bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Impact of Displacement Cascades on Tritium Diffusion in MgT2: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Zhang Siwei , Chen Size , Xiao Dan , Wang Chao , Wang Haixia , Zhang Yong , Li Taosheng
Published: April 2023

Molecular dynamics methods were utilized to investigate displacement cascades and tritium diffusion in α-MgT2. It was observed from collision cascades results that the stable number of defects weakly depended on temperature, while the peak and stable number of defects linearly increased with increasing the primary knock-on atom energy. The results of the mean square displacement study revealed that defects had a significant impact on tritium diffusion. The clustering of magnesium self-interstitial atoms and diffusing tritium atoms results in an increased diffusion barrier, whereas the formation of clusters between tritium interstitial atoms is relatively difficult and has no significant impact on the diffusion barrier. The presence of magnesium and tritium vacancies has a minimal effect on the diffusion barrier due to the large number of diffusing tritium atoms that offset the adsorption of vacancies on diffusing atoms. Both magnesium and tritium interstitial atoms increase the collision probability of diffusing atoms, leading to an increased diffusion prefactor. Magnesium vacancies cause significant lattice distortion, increasing the diffusion barrier, while the impact of tritium vacancies on the diffusion barrier is small due to their minimal lattice distortion effect. The research uncovered significant disparities in the diffusion properties of hydrogen and tritium, indicating that the results of the study of hydrogen storage could not be applied to tritium.
Optimization Research for the Adjusting Device of the Mechanical Vertical Drilling Tool Based on the Adjusting Torque
Authors: Ma Chaoqun , Zhang Kai , Liu Baolin , Wang Yue , Yan Chenyan , Chai Lin
Published: April 2023

The utilization of the adjusting device has been shown to significantly enhance the precision and stability of the mechanical vertical drilling tool. However, the inappropriate size of the structural parameters of the adjusting device will greatly affect its performance. Therefore, further improvements are necessary in order to optimize its performance. In order to achieve this, a thorough examination of the working principle and the various factors that influence the adjusting device is crucial. Through simulation and experimental methods, the function of the adjusting device was evaluated and potential solutions for the negative adjusting torque were proposed. By selecting appropriate values for the influencing factors, a more desirable adjusting torque with a reduced range of negative values can be obtained. Through a comparative analysis, the difference before and after optimization was evaluated. Furthermore, it was determined that the negative adjusting torque was caused by a reflux, primarily due to the diameter of the inlet and the flux area of the lower orifices. After optimization, the range of the adjusting torque that was beneficial to the adjusting device was extended to 15°~0°, providing a practical application in the drilling industry and serving as guidance for further optimization of the mechanical vertical drilling tool.
Co-EP-Ness and EP-Ness Involving the Inverse along an Element
Authors: Zou Honglin , Mosić Dijana , Zhu Huihui
Published: April 2023

Let a,d be two elements in rings and a∥d be the inverse of a along d. When a∥d exists, we obtain several characterizations for the invertibility of aa∥d−a∥da, which is related to the invertibility of elements expressed by certain functions of a,d and suitable elements from the center of the ring. On the other hand, some equivalent conditions for the equality aa∥d=a∥da, as the complement of the previous invertibility in some sense, are given by means of the group inverses and the ring units, respectively. Then, the results obtained are applied in a ∗-ring, namely, when d=a∗, the co-EP and EP properties are deduced correspondingly.
Prediction of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survival Outcomes Using a Hybrid Agnostic Explanation TabNet Model
Authors: Nguyen Hung Viet , Byeon Haewon
Published: April 2023

Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is contingent on time-sensitive interventions taken by onlookers, emergency call operators, first responders, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and hospital healthcare staff. By building integrated cardiac resuscitation systems of care, measurement systems, and techniques for assuring the correct execution of evidence-based treatments by bystanders, EMS professionals, and hospital employees, survival results can be improved. To aid in OHCA prognosis and treatment, we develop a hybrid agnostic explanation TabNet (HAE-TabNet) model to predict OHCA patient survival. According to the results, the HAE-TabNet model has an “Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value” (ROC AUC) score of 0.9934 (95% confidence interval 0.9933–0.9935), which outperformed other machine learning models in the previous study, such as XGBoost, k-nearest neighbors, random forest, decision trees, and logistic regression. In order to achieve model prediction explainability for a non-expert in the artificial intelligence field, we combined the HAE-TabNet model with a LIME-based explainable model. This HAE-TabNet model may assist medical professionals in the prognosis and treatment of OHCA patients effectively.
Accurate Solution for the Pantograph Delay Differential Equation via Laplace Transform
Authors: Alrebdi Reem , Al-Jeaid Hind K.
Published: April 2023

