bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra-Light and Ultra-Low Thermal Conductivity of Elastic Silica Nanofibrous Aerogel with TiO2 Opacifier Particles as Filler
Authors: Yang Lixia , Ding Yang , Yang Mengmeng , Wang Yapeng , Erişen Deniz Eren , Chen Zhaofeng , Wu Qiong , Zheng Guiyuan
Published: November 2022

The thermal radiation phenomenon is more crucial than other thermal transportation phenomena at elevated temperatures (>300 °C). Therefore, infrared radiation resistance and its performance on thermal conduction of nanofibrous aerogel with Titanium oxide (TiO2) filler have been investigated compared to control groups (silica nanofibrous aerogels with and without filler). Nanofibrous aerogel has been produced by electrospun silica nanofibers. Later, TiO2 opacifier and a non-opacifier filled materials were prepared by a solution homogenization method and then freeze-dried to obtain particle-filled nanofibrous aerogel. Moreover, the thermal radiation conductivity of the composite was calculated by numerical simulation, and the effect of the anti-infrared radiation of the TiO2 opacifier was obtained. The fascinating inhibited infrared radiation transmission performance (infrared transmittance ~67% at 3 μm) and excellent thermal insulation effect (thermal conductivity of 0.019 Wm−1K−1 at room temperature) and maximum compressive strengths (3.22 kPa) of silica nanofibrous aerogel with TiO2 opacifier were verified. Excellent thermal insulation, compression and thermal stability properties show its potential for practical application in industrial production. The successful synthesis of this material may shed light on the development of other insulative ceramic aerogels.
Study on Preparation of Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol Aerogel with Graphene−Intercalated Attapulgite(GO−ATP@CS−PVA) and Adsorption Properties of Crystal Violet Dye
Authors: Sun Weikai , Ou Hongxiang , Chen Ziwei
Published: November 2022

Adsorption is one of the effective methods of treating dye wastewater. However, the selection of suitable adsorbent materials is the key to treating dye wastewater. In this paper, GO−ATP was prepared by an intercalation method by inserting graphene oxide (GO) into the interlayer of alabaster attapulgite (ATP), and GO−ATP@CS−PVA aerogel was prepared by co−blending−crosslinking with chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for the adsorption and removal of crystalline violet dye from the solution. The physicochemical properties of the materials are characterized by various methods. The results showed that the layer spacing of the GO−ATP increased from 1.063 nm to 1.185 nm for the ATP, and the specific surface area was 187.65 m2·g−1, which was 45.7% greater than that of the ATP. The FTIR results further confirmed the success of the GO−ATP intercalation modification. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the aerogel has good thermal stability properties. The results of static adsorption experiments show that at 302 K and pH 9.0, the adsorption capacity of the GO−ATP@CS−PVA aerogel is 136.06 mg·g−1. The mass of the aerogel after adsorption−solution equilibrium is 11.4 times that of the initial mass, with excellent adsorption capacity. The quasi−secondary kinetic, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models can better describe the adsorption process of the aerogel. The biobased composite aerogel GO−ATP@CS−PVA has good swelling properties, a large specific surface area, easy collection and a low preparation cost. The good network structure gives it unique resilience. The incorporation of clay as a nano−filler can also improve the mechanical properties of the composite aerogel.
The Effects of Ultrasound Treatment of Graphite on the Reversibility of the (De)Intercalation of an Anion from Aqueous Electrolyte Solution
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Zafar Zahid , Sonia Farjana , Knížek Karel , Houdková Jana , Jiříček Petr , Kalbáč Martin , Červenka Jiří , Frank Otakar
Published: November 2022

