bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wetting Behavior of LBE on Corroded Candidate LFR Structural Materials of 316L, T91 and CLAM
Authors: Zhu Huiping , Du Xiaochao , Liu Xudong , Yan Tingxu , Li Xiaobo , Wang Yifeng , Qi Muran , Tu Xu
Published: December 2021

In this work, the wetting behaviors of lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) on corroded 316L, T91, and CLAM surfaces were studied. The wettability of LBE on virgin and corroded surfaces were tested at 450 °C by using the sessile-drop (SD) method after immersing the samples in LBE with saturated oxygen concentration for 400, 800, and 1200 h at 450 °C. Additionally, the morphology, as well as element distribution of the corrosion structure, were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the virgin samples of three materials are non-wetting to LBE, and the formation of corrosion structures further reduces the wettability. Besides, the thickness of the corrosion layer formed on the 316L surface grew more slowly than the other two steel, which results in better corrosion resistance of austenitic steel 316L than that of ferritic/martensitic steels T91 and CLAM at 450 °C. Meanwhile, the morphology and distribution of corrosion products are important factors affecting the wettability of the steel surface. The formation of corrosion products with high roughness as well as disorder results in a significant reduction in surface wettability.
First-Principles Density Functional Theory Study of Modified Germanene-Based Electrode Materials
Authors: Si Xue , She Weihan , Xu Qiang , Yang Guangmin , Li Zhuo , Wang Siqi , Luan Jingfei
Published: December 2021

Germanene, with a wrinkled atomic layer structure and high specific surface area, showed high potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors. According to the first-principles calculation based on Density Functional Theory, the quantum capacitance of germanene could be significantly improved by introducing doping/co-doping, vacancy defects and multilayered structures. The quantum capacitance obtained enhancement as a result of the generation of localized states near the Dirac point and/or the movement of the Fermi level induced by doping and/or defects. In addition, it was found that the quantum capacitance enhanced monotonically with the increase of the defect concentration.
Experimental and Numerical Studies of Tool Wear Processes in the Nibbling Process
Authors: Bohdal Łukasz , Kukiełka Leon , Patyk Radosław , Kośka Katarzyna , Chodór Jarosław , Czyżewski Konrad
Published: December 2021

The work concerns an analysis of the wear mechanisms of punches in the nibbling process. The nibbling process is the multiple punching of holes or external contours using circular punches, the diameter of which is much smaller than the size of the punched shapes. Analytical, numerical and experimental studies were carried out. In the analytical solution, formulas for determining the pressures in the contact zone were developed, thus enabling a simple estimation of the designed nibbling tools. In numerical studies, the influence of the punch rounding radius on the fatigue wear was investigated. It has been shown that the change in the punch cutting edge radius from r = 0 mm to r = 0.5 mm enables a seven-fold increase in the fatigue wear resistance. It was found that the change in the punch cutting edge rounding radius has an impact on the quality of the product (the greater the radius r, the worse the technological quality of the product). In experimental studies, the abrasive wear process was primarily investigated. For this purpose, the nibbling process was tested on S235JR + AR steel sheets with tools made of NC11LV/1.2379 steel without any coating and with an AlCrTiN layer. It was found that the special AlCrTiN layer used allowed for an increase in the resistance to abrasive wear, and thus increased the service life by approx. three times. The last element of the work is an assessment of the technological quality of the product after nibbling depending on the degree and type of stamp wear (quantitative and qualitative assessment).
Opportunities Offered by Graphene Nanoparticles for MicroRNAs Delivery for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment
Authors: Niccolini Benedetta , Palmieri Valentina , De Spirito Marco , Papi Massimiliano
Published: December 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons. This neurodegenerative disease leads to muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death due to respiratory failure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) with a length of 19 to 25 nucleotides, participating in the regulation of gene expression. Different studies have demonstrated that miRNAs deregulation is critical for the onset of a considerable number of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. Some studies have underlined how miRNAs are deregulated in ALS patients and for this reason, design therapies are used to correct the aberrant expression of miRNAs. With this rationale, delivery systems can be designed to target specific miRNAs. Specifically, these systems can be derived from viral vectors (viral systems) or synthetic or natural materials, including exosomes, lipids, and polymers. Between many materials used for non-viral vectors production, the two-dimensional graphene and its derivatives represent a good alternative for efficiently delivering nucleic acids. The large surface-to-volume ratio and ability to penetrate cell membranes are among the advantages of graphene. This review focuses on the specific pathogenesis of miRNAs in ALS and on graphene delivery systems designed for gene delivery to create a primer for future studies in the field.
High-Entropy Pyrochlore A2B2O7 with Both Heavy and Light Rare-Earth Elements at the A Site
Authors: Teng Zhen , Tan Yongqiang , Zhang Haibin
Published: December 2021

