bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Index of Energy Dissipation Considering Time Factor under the Impact Loads
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Guo Lianjun , Xu Zhenyang , Wang Junxiang , Deng Ding , Xu Jinglong , Hu Zhihang
Published: February 2022

Rock failure phenomena are accompanied by abundant energy variation, and the energy dissipation can explain the dynamic mechanical characteristics of the rock. In this study, a series of granite specimens (a total of 60) with different aspect ratios were dynamically loaded by a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) to explain the energy dissipation and the rock-crushing degree under dynamic load. A new index, namely energy time density (wtd), is proposed to evaluate the energy dissipation considering the time factor. The relationships between strain rate, energy time density, and specific energy absorption are analyzed. A metric (Ku) is defined to describe the degree of rock fragmentation quantitatively. The correlations of fractal dimension and Ku with different impact pressures are compared. It was concluded that there is a noticeable peak point in the energy time density curve. The energy time density of the stress equilibrium point is three times that of the peak point. The energy time density declines after the peak point, then the energy consumption density tends to be stable. The linear relationship between strain rate and peak point energy time density is stronger. The new index can describe energy dissipation well under dynamic loading. In addition, the experimental results indicate that the degree of crush Ku can describe the degree of crush, and the effect of fractal dimension to quantify the fracture characteristics of the rocks is less good in this test. The crushing degree of rocks increases with the increase of strain rate. Furthermore, the prediction effect of energy time density is better than that of strain rate about Ku.
Method of Data Selection for Turning of Inconel 718 Alloy Obtained by Casting and Laser Sintering Powder
Authors: Latosińska Ksenia , Struzikiewicz Grzegorz , Zębala Wojciech
Published: February 2022

This article focuses on the issues related to the machining of DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) laser sintered parts made of Inconel 718 alloy. Longitudinal turning with CBN (cubic boron nitride) tool inserts is analyzed. The authors made an attempt to establish a procedure to find the optimal finishing cutting parameters while minimizing the specific cutting force and taking into account the machined surface quality criterion. During experiments the influence of cutting data on the values of cutting force and specific cutting force were performed. Moreover, the results of measurements of surface roughness parameters and the results of analysis of chip form are presented as well. Cast Inconel 718 has also been tested for comparative purposes. The variability of the material’s hardening state during machining was found, as well as the variability of the specific cutting force value as a function of the cross-sectional shape of the cutting layer. The values of all components of the total cutting force for turning the material obtained by the additive method are lower than for turning the cast material by approximately 32%. At the end of the article, the authors present an application of the proposed optimization algorithm. It was established that by changing the cross-section shape of the cutting layer, it was possible to perform the turning process at a specific cutting force value of 22% less, which is achieved by reducing the cross-section size.
Formation and Growth of Intermetallic Compounds in Lead-Free Solder Joints: A Review
Authors: Ramli Mohd Izrul Izwan , Salleh Mohd Arif Anuar Mohd , Abdullah Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri , Zaimi Nur Syahirah Mohamad , Sandu Andrei Victor , Vizureanu Petrica , Rylski Adam , Amli Siti Farahnabilah Muhd
Published: February 2022

Recently, research into the factors that influence the formation and growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) layer in lead-free solders has piqued interest, as IMCs play an important role in solder joints. The reliability of solder joints is critical to the long-term performance of electronic products. One of the most important factors which are known to influence solder joint reliability is the intermetallic compound (IMC) layer formed between the solder and the substrate. Although the formation of an IMC layer signifies good bonding between the solder and substrate, its main disadvantage is due to its brittle nature. This paper reviews the formation and growth of IMCs in lead-free solder joints detailing the effect of alloying additions, surface finishes, aging time, aging temperature and solder volume. The formation and growth of the brittle IMCs were significantly affected by these factors and could be possibly controlled. This review may be used as a basis in understanding the major factors effecting the IMC formation and growth and relating it to the reliability of solder joints.
Ambient-Dried Silica Aerogel Powders Derived from Coal Gangue by Using One-Pot Method
Authors: Wei Jian , Zhu Pinghua , Sun Hao
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we report a new and convenient method for the synthesis of insulating aerogel by recycling solid waste coal gangue, which can reduce the industrial production cost of silica aerogels and realize high value-added utilization of solid waste. Sodium silicate was prepared from a cheap industrial waste coal gangue as the precursor for silica aerogels, which was used for silica wet gel preparation by a one pot method; this method of solvent exchange/surface modification was carried out quickly by mechanical stirring process, and the wet gels derived from coal gangue were dried under ambient pressure condition. A high surface area (~748 m2/g) nanostructured aerogel with a 3D open porous microstructure was synthesized, which exhibits a low density (~0.18 g/cm3) and a superior thermal insulation performance (~0.033 W·m−1·K−1). More significantly, the synthetic yield of silica aerogel powder by recycling coal gangue can reach 92%.
Preparation and Chromaticity Control of CoTiO3/NiTiO3 Co-Coated TiO2 Composite Pigments
Authors: Chen Yuan , Guo Wei , Huang Yuan , Chang Ying , Wei Zhishun , Jiang Jiuxin , Boulet Pascal , Record Marie-Christine
Published: February 2022