Low cycling stability is one of the most crucial issues in rechargeable batteries. Herein, we study the effects of a simple ultrasound treatment of graphite for the reversible (de)intercalation of a ClO4− anion from a 2.4 M Al(ClO4)3 aqueous solution. We demonstrate that the ultrasound-treated graphite offers the improved reversibility of the ClO4− anion (de)intercalation compared with the untreated samples. The ex situ and in situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry and X-ray diffraction analysis of the ultrasound-treated materials shows no change in the interlayer spacing, a mild increase in the stacking order, and a large increase in the amount of defects in the lattice accompanied by a decrease in the lateral crystallite size. The smaller flakes of the ultrasonicated natural graphite facilitate the improved reversibility of the ClO4− anion electrochemical (de)intercalation and a more stable electrochemical performance with a cycle life of over 300 cycles.
Development and Efficacy Evaluation of a Novel Nano-Emulsion Adjuvant for a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus-like Particles Vaccine Based on Squalane
Authors: Shi Xiaoni , Yang Kun , Song Hetao , Teng Zhidong , Zhang Yun , Ding Weihao , Wang Aofei , Tan Shuzhen , Dong Hu , Sun Shiqi , Hu Yonghao , Guo Huichen
Published: November 2022

The successful development of foot-and-mouth disease virus-like particles (FMD-VLPs) has opened a new direction for researching a novel subunit vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Therefore, it is urgent to develop an adjuvant that is highly effective and safe to facilitate a better immune response to be pair with the FMD-VLP vaccine. In this research, we prepared a new nano-emulsion adjuvant based on squalane (SNA) containing CpG using the pseudo-ternary phase diagram method and the phase transformation method. The SNA consisted of Span85, Tween60, squalane, polyethene glycol-400 (PEG400) and CpG aqueous solution. The average particle diameter of the SNA was about 95 nm, and it exhibited good resistance to centrifugation, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. Then, SNA was emulsified as an adjuvant to prepare foot-and-mouth disease virus-like particles vaccine, BALB/c mice and guinea pigs were immunized, and we evaluated the immunization effect. The immunization results in mice showed that the SNA-VLPs vaccine significantly increased specific antibody levels in mice within 4 weeks, including higher levels of IgG1 and IgG2a. In addition, it increased the levels of IFN-γ and IL-1β in the immune serum of mice. Meanwhile, guinea pig-specific and neutralizing antibodies were considerably increased within 4 weeks when SNA was used as an adjuvant, thereby facilitating the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes. More importantly, in guinea pigs immunized with one dose of SNA-VLPs, challenged with FMDV 28 days after immunization, the protection rate can reach 83.3%, which is as high as in the ISA-206 control group. In conclusion, the novel squalane nano-emulsion adjuvant is an effective adjuvant for the FMD-VLPs vaccine, indicating a promising adjuvant for the future development of a novel FMD-VLPs vaccine.
Neuroanatomy of the Will
Authors: Sonne James William Hendry
Published: November 2022

Questions regarding the nature and source of consciousness and individual agency to make decisions have enormous practical implications that include human health and wellbeing, social policy, and economics. Ethical issues involving the ability for patients to make conscious, informed choices, such as in cases of dementia or coma, abound, and the health implications of individual choice on public wellbeing are becoming increasingly important as population densities increase. Furthermore, the use of animals for drug testing presents moral dilemmas related to our concepts of consciousness, pain, and consent. While philosophers have long debated aspects of consciousness, the means to scientifically address specific questions regarding regional and cellular functions of the brain are constantly emerging, as are new theories of physical laws and particle interactions which allow for the formation of new hypotheses of the source of consciousness. These emerging capabilities and hypotheses are increasingly able to be subjected to methodological scrutiny by the scientific community. To facilitate open discussion and advances in investigations regarding the nature of consciousness, this Topical Collection is intended to provide a peer-reviewed space to discuss or propose falsifiable hypotheses of consciousness in a full range of systems, using methods across disciplines of biology, physics, computer science, and philosophy of science that can inform such a discussion, while emphasizing the role that our conception of consciousness has on human health, society, and policy.
Food Insecurity among a Cohort of Division I Student-Athletes
Authors: Reader Jenifer , Gordon Barbara , Christensen Natalie
Published: November 2022