A novel class of high-entropy pyrochlore ceramics (HEPCs) with multiple heavy and light rare-earth elements at the A site were successfully synthesized via solid-state reaction. Both the XRD patterns and Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the single pyrochlore structure feature of seven kinds of HEPCs. Electron microscopic images revealed the typical morphology and the homogeneous distribution of all rare-earth elements. It can be concluded that the significance of configuration entropy in the HEPC system has promoted the tervalent lanthanide nuclides to form a single pyrochlore structure. This work is expected to provide guidance for the further design of high-entropy pyrochlore/fluorite ceramics.
A Tribological and Ion Released Research of Ti-Materials for Medical Devices
Authors: Silva Daniela , Arcos Camila , Montero Cecilia , Guerra Carolina , Martínez Carola , Li Xuejie , Ringuedé Armelle , Cassir Michel , Ogle Kevin , Guzmán Danny , Aguilar Claudio , Páez Maritza , Sancy Mamié
Published: December 2021

The increase in longevity worldwide has intensified the use of different types of prostheses for the human body, such as those used in dental work as well as in hip and knee replacements. Currently, Ti-6Al-4V is widely used as a joint implant due to its good mechanical properties and durability. However, studies have revealed that this alloy can release metal ions or particles harmful to human health. The mechanisms are not well understood yet and may involve wear and/or corrosion. Therefore, in this work, commercial pure titanium and a Ti-6Al-4V alloy were investigated before and after being exposed to a simulated biological fluid through tribological tests, surface analysis, and ionic dissolution characterization by ICP-AES. Before exposure, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy revealed equiaxed α-Ti in both materials and β-Ti in Ti-6Al-4V. Scratch tests exhibited a lower coefficient of friction for Ti-6Al-4V alloy than commercially pure titanium. After exposure, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy results showed an oxide film formed by TiO2, both in commercially pure titanium and in Ti-6Al-4V, and by TiO and Al2O3 associated with the presence of the alloys. Furthermore, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy revealed that aluminum was the main ion released for Ti-6Al-4V, giving negligible values for the other metal ions.
A Study on the Cavitation and Pressure Pulsation Characteristics in the Impeller of an LNG Submerged Pump
Authors: Li Wei , Li Shuo , Ji Leilei , Zhao Xiaofan , Shi Weidong , Agarwal Ramesh K. , Awais Muhammad , Yang Yang
Published: December 2021

Based on CFD analysis technology, this paper studies the cavitation performance of an LNG submerged pump and the pressure pulsation characteristics under cavitation excitation. The variation laws of the waveform, amplitude and frequency of the pressure pulsation in the impeller of the LNG submerged pump under different flow rates and NPSHa are also analysed. By calculating the root mean square of the pressure coefficient of the low-frequency pulsation, the influence of the aggravation process of cavitation on the low-frequency pulsation in the LNG submerged pump is quantitatively analysed, and the characteristics of the pressure pulsation in the LNG submerged pump under the cavitation condition are revealed. The results show that with the increase in flow rate, the pressure pulsation in the impeller becomes stronger, periodically, and the amplitude decreases. The influence of cavitation on the pressure pulsation in the primary impeller is greater than that in the secondary impeller. When critical cavitation occurs, the low-frequency signal amplitude of pressure pulsation in the primary impeller increases and exceeds the blade frequency, becoming the main frequency.
Improving HRI with Force Sensing
Authors: Hayashi Akiyoshi , Rincon-Ardila Liz Katherine , Venture Gentiane
Published: December 2021

In the future, in a society where robots and humans live together, HRI is an important field of research. While most human–robot-interaction (HRI) studies focus on appearance and dialogue, touch-communication has not been the focus of many studies despite the importance of its role in human–human communication. This paper investigates how and where humans touch an inorganic non-zoomorphic robot arm. Based on these results, we install touch sensors on the robot arm and conduct experiments to collect data of users’ impressions towards the robot when touching it. Our results suggest two main things. First, the touch gestures were collected with two sensors, and the collected data can be analyzed using machine learning to classify the gestures. Second, communication between humans and robots using touch can improve the user’s impression of the robots.
Kinematic Analysis of V-Belt CVT for Efficient System Development in Motorcycle Applications
Authors: La Battaglia Vincenzo , Giorgetti Alessandro , Marini Stefano , Arcidiacono Gabriele , Citti Paolo
Published: December 2021

Continuous variable transmission (CVT) is a widely used technology for two-wheeler applications due to its cost-effectiveness, lightweight, and reduced size. This kind of transmission involves the accurate matching of the system with the engine characteristics. This paper analyzes the typical design procedure used to develop the transmission system and evaluates the current approach’s critical issues. The paper aims to identify a possible path to improve the system and its customization capacity. It is identified that the critical design stage is the identification of the correct sliding profile for the half pulley of the front assembly of the system. Then, the geometrical parameters of the transmission are accurately identified through a detailed kinematic analysis. The presented kinematic analysis is propaedeutic for developing a mathematical model that defines the rollers’ sliding profile according to the vehicle’s performance.
A Comparison of Surrogate Modeling Techniques for Global Sensitivity Analysis in Hybrid Simulation
Authors: Tsokanas Nikolaos , Pastorino Roland , Stojadinović Božidar
Published: December 2021

