bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Printing of Customizable Phantoms to Replace Cadaveric Models in Upper Extremity Surgical Residency Training
Authors: Raeker-Jordan Elisha , Martinez Miguel , Shimada Kenji
Published: January 2022

Medical phantoms are commonly used for training and skill demonstration of surgical procedures without exposing a patient to unnecessary risk. The discrimination of these tissues is critical to the ability of young orthopedic surgical trainees to identify patient injuries and properly manipulate surrounding tissues into healing-compliant positions. Most commercial phantoms lack anatomical specificity and use materials that inadequately attempt to mimic human tissue characteristics. This paper covers the manufacturing methods used to create novel, higher fidelity surgical training phantoms. We utilize medical scans and 3D printing techniques to create upper extremity phantoms that replicate both osseous and synovial geometries. These phantoms are undergoing validation through OSATS training of surgical residents under the guidance of attendings and chief residents. Twenty upper extremity phantoms with distal radius fracture were placed into traction and reduced by first- and second-year surgical residency students as part of their upper extremity triage training. Trainees reported uniform support for the training, enjoying the active learning exercise and expressing willingness for participation in future trials. Trainees successfully completed the reduction procedure utilizing tactile stimuli and prior lecture knowledge, showing the viability of synthetic phantoms to be used in lieu of traditional cadaveric models.
Composition of Organosilicate Coatings High-Temperature Breakdown Products and Their Distribution in the Weld
Authors: Zhabrev Leonid , Kurushkin Dmitry , Mushnikov Igor , Shamshurin Aleksey , Chuppina Svetlana , Panchenko Oleg
Published: January 2022

The construction assembly and the repair of steel constructions painted with protective coatings are often carried out using arc welding. During the welding process, the coating in the weld zone is degrading. The protective coatings breakdown products are involved in the pore and non-metallic inclusion formation in the weld, the composition and distribution study of which makes it possible to analyze the reactions occurring during the welding. In this study, welding beads were deposited on the coated sheet surface by MAG welding. The distribution of inclusions (the average diameter and the relative content) along with the porosity in different bead zones were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy and digital image processing, and the chemical composition of inclusions was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The amount of diffusible hydrogen in the deposited metal was estimated with the vacuum method. In this work, four organosilicate coatings grades, differing in their purpose and heat resistance, were used, and their effect on the weld was studied.
Neural-Network-Based Approaches for Optimization of Machining Parameters Using Small Dataset
Authors: Kosarac Aleksandar , Mladjenovic Cvijetin , Zeljkovic Milan , Tabakovic Slobodan , Knezev Milos
Published: January 2022

Surface quality is one of the most important indicators of the quality of machined parts. The analytical method of defining the arithmetic mean roughness is not applied in practice due to its complexity and empirical models are applied only for certain values of machining parameters. This paper presents the design and development of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the prediction of the arithmetic mean roughness, which is one of the most common surface roughness parameters. The dataset used for ANN development were obtained experimentally by machining AA7075 aluminum alloy under various machining conditions. With four factors, each having three levels, the full factorial design considers a total of 81 experiments that have to be carried out. Using input factor-level settings and adopting the Taguchi method, the experiments were reduced from 81 runs to 27 runs through an orthogonal design. In this study we aimed to check how reliable the results of artificial neural networks were when obtained based on a small input-output dataset, as in the case of applying the Taguchi methodology of planning a four-factor and three-level experiment, in which 27 trials were conducted. Furthermore, this paper considers the optimization of machining parameters for minimizing surface roughness in machining AA7075 aluminum alloy. The results show that ANNs can be successfully trained with small data and used to predict the arithmetic mean roughness. The best results were achieved by backpropagation multilayer feedforward neural networks using the BR algorithm for training.
Investigation on Temperature Rise Characteristic and Load Capacity of Amorphous Alloy Vegetable Oil Distribution Transformers with 3D Coupled-Field Method
Authors: Guo Jing , Fan Kaiyuan , Yang Bowen , Yang Hang , Peng Qingjun , Zheng Hanbo
Published: January 2022

The large differences in the load peak and valley of rural distribution networks always bring severe problems to system planners and operators. Given this issue, this paper deals with the hot-spot temperature (HST) of the transformer and its overload capability, and proposes a modeling method-based online monitoring of practical parameters. In the current work, a temperature-fluid coupling field of the 315 kVA vegetable oil distribution transformer is developed in both the two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry, by which the convection and heat dissipation process can be studied. The grid of the model is divided into regions to increase the calculation speed and ensure the accuracy of the calculation. Secondly, tests related to the temperature rise of the transformer are carried out. The accuracy of the three-dimensional model is later discussed in terms of temperature and fluid velocity distribution. Finally, the temperature distribution laws of the amorphous alloy vegetable oil distribution transformers (AVDT) are compared and analyzed under different load conditions. Findings reveal that the AVDT has low no-load loss and strong overload capacity, which is capable of reducing the internal overheating accidents of the transformer.
Transformation and Linearization Techniques in Optimization: A State-of-the-Art Survey
Authors: Asghari Mohammad , Fathollahi-Fard Amir M. , Mirzapour Al-e-hashem S. M. J. , Dulebenets Maxim A.
Published: January 2022