The Pantograph equation is a fundamental mathematical model in the field of delay differential equations. A special case of the Pantograph equation is well known as the Ambartsumian delay equation which has a particular application in Astrophysics. In this paper, the Laplace transform is successfully applied to solve the Pantograph delay equation. The solution is obtained in a closed series form in terms of exponential functions. This closed form reduces to the corresponding solution in the relevant literature for the Ambartsumian delay equation as a special case. In addition, the convergence of the obtained series is proved theoretically and validated graphically. Furthermore, the accuracy of the numerical results are estimated through several computations of the residual errors. It is shown that such residuals tend to zero, even in a huge domain. The obtained results reveal that the Laplace transform is a powerful approach to solve linear delay differential equations, including the Pantograph model.
An Approach Based on Cross-Attention Mechanism and Label-Enhancement Algorithm for Legal Judgment Prediction
Authors: Chen Junyi , Zhang Xuanqing , Zhou Xiabing , Han Yingjie , Zhou Qinglei
Published: April 2023

Legal Judgment Prediction aims to automatically predict judgment outcomes based on descriptions of legal cases and established law articles, and has received increasing attention. In the preliminary work, several problems still have not been adequately solved. One is how to utilize limited but valuable label information. Existing methods mostly ignore the gap between the description of established articles and cases, but directly integrate them. Second, most studies ignore the mutual constraint among the subtasks, such as logically or semantically, each charge is only related to some specific articles. To address these issues, we first construct a crime similarity graph and then perform a distillation operation to collect discriminate keywords for each charge. Furthermore, we fuse these discriminative keywords instead of established article descriptions into case embedding with a cross-attention mechanism to obtain deep semantic representations of cases incorporating label information. Finally, under a constraint among subtasks, we optimize the one-hot representation of ground-truth labels to guarantee consistent results across the subtasks based on the label-enhancement algorithm. To verify the effectiveness and robustness of our framework, we conduct extensive experiments on two public datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-art models by 3.89%/7.92% and 1.23%/2.50% in the average MF1-score of the subtasks on CAIL-Small/Big, respectively.
Tailoring the Micropore Structure of 6FDA-Based Network Polyimide Membranes for Advanced Gas Separation by Decarboxylation
Authors: Zhao Yuxuan , Wang Hongyan , Liu Xiangyun , Zong Xueping , Luo Jiangzhou , Xue Song
Published: April 2023

The 6FDA-based network PI has attracted significant attention for gas separation. A facile strategy to tailor the micropore structure within the network PI membrane prepared by the in situ crosslinking method is extremely significant for achieving an advanced gas separation performance. In this work, the 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (DCB) or 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DABA) comonomer was incorporated into the 6FDA-TAPA network polyimide (PI) precursor via copolymerization. The molar content and the type of carboxylic-functionalized diamine were varied in order to easily tune the resulting network PI precursor structure. Then, these network PIs containing carboxyl groups underwent further decarboxylation crosslinking during the following heat treatment. Properties involving thermal stabilities, solubility, d-spacing, microporosity, and mechanical properties were investigated. Due to the decarboxylation crosslinking, the d-spacing and the BET surface areas of the thermally treated membranes were increased. Moreover, the content of DCB (or DABA) played a key role in determining the overall gas separation performance of the thermally treated membranes. For instance, after the heating treatment at 450 °C, 6FDA-DCB:TAPA (3:2) showed a large increment of about ~532% for CO2 gas permeability (~266.6 Barrer) coupled with a decent CO2/N2 selectivity~23.6. This study demonstrates that incorporating the carboxyl-containing functional unit into the PI backbone to induce decarboxylation offers a practical approach with which to tailor the micropore structure and corresponding gas transport properties of 6FDA-based network PIs prepared by the in situ crosslinking method.
Ins and Outs of Rocker Switch Mechanism in Major Facilitator Superfamily of Transporters
Authors: Sauve Stephanie , Williamson Joseph , Polasa Adithya , Moradi Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

The major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters consists of three classes of membrane transporters: symporters, uniporters, and antiporters. Despite such diverse functions, MFS transporters are believed to undergo similar conformational changes within their distinct transport cycles, known as the rocker-switch mechanism. While the similarities between conformational changes are noteworthy, the differences are also important since they could potentially explain the distinct functions of symporters, uniporters, and antiporters of the MFS superfamily. We reviewed a variety of experimental and computational structural data on a select number of antiporters, symporters, and uniporters from the MFS family to compare the similarities and differences of the conformational dynamics of three different classes of transporters.
Weldability of Additive Manufactured Stainless Steel in Resistance Spot Welding
Authors: Kim Sehyeon , Park Seonghwan , Kim Mingyu , Kim Dong-Yoon , Park Jiyong , Yu Jiyoung
Published: April 2023