Hybrid simulation is a method used to investigate the dynamic response of a system subjected to a realistic loading scenario. The system under consideration is divided into multiple individual substructures, out of which one or more are tested physically, whereas the remaining are simulated numerically. The coupling of all substructures forms the so-called hybrid model. Although hybrid simulation is extensively used across various engineering disciplines, it is often the case that the hybrid model and related excitation are conceived as being deterministic. However, associated uncertainties are present, whilst simulation deviation, due to their presence, could be significant. In this regard, global sensitivity analysis based on Sobol’ indices can be used to determine the sensitivity of the hybrid model response due to the presence of the associated uncertainties. Nonetheless, estimation of the Sobol’ sensitivity indices requires an unaffordable amount of hybrid simulation evaluations. Therefore, surrogate modeling techniques using machine learning data-driven regression are utilized to alleviate this burden. This study extends the current global sensitivity analysis practices in hybrid simulation by employing various different surrogate modeling methodologies as well as providing comparative results. In particular, polynomial chaos expansion, Kriging and polynomial chaos Kriging are used. A case study encompassing a virtual hybrid model is employed, and hybrid model response quantities of interest are selected. Their respective surrogates are developed, using all three aforementioned techniques. The Sobol’ indices obtained utilizing each examined surrogate are compared with each other, and the results highlight potential deviations when different surrogates are used.
Analysis of Eigenfrequencies of a Circular Interface Delamination in Elastic Media Based on the Boundary Integral Equation Method
Authors: Golub Mikhail V. , Doroshenko Olga V.
Published: December 2021

The widespread of composite structures demands efficient numerical methods for the simulation dynamic behaviour of elastic laminates with interface delaminations with interacting faces. An advanced boundary integral equation method employing the Hankel transform of Green’s matrices is proposed for modelling wave scattering and analysis of the eigenfrequencies of interface circular partially closed delaminations between dissimilar media. A more general case of partially closed circular delamination is introduced using the spring boundary conditions with non-uniform spring stiffness distribution. The unknown crack opening displacement is expanded as Fourier series with respect to the angular coordinate and in terms of associated Legendre polynomials of the first kind via the radial coordinate. The problem is decomposed into a system of boundary integral equations and solved using the Bubnov-Galerkin method. The boundary integral equation method is compared with the meshless method and the published works for a homogeneous space with a circular open crack. The results of the numerical analysis showing the efficiency and the convergence of the method are demonstrated. The proposed method might be useful for damage identification employing the information on the eigenfrequencies estimated experimentally. Also, it can be extended for multi-layered composites with imperfect contact between sub-layers and multiple circular delaminations.
New Identification Approach and Methods for Plasma Equilibrium Reconstruction in D-Shaped Tokamaks
Authors: Mitrishkin Yuri V. , Korenev Pavel S. , Konkov Artem E. , Kruzhkov Valerii I. , Ovsiannikov Nicolai E.
Published: December 2021

The paper deals with the identification of plasma equilibrium reconstruction in D-shaped tokamaks on the base of plasma external magnetic measurements. The methods of such identification are directed to increase their speed of response when plasma discharges are relatively short, like in the spherical Globus-M2 tokamak (Ioffe Inst., St. Petersburg, Russia). The new approach is first to apply to the plasma discharges data the off-line equilibrium reconstruction algorithm based on the Picard iterations, and obtain the gaps between the plasma boundary and the first wall, and the second is to apply new identification methods to the gap values, producing plasma shape models operating in real time. The inputs for on-line robust identification algorithms are the measurements of magnetic fluxes on magnetic loops, plasma current, and currents in the poloidal field coils measured by the Rogowski loops. The novel on-line high-performance identification algorithms are designed on the base of (i) full-order observer synthesized by linear matrix inequality (LMI) methodology, (ii) static matrix obtained by the least square technique, and (iii) deep neural network. The robust observer is constructed on the base of the LPV plant models which have the novelty that the state vector contains the gaps which are estimated by the observer, using input and output signals. The results of the simulation of the identification systems on the base of experimental data of the Globus-M2 tokamak are presented.
Economies of Scope between Research and Teaching in European Universities
Authors: Bonaccorsi Andrea , Belingheri Paola , Secondi Luca
Published: December 2021

The estimation of economies of scope between research and teaching has been the object of a large literature in economics of education and efficiency analysis, with parametric and non-parametric specifications. The paper contributes to the literature by building a pan-European dataset that integrates official statistics on higher education at country level with bibliometric indicators. The dataset allows a breakdown by scientific and educational field, accounting for the heterogeneity among disciplines. We applied a technique which has not been used for the efficiency estimation of economies of scope in higher education, namely seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) applied to separate input–output equations describing the production of education and research. We found confirmation for economies of scope in some fields and with some specifications, or no relation between the equations. In no case did we find diseconomies of scope between teaching and research.
A Combined Interval Type-2 Fuzzy MCDM Framework for the Resilient Supplier Selection Problem
Authors: Hoseini Seyed Amirali , Hashemkhani Zolfani Sarfaraz , Skačkauskas Paulius , Fallahpour Alireza , Saberi Sara
Published: December 2021