To formulate a real-world optimization problem, it is sometimes necessary to adopt a set of non-linear terms in the mathematical formulation to capture specific operational characteristics of that decision problem. However, the use of non-linear terms generally increases computational complexity of the optimization model and the computational time required to solve it. This motivates the scientific community to develop efficient transformation and linearization approaches for the optimization models that have non-linear terms. Such transformations and linearizations are expected to decrease the computational complexity of the original non-linear optimization models and, ultimately, facilitate decision making. This study provides a detailed state-of-the-art review focusing on the existing transformation and linearization techniques that have been used for solving optimization models with non-linear terms within the objective functions and/or constraint sets. The existing transformation approaches are analyzed for a wide range of scenarios (multiplication of binary variables, multiplication of binary and continuous variables, multiplication of continuous variables, maximum/minimum operators, absolute value function, floor and ceiling functions, square root function, and multiple breakpoint function). Furthermore, a detailed review of piecewise approximating functions and log-linearization via Taylor series approximation is presented. Along with a review of the existing methods, this study proposes a new technique for linearizing the square root terms by means of transformation. The outcomes of this research are anticipated to reveal some important insights to researchers and practitioners, who are closely working with non-linear optimization models, and assist with effective decision making.
Isoquinoline Alkaloids as Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitors from a Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Aspergillus puniceus
Authors: Liu Cheng-Mei , Yao Fei-Hua , Lu Xin-Hua , Zhang Xue-Xia , Luo Lian-Xiang , Liang Xiao , Qi Shu-Hua
Published: January 2022

Puniceusines A–N (1–14), 14 new isoquinoline alkaloids, were isolated from the extracts of a deep-sea-derived fungus, Aspergillus puniceus SCSIO z021. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of 9 was determined by ECD calculations, and the structures of 6 and 12 were further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 3–5 and 8–13 unprecedentedly contained an isoquinolinyl, a polysubstituted benzyl or a pyronyl at position C-7 of isoquinoline nucleus. Compounds 3 and 4 showed selective inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 with IC50 values of 8.4 and 5.6 µM, respectively, 4 also had a moderate cytotoxicity towards human lung adenocarcinoma cell line H1975 with an IC50 value of 11.0 µM, and 14, which contained an active center, -C=N+, exhibited antibacterial activity. An analysis of the relationship between the structures, enzyme inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of 1–14 revealed that the substituents at C-7 of the isoquinoline nucleus could greatly affect their bioactivity.
The Immunohistochemical Expression of the Serine and Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) Is a Predictive Factor of the Recurrence of Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Preliminary Study on a Series of 52 Cases
Authors: Broggi Giuseppe , Barbagallo Davide , Lacarrubba Francesco , Verzì Anna Elisa , Micali Giuseppe , Purrello Michele , Caltabiano Rosario
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most frequent skin tumors; although they usually exhibit a good prognosis, it has been reported that there is a 2–8% rate of local recurrence of surgically-excised BCCs, even in the presence of tumor-free surgical margins. Several histological and clinical risk factors have been associated with a higher risk of local relapse; however, the exact pathogenetic mechanisms that regulate the local recurrence of these tumors are still to be elucidated. The serine and arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) is an RNA-binding protein whose oncogenic function has been described in numerous forms of human cancers, including brain, lung, and prostate tumors. We evaluated the correlation between SRSF1 immunoexpression and the local recurrence of BCCs. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two cases of surgically excised BCCs with free-tumor margins (10 high-risk and 42 low-risk variants), for which follow-up data were available, were selected. Local recurrence occurred in only 5 cases. Results: We found high and low immunoexpressions of SRSF1 in 18 and 34 cases, respectively. A statistically significant association between high SRSF1 immunoexpression and the local recurrence of BCC was found (p = 0.0433). Conclusions: Our immunohistochemical results suggest an active role of SRSF1 in inducing a local recurrence of BCCs; however, further studies on a larger series are needed to validate our findings.
Delayed Onset Bilateral Papilledema in a Young Boy’s Eyes after Trauma
Authors: Lin Ting-Yi , Chien Ke-Hung
Published: January 2022

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare venous thromboembolic disease that affects young adults in their thirties, with a female predilection. Head trauma accounts for only 1–3% of cases among possible etiologies. Here, we present a particular case of trauma-related CVST with delayed-onset symptoms and signs in a young boy. A 12-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with non-specific visual symptoms 11 days after head trauma. Apart from mild-grade disc swelling in the right eye and dyschromatopsia in both eyes, no significant findings were revealed during physical examinations and a non-contrast cranial computed tomography (CT) scan. Unfortunately, the patient suffered multiple seizure attacks the following day. Trauma-related CVST, complicated by delayed-onset increased intracranial pressure, and bilateral papilledema were finally diagnosed. Physicians need increased awareness of a possible CVST diagnosis if a patient with a history of head trauma shows persistent or worsening neurological symptoms despite negative results on serial non-contrast cranial CT scans.
Numerical Simulation and Optimization of 4-Component LDG Separation in the Steelmaking Industry Using Polysulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes
Authors: Jeon Jong-Yeol , Park Bo-Ryoung , Kim Jeong-Hoon
Published: January 2022