The manufacture of complicated automobile components that are joined by resistance spot welding requires considerable cost and time. The use of additive manufacturing technology to manufacture automobile components helps reduce the overall time consumption and yields high accuracy. In this study, the weldability of conventional (C) 316L stainless steel and additive manufactured (AM) 316L stainless steel was evaluated and analyzed. After deriving the lobe diagram for both the materials, the monitoring data, nugget diameter, tensile shear strength, and hardness were analyzed. The findings of the study have opened up a massive potential for use in resistance spot welding technology for additive manufactured materials’ industries in the forthcoming years. When AM 316L stainless steel was welded in the constant current control mode, a nugget diameter of up to 4.7 mm, which is below the international standard, could be secured. Through the constant power control mode, however, the nugget diameter could be improved to a sufficient level of 5.8 mm.
Dysglycemia Shapes Visceral Adipose Tissue’s Response to GIP, GLP-1 and Glucagon in Individuals with Obesity
Authors: Morais Tiago , Seabra Alexandre L. , Patrício Bárbara G. , Carrageta David F. , Guimarães Marta , Nora Mário , Oliveira Pedro F. , Alves Marco G. , Monteiro Mariana P.
Published: April 2023

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) metabolic fingerprints differ according to body mass index (BMI) and glycemic status. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon are gut-associated hormones that play an important role in regulating energy and glucose homeostasis, although their metabolic actions in VAT are still poorly characterized. Our aim was to assess whether GLP-1, GIP and glucagon influence the VAT metabolite profile. To achieve this goal, VAT harvested during elective surgical procedures from individuals (N = 19) with different BMIs and glycemic statuses was stimulated with GLP-1, GIP or glucagon, and culture media was analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance. In the VAT of individuals with obesity and prediabetes, GLP-1 shifted its metabolic profile by increasing alanine and lactate production while also decreasing isoleucine consumption, whereas GIP and glucagon decreased lactate and alanine production and increased pyruvate consumption. In summary, GLP-1, GIP and glucagon were shown to distinctively modulate the VAT metabolic profile depending on the subject’s BMI and glycemic status. In VAT from patients with obesity and prediabetes, these hormones induced metabolic shifts toward gluconeogenesis suppression and oxidative phosphorylation enhancement, suggesting an overall improvement in AT mitochondrial function.
Particle Size-Dependent Component Separation Using Serially Arrayed Micro-Chambers
Authors: Horade Mitsuhiro , Okumura Ryuusei , Yamawaki Tasuku , Yashima Masahito , Murakami Shuichi , Saiki Tsunemasa
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this research was to enable component separation based on simple control of the flow rate. We investigated a method that eliminated the need for a centrifuge and enabled easy component separation on the spot without using a battery. Specifically, we adopted an approach that uses microfluidic devices, which are inexpensive and highly portable, and devised the channel within the fluidic device. The proposed design was a simple series of connection chambers of the same shape, connected via interconnecting channels. In this study, polystyrene particles with different sizes were used, and their behavior was evaluated by experimentally observing the flow in the chamber using a high-speed camera. It was found that the objects with larger particle diameters required more time to pass, whereas the objects with smaller particle diameters flowed in a short time; this implied that the particles with a smaller size could be extracted more rapidly from the outlet. By plotting the trajectories of the particles for each unit of time, the passing speed of the objects with large particle diameters was confirmed to be particularly low. It was also possible to trap the particles within the chamber if the flow rate was below a specific threshold. By applying this property to blood, for instance, we expected plasma components and red blood cells to be extracted first.
Paper-Based Bi-Material Cantilever Actuator Bending Behavior and Modeling
Authors: Chen Gordon , Kumar Ashutosh , Heidari-Bafroui Hojat , Smith Winfield , Charbaji Amer , Rahmani Nassim , Anagnostopoulos Constantine , Faghri Mohammad
Published: April 2023

In this paper, the behavior of the Bi-Material Cantilever (B-MaC) response deflection upon fluidic loading was experimentally studied and modeled for bilayer strips. A B-MaC consists of a strip of paper adhered to a strip of tape. When fluid is introduced, the paper expands while the tape does not, which causes the structure to bend due to strain mismatch, similar to the thermal loading of bi-metal thermostats. The main novelty of the paper-based bilayer cantilevers is the mechanical properties of two different types of material layers, a top layer of sensing paper and a bottom layer of actuating tape, to create a structure that can respond to moisture changes. When the sensing layer absorbs moisture, it causes the bilayer cantilever to bend or curl due to the differential swelling between the two layers. The portion of the paper strip that gets wet forms an arc, and as the fluid advances and fully wets the B-MaC, the entire B-MaC assumes the shape of the initial arc. This study showed that paper with higher hygroscopic expansion forms an arc with a smaller radius of curvature, whereas thicker tape with a higher Young’s modulus forms an arc with a larger radius of curvature. The results showed that the theoretical modeling could accurately predict the behavior of the bilayer strips. The significance of paper-based bilayer cantilevers lies in their potential applications in various fields, such as biomedicine, and environmental monitoring. In summary, the novelty and significance of paper-based bilayer cantilevers lie in their unique combination of sensing and actuating capabilities using a low-cost and environmentally friendly material.
Response of Sagebrush Steppe Grass Species to AMF Inoculum Sources and Biochar
Authors: Prado-Tarango David Eduardo , Mata-González Ricardo , Hovland Matthew
Published: April 2023