Background: Though the vulnerability of college students to food insecurity is well established, there is a paucity of studies focusing on the prevalence of food insecurity among student-athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with collegiate athletes in the northwestern United States via an anonymous online survey. Food security status was assessed using the 10-item US Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey. Results: Participating athletes (45/307, 14%) were primarily White, non-Hispanic (78%) females (73%) who lived and consumed meals off-campus (62% and 69%, respectively). Food insecurity was more prevalent among collegiate athletes than the general university population, 60% vs. 42%, respectively. Being a track or football athlete significantly predicted food security status (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). The risk for food insecurity was higher among collegiate football players (effect size, η2 = 0.86) compared with track athletes (effect size, η2 = 0.40). Conclusion: A statistically significant risk for food insecurity emerged among members of the football team. Factors contributing to disparate rates of food insecurity among college populations were explored and unique considerations for collegiate athletes discussed.
Usual Intake of Micronutrients and Prevalence of Inadequate Intake among Chinese Adults: Data from CNHS 2015–2017
Authors: Huang Kun , Fang Hongyun , Yu Dongmei , Guo Qiya , Xu Xiaoli , Ju Lahong , Cai Shuya , Yang Yuxiang , Wei Xiaoqi , Zhao Liyun
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have used the traditional average-value method to calculate the usual dietary intake of a population, but the results may be biased due to the measurement errors. The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the usual micronutrient intake and estimate the prevalence of inadequate intake among Chinese adults. Data from the Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance 2015–2017 as well as a total of 72,231 subjects aged 18 years and older were included in the analysis. The 24 h recall method combined with the condiment weighing method were used for three consecutive days to collect daily food and condiments intake. The daily intake of 16 micronutrients was calculated based on the Chinese Food Component Tables. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) method was used to estimate the usual intake of micronutrients, and the prevalence of inadequate intake was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method. The results showed that, except for sodium, copper, iron (only for males), vitamin E, and phosphorus, the usual intake of micronutrients in Chinese adults was low, and the prevalence of inadequate intake ranged from 38.67 to 97.63%. The prevalence of inadequate calcium and riboflavin intake was more than 90%, and the proportion of individuals with a usual intake of thiamine, vitamin A, potassium, and selenium below EAR also reached 80%. Manganese, magnesium, vitamin C, and zinc were potentially deficient micronutrients, with the prevalence of inadequate intake ranging from 38.67% to 77.09%. However, usual sodium intake was extremely high with an average of 5139.61 mg/day, and only a quarter of Chinese adults were below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended value. For most micronutrients, the usual dietary intake declined with age and the prevalence of inadequate intake increased with age. Except for zinc, vitamin A, and B-vitamins, the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies was higher in females than in males in the same age group (p < 0.05). Therefore, Chinese adults do not receive enough micronutrients. Effective nutrition supplementary strategies and measures are needed to address these problems.
Can PSMA-Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals Be Useful for Detecting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Positron Emission Tomography? An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rizzo Alessio , Racca Manuela , Albano Domenico , Dondi Francesco , Bertagna Francesco , Annunziata Salvatore , Treglia Giorgio
Published: November 2022

Background: Several studies proposed the use of positron emission tomography (PET) with Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-targeting radiopharmaceuticals in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim is to calculate the detection rate (DR) of this examination in HCC with a meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of studies on the DR of PET/CT or PET/MRI with PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceuticals in HCC was performed. Original articles evaluating these imaging examinations both in newly diagnosed HCC patients and HCC patients with disease relapse were included. Pooled DR including 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was calculated. Statistical heterogeneity was also assessed using the I2 test. Results: The meta-analysis of six selected studies (126 patients) provided a DR of 85.9% for PET imaging with PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceuticals in the diagnosis of HCC. Moderate statistical heterogeneity among the included studies was found (I2 = 56%). Conclusions: The quantitative data provided demonstrate the high DR of PET/CT or PET/MRI with PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceuticals for HCC lesion detection. However, more studies are needed to confirm the promising role of PSMA-targeted PET in HCC.
Influence of Roll Speed during Roll Compaction and Its Effect on the Prediction of Ribbon Solid Fraction
Authors: Lück Martin , De Saeger Matthias , Kleinebudde Peter
Published: November 2022