A general finite element model and a new solution method were developed to simulate the permeances of Lintz Donawiz converter gas (LDG) components and the performance of a polysulfone membrane separation unit. The permeances at eight bars of CO, N2, and H2 in LDG simulated using the developed model equations employing the experimental mixed gas data were obtained by controlling the finite element numbers and comparing them with pure gas permeation data. At the optimal finite element numbers (s = 15, n = 1), the gas permeances under the mixed-gas condition were 6.3% (CO), 3.9% (N2), and 7.2% (H2) larger than those of the pure gases, On the other hand, the mixed-gas permeance of CO2 was 4.5% smaller than that of pure gas. These differences were attributed to the plasticization phenomenon of the polysulfone membrane used by CO2. The newly adopted solution method for the stiff nonlinear model functions enabled the simulation of the performance (in terms of gas recovery, concentration, and flow rate) of the first-stage membrane within two seconds under most gas flow conditions. The performance of a first-stage membrane unit separating LDG could be predicted by the developed model with a small error of <2.1%. These model and solution methods could be utilized effectively for simulating gas permeances of the membrane that is plasticized severely by the permeating gas and the separation performance of two- or multi-stage membrane processes.
Inclusion Removements in a Bottom-Stirring Ladle with Novel Slot-Porous Matched Dual Plugs
Authors: Li Xianglong , Hu Shaoyan , Wang Deyong , Qu Tianpeng , Wu Guangjun , Zhang Pei , Quan Qi , Zhou Xingzhi , Zhang Zhixiao
Published: January 2022

The cleanness of steel has always been a big problem for secondary refining. In this work, a new method, which is coupled with slot and porous plugs, is proposed to improve the cleanness in steel. Water experiments and numerical simulations were performed to study this effect. Results revealed that when using slot-porous plugs, the flow field was obviously asymmetrical, and the circulation flow was pushed towards the porous side. Then, the removement of inclusions was increased to about 22.7% percent, comparing with traditional two-slot bottom stirring and reducing the dead zone area near the bottom of the ladle; however, the mixing time delay was 16%, comparing with traditional plugs. Then, in order to explain the reason for these phenomena, we established a mathematical model through large eddy simulation and discrete particle modeling (DPM). Results shows that the asymmetry flow field awoke the recirculation flow downwards after using slot-porous plugs, which would homogenize the flow at the bottom, promoting floating in steel. What is more, the velocity near the free surface was lowered; therefore, it could also stabilize the surface velocity as well, which is also beneficial for removing inclusions as well.
Grain Scale Investigation of the Mechanical Anisotropic Behavior of Electron Beam Powder Bed Additively Manufactured Ti6Al4V Parts
Authors: Mian Md Jamal , Razmi Jafar , Ladani Leila
Published: January 2022

Numerous factors, including variable grain structures and different inherent defects, impact the mechanical behavior of Ti6Al4V parts fabricated using metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. This study focuses on an in-depth analysis of how different microstructural features, such as crystallographic texture, grain size, grain boundary misorientation angles, and inherent defects, as byproducts of the electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) AM process, impact its anisotropic mechanical behavior. Standard tensile testing, conducted on samples produced at different orientations relative to the build table, showed significant anisotropy in elastic-plastic constitutive characteristics. Furthermore, X-ray computed tomography (CT) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses were conducted on as-built samples to assess the effects of inherent defects and microstructural anomalies on such behavior. The samples arranged vertically and parallel to build direction had an average porosity of 0.05%, while the horizontally built samples, which were perpendicular to the build direction, had an average porosity of 0.17%. Moreover, the vertical samples showed larger grain sizes, with an average of 6.6 µm, wider α lath sizes, a lower average misorientation angle, and subsequently lower strength values than the other two horizontal samples. Among the three strong preferred grain orientations of the α phases, <1 1 2¯ 1> and <1 1 2¯ 0> were dominant in the horizontally built samples, whereas the <0 0 0 1> orientation was dominant in vertically built samples. Finally, larger grain sizes and higher beta-phase volume ratios were observed in the areas located at distances further away from the build plate. This was possibly due to the change in thermal gradients, cooling rates, and some thermal annealing phenomena resultant from the elevated build chamber temperature.
Effect of Fe2O3 on the Crystallization Behavior of Glass-Ceramics Produced from Secondary Nickel Slag
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Zang Xuyuan , Xing Xiangdong , Li Jinke , Ma Yuwei , Li Tao
Published: January 2022