The sagebrush steppe has presented increasing levels of degradation. The addition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and biochar have been suggested to restore ecosystems. However, little is known about their effects on sagebrush steppe plants. We tested three sources of AMF inoculum: soil from a disturbed site (Inoculum A), soil from an undisturbed site (Inoculum B), and commercial inoculum (Inoculum C), all with and without biochar, to test if they could mediate growth of Pseudoroegneria spicata (native perennial), Taeniatherum caput-medusae (early seral; exotic annual) and Ventenata dubia (early seral; exotic annual) under greenhouse conditions. We measured AMF colonization and biomass. We hypothesized that the plant species would be differently affected by the inoculum types. The colonization of T. caput-medusae and V. dubia was greatest when inoculated with Inoculum A (38.8% and 19.6%). In contrast, the colonization of P. spicata was greatest with Inoculum B and Inoculum C (32.1% and 32.2). Biochar decreased biomass production but increased colonization with Inoculum A for P. spicata and V. dubia and with Inoculum C for T. caput-medusae. This study reveals the response of early and late seral sagebrush steppe grass species to contrasting sources of AMF and suggests that late seral plant species respond better to late seral inocula.
Grass–Legume Mixture with Rhizobium Inoculation Enhanced the Restoration Effects of Organic Fertilizer
Authors: Zhang Haijuan , Zheng Kaifu , Gu Songsong , Wang Yingcheng , Zhou Xueli , Yan Huilin , Ma Kun , Zhao Yangan , Jin Xin , Lu Guangxin , Deng Ye
Published: April 2023

The establishment of artificial grassland is crucial in restoring degraded grassland and resolving the forage–livestock conflict, and the application of organic fertilizer and complementary seeding of grass–legume mixture are effective methods to enhance grass growth in practice. However, its mechanism behind the underground is largely unclear. Here, by utilizing organic fertilizer in the alpine region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, this study assessed the potential of grass–legume mixtures with and without the inoculation of Rhizobium for the restoration of degraded grassland. The results demonstrated that the application of organic fertilizer can increase the forage yield and soil nutrient contents of degraded grassland, and they were 0.59 times and 0.28 times higher than that of the control check (CK), respectively. The community composition and structure of soil bacteria and fungi were also changed by applying organic fertilizer. Based on this, the grass–legume mixture inoculated with Rhizobium can further increase the contribution of organic fertilizer to soil nutrients and thus enhance the restoration effects for degraded artificial grassland. Moreover, the application of organic fertilizer significantly increased the colonization of gramineous plant by native mycorrhizal fungi, which was ~1.5–2.0 times higher than CK. This study offers a basis for the application of organic fertilizer and grass–legume mixture in the ecological restoration of degraded grassland.
Fundamental Aspects of Skin Cancer Drugs via Degree-Based Chemical Bonding Topological Descriptors
Authors: Khan Abdul Rauf , Awan Nadeem ul Hassan , Ghani Muhammad Usman , Eldin Sayed M. , Karamti Hanen , Jawhari Ahmed H. , Mukhrish Yousef E.
Published: April 2023

Due to significant advancements being made in the field of drug design, the use of topological descriptors remains the primary approach. When combined with QSPR models, descriptors illustrate a molecule’s chemical properties numerically. Numbers relating to chemical composition topological indices are structures that link chemical composition to physical characteristics. This research concentrates on the analysis of curvilinear regression models and degree-based topological descriptors for thirteen skin cancer drugs. The physicochemical characteristics of the skin cancer drugs are examined while regression models are built for computed index values. An analysis is performed for several significant results based on the acquired data.
Chemical Profile Determination and Quantitative Analysis of Components in Oryeong-san Using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS and UPLC-TQ-MS/MS
Authors: Jang Seol , Lee Ami , Hwang Youn-Hwan
Published: April 2023

In this study, a method to both qualitatively and quantitively analyze the components of Oryeong-san (ORS), which is composed of five herbal medicines (Alisma orientale Juzepzuk, Polyporus umbellatus Fries, Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi, Poria cocos Wolf, and Cinnamomum cassia Presl) and is prescribed in traditional Oriental medicine practices, was established for the first time. First, ORS components were profiled using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry, and 19 compounds were clearly identified via comparison against reference standard compounds. Subsequently, a quantitative method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was established to simultaneously measure the identified compounds. Nineteen compounds were accurately quantified using the multiple-reaction-monitoring mode and used to analyze the sample; we confirmed that coumarin was the most abundant compound. The method was validated, achieving good linearity (R2 ≤ 0.9991), recovery (RSD, 0.11–3.15%), and precision (RSD, 0.35–9.44%). The results suggest that this method offers a strategy for accurately and effectively determining the components of ORS, and it can be used for quality assessment and management.
Polygonum orientale L. Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Induced Injury via Activation of MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Fu Changli , Wang Mingjin , Lu Yuan , Pan Jie , Li Yueting , Li Yongjun , Wang Yonglin , Wang Aimin , Huang Yong , Sun Jia , Liu Chunhua
Published: April 2023

