medicine to treat various illnesses, including those related to the digestive system. This study aims to assess the antispasmodic, myorelaxant, and antioxidant effects of D. ambrosioides flower hydroethanolic extract and its chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions in a comparative study to evaluate the result of the extraction type on the potential activity of the extract. Both rat and rabbit jejunum were used to evaluate the antispasmodic and myorelaxant effect, while the antioxidant effect was evaluated using DPPH, a ferric reducing power assay, and a beta-carotene bleaching test. LC/MS-MS analysis was carried out to reveal the composition of the different types of extract. Following the results, the hydroethanolic extract showed a significant myorelaxant effect (IC50 = 0.39 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Moreover, it was shown that the hydroethanolic extract demonstrated the best antispasmodic activity (IC50 = 0.51 ± 0.05 mg/mL), followed by the ethyl acetate (IC50 = 4.05 ± 0.32 mg/mL) and chloroform (IC50 = 4.34 ± 0.45 mg/mL) fractions. The antioxidant tests showed that the hydroethanolic extract demonstrated high antioxidant activity, followed by the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions. The LC/MS-MS analysis indicates that the plant extract was rich in flavonoids, to which the extract activity has been attributed. This study supports the traditional use of this plant to treat digestive problems, especially those with spasms.
Mass Spectrometric Identification of Antimicrobial Peptides from Medicinal Seeds
Authors: Moyer Tessa B. , Brechbill Amanda M. , Hicks Leslie M.
Published: December 2021

Traditional medicinal plants contain a variety of bioactive natural products including cysteine-rich (Cys-rich) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Cys-rich AMPs are often crosslinked by multiple disulfide bonds which increase their resistance to chemical and enzymatic degradation. However, this class of molecules is relatively underexplored. Herein, in silico analysis predicted 80–100 Cys-rich AMPs per species from three edible traditional medicinal plants: Linum usitatissimum (flax), Trifolium pratense (red clover), and Sesamum indicum (sesame). Bottom-up proteomic analysis of seed peptide extracts revealed direct evidence for the translation of 3–10 Cys-rich AMPs per species, including lipid transfer proteins, defensins, α-hairpinins, and snakins. Negative activity revealed by antibacterial screening highlights the importance of employing a multi-pronged approach for AMP discovery. Further, this study demonstrates that flax, red clover, and sesame are promising sources for further AMP discovery and characterization.
The Application of Nitric Oxide for Ocular Hypertension Treatment
Authors: Han Binze , Song Maomao , Li Liping , Sun Xinghuai , Lei Yuan
Published: December 2021

Despite of various therapeutic methods for treating ocular hypertension and glaucoma, it still remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering is the most effective way to slow disease progression and prevent blindness. Among the ocular hypotensive drugs currently in use, only a couple act on the conventional outflow system, which is the main pathway for aqueous humor outflow and the major lesion site resulting in ocular hypertension. Nitric oxide (NO) is a commendable new class of glaucoma drugs that acts on the conventional outflow pathway. An increasing number of nitric oxide donors have been developed for glaucoma and ocular hypertension treatment. Here, we will review how NO lowers IOP and the types of nitric oxide donors that have been developed. And a brief analysis of the advantages and challenges associated with the application will be made. The literature used in this review is based on Pubmed database search using ‘nitric oxide’ and ‘glaucoma’ as key words.
Constituents from the Fruiting Bodies of Trametes cubensis and Trametes suaveolens in Vietnam and Their Anti-Inflammatory Bioactivity
Authors: Li Yue-Chiun , Ngan Nguyen Thi , Cheng Kun-Ching , Hwang Tsong-Long , Thang Tran Dinh , Tuan Nguyen Ngoc , Yang Mei-Lin , Kuo Ping-Chung , Wu Tian-Shung
Published: December 2021