In this paper, glass-ceramics were prepared from secondary nickel slag by the melting method. The effects of Fe2O3 on the crystallization behavior of glass-ceramics were investigated by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The properties of glass-ceramics such as Vickers hardness, bending strength, and acid and alkali resistance were systematically discussed. The results indicate that the crystallization temperature (Tc) and transition temperature (Tg) of the glass show a trend of decreasing and then increasing with the increase in Fe2O3 content. The precipitation and refinement of the crystalline phase were promoted significantly when the Fe2O3 content was lower (≤9.32 wt%), while the crystallinity decreased slightly when the Fe2O3 content increased to 12.42 wt%. The promotion of crystal precipitation led to the depolymerization of the glass network. When the Fe2O3 content was 9.32 wt%, the sample exhibited the best crystallization ability, consisting of uniformly distributed anorthite, ferrobustamite and glass phases, while the Vickers hardness and bending strength were 11.42 GPa and 121 MPa, respectively.
Selective Isolation of Eggerthella lenta from Human Faeces and Characterisation of the Species Prophage Diversity
Authors: Buttimer Colin , Bottacini Francesca , Shkoporov Andrey N. , Draper Lorraine A. , Ross Paul , Hill Colin
Published: January 2022

Eggerthella lenta is an anaerobic, high GC, Gram-positive bacillus commonly found in the human digestive tract that belongs to the class Coriobacteriia of the phylum Actinobacteria. This species has been of increasing interest as an important player in the metabolism of xenobiotics and dietary compounds. However, little is known regarding its susceptibility to bacteriophage predation and how this may influence its fitness. Here, we report the isolation of seven novel E. lenta strains using cefotaxime and ceftriaxone as selective agents. We conducted comparative and pangenome analyses of these strains and those publicly available to investigate the diversity of prophages associated with this species. Prophage gene products represent a minimum of 5.8% of the E. lenta pangenome, comprising at least ten distantly related prophage clades that display limited homology to currently known bacteriophages. All clades possess genes implicated in virion structure, lysis, lysogeny and, to a limited extent, DNA replication. Some prophages utilise tyrosine recombinases and diversity generating retroelements to generate phase variation among targeted genes. The prophages have differing levels of sensitivity to the CRISPR/cas systems of their hosts, with spacers from 44 E. lenta isolates found to target only five out of the ten identified prophage clades. Furthermore, using a PCR-based approach targeting the prophage attP site, we were able to determine that several of these elements can excise from the host chromosome, thus supporting the notion that these are active prophages. The findings of this study provide further insights into the diversity of prophages infecting species of the phylum Actinobacteria.
Technological Characterization of Almohad Pottery Glazes from SW Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain)
Authors: Albero Santacreu Daniel J. , Carvajal López Jose C. , Ramos Benito Alejandro
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we addressed the chemical composition and main features of a glazed Almohad ceramic assemblage recovered from Puig de Sa Morisca, a rural Islamic site located in southwest Mallorca. The glazes were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The archaeometrical analysis conducted allowed us to characterize the technological choices applied by potters from the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. The exclusive use of lead-silica glazes was confirmed, which in some cases was opacified with tin. We also established that some tableware vessels, which were imported to the island, have shown glazes with a particular composition within the analyzed record.
Nucleotide Analogues Bearing a C2′ or C3′-Stereogenic All-Carbon Quaternary Center as SARS-CoV-2 RdRp Inhibitors
Authors: Manchoju Amarender , Zelli Renaud , Wang Gang , Eymard Carla , Oo Adrian , Nemer Mona , Prévost Michel , Kim Baek , Guindon Yvan
Published: January 2022

The design of novel nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) analogues bearing an all-carbon quaternary center at C2′ or C3′ is described. The construction of this all-carbon stereogenic center involves the use of an intramoleculer photoredox-catalyzed reaction. The nucleoside analogues (NA) hydroxyl functional group at C2′ was generated by diastereoselective epoxidation. In addition, highly enantioselective and diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reactions, diastereoselective N-glycosylations and regioselective triphosphorylation reactions were employed to synthesize the novel NTPs. Two of these compounds are inhibitors of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2, the causal virus of COVID-19.
Graphene/Ferroelectric (Ge-Doped HfO2) Adaptable Transistors Acting as Reconfigurable Logic Gates
Authors: Dragoman Mircea , Dinescu Adrian , Dragoman Daniela , Palade Cătălin , Teodorescu Valentin Şerban , Ciurea Magdalena Lidia
Published: January 2022

We present an array of 225 field-effect transistors (FETs), where each of them has a graphene monolayer channel grown on a 3-layer deposited stack of 22 nm control HfO2/5 nm Ge-HfO2 intermediate layer/8 nm tunnel HfO2/p-Si substrate. The intermediate layer is ferroelectric and acts as a floating gate. All transistors have two top gates, while the p-Si substrate is acting as a back gate. We show that these FETs are acting memtransistors, working as two-input reconfigurable logic gates with memory, the type of the logic gate depending only on the values of the applied gate voltages and the choice of a threshold current.
Curcumin and Silver Doping Enhance the Spinnability and Antibacterial Activity of Melt-Electrospun Polybutylene Succinate Fibers
Authors: Ostheller Maike-Elisa , Abdelgawad Abdelrahman M. , Balakrishnan Naveen Kumar , Hassanin Ahmed H. , Groten Robert , Seide Gunnar
Published: January 2022