In this study, home-made amorphous TiO2 microspheres with good mono-dispersity and large numbers of mesopores on the surface were used as substrates. The intermediate microspheres were obtained by adding Co/Ni sources with different Co/Ni molar ratios in a water bath and making them react by water bath heating. By calcining the intermediate microspheres deposited on the TiO2 ones, a core–shell structured spherical CoTiO3/NiTiO3 inorganic composite pigment was prepared. The synthesized pigments were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), laser particle size (LPS) analysis and colorimetry. The results show that when the calcination temperature is 800 °C and the Co/Ni molar ratio is 0.5:0.5, the pigments consist of a TiO2 core and outer ilmenite CoTiO3/NiTiO3 shell. Moreover, the surface of the product microspheres is smooth, and the particles are of regular sphericity with a uniform particle size of about 1.8 μm. The colorimetric analysis from the samples calcined at 800 °C shows color changes from yellow-green to dark green as the Co/Ni molar ratio increases (0.1:0.9 to 0.9:0.1). A Co/Ni molar ratio that is too high or too low results in the formation of by-products such as Co3O4 or NiO, respectively, which adhere to the product surface and affect the chromaticity of the product. This work has enabled the chromatic modulation of yellow-green inorganic pigments, providing a solution for the preparation of spherical inorganic pigments that are more suitable for industrial inkjet printing.
A Class-Incremental Learning Method Based on Preserving the Learned Feature Space for EEG-Based Emotion Recognition
Authors: Jiménez-Guarneros Magdiel , Alejo-Eleuterio Roberto
Published: February 2022

Deep learning-based models have shown to be one of the main active research topics in emotion recognition systems from Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. However, a significant challenge is to effectively recognize new emotions that are incorporated sequentially, as current models must perform retraining from scratch. In this paper, we propose a Class-Incremental Learning (CIL) method, named Incremental Learning preserving the Learned Feature Space (IL2FS), in order to enable deep learning models to incorporate new emotions (classes) into the already known. IL2FS performs a weight aligning to correct the bias on new classes, while it incorporates margin ranking loss and triplet loss to preserve the inter-class separation and feature space alignment on known classes. We evaluated IL2FS over two public datasets (DREAMER and DEAP) for emotion recognition and compared it with other recent and popular CIL methods reported in computer vision. Experimental results show that IL2FS outperforms other CIL methods by obtaining an average accuracy of 59.08 ± 08.26% and 79.36 ± 04.68% on DREAMER and DEAP, recognizing data from new emotions that are incorporated sequentially.
Multi-Physics Inverse Homogenization for the Design of Innovative Cellular Materials: Application to Thermo-Elastic Problems
Authors: Gavazzoni Matteo , Ferro Nicola , Perotto Simona , Foletti Stefano
Published: February 2022

We present a new algorithm to design lightweight cellular materials with required properties in a multi-physics context. In particular, we focus on a thermo-elastic setting by promoting the design of unit cells characterized both by an isotropic and an anisotropic behavior with respect to mechanical and thermal requirements. The proposed procedure generalizes the microSIMPATY algorithm to a thermo-elastic framework by preserving all the good properties of the reference design methodology. The resulting layouts exhibit non-standard topologies and are characterized by very sharp contours, thus limiting the post-processing before manufacturing. The new cellular materials are compared with the state-of-art in engineering practice in terms of thermo-elastic properties, thus highlighting the good performance of the new layouts which, in some cases, outperform the consolidated choices.
Collective Enhancements on Thermal-Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Graphite-Based Composite Bipolar Plates through the Coupled Manipulations of Molding and Impregnation Pressures
Authors: Wang Xueliang , Qu Zhiguo , Yang Haitao , Zhang Guobin , Zhang Yichong , Liu Chaofan
Published: February 2022

The performance and durability of proton exchange fuel cells (PEMFCs) are greatly affected by the bipolar plate (BP). In this paper, the thermal and electrical conductivities and mechanical property of graphite filled with resin composite BPs were collectively enhanced through the effectively coupled manipulations of molding pressure and impregnation pressure. The microstructures show that the resin tends to distribute at the top region of the rib under high impregnation pressure. The thermal and electrical conductivities of the pure expanded graphite BP is well reserved in the composite BPs under high molding pressure, which can facilitate the heat transfer and electron conduction in the PEMFCs. The relative density and compressive strength of composite BPs were greatly enhanced by the impregnation of resin compared to the expanded graphite under high molding pressure without the impregnation of resin (HU-BP). The maximum thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and minimum interfacial contact resistance (ICR) are collectively achieved in the HL-BP. The enhanced thermal-electrical and mechanical properties could be mainly attributed to the well-reserved continuous networks of graphite in the composite BPs. The findings in this paper are expected to synergetically improve the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of composite BPs through coupled manipulations of the molding and impregnation pressures, which in turn enhances the power density and durability of PEMFCs.
Measurement of the Effect of Accelerated Aging on the Aromatic Compounds of Gewürztraminer and Teroldego Wines, Using a SPE-GC-MS/MS Protocol
Authors: Carlin Silvia , Lotti Cesare , Correggi Ludovica , Mattivi Fulvio , Arapitsas Panagiotis , Vrhovšek Urška
Published: February 2022