Selecting the most resilient supplier is a crucial problem for organizations and managers in the supply chain. However, due to the inherited high degree of uncertainty in real-life projects, developing a decision-making framework in a crisp or fuzzy environment may not present accurate or reliable results for the managers. For this reason, it is better to evaluate the potential suppliers in an Interval Type-2 Fuzzy (IT2F) environment for better dealing with this ambiguity. This study developed an improved combined IT2F Best Worst Method (BWM) and IT2F technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model “Atieh Sazan” Co. as a case study, such that the IT2FBWM was employed for obtaining the weight of criteria. The IT2FTOPSIS was utilized for ranking the potential suppliers based on Hamming distance measure. In both phases, the opinions of experts as IT2F linguistic terms were employed for weighting the criteria and obtaining the relative importance of the alternatives in terms of the evaluative criteria. After obtaining the final results, the proposed model was validated by replacing Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) approaches separately instead of BWM for weighting the criteria. After executing both new models, it was found that the final ranking was similar to the final ranking of the proposed model, representing the reliability and accuracy of the obtained results. Moreover, it was concluded that the resilient criteria of “Reorganization” and “Redundancy” are the most determinant measures for selecting the best supplier rather than measures in the Iranian Construction Industry.
A Tribute to José António Tenreiro Machado (1957–2021): Life and Work
Authors: Galhano Alexandra M. S. F. , Tenreiro Antonio Francisco G. , Tenreiro José Pedro G.
Published: December 2021

José António Tenreiro Machado (Figure 1) left us unexpectedly on 6 October, the day of his 64th birthday [...]
Optimal Centers’ Allocation in Smoothing or Interpolating with Radial Basis Functions
Authors: González-Rodelas Pedro , Idais Hasan M. H. , Yasin Mohammed , Pasadas Miguel
Published: December 2021

Function interpolation and approximation are classical problems of vital importance in many science/engineering areas and communities. In this paper, we propose a powerful methodology for the optimal placement of centers, when approximating or interpolating a curve or surface to a data set, using a base of functions of radial type. In fact, we chose a radial basis function under tension (RBFT), depending on a positive parameter, that also provides a convenient way to control the behavior of the corresponding interpolation or approximation method. We, therefore, propose a new technique, based on multi-objective genetic algorithms, to optimize both the number of centers of the base of radial functions and their optimal placement. To achieve this goal, we use a methodology based on an appropriate modification of a non-dominated genetic classification algorithm (of type NSGA-II). In our approach, the additional goal of maintaining the number of centers as small as possible was also taken into consideration. The good behavior and efficiency of the algorithm presented were tested using different experimental results, at least for functions of one independent variable.
Fabrication and Characterization of Nanocomposite Hydrogel Based on Alginate/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Loaded with Linum usitatissimum Extract as a Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffold
Authors: Mohammadpour Mahnaz , Samadian Hadi , Moradi Nader , Izadi Zhila , Eftekhari Mahdieh , Hamidi Masoud , Shavandi Amin , Quéro Anthony , Petit Emmanuel , Delattre Cédric , Elboutachfaiti Redouan
Published: December 2021

In the current paper, we fabricated, characterized, and applied nanocomposite hydrogel based on alginate (Alg) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) loaded with phenolic purified extracts from the aerial part of Linum usitatissimum (LOH) as the bone tissue engineering scaffold. nHA was synthesized based on the wet chemical technique/precipitation reaction and incorporated into Alg hydrogel as the filler via physical cross-linking. The characterizations (SEM, DLS, and Zeta potential) revealed that the synthesized nHA possess a plate-like shape with nanometric dimensions. The fabricated nanocomposite has a porous architecture with interconnected pores. The average pore size was in the range of 100–200 µm and the porosity range of 80–90%. The LOH release measurement showed that about 90% of the loaded drug was released within 12 h followed by a sustained release over 48 h. The in vitro assessments showed that the nanocomposite possesses significant antioxidant activity promoting bone regeneration. The hemolysis induction measurement showed that the nanocomposites were hemocompatible with negligible hemolysis induction. The cell viability/proliferation confirmed the biocompatibility of the nanocomposites, which induced proliferative effects in a dose-dependent manner. This study revealed the fabricated nanocomposites are bioactive and osteoactive applicable for bone tissue engineering applications.
Long Term Outcomes of Surgical Excision of Giant Papillae with Mitomycin C and Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in the Treatment of Refractory Palpebral Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Patil Moushmi , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: To report the long-term outcomes of patients with refractory Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) who underwent surgical excision of giant papillae (GP) with mitomycin C (MMC) 0.02% and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective interventional single-center case series including five eyes of four patients who had refractory, symptomatic VKC with GP, along with corneal shield ulcers and/or punctate epithelial erosions. They underwent surgical excision of GP with MMC 0.02% alone (1 eye) or with MMC 0.02% and AMT (4 eyes). Their long-term visual and surgical outcomes were studied. Results: All subjects were male with bilateral involvement and mean age of presentation 9.8 years. The surgery was uneventful in all cases. Amongst the four eyes which underwent MMC with AMT, only one eye demonstrated papillary regrowth requiring repeat surgery. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 59 to 77 months (median 66 months). Four patients had the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) >/= 6/9.5. One patient had BCVA 6/15 at the final follow-up due to the presence of anterior corneal stromal scar and poor ocular surface. Conclusions: Surgical excision of GP in combination with MMC and AMT, in refractory VKC, is a good treatment option with better clinical outcomes over a longer follow-up.
Activity of Total Alcohol Dehydrogenase, Alcohol Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in the Serum of Patients with Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Wolszczak-Biedrzycka Blanka , Zasimowicz-Majewska Elżbieta , Bieńkowska Anna , Biedrzycki Grzegorz , Dorf Justyna , Jelski Wojciech
Published: December 2021