Melt electrospinning is a polymer processing technology for the manufacture of microfibers and nanofibers. Additives are required to reduce the melt viscosity and increase its conductivity in order to minimize the fiber diameter, and can also impart additional beneficial properties. We investigated the preparation of polybutylene succinate (PBS) microfibers incorporating different weight percentages of two multifunctional additives (the organic dye curcumin and inorganic silver nanoparticles) using a single-nozzle laboratory-scale device. We determined the influence of these additives on the polymer melt viscosity, electrical conductivity, degradation profile, thermal behavior, fiber diameter, and antibacterial activity. The formation of a Taylor cone followed by continuous fiber deposition was observed for compounds containing up to 3% (w/w) silver nanoparticles and up to 10% (w/w) curcumin, the latter achieving the minimum average fiber diameter of 12.57 µm. Both additives reduced the viscosity and increased the electrical conductivity of the PBS melt, and also retained their specific antibacterial properties when compounded and spun into fibers. This is the first report describing the effect of curcumin and silver nanoparticles on the properties of PBS fibers manufactured using a single-nozzle melt-electrospinning device. Our results provide the basis to develop environmentally benign antibacterial melt-electrospun PBS fibers for biomedical applications.
Sea Urchin-like Si@MnO2@rGO as Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Jiajun , Wang Meng , Wang Qi , Zhao Xishan , Song Yutong , Zhao Tianming , Sun Jing
Published: January 2022

Si is a promising material for applications as a high-capacity anode material of lithium-ion batteries. However, volume expansion, poor electrical conductivity, and a short cycle life during the charging/discharging process limit the commercial use. In this paper, new ternary composites of sea urchin-like Si@MnO2@reduced graphene oxide (rGO) prepared by a simple, low-cost chemical method are presented. These can effectively reduce the volume change of Si, extend the cycle life, and increase the lithium-ion battery capacity due to the dual protection of MnO2 and rGO. The sea urchin-like Si@MnO2@rGO anode shows a discharge specific capacity of 1282.72 mAh g−1 under a test current of 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles and excellent chemical performance at different current densities. Moreover, the volume expansion of sea urchin-like Si@MnO2@rGO anode material is ~50% after 150 cycles, which is much less than the volume expansion of Si (300%). This anode material is economical and environmentally friendly and this work made efforts to develop efficient methods to store clean energy and achieve carbon neutrality.
Enhancement of Terahertz Radiation by Surface Plasmons Based on CdTe Thin Films
Authors: Kong Huiyan , Huang Luyi , Li Min , Zhang Ling , Zeng Heping
Published: January 2022

Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) is a powerful tool used to characterize the surface/interface of materials, and semiconductor/metal interfaces can generate THz emission through ultrafast optical excitation, which can be further improved through the optical excitation of surface plasmons. Here, we assembled cadmium telluride (CdTe) on an AuAg alloy (Au25Ag75, wt.%) substrate and obtained five times stronger THz emission compared with silicon substrate, and found that the enhancement can be tuned by controlling the thickness of the semiconductor materials and plasmonic metal substrates. We believe that our results not only promote the development of THz emission enhancement, but also provide a straightforward way of producing small, thin, and more efficient terahertz photonic devices.
Performance of TiO2/UV-LED-Based Processes for Degradation of Pharmaceuticals: Effect of Matrix Composition and Process Variables
Authors: Bertagna Silva Danilo , Buttiglieri Gianluigi , Babić Bruna , Ašperger Danijela , Babić Sandra
Published: January 2022

Ultra-violet light-emitting diode (UV-LED)-based processes for water treatment have shown the potential to surpass the hurdles that prevent the adoption of photocatalysis at a large scale due to UV-LEDs’ unique features and design flexibility. In this work, the degradation of five EU Watch List 2020/1161 pharmaceutical compounds was comprehensively investigated. Initially, the UV-A and UV-C photolytic and photocatalytic degradation of individual compounds and their mixtures were explored. A design of experiments (DoE) approach was used to quantify the effects of numerous variables on the compounds’ degradation rate constant, total organic carbon abatement, and toxicity. The reaction mechanisms of UV-A photocatalysis were investigated by adding different radical scavengers to the mix. The influence of the initial pH was tested and a second DoE helped evaluate the impact of matrix constituents on degradation rates during UV-A photocatalysis. The results showed that each compound had widely different responses to each treatment/scenario, meaning that the optimized design will depend on matrix composition, target pollutant reactivity, and required effluent standards. Each situation should be analyzed individually with care. The levels of the electrical energy per order are still unfeasible for practical applications, but LEDs of lower wavelengths (UV-C) are now approaching UV-A performance levels.
Headache Attributed to Temporomandibular Disorder and Primary Cough Headache
Authors: Takizawa Keita , Urata Kentaro , Tanaka Rena , Ozasa Kana , Young Andrew , Noma Noboru
Published: January 2022