Knowing in detail how the white and red wine aroma compounds behave under various storage conditions and especially at high temperature is important in order to understand the changes occurring to their sensorial character during the shelf life. The initial aim of this work was to develop and validate a fast, modern, robust, and comprehensive protocol for the quantification of 64 primary, secondary, and tertiary volatile compounds by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges in sample preparation and fast GC-MS/MS (gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay) in analysis. The protocol was applied to a study of the behavior of seven Gewürztraminer and seven Teroldego wines stored in anoxia at 50 °C for 2.5 and 5 weeks. The results demonstrated a sharp decrease of the main linear terpenes linalool, geraniol, and nerol and the consequent increase of the cyclic ones, such as α-terpineol and 1,8-cineole; the increase of the C13-norisoprenoids 1,1,6,-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronapthalene (TDN), and β-damascenone and the C10 norisoprenoid safranal; the hydrolysis of acetates and linear esters; and the increase of some branched-chain esters. In red wines, a moderate increase was observed for some lactones. Some unwanted compounds, such as 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AAP), showed a notable increase in some Gewürztraminer wines, exceeding the olfactory threshold.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Metabolites in 2021
Authors:   Metabolites Editorial Office
Published: February 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Cardiovascular and Renal Effectiveness of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists vs. Other Glucose-Lowering Drugs in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Real-World Studies
Authors: Caruso Irene , Cignarelli Angelo , Sorice Gian Pio , Natalicchio Annalisa , Perrini Sebastio , Laviola Luigi , Giorgino Francesco
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT) showed that treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) is associated with significant cardiovascular benefits. However, CVOT are scarcely representative of everyday clinical practice, and real-world studies could provide clinicians with more relatable evidence. Here, literature was thoroughly searched to retrieve real-world studies investigating the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1RA vs. other glucose-lowering drugs and carry out relevant meta-analyses thereof. Most real-world studies were conducted in populations at low cardiovascular and renal risk. Of note, real-world studies investigating cardio-renal outcomes of GLP-1RA suggested that initiation of GLP-1RA was associated with a greater benefit on composite cardiovascular outcomes, MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events), all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure compared to other glucose-lowering drugs with the exception of sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i). Initiation of SGLT-2i and GLP-1RA yielded similar effects on composite cardiovascular outcomes, MACE, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Conversely, GLP-1RA were less effective on heart failure prevention compared to SGLT-2i. Finally, the few real-world studies addressing renal outcomes suggested a significant benefit of GLP-1RA on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction and hard renal outcomes vs. active comparators except SGLT-2i. Further real-world evidence is needed to clarify the role of GLP-1RA in cardio-renal protection among available glucose-lowering drugs.
Mechanical Behavior and Constitutive Model Characterization of Optically Clear Adhesive in Flexible Devices
Authors: Zhang Yuexin , Wang Shizhao , Dong Fang , Sun Yameng , Sheng Can , Ma Kun , Tian Zhiqiang , Qian Zhengfang , Wong Chingping , Liu Sheng
Published: February 2022

Optically clear adhesive (OCA) has been widely used in flexible devices, where wavy stripes that cause troublesome long-term reliability problems often occur. The complex mechanical behavior of OCA should be studied, as it is related to the aforementioned problems. Therefore, it is necessary to establish reasonable mechanical constitutive models for deformation and stress control. In this work, hyperelastic and viscoelastic mechanical tests were carried out systematically and relative constitutive models of OCA material were established. We found that temperature has a great influence on OCA’s mechanical properties. The stress and modulus both decreased rapidly as the temperature increased. In the static viscoelasticity test, the initial stress at 85 °C was only 12.6 kPa, 57.4% lower than the initial stress at 30 °C. However, in the dynamic test, the storage modulus monotonically decreased from 1666.3 MPa to 0.6628 MPa as the temperature rose, and the decline rate reached the maximum near the glass transition temperature (Tg = 0 °C). The test data and constitutive models can be used as design references in the manufacturing process, as well as for product reliability evaluation.
Detection, Molecular Identification and Transmission of the Intestinal Protozoa Blastocystis sp. in Guinea from a Large-Scale Epidemiological Study Conducted in the Conakry Area
Authors: Guilavogui Timothé , Gantois Nausicaa , Even Gaël , Desramaut Jeremy , Dautel Ellena , Denoyelle Constance , Cissé Fode Ibrahima , Touré Salif Cherif , Kourouma Bakary Luther , Sawant Manasi , Chabé Magali , Certad Gabriela , Viscogliosi Eric
Published: February 2022