Background and objectives: The aim of the current study was to assess the use of determinations of total alcohol dehydrogenase and the activity of its isoenzymes as well as aldehyde dehydrogenase in the serum of patients with alcohol liver disease. Materials and Methods: The testing was performed on the serum of 38 patients with alcoholic fatty liver (26 males and 12 females aged 31–75). The total activity of ADH was determined by the colorimetric method. The activity of ADH I and ADH II, as well as ALDH, was determined by the spectrofluorometric method using fluorogenic specific substrates. The activity of isoenzymes of other classes was determined by spectrophotometric methods using substrates. Results: A statistically significantly higher ADH I activity was noted in the serum of patients with alcoholic fatty liver (4.45 mIU/L) compared to the control group (2.04 mIU/L). A statistically significant increase in the activity was also noted for the class II alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme (29.21 mIU/L, control group: 15.56 mIU/L) and the total ADH (1.41 IU/L, control group: 0.63 IU/L). Conclusions: The obtained results imply the diagnostic usefulness of the determination of AHD total, ADH I, and ADH II activity in the serum of patients with alcoholic fatty liver.
Effect of Fe/SiO2 Ratio and Fe2O3 on the Viscosity and Slag Structure of Copper-Smelting Slags
Authors: Wang Baoren , Yang Hongying , Jin Zhenan , Liu Zhijian , Zou Mingjun
Published: December 2021

Secondary copper smelting is an effective means of treating waste resources. During the smelting process, the viscous behavior of the smelting slags is essential for smooth operation. Therefore, the effects of Fe/SiO2 ratio and Fe2O3 contents on the viscous behavior of the FeO−Fe2O3−SiO2−8 wt%CaO−3 wt%MgO−3 wt%Al2O3 slag system were investigated. The slag viscosity and activation energy for viscous flow decrease with increasing Fe/SiO2 from 0.8 to 1.2, and increase as the Fe2O3 content increases from 4 wt% to 16 wt% at Fe/SiO2 ratio of 1.2. However, under the conditions of Fe/SiO2 of 0.8 and 1.0, the viscosity and activation energy for viscous flow show a minimum value at Fe2O3 content of 12 wt%. Fe2O3 exhibits amphoteric properties. In addition, the increase in Fe2O3 content raises the breaking temperature of the slag, while the Fe/SiO2 ratio has the opposite effect. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy show that increases in Fe/SiO2 ratio lead to simplification of the silicate network structure, while increases in Fe2O3 content improves the formability of the network. This study provides theoretical support for the related research and application of secondary copper smelting.
Antifungal Metabolites as Food Bio-Preservative: Innovation, Outlook, and Challenges
Authors: Mishra Bishwambhar , Mishra Awdhesh Kumar , Kumar Sanjay , Mandal Sanjeeb Kumar , NSV Lakshmayya , Kumar Vijay , Baek Kwang-Hyun , Mohanta Yugal Kishore
Published: December 2021

Perishable food spoilage caused by fungi is a major cause of discomfort for food producers. Food sensory abnormalities range from aesthetic degeneration to significant aroma, color, or consistency alterations due to this spoilage. Bio-preservation is the use of natural or controlled bacteria or antimicrobials to enhance the quality and safety of food. It has the ability to harmonize and rationalize the required safety requirements with conventional preservation methods and food production safety and quality demands. Even though synthetic preservatives could fix such issues, there is indeed a significant social need for “clean label” foods. As a result, consumers are now seeking foods that are healthier, less processed, and safer. The implementation of antifungal compounds has gotten a lot of attention in recent decades. As a result, the identification and characterization of such antifungal agents has made promising advances. The present state of information on antifungal molecules, their modes of activity, connections with specific target fungi varieties, and uses in food production systems are summarized in this review.
Synergy Factorized Bilinear Network with a Dual Suppression Strategy for Brain Tumor Classification in MRI
Authors: Xiao Guanghua , Wang Huibin , Shen Jie , Chen Zhe , Zhang Zhen , Ge Xiaomin
Published: December 2021