It is reported that various fungi have been used for medicine and edible foods. The tropical Trametes genus is popular and well-known in Vietnam for its health effects and bioactivities. In this study, the fruiting bodies of the edible fungi T. cubensis and T. suaveolens were collected in Vietnam. The preliminary bioactivity screening data indicated that the methanol extracts of the fruiting bodies of T. cubensis and T. suaveolens displayed significant inhibition of superoxide anion generation and elastase release in human neutrophils. Therefore, the isolation and characterization were performed on these two species by a combination of chromatographic methods and spectrometric analysis. In total, twenty-four compounds were identified, and among these (1–3) were characterized by 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HRMS analytical data. In addition, the anti-inflammatory potentials of some purified compounds were examined by the cellular model for the inhibition of superoxide anion generation and elastase release in human neutrophils. Among the isolated compounds, (5,14), and (19) displayed significant anti-inflammatory potential. As the results suggest, the extracts and isolated compounds from T. cubensis and T. suaveolens are potential candidates for the further development of new anti-inflammatory lead drugs or natural healthy foods.
Broadband Optical Properties of Atomically Thin PtS2 and PtSe2
Authors: Ermolaev Georgy A. , Voronin Kirill V. , Tatmyshevskiy Mikhail K. , Mazitov Arslan B. , Slavich Aleksandr S. , Yakubovsky Dmitry I. , Tselin Andrey P. , Mironov Mikhail S. , Romanov Roman I. , Markeev Andrey M. , Kruglov Ivan A. , Novikov Sergey M. , Vyshnevyy Andrey A. , Arsenin Aleksey V. , Volkov Valentyn S.
Published: December 2021

Noble transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as PtS2 and PtSe2 show significant potential in a wide range of optoelectronic and photonic applications. Noble TMDCs, unlike standard TMDCs such as MoS2 and WS2, operate in the ultrawide spectral range from ultraviolet to mid-infrared wavelengths; however, their properties remain largely unexplored. Here, we measured the broadband (245–3300 nm) optical constants of ultrathin PtS2 and PtSe2 films to eliminate this gap and provide a foundation for optoelectronic device simulation. We discovered their broadband absorption and high refractive index both theoretically and experimentally. Based on first-principle calculations, we also predicted their giant out-of-plane optical anisotropy for monocrystals. As a practical illustration of the obtained optical properties, we demonstrated surface plasmon resonance biosensors with PtS2 or PtSe2 functional layers, which dramatically improves sensor sensitivity by 60 and 30%, respectively.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Unique Nanomaterials in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Lebedeva Olga , Kultin Dmitry , Kustov Leonid
Published: December 2021

The review considers the features of the processes of the electrochemical synthesis of nanostructures in ionic liquids (ILs), including the production of carbon nanomaterials, silicon and germanium nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, nanomaterials and surface nanostructures based on oxides. In addition, the analysis of works on the synthesis of nanoscale polymer films of conductive polymers prepared using ionic liquids by electrochemical methods is given. The purpose of the review is to dwell upon an aspect of the applicability of ILs that is usually not fully reflected in modern literature, the synthesis of nanostructures (including unique ones that cannot be obtained in other electrolytes). The current underestimation of ILs as an electrochemical medium for the synthesis of nanomaterials may limit our understanding and the scope of their potential application. Another purpose of our review is to expand their possible application and to show the relative simplicity of the experimental part of the work.
[NiEn3](MoO4)0.5(WO4)0.5 Co-Crystals as Single-Source Precursors for Ternary Refractory Ni–Mo–W Alloys
Authors: Serebrennikova Polina S. , Komarov Vladislav Y. , Sukhikh Aleksandr S. , Khranenko Svetlana P. , Zadesenets Andrey V. , Gromilov Sergey A. , Yusenko Kirill V.
Published: December 2021