Blastocystis sp. is a single-celled parasite estimated to colonize the digestive tract of 1 to 2 billion people worldwide. Although it represents the most frequent intestinal protozoa in human stools, it remains still under-investigated in countries with a high risk of infection due to poor sanitary and hygiene conditions, such as in Africa. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of Blastocystis sp. in the Guinean population. For this purpose, fecal samples were collected from 500 individuals presenting or not digestive disorders in two hospitals of Conakry. Search for the parasite in stools was performed by real-time PCR targeting the small subunit rDNA gene followed by sequencing of the PCR products for subtyping of the isolates. A total of 390 participants (78.0%) was positive for Blastocystis sp. Five STs were identified in the Guinean cohort (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 and ST14) with varying frequency, ST3 being predominant. Among them, ST4 was found in only two patients confirming its global rarity in Africa whereas infections by ST14 were likely the result of zoonotic transmission from bovid. No significant association was detected between Blastocystis sp. colonization or ST distribution and the symptomatic status of Guinean subjects or the presence of digestive symptoms. In contrast, drilling water consumption represented a significant risk factor for infection by Blastocystis sp. Predominance of ST3 coupled with its low intra-ST diversity strongly suggested large-scale human-to-human transmission of this ST within this cohort. In parallel, the highest intra-ST diversity of ST1 and ST2 was likely correlated with various potential sources of infection in addition to anthroponotic transmission. These findings highlighted the active circulation of the parasite in Guinea as reported in some low-income African countries and the necessity to implement prevention and control measures in order to limit the circulation of this parasite in this endemic geographical area.
Cells on Hydrogels with Micron-Scaled Stiffness Patterns Demonstrate Local Stiffness Sensing
Authors: Mgharbel Abbas , Migdal Camille , Bouchonville Nicolas , Dupenloup Paul , Fuard David , Lopez-Soler Eline , Tomba Caterina , Courçon Marie , Gulino-Debrac Danielle , Delanoë-Ayari Héléne , Nicolas Alice
Published: February 2022

Cell rigidity sensing—a basic cellular process allowing cells to adapt to mechanical cues—involves cell capabilities exerting force on the extracellular environment. In vivo, cells are exposed to multi-scaled heterogeneities in the mechanical properties of the surroundings. Here, we investigate whether cells are able to sense micron-scaled stiffness textures by measuring the forces they transmit to the extracellular matrix. To this end, we propose an efficient photochemistry of polyacrylamide hydrogels to design micron-scale stiffness patterns with kPa/µm gradients. Additionally, we propose an original protocol for the surface coating of adhesion proteins, which allows tuning the surface density from fully coupled to fully independent of the stiffness pattern. This evidences that cells pull on their surroundings by adjusting the level of stress to the micron-scaled stiffness. This conclusion was achieved through improvements in the traction force microscopy technique, e.g., adapting to substrates with a non-uniform stiffness and achieving a submicron resolution thanks to the implementation of a pyramidal optical flow algorithm. These developments provide tools for enhancing the current understanding of the contribution of stiffness alterations in many pathologies, including cancer.
Water Uptake in Epoxy Ionic Liquid Free Film Polymer by Gravimetric Analysis and Comparison with Nondestructive Dielectric Analysis
Authors: Ollivier-Lamarque Lucas , Livi Sébastien , Uchimoto Tetsuya , Mary Nicolas
Published: February 2022

Due to their high surface coverage, good adhesion to metal surfaces, and their excellent corrosion resistance, epoxy thermosets are widely used as protective coatings. However, anticorrosion protection of these coatings can be improved against water uptake and can be tuned by changing the chemical nature of the curing agents. In this work, a comparative study has been performed on the water uptake of an epoxy–amine based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with an aliphatic amine and the same epoxy initiated with a phosphonium ionic liquid (IL). Thus, the epoxy networks were immersed in saline water solution in a controlled temperature environment. Gravimetric and electric impedance measurements were carried out for a maximum of 3 months. Results were analyzed in order to assess the water diffusion coefficients and water saturation limits. Two models, the Brasher–Kingsbury and a novel mixing rule, were applied on permittivity values. Results highlighted that epoxy–ionic liquid systems are less sensitive to water uptake than conventional epoxy–amine networks. Due to their higher hydrophobic properties the water diffusion coefficient of epoxy–ionic liquid systems are two times less compared to epoxy–amine samples and the water saturation limit is more than four times less. The analysis also shows that the novel mixing rule model proposed here is prone to better estimate the water uptake with accuracy from electrical impedance measurements.
Measurement of Fruit and Vegetable Intake Incorporating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lens. Comment on Di Noia, J.; Gellermann, W. Use of the Spectroscopy-Based Veggie Meter® to Objectively Assess Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Low-Income Adults. Nutrients 2021, 13, 2270
Authors: Byker Shanks Carmen , Izumi Betty , Parks Courtney A. , Yaroch Amy L.
Published: February 2022