Automatic brain tumor classification is a practicable means of accelerating clinical diagnosis. Recently, deep convolutional neural network (CNN) training with MRI datasets has succeeded in computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) systems. To further improve the classification performance of CNNs, there is still a difficult path forward with regards to subtle discriminative details among brain tumors. We note that the existing methods heavily rely on data-driven convolutional models while overlooking what makes a class different from the others. Our study proposes to guide the network to find exact differences among similar tumor classes. We first present a “dual suppression encoding” block tailored to brain tumor MRIs, which diverges two paths from our network to refine global orderless information and local spatial representations. The aim is to use more valuable clues for correct classes by reducing the impact of negative global features and extending the attention of salient local parts. Then we introduce a “factorized bilinear encoding” layer for feature fusion. The aim is to generate compact and discriminative representations. Finally, the synergy between these two components forms a pipeline that learns in an end-to-end way. Extensive experiments exhibited superior classification performance in qualitative and quantitative evaluation on three datasets.
Design and Fabrication of Pneumatically Actuated Valveless Pumps
Authors: Lin Jr-Lung
Published: December 2021

In this study, a valveless pump was successfully designed and fabricated for the purpose of medium transportation. Different from traditional pumps, the newly designed pump utilizes an actuated or a deflected membrane, and it serves as the function of a check valve at the same time. For achieving the valveless property, an inlet or outlet port positioned in an upper- or lower-layer thin membrane was designed to be connected to an entrance or exit channel. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation were conducted simultaneously to investigate the large deformation characteristics of the membranes and to determine the proper location of the inlet or outlet port on the proposed pump. Then, the valveless pump was fabricated on the basis of the proposed design. In the experiment, the maximum flow rate of the proposed pump exceeded 12.47 mL/min at a driving frequency of 5.0 Hz and driving pressure of 68.95 kPa.
Special Issue: Bacteriophage Treatment as an Alternative Technology to Inactivate Pathogenic Bacteria: A Generalized Worldwide Growing Acceptance
Authors: Almeida Adelaide
Published: December 2021

The increasing worldwide rate of antibiotic resistance has led to a higher incidence of bacterial infections that require alternative methods for their control not only in human medicine, but also in other areas, such as in veterinary medicine, agro-food field and wastewater treatment [...]
The Role of the Universally Conserved ATPase YchF/Ola1 in Translation Regulation during Cellular Stress
Authors: Landwehr Victoria , Milanov Martin , Hong Jiang , Koch Hans-Georg
Published: December 2021

The ability to respond to metabolic or environmental changes is an essential feature in all cells and involves both transcriptional and translational regulators that adjust the metabolic activity to fluctuating conditions. While transcriptional regulation has been studied in detail, the important role of the ribosome as an additional player in regulating gene expression is only beginning to emerge. Ribosome-interacting proteins are central to this translational regulation and include universally conserved ribosome interacting proteins, such as the ATPase YchF (Ola1 in eukaryotes). In both eukaryotes and bacteria, the cellular concentrations of YchF/Ola1 determine the ability to cope with different stress conditions and are linked to several pathologies in humans. The available data indicate that YchF/Ola1 regulates the stress response via controlling non-canonical translation initiation and via protein degradation. Although the molecular mechanisms appear to be different between bacteria and eukaryotes, increased non-canonical translation initiation is a common consequence of YchF/Ola1 regulated translational control in E. coli and H. sapiens. In this review, we summarize recent insights into the role of the universally conserved ATPase YchF/Ola1 in adapting translation to unfavourable conditions.
Bacterial Complexity of Traditional Mountain Butter Is Affected by the Malga-Farm of Production
Authors: Schiavon Silvia , Paolini Mauro , Guzzon Raffaele , Mancini Andrea , Larcher Roberto , Villegas Tomas Roman , Franciosi Elena
Published: December 2021

Bacteria can play different roles affecting flavors and food characteristics. Few studies have described the bacterial microbiota of butter. In the present paper, next-generation sequencing was used to determine bacterial diversity, together with aromatic characteristics, in raw cow milk butter processed by traditional fermentation, in fourteen small farms called “Malga”, located in the Trentino province (Alpine region, North-East of Italy). The physicochemical and aromatic characterization of traditional mountain butter (TMB) showed a low moisture level depending on the Malga producing the butter. Counts of lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococci, and coliforms, as well as diacetyl/acetoin concentrations exhibited changes according to the geographical origin of Malga and the residual humidity of butter. MiSeq Illumina data analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Lactococcus was higher in TMB samples with the highest values of acetoin (acetoin higher than 10 mg/kg). The traditional mountain butter bacterial community was characterized by a “core dominance” of psychrotrophic genera, mainly Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas, but according to ANCOM analysis, a complex bacterial population emerged and specific bacterial genera were able to characterize the TMB bacteria community, with their high abundance, based on the Malga producing the butter.
Multiple Secondary Healthcare-Associated Infections Due to Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms in a Critically Ill COVID-19 Patient on Extensively Prolonged Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support—A Case Report
Authors: Baba Hiroaki , Kanamori Hajime , Seike Issei , Niitsuma-Sugaya Ikumi , Takei Kentaro , Oshima Kengo , Iwasaki Yudai , Ogata Yuko , Nishimaki Hirona , Konno Daisuke , Shiga Takuya , Saito Koji , Tokuda Koichi , Aoyagi Tetsuji
Published: December 2021