The co-crystallisation of [NiEn3](NO3)2 (En = ethylenediamine) with Na2MoO4 and Na2WO4 from a water solution results in the formation of [NiEn3](MoO4)0.5(WO4)0.5 co-crystals. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis of eight single crystals, the parameters of the hexagonal unit cell (space group P–31c, Z = 2) vary in the following intervals: a = 9.2332(3)–9.2566(6); c = 9.9512(12)–9.9753(7) Å with the Mo/W ratio changing from 0.513(3)/0.487(3) to 0.078(4)/0.895(9). The thermal decomposition of [NiEn3](MoO4)0.5(WO4)0.5 individual crystals obtained by co-crystallisation was performed in He and H2 atmospheres. The ex situ X-ray study of thermal decomposition products shows the formation of nanocrystalline refractory alloys and carbide composites containing ternary Ni–Mo–W phases. The formation of carbon–nitride phases at certain stages of heating up to 1000 °C were shown.
Facile Synthesis of 1T-Phase MoS2 Nanosheets on N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes towards Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Wang Kunjie , Zhang Jiahui , Ye Yachen , Ma Hongbin , Liu Bingxin , Zhang Peng , Xu Benhua
Published: December 2021

1T-phase molybdenum disulfide is supposed to be one of the non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction with the highest potential. Herein, 1T-MoS2 nanosheets were anchored on N-doped carbon nanotubes by a simple hydrothermal process with the assistance of urea promotion transition of the 1T phase. Based on the 1T-MoS2 nanosheets anchored on the N-doped carbon nanotubes structures, 1T-MoS2 nanosheets can be said to have highly exposed active sites from edges and the basal plane, and the dopant N in carbon nanotubes can promote electron transfer between N-doped carbon nanotubes and 1T-MoS2 nanosheets. With the synergistic effects of this structure, the excellent 1T-MoS2/ N-doped carbon nanotubes catalyst has a small overpotential of 150 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a relatively low Tafel slope of 63 mV dec−1, and superior stability. This work proposes a new strategy to design high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts.
High In-Hospital Mortality Incidence Rate and Its Predictors in Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage Undergoing Endotracheal Intubation
Authors: Vo Hong-Khoi , Nguyen Cong-Hoang , Vo Hoang-Long
Published: December 2021

(1) Background: The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of in-hospital mortality and to investigate its predictors in patients with a primary intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) undergoing endotracheal intubation. (2) Methods: This retrospective study, between July 2018 to July 2019, recruited patients who were diagnosed with a primary ICH and who were intubated during treatment in our institution. The outcome variable was in-hospital mortality, known as 30-day mortality, in patients with ICH undergoing endotracheal intubation. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify the prediction of in-hospital mortality. (3) Results: A total of 180 patients with ICH undergoing endotracheal intubation were included, with a mean (SD) age of 62.64 (13.82) years. A total of 73.33% were female, and 71.11% of the patients were indicated for intubation due to neurological reasons. The in-hospital mortality rate, following endotracheal intubation, was 58.33%. In a reduced model using a stepwise backward selection strategy with p values < 0.2, independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were brain herniations on cranial CT scans (OR: 10.268, 95% CI: 2.749–38.344), lower Glasgow coma scale (CGS) scores before intubation (OR: 0.614, 95% CI: 0.482–0.782), and the loss of the vertical oculocephalic reflex before intubation (OR: 6.288, 95% CI: 2.473–15.985). Conclusions: The in-hospital mortality rate was comparable to that in the early evidence, but was significantly higher compared to recent reports. We infer that brain herniations on cranial CT imaging, lower CGS scores before intubation, and the loss of the vertical oculocephalic reflex before intubation could be used to approximately predict in-hospital mortality in patients with primary ICH undergoing endotracheal intubation. These considerations can help guide clinical decisions and community stroke discussions.
Fatty Acid Metabolism and Derived-Mediators Distinctive of PPAR-α Activation in Obese Subjects Post Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Manca Claudia , Pintus Stefano , Murru Elisabetta , Fantola Giovanni , Vincis Michela , Batetta Barbara , Moroni Enrico , Carta Gianfranca , Banni Sebastiano
Published: December 2021