Disparities in fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) and diet-related diseases exist among low-income and racial/ethnic minority populations [...]
Exercise for the Diabetic Gut—Potential Health Effects and Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Valder Sarah , Brinkmann Christian
Published: February 2022

It can be assumed that changes in the gut microbiota play a crucial role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is generally accepted that regular physical activity is beneficial for the prevention and therapy of T2DM. Therefore, this review analyzes the effects of exercise training on the gut microbiota composition and the intestinal barrier function in T2DM. The current literature shows that regular exercise can influence the gut microbiota composition and the intestinal barrier function with ameliorative effects on T2DM. In particular, increases in the number of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and improvements in the gut barrier integrity with reduced endotoxemia seem to be key points for positive interactions between gut health and T2DM, resulting in improvements in low-grade systemic inflammation status and glycemic control. However, not all aspects are known in detail and further studies are needed to further examine the efficacy of different training programs, the role of myokines, SCFA-producing bacteria, and SCFAs in the relevant metabolic pathways. As microbial signatures differ in individuals who respond differently to exercise training programs, one scientific focus could be the development of computer-based methods for the personalized analysis of the gut microbiota in the context of a microbiota/microbiome-based training program.
Phenolic Acids and Prevention of Cognitive Decline: Polyphenols with a Neuroprotective Role in Cognitive Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Caruso Giuseppe , Godos Justyna , Privitera Anna , Lanza Giuseppe , Castellano Sabrina , Chillemi Alessio , Bruni Oliviero , Ferri Raffaele , Caraci Filippo , Grosso Giuseppe
Published: February 2022

Cognitive impairment, also known as cognitive decline, can occur gradually or suddenly and can be temporary or more permanent. It represents an increasingly important public health problem and can depend on normal aging or be linked to different neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is now well-established that lifestyle factors including dietary patterns play an important role in healthy aging as well as in the prevention of cognitive decline in later life. Among the natural compounds, dietary polyphenols including phenolic acids have been recently the focus of major attention, with their supplementation being associated with better cognitive status and prevention of cognitive decline. Despite their therapeutic potential, human studies investigating the relation between phenolic acids intake and cognitive outcomes are rather scarce. In this review, we provide preclinical evidence that different dietary polyphenols such as rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, and cinnamic aldehyde can exert neuroprotective and pro-cognitive activities through different molecular mechanisms including the modulation of pro-oxidant and antioxidant machinery as well as inflammatory status. Future and more numerous in vivo studies are needed to strengthen the promising results obtained at the preclinical level. Despite the excellent pharmacokinetic properties of phenolic acids, which are able to be accumulated in the brain at pharmacologically relevant levels, future studies should also identify which among the different metabolites produced as a consequence of phenolic acids’ consumption may be responsible for the potential neuroprotective effects of this subgroup of polyphenols.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Cinnamic Acid-Based Antimicrobials
Authors: Mingoia Marina , Conte Carmela , Di Rienzo Annalisa , Dimmito Marilisa Pia , Marinucci Lorella , Magi Gloria , Turkez Hasan , Cufaro Maria Concetta , Del Boccio Piero , Di Stefano Antonio , Cacciatore Ivana
Published: February 2022

The main antimicrobial resistance (AMR) nosocomial strains (ESKAPE pathogens such as Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) are the most widespread bacteria in cutaneous infections. In this work we report the synthesis, in silico skin permeability prediction, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and wound healing properties of novel cinnamic acid-based antimicrobials (DM1–11) as novel antibacterial drugs for the treatment of ESKAPE-related skin infections. Antimicrobial and wound healing scratch assays were performed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of DM1–11. In silico skin permeability capabilities of DM1–11 were evaluated using Swiss-ADME online database. Cytotoxicity assays were performed on keratinocytes and fibroblasts. DM2, bearing a catechol group on the aromatic ring of the cinnamic portion of the molecule, possesses a significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC range 16–64 mg/L) and contrasts the biofilm-mediated S. epidermidis infection at low concentrations. Wound healing assays showed that wound closure in 48 h was observed in DM2-treated keratinocytes with a better healing pattern at all the used concentrations (0.1, 1.0, and 10 µM). A potential good skin permeation for DM2, that could guarantee its effectiveness at the target site, was also observed. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that DM2 may be a safe compound for topical use. Taking together all these data confirm that DM2 could represent a safe wound-healing topical agent for the treatment of skin wound infections caused by two of main Gram-positive bacteria belonging to ESKAPE microorganisms.
Carpaine Promotes Proliferation and Repair of H9c2 Cardiomyocytes after Oxidative Insults
Authors: Sudi Suhaini , Chin Yee-Zheng , Wasli Nur Syafinaz , Fong Siat-Yee , Shimmi Sadia Choudhury , How Siew-Eng , Sunggip Caroline
Published: February 2022