Patients with severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at high risk for secondary infection with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Secondary infections contribute to a more severe clinical course and longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays in patients with COVID-19. A man in his 60s was admitted to the ICU at a university hospital for severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. His respiratory condition worsened further due to persistent bacteremia caused by imipenem-non-susceptible Klebsiella aerogenes and he required VV-ECMO. Subsequently, he developed a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) due to Candida albicans, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP), and a perianal abscess due to carbapenem-resistant K. aerogenes despite infection control procedures that maximized contact precautions and the absence of MDRO contamination in the patient’s room environment. He was decannulated from VV-ECMO after a total of 72 days of ECMO support, and was eventually weaned off ventilator support and discharged from the ICU on day 138. This case highlights the challenges of preventing, diagnosing, and treating multidrug-resistant organisms and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the critical care management of severe COVID-19. In addition to the stringent implementation of infection prevention measures, a high index of suspicion and a careful evaluation of HAIs are required in such patients.
Editorial for the Special Issue: The Role of the Virome in Health and Disease
Authors: Broecker Felix
Published: December 2021

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth, with an estimated total of 1031 virions [...]
Downdip Development of the Ni-Cu-PGE-Bearing Mafic to Ultramafic Uitkomst Complex, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Authors: Gauert Christoph , Zeh Armin
Published: December 2021

The about 2055-Ma-old mafic to ultramafic Uitkomst Complex in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa hosts the low-grade-large-tonnage Ni-Cu-PGE deposit, Nkomati. The complex is regarded to represent a satellite to the Bushveld Complex and a feeder to an eroded magmatic reservoir in the southeast. Aeromagnetic surveys and previous drilling indicated an overall northwestern-downdip extension of the complex, but the question is to what extent and in which expression can the complete intrusion be found under cover in the northwest? Answering this, a mineralogical, geochemical and geochronological investigation of a borehole intersection of the whole complex at Little Mamre was carried out, using petrography, XRF, EPMA and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses of zircons for age determination. Although the total thickness of the rock units is larger than to the southeast, emplacement, litho- and mineral chemistry trends, expression of alteration mineralogy and style of sulphide mineralisation are similar. The amount of sulphide mineralisation is on average less than in the southeast. The upper ultramafic unit contains, more frequently, pegmatoidal sections, and the Chromitiferous Harzburgite unit has less massive chromitite layers than the southeastern parts of the complex, whereas the gabbro(-norite) units contain more interstitial liquid with late-stage minerals. The findings confirm that the anvil-shaped intrusion in cross section continues with increased thickness towards northwest at a shallow dip; although approaching the deeper part of the igneous reservoir, mineral compositions are partially more evolved. The overall mineralogical consistency downdip supports a situation of multiple magma replenishment along a flat-lying, northwest–southeast trending conduit, resulting in an evolved cumulus mineral assemblage in the upper part.
Evolution of Physicochemical Parameters during the Thermal-Based Production of Água-mel, a Traditional Portuguese Honey-Related Food Product
Authors: Cavaco Teresa , Figueira Ana Cristina , González-Domínguez Raúl , Sayago Ana , Fernández-Recamales Ángeles
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this work was to investigate the physicochemical changes occurring during the thermal-based production of água-mel, a traditional Portuguese honey-related food product. The refractive index, color parameters (hue angle, H°; chroma, C*), and the content of total reducing sugars, glucose, fructose, total brown pigments, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were monitored along the entire production process, and their evolution was kinetically modelled. Thermal processing caused a gradual decrease in sugars, which was accompanied by the formation of brown pigments and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, increased concentration of soluble solids as evaluated through refractive index measurements, as well as the appearance of darker colors. In particular, a zero-order kinetic model could explain the changes in H° and reducing sugars, while the evolution of refractive index, brown pigments, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, C*, fructose, and glucose were best fitted using a first-order kinetics model.
How the Chemical Properties of GBCAs Influence Their Safety Profiles In Vivo
Authors: Do Quyen N. , Lenkinski Robert E. , Tircso Gyula , Kovacs Zoltan
Published: December 2021

The extracellular class of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) is an essential tool for clinical diagnosis and disease management. In order to better understand the issues associated with GBCA administration and gadolinium retention and deposition in the human brain, the chemical properties of GBCAs such as relative thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities and their likelihood of forming gadolinium deposits in vivo will be reviewed. The chemical form of gadolinium causing the hyperintensity is an open question. On the basis of estimates of total gadolinium concentration present, it is highly unlikely that the intact chelate is causing the T1 hyperintensities observed in the human brain. Although it is possible that there is a water-soluble form of gadolinium that has high relaxitvity present, our experience indicates that the insoluble gadolinium-based agents/salts could have high relaxivities on the surface of the solid due to higher water access. This review assesses the safety of GBCAs from a chemical point of view based on their thermodynamic and kinetic properties, discusses how these properties influence in vivo behavior, and highlights some clinical implications regarding the development of future imaging agents.
In Vitro and In Vivo Protective Effects of Lentil (Lens culinaris) Extract against Oxidative Stress-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Jung Yeon-Seop , Lee So-Hee , Chun So Young , Kim Dae Hwan , Jang Byung Ik , Han Man-Hoon , Lee Syng-Ook
Published: December 2021