Orofacial pain is a frequent chief complaint of many systemic disorders. A primary cough headache may mimic the clinical symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) or may be associated with TMDs. Case report: A 52-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of TMD symptoms with clicking. He presented with the chief complaint of a sudden and severe headache when coughing, sneezing, or crouching. Comprehensive intra- and extra-oral examinations were performed, which revealed myofascial pain involving the right masseter and temporalis muscles, disc displacement with reduction in the right temporomandibular joint, and headache attributed to TMD, but no severe headaches appeared in the cough-induced test at the first visit. Initially, we advised the patient to minimize activities that require jaw function (e.g., chewing), avoid jaw parafunction (e.g., bruxism), and to perform at-home jaw exercises to stretch the jaw muscles. The patient’s symptoms reduced by more than half after the TMD home care and physiotherapy. He was then treated with 75 mg of indomethacin per day, which eliminated his headache. The patient was then referred to a headache specialist, who diagnosed primary cough headache.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Disordered Eating Behavior in the Mexican Population
Authors: Martínez-Magaña José Jaime , Hernandez Sandra , Garcia Ana Rosa , Cardoso-Barajas Valeria , Sarmiento Emmanuel , Camarena Beatriz , Caballero Alejandro , Gonzalez Laura , Villatoro-Velazquez Jorge Ameth , Medina-Mora Maria Elena , Bustos-Gamiño Marycarmen , Fleiz-Bautista Clara , Tovilla-Zarate Carlos Alfonso , Juárez-Rojop Isela Esther , Nicolini Humberto , Genis-Mendoza Alma Delia
Published: January 2022

Alterations in eating behavior characterized eating disorders (ED). The genetic factors shared between ED diagnoses have been underexplored. The present study performed a genome-wide association study in individuals with disordered eating behaviors in the Mexican population, blood methylation quantitative trait loci (blood-meQTL), summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis, and in silico function prediction by different algorithms. The analysis included a total of 1803 individuals. We performed a genome-wide association study and blood-meQTL analysis by logistic and linear regression. In addition, we analyzed in silico functional variant prediction, phenome-wide, and multi-tissue expression quantitative trait loci. The genome-wide association study identified 44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated at a nominal value and seven blood-meQTL at a genome-wide threshold. The SNPs show enrichment in genome-wide associations of the metabolic and immunologic domains. In the in silico analysis, the SNP rs10419198 (p-value = 4.85 × 10−5) located on an enhancer mark could change the expression of PRR12 in blood, adipocytes, and brain areas that regulate food intake. Additionally, we found an association of DNA methylation levels of SETBP1 (p-value = 6.76 × 10−4) and SEMG1 (p-value = 5.73 × 10−4) by SMR analysis. The present study supports the previous associations of genetic variation in the metabolic domain with ED.
The Role of the Laser Photobiomodulation (PBM) in the Management of Patients at Risk or Affected by MRONJ
Authors: Del Vecchio Alessandro , Tenore Gianluca , Pergolini Daniele , Rocchetti Federica , Palaia Gaspare , Romeo Umberto
Published: January 2022

Medication-Related Osteo-Necrosis of the Jaws (MRONJ) is a severe painful complication of the long-lasting administration of bisphosphonates and anti-resorptive and anti-angiogenetic drugs in neoplastic and dysmetabolic patients, secondary to minor surgical oral interventions or chronic epithelial decubitus ulcers. Its pathogenesis is still largely unknown even if the activity change of the osteoclasts plays a relevant role in bone remodeling. The management of these patients aims to prevent the onset of the pathology or to reduce the pain and remove the necrotic bone, promoting the healing of the pathological area. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), the therapeutic application of low-energy laser or LED lights, was recently introduced in the management of this condition. Thanks to its therapeutic and biomodulating action on the irradiated tissues, PBM can be used alone or in combination with antibiotic and antibacterial therapies as a preventive, antalgic or palliative tool, and in support of surgery in a combined multi-protocol that leads to a positive and better resolution and healing of the pathologic process, with great improvement of the Quality of Life (QoL) of the patients. In this narrative review, a wide analysis of the various applications of PBM in MRONJ patients’ management is analyzed, emphasizing its role as supportive care for this condition.
BCR-ABL1 Tyrosine Kinase Complex Signaling Transduction: Challenges to Overcome Resistance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Amarante-Mendes Gustavo P. , Rana Aamir , Datoguia Tarcila Santos , Hamerschlak Nelson , Brumatti Gabriela
Published: January 2022