Carpaine has long been identified as the major alkaloid in Carica papaya leaves that possess muscle relaxant properties. Limited study on the molecular signaling properties of carpaine urges us to conduct this study that aims to elucidate the mechanism underlying the cardioprotective effect of carpaine in embryonic cardiomyocytes of the H9c2 cell line. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of carpaine was first determined using a colorimetric MTT assay to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration for the subsequent test. Using a 1 µM carpaine treatment, a significant increase in the H9c2 proliferation rate was observed following 24 and 48 h of incubation. A Western blot analysis also revealed that carpaine promotes the upregulation of the cell cycle marker proteins cyclin D1 and PCNA. Carpaine-induced H9c2 cell proliferation is mediated by the activation of the FAK-ERK1/2 and FAK-AKT signaling pathways. In the setting of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), carpaine provided a significant protective role to recover the wounded area affected by the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment. Furthermore, the oxidative-stress-induced reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were attenuated by carpaine treatment. The current study revealed a novel therapeutic potential of carpaine in promoting in vitro cardiomyocyte proliferation and repair following injury.
Evaluating the Taste Masking Ability of Two Novel Dispersible Tablet Platforms Containing Zinc Sulfate and Paracetamol Reconstituted in a Breast Milk Substitute
Authors: Orubu Samuel , Kendall Richard A. , Sheng Yucheng , Tuleu Catherine
Published: February 2022

Milk is often used as a dispersion medium for medicines administration in young children but its taste-masking ability is unknown. A human taste panel was conducted to assess the potential of infant formula milk (Aptamil® 1) to mask the taste of two model WHO priority medicines, zinc sulfate and paracetamol, manufactured as dispersible tablets. Simultaneously, the palatability of powder blends of the tablet platforms was assessed. Twenty healthy adult volunteers performed a swirl-and-spit assessment of placebos and API-containing blends in either a lactose-based or a mannitol-based dispersible tablet platform, reconstituted in 10 mL of either water or Aptamil® 1. Eighteen samples were rated for aversion using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale, grittiness using a 5-point Likert scale, and “acceptability-as-a-medicine” evaluated as: “Would you find this sample acceptable to swallow as a medicine?” with binary answers of Yes/No. The API-containing formulations were more aversive than the placebos; the paracetamol-containing samples being more aversive than zinc sulfate samples. The platforms themselves were not aversive. Non-gritty samples had four-fold greater odds of being acceptable as a medicine. Aptamil® 1 masked the taste of zinc sulfate in the mannitol-based formulation but did not mask the taste of paracetamol in either platform, suggesting a limited taste-masking ability, which may be API and formulation dependent.
Piston Error Extraction from Dual-Wavelength Interference Patterns Using Phase Retrieval Technique
Authors: Li Xiaoyang , Yang Xu , Wang Shengqian , Li Bincheng , Xian Hao
Published: February 2022

As next-generation large-aperture telescopes, synthetic aperture is a promising method for realizing high resolution observations. Co-phasing the misaligned segmented aperture is an important procedure for high-resolution observations with segmented telescopes. In this paper, a piston error detection method is proposed based on two interference patterns. Two interference patterns are generated by using a lens placed across two adjacent pupils in the exit pupil plane at two wavelengths and a method based on phase retrieval technique is proposed to extract the piston error from the two interference patterns. The introduction of dual-wavelength in the scheme overcomes the 2π ambiguities problem and expands the piston error detection range. Meanwhile, the proposed piston error extraction method based on phase retrieval technique allows high precision measurement of the piston error and is robust to offset lens. Various simulations are demonstrated and the feasibility of the proposed piston error detection method is validated.
Antibacterial Electrospun Polycaprolactone Nanofibers Reinforced by Halloysite Nanotubes for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Khunová Viera , Kováčová Mária , Olejniková Petra , Ondreáš František , Špitalský Zdenko , Ghosal Kajal , Berkeš Dušan
Published: February 2022

Due to its slow degradation rate, polycaprolactone (PCL) is frequently used in biomedical applications. This study deals with the development of antibacterial nanofibers based on PCL and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). Thanks to a combination with HNTs, the prepared nanofibers can be used as low-cost nanocontainers for the encapsulation of a wide variety of substances, including drugs, enzymes, and DNA. In our work, HNTs were used as a nanocarrier for erythromycin (ERY) as a model antibacterial active compound with a wide range of antibacterial activity. Nanofibers based on PCL and HNT/ERY were prepared by electrospinning. The antibacterial activity was evaluated as a sterile zone of inhibition around the PCL nanofibers containing 7.0 wt.% HNT/ERY. The morphology was observed with SEM and TEM. The efficiency of HNT/ERY loading was evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the nanofibers exhibited outstanding antibacterial properties and inhibited both Gram- (Escherichia coli) and Gram+ (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Moreover, a significant enhancement of mechanical properties was achieved. The potential uses of antibacterial, environmentally friendly, nontoxic, biodegradable PCL/HNT/ERY nanofiber materials are mainly in tissue engineering, wound healing, the prevention of bacterial infections, and other biomedical applications.
The Use of Natural Collagen Obtained from Fish Waste in Hair Styling and Care
Authors: Igielska-Kalwat Joanna , Kilian-Pięta Ewa , Połoczańska-Godek Sława
Published: February 2022