Although Polygonum orientale L. (PO) has a beneficial effect on treatment of myocardial ischemia (MI), its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of PO against MI through MAPK signaling pathways. Firstly, the therapeutic effect of PO was evaluated for treatment of MI mice. Using Western blot and immunohistochemistry, the influence of PO on MAPK signaling pathways and cell apoptosis was investigated. Subsequently, one key pathway (ERK) of MAPK signaling pathways was screened out, on which PO posed the most obvious impact. Finally, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 was utilized to further verify the regulatory effect of PO on the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. It was found that PO could reduce the elevation of the ST segment; injury of heart tissue; the activity of LDH, CK, NOS, cNOS and iNOS and the levels of NO, BNP, TNF-α and IL-6. It is notable that PO could significantly modulate the protein content of p-ERK/ERK in mice suffering from MI but hardly had an effect on p-JNK/JNK and p-p38/p38. Additionally, the expressions of bax, caspase3 and caspase9 were inhibited in heart tissue in the PO-treated group. To evaluate whether ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) could block the effect of PO on treatment of MI, both PO and PD98059 were given to mice with MI. It was discovered that the inhibitor indeed could significantly reverse the regulatory effects of PO on the above indicators, indicating that PO could regulate p-ERK/ERK. This study provides experimental evidence that PO extenuates MI injury, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
Alginate–Chitosan Membranes for the Encapsulation of Lavender Essential Oil and Development of Biomedical Applications Related to Wound Healing
Authors: Cruz Sánchez Encarnación , García María Teresa , Pereira Joana , Oliveira Filipe , Craveiro Rita , Paiva Alexandre , Gracia Ignacio , García-Vargas Jesús Manuel , Duarte Ana Rita C.
Published: April 2023

Biopolymers such as chitosan (CHT) or alginate (ALG) are among the most prominent for health-related applications due to their broad bioactivity. Their combination for the preparation of membranes is hereby proposed as an application for wound healing with the incorporation of lavender essential oil (LEO), widely known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The preparation of CHT, CHT + LEO, ALG, ALG + LEO, and CHT/ALG + LEO membranes was accomplished, and its composition was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The water absorption capacity and oil release profile of the membranes revealed higher water uptake capacity when a lower LEO release was obtained. The combined CHT/ALG + LEO film showed a water uptake percentage of 638% after 48 h and a maximum LEO release concentration of 42 mg/L. Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the prepared membranes were studied using a HaCaT cell line, with an assessment of cell viability regarding film leachables, DNA quantification, and DAPI-phalloidin staining. The results revealed that the indirect contact of the prepared membranes via its leachables does not compromise cell viability, and upon direct contact, cells do not adhere or proliferate on the surface of the membranes. Moreover, the CHT/ALG + LEO membrane increases cell proliferation, making it suitable for applications in wound healing.
Biological Activities of Sargassum Algae Mediated ZnO and Co Doped ZnO Nanoparticles as Enhanced Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Agents
Authors: Rudayni Hassan Ahmed , Rabie Abdelrahman M. , Aladwani Malak , Alneghery Lina M. , Abu-Taweel Gasem M. , Al Zoubi Wail , Allam Ahmed A. , Abukhadra Mostafa R. , Bellucci Stefano
Published: April 2023

Brown macroalgae (BMG) were used as carriers for ZnO (ZnO/BMG) and cobalt-doped ZnO (Co-ZnO/BMG) via facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The multifunctional structures of synthesized composites were evaluated as enhanced antioxidant and anti-diabetic agents based on the synergistic effects of ZnO, Co-ZnO, and BMG. BMG substrate incorporation and cobalt doping notably enhanced the bioactivity of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. As an antioxidant, the Co-ZnO/BMG composite exhibited highly effective scavenging properties for the common free reactive oxygen radicals (DPPH [89.6 ± 1.5%], nitric oxide [90.2 ± 1.3%], ABTS [87.7 ± 1.8%], and O2●− [46.7 ± 1.9%]) as compared to ascorbic acid. Additionally, its anti-diabetic activity was enhanced significantly and strongly inhibited essential oxidative enzymes (porcine α-amylase (90.6 ± 1.5%), crude α-amylase (84.3 ± 1.8%), pancreatic α-glucosidase (95.7 ± 1.4%), crude intestinal α-glucosidase (93.4 ± 1.8%), and amyloglucosidase (96.2 ± 1.4%)). Co-ZnO/BMG inhibitory activity was higher than that of miglitol, and in some cases, higher than or close to that of acarbose. Therefore, the synthetic Co-ZnO/BMG composite can be used as a commercial anti-diabetic and antioxidant agent, considering the cost and adverse side effects of current drugs. The results also demonstrate the impact of cobalt doping and BMG integration on the biological activity of ZnO.
PROTACs in the Management of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yedla Poornachandra , Babalghith Ahmed O. , Andra Vindhya Vasini , Syed Riyaz
Published: April 2023