Excessive oxidative stress plays a role in hepatotoxicity and the pathogenesis of hepatic diseases. In our previous study, the phenolic extract of beluga lentil (BLE) showed the most potent in vitro antioxidant activity among extracts of four common varieties of lentils; thus, we hypothesized that BLE might protect liver cells against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity. BLE was evaluated for its protective effects against oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity in AML12 mouse hepatocytes and BALB/c mice. H2O2 treatment caused a marked decrease in cell viability; however, pretreatment with BLE (25–100 μg/mL) for 24 h significantly preserved the viability of H2O2-treated cells up to about 50% at 100 μg/mL. As expected, BLE dramatically reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in a dose-dependent manner in H2O2-treated cells. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that BLE reduced cellular ROS levels, partly by increasing expression of antioxidant genes. Furthermore, pretreatment with BLE (400 mg/kg) for 2 weeks significantly reduced serum levels of alanine transaminase and triglyceride by about 49% and 40%, respectively, and increased the expression and activity of glutathione peroxidase in CCl4-treated BALB/c mice. These results suggest that BLE protects liver cells against oxidative stress, partly by inducing cellular antioxidant system; thus, it represents a potential source of nutraceuticals with hepatoprotective effects.
Novel Small-Molecule Hybrid-Antibacterial Agents against S. aureus and MRSA Strains
Authors: Gehrmann Robin , Hertlein Tobias , Hopke Elisa , Ohlsen Knut , Lalk Michael , Hilgeroth Andreas
Published: December 2021

Ongoing resistance developments against antibiotics that also affect last-resort antibiotics require novel antibacterial compounds. Strategies to discover such novel structures have been dimerization or hybridization of known antibacterial agents. We found novel antibacterial agents by dimerization of indols and hybridization with carbazoles. They were obtained in a simple one-pot reaction as bisindole tetrahydrocarbazoles. Further oxidation led to bisindole carbazoles with varied substitutions of both the indole and the carbazole scaffold. Both the tetrahydrocarbazoles and the carbazoles have been evaluated in various S. aureus strains, including MRSA strains. Those 5-cyano substituted derivatives showed best activities as determined by MIC values. The tetrahydrocarbazoles partly exceed the activity of the carbazole compounds and thus the activity of the used standard antibiotics. Thus, promising lead compounds could be identified for further studies.
Plasmonic Resonant Nanoantennas Induce Changes in the Shape and the Intensity of Infrared Spectra of Phospholipids
Authors: Omeis Fatima , Boubegtiten-Fezoua Zahia , Seica Ana Filipa Santos , Bernard Romain , Iqbal Muhammad Haseeb , Javahiraly Nicolas , Vergauwe Robrecht M. A. , Majjad Hicham , Boulmedais Fouzia , Moss David , Hellwig Petra
Published: December 2021

Surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopic studies (SEIRAS) as a technique to study biological molecules in extremely low concentrations is greatly evolving. In order to use the technique for identification of the structure and interactions of such biological molecules, it is necessary to identify the effects of the plasmonic electric-field enhancement on the spectral signature. In this study the spectral properties of 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3 phosphothioethanol (DPPTE) phospholipid immobilized on gold nanoantennas, specifically designed to enhance the vibrational fingerprints of lipid molecules were studied. An AFM study demonstrates an organization of the DPPTE phospholipid in bilayers on the nanoantenna structure. The spectral data were compared to SEIRAS active gold surfaces based on nanoparticles, plain gold and plain substrate (Si) for different temperatures. The shape of the infrared signals, the peak positions and their relative intensities were found to be sensitive to the type of surface and the presence of an enhancement. The strongest shifts in position and intensity were seen for the nanoantennas, and a smaller effect was seen for the DPPTE immobilized on gold nanoparticles. This information is crucial for interpretation of data obtained for biological molecules measured on such structures, for future application in nanodevices for biologically or medically relevant samples.
Dealing with the Ambiguity of Glycan Substructure Search
Authors: Daponte Vincenzo , Hayes Catherine , Mariethoz Julien , Lisacek Frederique
Published: December 2021

The level of ambiguity in describing glycan structure has significantly increased with the upsurge of large-scale glycomics and glycoproteomics experiments. Consequently, an ontology-based model appears as an appropriate solution for navigating these data. However, navigation is not sufficient and the model should also enable advanced search and comparison. A new ontology with a tree logical structure is introduced to represent glycan structures irrespective of the precision of molecular details. The model heavily relies on the GlycoCT encoding of glycan structures. Its implementation in the GlySTreeM knowledge base was validated with GlyConnect data and benchmarked with the Glycowork library. GlySTreeM is shown to be fast, consistent, reliable and more flexible than existing solutions for matching parts of or whole glycan structures. The model is also well suited for painless future expansion.