Bariatric surger (BS) is characterized by lipid metabolic changes as a response to the massive release of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) from adipose depots. The study aimed at evaluating changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) metabolism and biosynthesis of the lipid mediators N-acylethanolamines (NAE), as indices of nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α activation. The observational study was performed on 35 subjects (27 female, 8 male) with obesity, undergoing bariatric surgery. We assessed plasma FA and NAE profiles by LC-MS/MS, clinical parameters and anthropometric measures before and 1 and 6 months after bariatric surgery. One month after bariatric surgery, as body weight and clinical parameters improved significantly, we found higher plasma levels of N-oleoylethanolamine, arachidonic and a 22:6-n3/20:5-n3 ratio as evidence of PPAR-α activation. These changes corresponded to higher circulating levels of NEFA and a steep reduction of the fat mass. After 6 months 22:6-n3/20:5-n3 remained elevated and fat mass was further reduced. Our data suggest that the massive release of NEFA from adipose tissue at 1-Post, possibly by inducing PPAR-α, may enhance FA metabolism contributing to fat depot reduction and improved metabolic parameters in the early stage. However, PUFA metabolic changes favor n6 PUFA biosynthesis, requiring a nutritional strategy aimed at reducing the n6/n3 PUFA ratio.
Epigenetics in Food Allergy and Immunomodulation
Authors: Cañas José A. , Núñez Rafael , Cruz-Amaya Anyith , Gómez Francisca , Torres María J. , Palomares Francisca , Mayorga Cristobalina
Published: December 2021

Food allergy (FA) is an increasing problem worldwide and, over recent years, its prevalence is rising in developed countries. Nowadays, the immunological and cellular processes that occur in the allergic reactions are not fully understood, which hampers the development of in vitro diagnostic tools and further treatment options. Moreover, allergic diseases could be reinforced by environmental exposure and genetic modifications. Gene expression can be controlled by different epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs. In addition, several environmental factors such as dietary components (vitamin D, butyrate, folic acid) are able to regulate this epigenetic mechanism. All these factors produce modifications in immune genes that could alter the development and function of immune cells, and therefore the etiology of the disease. Furthermore, these epigenetic mechanisms have also an influence on immunomodulation, which could explain sustained responsiveness or unresponsiveness during immunotherapy due to epigenetic modifications in key genes that induce tolerance in several FA. Thus, in this review we focus on the different epigenetic mechanisms that occur in FA and on the influence of several dietary components in these gene modifications.
Bioactive Diterpenes, Norditerpenes, and Sesquiterpenes from a Formosan Soft Coral Cespitularia sp.
Authors: Lin You-Cheng , Lin Chi-Chien , Chu Yi-Chia , Fu Chung-Wei , Sheu Jyh-Horng
Published: December 2021

Chemical investigation of the soft coral Cespitularia sp. led to the discovery of twelve new verticillane-type diterpenes and norditerpenes: cespitulins H–O (1–8), one cyclic diterpenoidal amide cespitulactam L (9), norditerpenes cespitulin P (10), cespitulins Q and R (11 and 12), four new sesquiterpenes: cespilins A–C (13–15) and cespitulolide (16), along with twelve known metabolites. The structures of these metabolites were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR experiments. Anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were studied by evaluating the suppression of pro-inflammatory protein tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) overproduction, and the inhibition of the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in lipopolysaccharide-induced dendritic cells. A number of these metabolites were found to exhibit promising anti-inflammatory activities.
Electrospun Fibers Loaded with Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Biomedical System for Skin Burn Treatment. A Review
Authors: Hermosilla Jeyson , Pastene-Navarrete Edgar , Acevedo Francisca
Published: December 2021

Burns are a major threat to public health and the economy due to their costly and laborious treatment and high susceptibility to infection. Efforts have been made recently to investigate natural bioactive compounds with potential use in wound healing. The importance lies in the capacities that these compounds could possess both in infection control by common and resistant microorganisms, as well as in the regeneration of the affected tissues, having in both cases low adverse effects. However, some bioactive molecules are chemically unstable, poorly soluble, and susceptible to oxidative degradation or have low bioavailability. Therefore, developing new technologies for an efficient treatment of wound healing poses a real challenge. In this context, electrospun nanofibers have gained increasing research interest because bioactive molecules can be easily loaded within the nanofiber, resulting in optimal burst control and enhanced drug stability. Additionally, the nanofibers can mimic the extracellular collagen matrix, providing a suitable highly porous structural support for growing cells that facilitate and accelerate skin burns healing. This review gives an overview of the current state of electrospun fibers loaded with natural bioactive compounds as a biomedical system for skin burn treatment.
Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Strategies to Repair the Mitochondrial Function in Neuroinflammatory and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: González Luis F. , Bevilacqua Lorenzo E. , Naves Rodrigo
Published: December 2021