Chemically speaking, polymers are multi-molecular compounds that have specific physicochemical properties. Hair cosmetics utilize their ability to create a protective film and make the cosmetic formulation more viscous, which facilitates its application. Natural polymers are encountered in nature, but, in hair cosmetics, artificially modified ones are more often used. Unfortunately, artificially modified polymers are characterized by high resistance to biological factors, which creates an ecological problem. Another reason for a search for natural polymers is their milder action when compared to synthetic ones. One of the new sources of obtaining collagen is the waste connective tissue materials of aquatic animals—skins, spines, dorsal chords and scales, and swim bladders. These raw materials are most often disposed of in landfills, processed into fish meal, or destined for food for animals. The conducted research was aimed at proving the action of natural collagen in hair cosmetics as a substitute for synthetic polymers. In the patients using collagen laminate, it is possible to notice the complete elimination of excessive sebum production, restoration of the correct pH value, and reduction in skin inflammations.
Influence of Simple and Double-Weave Structures on the Adhesive Properties of 3D Printed Fabrics
Authors: Čuk Marjeta , Bizjak Matejka , Kočevar Tanja Nuša
Published: February 2022

The double-weave structure of a fabric allows for the use of different materials and weave structures for the upper and lower layer, which can be advantageous in the functionalization of 3D printed textiles. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the influence of simple and double-weave structures on the adhesion of 3D printed fabrics. From this perspective, we investigated the influence of different twill derivates and weft densities on the adhesion force. We produced fabrics specifically for this study and printed them with a polylactic acid filament using Fused Deposition Modeling technology. The T-peel test was performed to measure the adhesion, and the results were statistically analyzed. A morphological study of the surfaces and cross-sections of the 3D printed fabrics helped us interpret the results. We found that adhesion was higher for double fabrics when printed with a smaller z-distance, where the molten polymer reached the lower layer of the fabric and adhered to it. The opposite was confirmed when printing with a larger z-distance, where adhesion was higher for simple fabrics. Both weave and density had a significant effect on adhesion in all cases. Surprisingly, different twill derivatives generally had a greater influence on adhesion than density.
Analysis of UV Curing Strategy on Reaction Heat Control and Part Accuracy for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Jiang Fengze , Drummer Dietmar
Published: February 2022

In this research, the relationship between the curing strategies and geometrical accuracy of parts under UV light was investigated. An IR camera was utilized to monitor the process using different combinations of photosensitive resin and curing strategies. The influences of curing strategies on different material compositions were studied with single-factor analysis. With the different exposure frequencies of the UV light, the peak temperature was adjusted to avoid overheating. The three-dimensional geometry of casting tensile bars was measured to investigate the shrinkage and warpage during the curing process. Different material compositions were also selected to study the effects of the maximum temperature on the shrinkage of the parts. The findings of this work show that, with the same amount of energy input, a more fragmented exposure allows for a more controllable max temperature, while one-time exposure leads to a high temperature during the process. With the decrease of the released heat from the reaction, the shrinkage of the casting part has a slightly increasing tendency. Moreover, the warpage of the parts decreased drastically with the decrease of temperature. The addition of fillers enhances the control over temperature and increases the geometrical accuracy.
Energy Potential Assessment of Excavated Landfill Material: A Case Study of the Perm Region, Russia
Authors: Shcherbinina Iuliia , Polygalov Stepan , Ilinykh Galina , Korotaev Vladimir , Sliusar Natalia , Mihajlovic Ivana , Stanisavljevic Nemanja
Published: February 2022

The paper presents results of field and laboratory studies of thermal characteristics to excavated landfill waste in Perm region, Russia. The peculiarity of the study includes the following aspects: waste composition with a high share of polymers, the climatic conditions of the territory and the lack of engineering infrastructure at the waste disposal facility. When determining the waste composition and thermal properties of waste, it is proposed to include a stage of removal of contamination from landfilled waste fraction, since their share of contamination can reach up to 33%. This stage will allow researchers to adjust the net calorific value of the excavated waste without overestimation, which may affect decision-making when implementing waste management technology. Among combustible components with the highest moisture content are waste paper (69.1%) and diapers (65.8%), whereas wood (11.2%), PET bottles (3.1%) and other 3D plastics (13.4%) have rather low ash content on a dry basis. Calculation of thermal properties and analysis of the energy potential of the waste samples was conducted based on the obtained data. The calorific value of the individual components and excavated waste depends not only on the moisture and ash content of the individual components, but also on the presence of contaminants. The average net calorific value of the excavated waste is 4.9 MJ/kg, and for the separate mixture of combustible components, it is 7.5 MJ/kg at a moisture content of 44%. Excavated landfill waste can be regarded as a resource for the manufacture of secondary fuel only after pretreatment that includes at least sorting and drying. The results of this study may be useful in developing technologies needed to eliminate old MSW dumps and old landfills, for the development of the concept of circular economy and prevention of environmental degradation problems.
Interrupting Christian Identity Construction: Catholic Dialogue Schools and Negative Theology
Authors: Boeve Lieven
Published: February 2022