Cancer treatments with targeted therapy have gained immense interest due to their low levels of toxicity and high selectivity. Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have drawn special attention in the development of cancer therapeutics owing to their unique mechanism of action, their ability to target undruggable proteins, and their focused target engagement. PROTACs selectively degrade the target protein through the ubiquitin–proteasome system, which describes a different mode of action compared to conventional small-molecule inhibitors or even antibodies. Among different cancer types, prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent non-cutaneous cancer in men. Genetic alterations and the overexpression of several genes, such as FOXA1, AR, PTEN, RB1, TP53, etc., suppress the immune response, resulting in drug resistance to conventional drugs in prostate cancer. Since the progression of ARV-110 (PROTAC for PC) into clinical phases, the focus of research has quickly shifted to protein degraders targeting prostate cancer. The present review highlights an overview of PROTACs in prostate cancer and their superiority over conventional inhibitors. We also delve into the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and explain the structural design and linkerology strategies for PROTAC molecules. Additionally, we touch on the various targets for PROTAC in prostate cancer, including the androgen receptor (AR) and other critical oncoproteins, and discuss the future prospects and challenges in this field.
Investigation of Program Efficiency Overshoot in 3D Vertical Channel NAND Flash with Randomly Distributed Traps
Authors: Park Chanyang , Yoon Jun-Sik , Nam Kihoon , Jang Hyundong , Park Minsang , Baek Rock-Hyun
Published: April 2023

The incremental step pulse programming slope (ISPP) with random variation was investigated by measuring numerous three−dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory cells with a vertical nanowire channel. We stored multiple bits in a cell with the ISPP scheme and read each cell pulse by pulse. The excessive tunneling from the channel to the storage layer determines the program efficiency overshoot. Then, a broadening of the threshold voltage distribution was observed due to the abnormal program cells. To analyze the randomly varying abnormal program behavior itself, we distinguished between the read variation and over−programming in measurements. Using a 3D Monte−Carlo simulation, which is a probabilistic approach to solve randomness, we clarified the physical origins of over−programming that strongly influence the abnormal program cells in program step voltage, and randomly distributed the trap site in the nitride of a nanoscale 3D NAND string. These causes have concurrent effects, but we divided and analyzed them quantitatively. Our results reveal the origins of the variation and the overshoot in the ISPP, widening the threshold voltage distribution with traps randomly located at the nanoscale. The findings can enhance understanding of random over−programming and help mitigate the most problematic programming obstacles for multiple−bit techniques.
Application of Inorganic Nanomaterials in Cultural Heritage Conservation, Risk of Toxicity, and Preventive Measures
Authors: Gomez-Villalba Luz Stella , Salcines Ciro , Fort Rafael
Published: April 2023

Nanotechnology has allowed for significant progress in architectural, artistic, archaeological, or museum heritage conservation for repairing and preventing damages produced by deterioration agents (weathering, contaminants, or biological actions). This review analyzes the current treatments using nanomaterials, including consolidants, biocides, hydrophobic protectives, mechanical resistance improvers, flame-retardants, and multifunctional nanocomposites. Unfortunately, nanomaterials can affect human and animal health, altering the environment. Right now, it is a priority to stop to analyze its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the aims are to raise awareness about the nanotoxicity risks during handling and the subsequent environmental exposure to all those directly or indirectly involved in conservation processes. It reports the human–body interaction mechanisms and provides guidelines for preventing or controlling its toxicity, mentioning the current toxicity research of main compounds and emphasizing the need to provide more information about morphological, structural, and specific features that ultimately contribute to understanding their toxicity. It provides information about the current documents of international organizations (European Commission, NIOSH, OECD, Countries Normative) about worker protection, isolation, laboratory ventilation control, and debris management. Furthermore, it reports the qualitative risk assessment methods, management strategies, dose control, and focus/receptor relationship, besides the latest trends of using nanomaterials in masks and gas emissions control devices, discussing their risk of toxicity.
Visible Laser Light Mediated Cancer Therapy via Photothermal Effect of Tannin-Stabilized Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Gupta Nikesh , Gupta Chetna , Bohidar Himadri B.
Published: April 2023