Mitochondria are vital organelles in eukaryotic cells that control diverse physiological processes related to energy production, calcium homeostasis, the generation of reactive oxygen species, and cell death. Several studies have demonstrated that structural and functional mitochondrial disturbances are involved in the development of different neuroinflammatory (NI) and neurodegenerative (ND) diseases (NI&NDDs) such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Remarkably, counteracting mitochondrial impairment by genetic or pharmacologic treatment ameliorates neurodegeneration and clinical disability in animal models of these diseases. Therefore, the development of nanosystems enabling the sustained and selective delivery of mitochondria-targeted drugs is a novel and effective strategy to tackle NI&NDDs. In this review, we outline the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with unbalanced mitochondrial dynamics, altered mitophagy, oxidative stress, energy deficit, and proteinopathies in NI&NDDs. In addition, we review different strategies for selective mitochondria-specific ligand targeting and discuss novel nanomaterials, nanozymes, and drug-loaded nanosystems developed to repair mitochondrial function and their therapeutic benefits protecting against oxidative stress, restoring cell energy production, preventing cell death, inhibiting protein aggregates, and improving motor and cognitive disability in cellular and animal models of different NI&NDDs.
Novel Fluorinated Spermine and Small Molecule PEI to Deliver Anti-PD-L1 and Anti-VEGF siRNA for Highly Efficient Tumor Therapy
Authors: Zhang Yihui , Yuan Zihan , Jin Yi , Zhang Wenkai , Yuan Wei-En
Published: December 2021

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can specifically silence disease gene expression. This project investigated the overexpression of programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the surface of tumor cells. However, the main obstacle to the development of gene therapy drugs is the lack of an efficient delivery vector, which should be able to overcome multiple delivery barriers and protect siRNA to enter the target cells. Therefore, a novel fluorine-modified endogenous molecular carrier TFSPEI was constructed by linking fluorinated groups with hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics on the surface of PEI and spermine. The results showed that lower toxicity, higher endocytosis, and silencing efficiency were achieved. We found that the inhibition of VEGF targets can indirectly activate the immune response to promote the tumor-killing and invasion effects of T cells. The combined delivery of anti-VEGF siRNA and anti-PD-L1 siRNA could inhibit the expression of corresponding proteins, restore the anti-tumor function of T cells and inhibit the growth of neovascularization, and obtained significant anti-tumor effects. Therefore, this safe and efficient fluorinated spermine and small molecule PEI-based anti-PD-L1 and anti-VEGF siRNA delivery system is expected to provide a new strategy for gene therapy of tumors.
Strawberry Fungal Leaf Scorch Disease Identification in Real-Time Strawberry Field Using Deep Learning Architectures
Authors: Abbas Irfan , Liu Jizhan , Amin Muhammad , Tariq Aqil , Tunio Mazhar Hussain
Published: December 2021