In a recent article, Didier Pollefeyt reflected on the worrisome observation that young children seemingly successfully raised in the Christian faith in Catholic schools lose this faith by the end of secondary education. According to him, the combination of an all-too-positive theology and positive psychology in primary schools (turning these into safe havens) should be complemented by theologies of vulnerability and responsibility in order to present a Christian faith that is able to assist youngsters in situations of conflict, suffering, etc. In this contribution, however, I argue that a more fundamental analysis is to be made to solve this problem, not only for pedagogical but especially for theological reasons. A theological recontextualisation in dialogue with the current context will show us that the interruption of (all too) positive theologies urges these theologies themselves to change from within, into theologies of interruption. After summarising Pollefeyt’s argument, I will analyse the current context of detraditionalisation and pluralisation, pointing to the challenges it poses to all identity construction (including Christian identity construction) that are to be interrupted by difference and otherness. Afterwards, I will shed light on the precise way in which the dynamics of negative theology foster a radical critical hermeneutical consciousness at the heart of the Christian faith, challenging any attempt at solidifying it within closed, self-securing narratives, and thus opening up these narratives to be interrupted. I will illustrate my point with a short reflection on the Gospel of Mark as a Gospel for our times. In the conclusion, I will apply the insights gained to the project of the Catholic dialogue school in order to prevent the counterproductive outcome of self-securing identities.
The Determination of the Snow Optical Grain Diameter and Snowmelt Area on the Greenland Ice Sheet Using Spaceborne Optical Observations
Authors: Vandecrux Baptiste , Box Jason E. , Wehrlé Adrien , Kokhanovsky Alexander A. , Picard Ghislain , Niwano Masashi , Hörhold Maria , Faber Anne-Katrine , Steen-Larsen Hans Christian
Published: February 2022

The optical diameter of the surface snow grains impacts the amount of energy absorbed by the surface and therefore the onset and magnitude of surface melt. Snow grains respond to surface heating through grain metamorphism and growth. During melt, liquid water between the grains markedly increases the optical grain size, as wet snow grain clusters are optically equivalent to large grains. We present daily surface snow grain optical diameters (dopt) retrieved from the Greenland ice sheet at 1 km resolution for 2017–2019 using observations from Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) onboard Sentinel-3A. The retrieved dopt are evaluated against 3 years of in situ measurements in Northeast Greenland. We show that higher dopt are indicative of surface melt as calculated from meteorological measurements at four PROMICE automatic weather stations. We deduce a threshold value of 0.64 mm in dopt allowing categorization of the days either as melting or nonmelting. We apply this simple melt detection technique in Northeast Greenland and compare the derived melting areas with the conventional passive microwave MEaSUREs melt flag for June 2019. The two flags show generally consistent evolution of the melt extent although we highlight areas where large grain diameters are strong indicators of melt but are missed by the MEaSUREs melt flag. While spatial resolution of the optical grain diameter-based melt flag is higher than passive microwave, it is hampered by clouds. Our retrieval remains suitable to study melt at a local to regional scales and could be in the future combined with passive microwave melt flags for increased coverage.
Characteristics of Marine Heatwaves in the Japan/East Sea
Authors: Wang Dingqi , Xu Tengfei , Fang Guohong , Jiang Shumin , Wang Guanlin , Wei Zexun , Wang Yonggang
Published: February 2022

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are prolonged discrete events of anomalously warm seawater observed around the world. The occurrence of MHWs in the Japan/East Sea (JES), a middle latitude marginal sea with abundant aquatic resources, has severe impacts on marine ecosystems and human society. We used satellite remote sensing products spanning 1982–2020 to investigate the mean states and variations of JES MHWs. The results show that the JES MHWs occurred twice per year. More than 40% of the MHWs were shorter than the mean duration of 12.6 days and weaker than the mean intensity of 2.4 °C. Frequent MHWs were observed in August, while high mean intensities were observed in winter and spring in the western JES. In recent years, the area’s averaged yearly sum of MHW intensity in the JES has increased dramatically, with a positive trend of 29.62 °C days per decade—over twice the average global trend (12.37 °C days per decade), which is further confirmed by its first empirical orthogonal function mode. The strengthening trend in MHWs may be explained by oceanic dynamics rather than atmospheric forcing, and may result in increased surface latent heat flux from the ocean to the atmosphere.