Super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs/Fe3O4) were synthesized in aqueous medium under a nitrogen atmosphere. These particles were made water-dispersible by cladding them with tannic acid (TA). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for their size and surface charge using HRTEM and zetasizer. It was found that the size of the particles formed was around 15 nm with almost spherical morphology and negative surface charge. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) data attributed a super-paramagnetic nature to these nanoparticles. The photo-thermal dynamics of these magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles was characterized by exciting their dispersions with laser radiation in the visible region (635 nm). Remarkably, 17 min of laser irradiation of the dispersion raised its temperature by ~25 °C (25 to 49.8 °C), whereas for the solvent, it was limited to not more than 4 °C (after 60 min). Thus, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles generated localized hyperthermia for potential use in cancer therapy of tumor management. The photo-thermal dynamics of these nanoparticles was investigated in-vitro for cancer therapy, and it was clearly shown that cancer cell growth was inhibited, and considerable cellular damage occurred when cells were incubated with laser-activated magnetic nanoparticles. No noticeable innate toxicity of the nanoparticles was observed on cancer cell lines. The effectiveness of these nanoparticles was studied on several malignant cell lines, and an acceptable Fe3O4 concentration range was subsequently determined for generating substantial cell death by hyperthermia, but not inherent toxicity. Therefore, we concluded that this nano-system is effective and less time consuming for the treatment of malignant diseases such as cancer.
The Risk of Breast Cancer between Western and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns
Authors: Tsai Hsueh-Han , Yu Jyh-Cherng , Hsu Huan-Ming , Chu Chi-Hong , Chang Tzu-Ming , Hong Zhi-Jie , Feng An-Chieh , Fu Chun-Yu , Hsu Kuo-Feng , Dai Ming-Shen , Liao Guo-Shiou
Published: April 2023

Breast cancer is a significant public health problem globally and prevention strategies have become of great interest as its incidence rises. Exploring the connection between dietary patterns and the reduction of breast cancer risk is considered a promising approach. High levels of fiber, phytochemicals, a good antioxidant profile, and a composition of advantageous fatty acids are characteristics of healthy dietary programs such as the Mediterranean diet. This review summarized and discussed the active compounds that are considered important in preventing breast cancer, including dietary components from recent related reports. These include polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, phytochemicals, and alcohol. Although the exact mechanism for preventing breast cancer using these dietary factors is not well understood, the combination of all the elements in a healthy diet plays a role in reducing breast cancer risk. Considering the elevated probability of breast cancer relapse and mortality, it is crucial to investigate the correlation between a nutritious dietary pattern and breast cancer, while identifying bioactive components that have the potential to mitigate the risk of breast cancer incidence.
Albumin Deficiency Reduces Hepatic Steatosis and Improves Glucose Metabolism in a Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Abdollahi Afsoun , Narayanan Sanjeev K. , Frankovich Alexandra , Lai Yen-Chun , Zhang Yi , Henderson Gregory C.
Published: April 2023

Serum albumin facilitates the transport of free fatty acids (FFAs) from adipose tissue to other organs. It was not known if impeding this process could protect from hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunction in obesity. We tested whether albumin knockout (Alb−/−) mice would exhibit a reduction in plasma FFA concentration, reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, and improved glucoregulation as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Male homozygous albumin knockout mice (Alb−/−) and WT controls were fed a low-fat diet (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD). Alb−/− mice exhibited a similar body weight gain and body composition as WT on both diets. Despite HFD-induced obesity, Alb−/− mice were protected from various comorbidities. Compared to WT mice on the HFD, Alb−/− exhibited lower plasma FFA levels, lower blood glucose levels during glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, and lower hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Alb−/− mice on HFD also exhibited elevated expression of multiple genes in the liver and adipose tissues, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α in both tissues, as well as glucose transporter-4 and adiponectin in adipose tissues. The results indicate that albumin’s FFA transport function may be involved in the development of hepatic lipid accumulation and dysregulated glucose metabolism in obesity.
The Effects of Multiple Micronutrient Fortified Beverage and Responsive Caregiving Interventions on Early Childhood Development, Hemoglobin, and Ferritin among Infants in Rural Guatemala
Authors: Kowalski Alysse J. , Mayen Victor Alfonso , de Ponce Silvia , Lambden Kaley B. , Tilton Nick , Villanueva Lisa M. , Palacios Ana M. , Reinhart Gregory A. , Hurley Kristen M. , Black Maureen M.
Published: April 2023

Undernutrition and a lack of learning opportunities can jeopardize long-term growth and development among infants in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a 6-month 2 × 2 cluster-randomized trial to assess the effects of multiple micronutrient-fortified beverages and responsive caregiving interventions among infants 6–18 months in 72 community sectors in southwest Guatemala. We administered baseline and endline assessments of childhood development (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development) and socioemotional development (Brief Infant Toddler Socio-Emotional Assessment) and measured ferritin and hemoglobin on a subsample. The trial was analyzed using linear mixed models. At the baseline, the mean age (SD) was 13.0 (4.6) months, including 49% males, 32% who were stunted, 55% who were anemic, and 58% who were iron deficient. At the endline (n = 328/386, 85% retention), there was no synergistic effect on the fortified beverage and responsive caregiving intervention. Compared to the non-fortified beverage group, socioemotional development improved in the fortified beverage group. There were no intervention effects on other measures of child development, hemoglobin, or ferritin. In a setting with high rates of anemia and iron deficiency, a multiple micronutrient-fortified beverage improved infants’ socioemotional development.
Food Sustainability Knowledge, Attitudes, and Dietary Habits among Students and Professionals of the Health Sciences
Authors: Irazusta-Garmendia Ainhoa , Orpí Emma , Bach-Faig Anna , González Svatetz Carlos
Published: April 2023