Plant health is the basis of agricultural development. Plant diseases are a major factor for crop losses in agriculture. Plant diseases are difficult to diagnose correctly, and the manual disease diagnosis process is time consuming. For this reason, it is highly desirable to automatically identify the diseases in strawberry plants to prevent loss of crop quality. Deep learning (DL) has recently gained popularity in image classification and identification due to its high accuracy and fast learning. In this research, deep learning models were used to identify the leaf scorch disease in strawberry plants. Four convolutional neural networks (SqueezeNet, EfficientNet-B3, VGG-16 and AlexNet) CNN models were trained and tested for the classification of healthy and leaf scorch disease infected plants. The performance accuracy of EfficientNet-B3 and VGG-16 was higher for the initial and severe stage of leaf scorch disease identification as compared to AlexNet and SqueezeNet. It was also observed that the severe disease (leaf scorch) stage was correctly classified more often than the initial stage of the disease. All the trained CNN models were integrated with a machine vision system for real-time image acquisition under two different lighting situations (natural and controlled) and identification of leaf scorch disease in strawberry plants. The field experiment results with controlled lightening arrangements, showed that the model EfficientNet-B3 achieved the highest classification accuracy, with 0.80 and 0.86 for initial and severe disease stages, respectively, in real-time. AlexNet achieved slightly lower validation accuracy (0.72, 0.79) in comparison with VGGNet and EfficientNet-B3. Experimental results stated that trained CNN models could be used in conjunction with variable rate agrochemical spraying systems, which will help farmers to reduce agrochemical use, crop input costs and environmental contamination.
In Situ-Forming Cellulose/Albumin-Based Injectable Hydrogels for Localized Antitumor Therapy
Authors: Chen Ying , Wang Xiaomin , Huang Yudong , Kuang Peipei , Wang Yushu , Liu Yong , Yin Weihan , Zan Jiahui , Liu Yupeng , Yin Chao , Fan Quli
Published: December 2021

Injectable hydrogels, which are formed in situ by changing the external stimuli, have the unique characteristics of easy handling and minimal invasiveness, thus providing the advantage of bypass surgical operation and improving patient compliance. Using external temperature stimuli to realize the sol-to-gel transition when preparing injectable hydrogel is essential since the temperature is stable in vivo and controllable during ex vivo, although the hydrogels obtained possibly have low mechanical strength and stability. In this work, we designed an in situ fast-forming injectable cellulose/albumin-based hydrogel (HPC-g-AA/BSA hydrogels) that responded to body temperature and which was a well-stabilized hydrogen-bonding network, effectively solving the problem of poor mechanical properties. The application of localized delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs of HPC-g-AA/BSA hydrogels was evaluated. In vitro and in vivo results show that HPC-g-AA/BSA hydrogels exhibited higher antitumor efficacy of reducing tumor size and seem ideal for localized antitumor therapy.
Scientific Research in Ecuador: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Herrera-Franco Gricelda , Montalván-Burbano Néstor , Mora-Frank Carlos , Bravo-Montero Lady
Published: December 2021

Ecuador has shown a growth in its scientific production since 2011, representing 85% of the total historical production. These investigations are reflected in scientific publications, which address world interest topics and serve as a link for the university, business, and society. This work aims to analyze the scientific production generated by Ecuador in the period of 1920–2020 using bibliometric methods to evaluate its intellectual structure and performance. The methodology applied in this study includes: (i) terms definition and search criteria; (ii) database selection, initial search, and document compilation; (iii) data extraction and software selection; and finally, (iv) analysis of results. The results show that scientific production has been consolidated in 30,205 documents, developed in 27 subject areas, in 13 languages under the contribution of 84 countries. This intellectual structure is in harmony with the global context when presenting research topics related to “Biology and regional climate change”, “Higher education and its various approaches”, “Technology and Computer Science”, “Medicine”, “Energy, food and water”, and ”Development and applications on the Web”. Topics framed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainability, climate change, and others. This study contributes to the academic community, considering current re-search issues and global concerns, the collaboration between universities and countries that allow establishing future collaboration links.
Things Fall Apart: The Disintegration of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood
Authors: Wagemakers Joas
Published: December 2021

The Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood has been accepted by the Hashemite monarchy throughout most of its seventy-five-year history. Today, however, it is illegal and a new, more pro-regime version exists, as well as several other groups that have their roots in the organization. Based on a close reading of the Arabic writings by Salim al-Falahat, a former leader and current critic of the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as Jordanian media reports, this article seeks to explain how this falling apart of the organization happened. Many studies focus on fissures within the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood. I argue that while these are important to explain the underlying divisions underpinning this breakdown, it was actually the reformist ZamZam initiative launched in 2012 and the organization’s handling of its aftermath that caused the Muslim Brotherhood to fall apart in the ensuing years.
Bankruptcy Prediction with a Doubly Stochastic Poisson Forward Intensity Model and Low-Quality Data
Authors: Berent Tomasz , Rejman Radosław
Published: December 2021