The constitutively active BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase, found in t(9;22)(q34;q11) chromosomal translocation-derived leukemia, initiates an extremely complex signaling transduction cascade that induces a strong state of resistance to chemotherapy. Targeted therapies based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib, have revolutionized the treatment of BCR-ABL1-driven leukemia, particularly chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, TKIs do not cure CML patients, as some develop TKI resistance and the majority relapse upon withdrawal from treatment. Importantly, although BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase is necessary to initiate and establish the malignant phenotype of Ph-related leukemia, in the later advanced phase of the disease, BCR-ABL1-independent mechanisms are also in place. Here, we present an overview of the signaling pathways initiated by BCR-ABL1 and discuss the major challenges regarding immunologic/pharmacologic combined therapies.
Discussion on Piston-Type Phase Ambiguity in a Coherent Beam Combining System
Authors: Jia Haolong , Zuo Jing , Bao Qiliang , Geng Chao , Luo Yihan , Tang Ao , Jiang Jing , Li Feng , Ren Jianpeng , Li Xinyang
Published: January 2022

Coherent beam combining (CBC) with closely arranged centrosymmetric arrays is a promising way to obtain a high-brightness laser. An essential task in CBC is to actively control the piston phases of the input beams, maintaining the correct phasing to maximize the combination efficiency. By applying the neural network, the nonlinear mapping relationship between the far-field image and the piston phase could be established, so that the piston phase can be corrected quickly with one step, which caused widespread concern. However, there exists a piston-type phase ambiguity problem in the CBC system with centrosymmetric arrays, which means that multiple different piston phases may generate the same far-field image. This will prevent the far-field image from correctly reflecting the phase information, which will result in a performance degradation of the image-based intelligent algorithms. In this paper, we make a theoretical analysis of phase ambiguity. A method to solve phase ambiguity is proposed, which requires no additional optical devices. We designed simulations to verify our conclusions and methods. We believe that our work solves the phase ambiguity problem in theory and is conducive to improving the performance of image-based algorithms.
Phyto-Beneficial Traits of Rhizosphere Bacteria: In Vitro Exploration of Plant Growth Promoting and Phytopathogen Biocontrol Ability of Selected Strains Isolated from Harsh Environments
Authors: Giannelli Gianluigi , Bisceglie Franco , Pelosi Giorgio , Bonati Beatrice , Cardarelli Maura , Antenozio Maria Luisa , Degola Francesca , Visioli Giovanna
Published: January 2022

Beneficial interactions between plants and some bacterial species have been long recognized, as they proved to exert various growth-promoting and health-protective activities on economically relevant crops. In this study, the growth promoting and antifungal activity of six bacterial strains, Paenarthrobacter ureafaciens, Beijerinckia fluminensis, Pseudomonas protegens, Arthrobacter sp., Arthrobacter defluii, and Arthrobacter nicotinovorans, were investigated. The tested strains resulted positive for some plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate-deaminase (ACC-deaminase), siderophore production, and solubilization of phosphates. The effect of the selected bacteria on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings growth was assessed using different morphological parameters. Bacterial activity against the phytopathogenic fungal species Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium verticillioides was also assessed, since these cause major yield losses in cereal crops and are well-known mycotoxin producers. Strains Pvr_9 (B. fluminensis) and PHA_1 (P. protegens) showed an important growth-promoting effect on A. thaliana coupled with a high antifungal activity on all the three fungal species. The analysis of bacterial broths through ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) confirmed the presence of potential PGP-compounds, among these are desferrioxamine B, aminochelin, asperchrome B, quinolobactin siderophores, and salicylic acid.
Predicting the Mechanical Response of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Biopolymers Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Bejagam Karteek K. , Gupta Nevin S. , Lee Kwan-Soo , Iverson Carl N. , Marrone Babetta L. , Pilania Ghanshyam
Published: January 2022

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have emerged as a promising class of biosynthesizable, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers to replace petroleum-based plastics for addressing the global plastic pollution problem. Although PHAs offer a wide range of chemical diversity, the structure–property relationships in this class of polymers remain poorly established. In particular, the available experimental data on the mechanical properties is scarce. In this contribution, we have used molecular dynamics simulations employing a recently developed forcefield to predict chemical trends in mechanical properties of PHAs. Specifically, we make predictions for Young’s modulus, and yield stress for a wide range of PHAs that exhibit varying lengths of backbone and side chains as well as different side chain functional groups. Deformation simulations were performed at six different strain rates and six different temperatures to elucidate their influence on the mechanical properties. Our results indicate that Young’s modulus and yield stress decrease systematically with increase in the number of carbon atoms in the side chain as well as in the polymer backbone. In addition, we find that the mechanical properties were strongly correlated with the chemical nature of the functional group. The functional groups that enhance the interchain interactions lead to an enhancement in both the Young’s modulus and yield stress. Finally, we applied the developed methodology to study composition-dependence of the mechanical properties for a selected set of binary and ternary copolymers. Overall, our work not only provides insights into rational design rules for tailoring mechanical properties in PHAs, but also opens up avenues for future high throughput atomistic simulation studies geared towards identifying functional PHA polymer candidates for targeted applications.
Fire Performance of FRP-RC Flexural Members: A Numerical Study
Authors: Duan Dexin , Ouyang Lijun , Gao Wanyang , Xu Qingfeng , Liu Weidong , Yang Jian
Published: January 2022