The importance of a sustainable diet is an emerging concept within sustainable food systems. Food systems emit 30% of greenhouse gases, which needs to change. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and habits of students and professionals in the health sciences regarding a sustainable diet, comparing these to the Spanish population. We further aimed to analyse the consistency between the knowledge and attitudes of these individuals and their dietary habits and analyse the consumption of different food groups that are typical of a sustainable diet. A survey was completed by a total of 415 participants, both university students in the health sciences and health professionals. These two groups were more knowledgeable of sustainable diets than the general population, although certain concepts are unfamiliar to both populations. A positive attitude towards sustainable food habits was also observed among the population studied. The health sector reported having better eating habits than the overall population. A significant positive correlation was observed between higher fruit and vegetable consumption and deeper knowledge and more favourable attitudes. People with less knowledge and worse attitudes reported consuming more red and processed meat. The findings of this study could inform targeted interventions for health professionals given the need to promote a healthy diet but also a healthy and sustainable diet for planetary health.
A Novel Synthetic Oleanolic Acid Derivative Inhibits Glioma Cell Proliferation by Regulating Cell Cycle G2/M Arrest
Authors: Tsai Tai-Hsin , Tsai Cheng-Yu , Moi Sin-Hua , Wu Chieh-Hsin , Lee Kuan-Ting , Hsu Yi-Chiang , Su Yu-Feng
Published: April 2023

2-Cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid-9,11-dihydro-trifluoroethyl amide (CDDO-dhTFEA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, whether CDDO-dhTFEA has anticancer effects is unclear. The objective of this research was to investigate the possibility of CDDO-dhTFEA as a potential cancer-fighting treatment in glioblastoma cells. Our experiments were performed on U87MG and GBM8401 cells, and we found that CDDO-dhTFEA was effective in reducing cell proliferation in both cell lines, in a manner that was dependent on both time and concentration. Additionally, we observed that CDDO-dhTFEA had a significant impact on the regulation of cell proliferation, which was evident in the increase in DNA synthesis that was observed in both cell types. CDDO-dhTFEA induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and mitotic delay, which may be associated with the inhibition of proliferation. Treatment with CDDO-dhTFEA led to cell cycle G2/M arrest and inhibited proliferation of U87MG and GBM8401 cells by regulating G2/M cell cycle proteins and gene expression in GBM cells in vitro.
Combined Treatment of Cancer Cells Using Allyl Palladium Complexes Bearing Purine-Based NHC Ligands and Molecules Targeting MicroRNAs miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p: Synergistic Effects on Apoptosis
Authors: Tupini Chiara , Zurlo Matteo , Gasparello Jessica , Lodi Irene , Finotti Alessia , Scattolin Thomas , Visentin Fabiano , Gambari Roberto , Lampronti Ilaria
Published: April 2023

Combined treatments employing lower concentrations of different drugs are used and studied to develop new and more effective anticancer therapeutic approaches. The combination therapy could be of great interest in the controlling of cancer. Regarding this, our research group has recently shown that peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that target miR-221 are very effective and functional in inducing apoptosis of many tumor cells, including glioblastoma and colon cancer cells. Moreover, in a recent paper, we described a series of new palladium allyl complexes showing a strong antiproliferative activity on different tumor cell lines. The present study was aimed to analyze and validate the biological effects of the most active compounds tested, in combination with antagomiRNA molecules targeting two miRNAs, miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p. The obtained results show that a “combination therapy”, produced by combining the antagomiRNAs targeting miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p and the palladium allyl complex 4d, is very effective in inducing apoptosis, supporting the concept that the combination treatment of cancer cells with antagomiRNAs targeting a specific upregulated oncomiRNAs (in this study miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p) and metal-based compounds represents a promising therapeutic strategy to increase the efficacy of the antitumor protocol, reducing side effects at the same time.
Hydrogel Drug Delivery Systems for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Bai Long , Tao Gang , Feng Maogeng , Xie Yuping , Cai Shuyu , Peng Shuanglin , Xiao Jingang
Published: April 2023

With the in-depth understanding of bone regeneration mechanisms and the development of bone tissue engineering, a variety of scaffold carrier materials with desirable physicochemical properties and biological functions have recently emerged in the field of bone regeneration. Hydrogels are being increasingly used in the field of bone regeneration and tissue engineering because of their biocompatibility, unique swelling properties, and relative ease of fabrication. Hydrogel drug delivery systems comprise cells, cytokines, an extracellular matrix, and small molecule nucleotides, which have different properties depending on their chemical or physical cross-linking. Additionally, hydrogels can be designed for different types of drug delivery for specific applications. In this paper, we summarize recent research in the field of bone regeneration using hydrogels as delivery carriers, detail the application of hydrogels in bone defect diseases and their mechanisms, and discuss future research directions of hydrogel drug delivery systems in bone tissue engineering.