With the record high leverage across all segments of the (global) economy, default prediction has never been more important. The excess cash illusion created in the context of COVID-19 may disappear just as quickly as the pandemic entered our world in 2020. In this paper, instead of using any scoring device to discriminate between healthy companies and potential defaulters, we model default probability using a doubly stochastic Poisson process. Our paper is unique in that it uses a large dataset of non-public companies with low-quality reporting standards and very patchy data. We believe this is the first attempt to apply the Duffie–Duan formulation to emerging markets at such a scale. Our results are comparable, if not more robust, than those obtained for public companies in developed countries. The out-of-sample accuracy ratios range from 85% to 76%, one and three years prior to default, respectively. What we lose in (data) quality, we regain in (data) quantity; the power of our tests benefits from the size of the sample: 15,122 non-financial companies from 2007 to 2017, unique in this research area. Our results are also robust to model specification (with different macro and company-specific covariates used) and statistically significant at the 1% level.
An Improved Equivalent Squint Range Model and Imaging Approach for Sliding Spotlight SAR Based on Highly Elliptical Orbit
Authors: Hu Xinchang , Wang Pengbo , Zeng Hongcheng , Guo Yanan
Published: December 2021

As an emerging orbital system with flexibility and brand application prospects, the highly elliptical orbit synthetic aperture radar (HEO SAR) can achieve both a low orbit detailed survey and continuous earth surface observation in high orbit, which could be applied to marine reconnaissance and surveillance. However, due to its large eccentricity, two challenges have been faced in the signal processing of HEO SAR at present. The first challenge is that the traditional equivalent squint range model (ESRM) fails to accurately describe the entire range for the whole orbit period including the perigee, the apogee, and the squint subduction section. The second one is to exploit an efficient HEO SAR imaging algorithm in the squinted case which solves the problem that traditional imaging algorithm fails to achieve the focused imaging processing of HEO SAR during the entire orbit period. In this paper, a novel imaging algorithm for HEO SAR is presented. Firstly, the signal model based on the geometric configuration of the large elliptical orbit is established and the Doppler parameter characteristics of SAR are analyzed. Secondly, due to the particularity of Doppler parameters variation in the whole period of HEO, the equivalent velocity and equivalent squint angle used in MESRM can no longer be applied, a refined fourth-order equivalent squint range model(R4-ESRM) that is suitable for HEO SAR is developed by introducing fourth-order Doppler parameter into Modified ESRM (MESRM), which accurately reconstructs the range history of HEO SAR. Finally, a novel imaging algorithm combining azimuth resampling and time-frequency domain hybrid correlation based on R4-ESRM is derived. Simulation is performed to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the presented algorithm and range model, showing that it achieves the precise phase compensation and well focusing.
Energy-Oriented Production Planning in Industry: A Systematic Literature Review and Classification Scheme
Authors: Terbrack Hajo , Claus Thorsten , Herrmann Frank
Published: December 2021

Scarcity of resources, structural change during the further development of renewable energy sources, and their corresponding costs, such as increasing resource costs or penalties due to dirty production, lead industrial firms to adapt ecological actions. In this regard, research on energy utilization in production planning has received increased attention in the last years, resulting in a large number of research articles so far. With the paper at hand, we review the literature on energy-oriented production planning. The aim of this study is to derive similar core issues and related properties along energy-oriented models within hierarchical production planning. For this, we carry out a systematic literature review and analyze and synthesize 375 research articles. We classify the underlying literature with a novel two-dimensional classification scheme and identify three key topics and five frequently found characteristics, which are presented in detail throughout this article. Based on these results, we state several potentials for further research.