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars are increasingly used as a substitute for steel reinforcements in the construction of concrete structures, mainly due to their excellent durability characteristics. When FRP bar-reinforced concrete (referred to as FRP-RC for simplicity) members are used in indoor applications (e.g., in buildings), the fire performance of FRP-RC members needs to be appropriately designed to satisfy safety requirements. The bond behavior between the FRP bar and the surrounding concrete governs the composite action between the two materials and the related structural performance of the FRP-RC flexural member that will be affected when exposed to fire. However, there is a lack of reliable numerical models in the literature to quantify the effect of bond degradations of the FRP bar-to-concrete interface at high temperatures on the fire performance of FRP-RC flexural members. This paper presents a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of FRP-RC flexural members exposed to fire and appropriately considers the temperature-dependent bond degradations of the FRP bar-to-concrete interface at high temperatures. In addition, the thermal properties of concrete and FRP bars are considered in the heat transfer analysis to predict the cross-sectional temperatures of the FRP-RC members under fire exposure. In the FE model, the mechanical properties and constitutive laws of concrete and FRP bars at high temperatures in addition to the bond degradations between them have been properly defined, thereby accurately predicting the global and local structural responses of the FRP-RC members under fire exposure. The proposed FE model has been validated by comparing the FE predictions (both temperature and midspan deflection responses during fire exposure) and the full-scale fire test results reported in the literature. The validated FE model is then used to study the effects of bond degradations on the global and local structural responses of the FRP-RC members under fire exposure. It is proved that the temperature-dependent bond degradations need to be considered to achieve accurate predictions of the failure mode and deflection responses.
Effects of Electrospinning Parameter Adjustment on the Mechanical Behavior of Poly-ε-caprolactone Vascular Scaffolds
Authors: Dokuchaeva Anna A. , Timchenko Tatyana P. , Karpova Elena V. , Vladimirov Sergei V. , Soynov Ilya A. , Zhuravleva Irina Y.
Published: January 2022

Electrospinning is a perspective method widely suggested for use in bioengineering applications, but the variability in currently available data and equipment necessitates additional research to ascertain the desirable methodology. In this study, we aimed to describe the effects of electrospinning technique alterations on the structural and mechanical properties of (1,7)-polyoxepan-2-one (poly-ε-caprolactone, PCL) scaffolds, such as circumferential and longitudinal stress/strain curves, in comparison with corresponding properties of fresh rat aorta samples. Scaffolds manufactured under different electrospinning modes were analyzed and evaluated using scanning electronic microscopy as well as uniaxial longitudinal and circumferential tensile tests. Fiber diameter was shown to be the most crucial characteristic of the scaffold, correlating with its mechanical properties.
A Study of the Printability of Alginate-Based Bioinks by 3D Bioprinting for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Gorroñogoitia Izar , Urtaza Uzuri , Zubiarrain-Laserna Ana , Alonso-Varona Ana , Zaldua Ane Miren
Published: January 2022

Three-dimensional bioprinting combined with natural hydrogels is a promising technology for the treatment of several pathologies and different tissue regeneration. One of the most studied tissues is cartilage, a complex and avascular tissue that displays a limited self-repair capacity after injuries. Herein, the development of alginate-based hydrogels and scaffolds containing different microstructure is presented and the printability of alginate by 3D bioprinting is studied. Rheological characterization was performed for the determination of viscosity and viscoelastic properties of hydrogels and mechanical characterization was carried out for the determination of compressive modulus of alginate hydrogels. All these characteristics were correlated with alginate behaviour during 3D bioprinting process. For the printability evaluation filament diameter, perimeter of the pores, area of the pores and shrinkage of alginate scaffolds were measured. The results demonstrate that alginate microstructure has a great influence on its printability and on hydrogels’ physicochemical properties. Molecular weight of alginate determines its viscosity while M/G ratio determines cross-linking conditions and mechanical properties that vary with cross-linking density. These results suggest the importance of an exhaustive control of the viscoelastic and mechanical properties of alginate hydrogels to obtain structures with high resolution and precision.
Nonstationary Process Monitoring Based on Cointegration Theory and Multiple Order Moments
Authors: Wen Jiatao , Li Yang , Wang Jingde , Sun Wei
Published: January 2022

In industrial processes, process data often exhibit complex characteristics, such as nonstationarity and nonlinearity, which brings challenges to process monitoring. In this study, a monitoring strategy for nonstationary processes is proposed based on cointegration theory and multiple order moments. Considering the nonstationarity presented in some variables, cointegration analysis (CA) is applied to obtain long-term equilibrium relationships among these nonstationary variables, which are then combined with stationary variables to form a new stationary dataset. For the purpose of process monitoring, a new monitoring index that contains multiple order moments is proposed to capture different statistical features of a previously obtained stationary data set. Moving windows are applied to capture changes of local statistical characteristics to implement online monitoring. Case studies on simulation data and an industrial dataset are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for nonstationary process monitoring. Comparing with the PCA and common CA-based monitoring methods, the proposed method has better performance with a lower false alarm rate and earlier alarm time.