Influence of the roll speed (RS) during roll compaction on ribbon, granule, tablet properties and its effect on the prediction of the ribbon solid fraction at-gap is often neglected or controversially discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the RS systematically. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and lactose were compressed at several maximum roll pressures (Pmax) and RS combinations using a gap-controlled roll compactor. The ribbon solid fraction after elastic recovery (SFribbon), granule size distribution and tabletability of the granules as well as the ribbon solid fraction at-gap SFgap were measured. The Midoux number (Mi), derived from the Johanson model, was used to predict the ribbon solid fraction at-gap (SFMi). The measured SFgap and the predicted SFMi lead to a prediction accuracy (PA) of the Midoux number. The results are highly dependent on the material used and the applied Pmax. Higher plasticity of the material leads to a reduction in SFribbon and granule size with increasing RS. However, this effect can be overcome or reduced by adjusting Pmax above the yield pressure of the used material. These results allow for higher roll speeds as a potential upscaling method in roll compaction. On the other side, the PA of the Midoux number was also reduced with increased RS for MCC and had no effect for lactose. Thus, RS seems to be an important factor in the prediction of roll compaction processes and prediction models should include RS as a parameter to improve their accuracy.
Synthesis of Small Peptide Nanogels Using Radiation Crosslinking as a Platform for Nano-Imaging Agents for Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Kimura Atsushi , Arai Tadashi , Ueno Miho , Oyama Kotaro , Yu Hao , Yamashita Shinichi , Otome Yudai , Taguchi Mitsumasa
Published: November 2022

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) have been developed as effective diagnostic and low-dose imaging agents. Nano-imaging agents with particles greater than 100 nm are difficult to accumulate in pancreatic cancer cells, making high-intensity imaging of pancreatic cancer challenging. Peptides composed of histidine and glycine were designed and synthesized. Additionally, aqueous peptide solutions were irradiated with γ-rays to produce peptide nanogels with an average size of 25–53 nm. The mechanisms underlying radiation-mediated peptide crosslinking were investigated by simulating peptide particle formation based on rate constants. The rate constants for reactions between peptides and reactive species produced by water radiolysis were measured using pulse radiolysis. HGGGHGGGH (H9, H—histidine; G—glycine) particles exhibited a smaller size, as well as high formation yield, stability, and biodegradability. These particles were labeled with fluorescent dye to change their negative surface potential and enhance their accumulation in pancreatic cancer cells. Fluorescent-labeled H9 particles accumulated in PANC1 human pancreatic cancer cells, demonstrating that these particles are effective nano-imaging agents for intractable cancers.
Dual Functionalized Liposomes for Selective Delivery of Poorly Soluble Drugs to Inflamed Brain Regions
Authors: Giofrè Sabrina , Renda Antonio , Sesana Silvia , Formicola Beatrice , Vergani Barbara , Leone Biagio Eugenio , Denti Vanna , Paglia Giuseppe , Groppuso Serena , Romeo Valentina , Muzio Luca , Balboni Andrea , Menegon Andrea , Antoniou Antonia , Amenta Arianna , Passarella Daniele , Seneci Pierfausto , Pellegrino Sara , Re Francesca
Published: November 2022

Dual functionalized liposomes were developed to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and to release their cargo in a pathological matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-rich microenvironment. Liposomes were surface-functionalized with a modified peptide deriving from the receptor-binding domain of apolipoprotein E (mApoE), known to promote cargo delivery to the brain across the BBB in vitro and in vivo; and with an MMP-sensitive moiety for an MMP-triggered drug release. Different MMP-sensitive peptides were functionalized at both ends with hydrophobic stearate tails to yield MMP-sensitive lipopeptides (MSLPs), which were assembled into mApoE liposomes. The resulting bi-functional liposomes (i) displayed a < 180 nm diameter with a negative ζ-potential; (ii) were able to cross an in vitro BBB model with an endothelial permeability of 3 ± 1 × 10−5 cm/min; (iii) when exposed to functional MMP2 or 9, efficiently released an encapsulated fluorescein dye; (iv) showed high biocompatibility when tested in neuronal cultures; and (v) when loaded with glibenclamide, a drug candidate with poor aqueous solubility, reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines from activated microglial cells.
Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Custodio Luísa , Garcia-Caparros Pedro , Pereira Catarina Guerreiro , Castelo-Branco Pedro
Published: November 2022

Salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) are widely distributed worldwide in several environments such as coastal salt marshes, sand dunes, and inland deserts. To cope with the harsh conditions that characterize those habitats, which include high salinity and radiation levels, such plants have developed morphological and physiological traits, the latter including the synthesis and accumulation of important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and polyphenols. While essential in maintaining plant homeostasis, these compounds are highly valued in the medical field for the treatment of several human diseases, including cancer. Cancer is one of the most life-threatening disorders worldwide, which accentuates the need to improve current cancer therapies and minimize potential adverse secondary side-effects. In this context, the pharmacological evaluation of natural compounds has attracted growing interest since nature has already provided some important anti-cancer drugs. This review compiles, for the first time, research regarding the anticancer activity of halophytes from different families, including, whenever possible, the bioactive molecules involved in such therapeutical properties along with possible mechanisms of action. The introduction section provides some pertinent information regarding cancer and a summary of the most important characteristics of halophytes. The next section gives information regarding the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic properties of several halophyte species, grouped by families, including contents in bioactive metabolites and proposed modes of action, if possible. Lastly, the conclusion presents the most relevant metabolites and/or promising species and extracts that could be further explored in anticancer drug research.
Preparation and Evaluation of Directly Compressible Orally Disintegrating Tablets of Cannabidiol Formulated Using Liquisolid Technique
Authors: Limpongsa Ekapol , Tabboon Peera , Pongjanyakul Thaned , Jaipakdee Napaphak
Published: November 2022

This study demonstrated the implementation of a liquisolid technique to formulate directly compressible orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Cannabidiol (CBD), a hydrophobic cannabinoid, was prepared as a liquisolid powder using microcrystalline cellulose–colloidal silicon dioxide as a carrier–coating material. Different liquid vehicles differing in their volatility, hydrophilicity, and viscosity were investigated. Each of the CBD–ODTs comprised CBD liquisolid powder (10 mg CBD), superdisintegrant, flavors, lubricant, and filler. The physical mixture (PM) ODT was prepared as a control. Ethanol-based ODTs (CBD–EtOH–ODTs) had comparable tablet properties and stability to CBD–PM–ODTs. ODTs with nonvolatile-vehicle-based liquisolid powder had lower friability but longer disintegration times as compared with CBD–PM–ODTs and CBD–EtOH–ODTs. Compression pressure influenced the thickness, hardness, friability, and disintegration of the ODTs. With a suitable compression pressure to yield 31-N-hardness-ODTs and superdisintegrant (4–8%), CBD–ODTs passed the friability test and promptly disintegrated (≤25 s). Times to dissolve 50% of CBD–PM–ODTs, CBD–EtOH–ODTs, and nonvolatile-vehicle-based CBD–ODTs were 10.1 ± 0.7, 3.8 ± 0.2, and 4.2 ± 0.4–5.0 ± 0.1 min, respectively. CBD–EtOH–ODTs exhibited the highest dissolution efficiency of 93.5 ± 2.6%. Long-term and accelerated storage indicated excellent stability in terms of tablet properties and dissolution. Nonvolatile-vehicle-based CBD–ODTs exhibited a higher percentage of remaining CBD. This study provides useful basic information for the development of ODT formulations using a liquisolid technique application.
Enhancement of Efficacy of Retinoids through Enhancing Retinoid-Induced RAR Activity and Inhibiting Hydroxylation of Retinoic Acid, and Its Clinical Efficacy on Photo-Aging
Authors: Kang Seongsu , Lee Hyejin , Jun Seung-Hyun , Park Sun-Gyoo , Kang Nae-Gyu
Published: November 2022

Retinoids, one of the most robust bioactive materials, have been widely used to improve various dermatological and pathological conditions. The body has an endogenous mechanism that modulates the exogenous retinoid above physiological concentrations, which limits the bioavailability or pharmacological efficacy of retinoids. Considering that most retinoids trigger extensive irritation in users, it is necessary to enhance the pharmacological efficacy of retinoids, thereby achieving a higher efficacy at a lower dosage. Here, we present approaches for enhancing the efficacy of retinol by enhancing retinoid-induced RAR gamma (RAR-γ) activity and inhibiting the hydroxylation of retinoic acid. Using both in vitro and ex vivo experiments, retinoid boosters were demonstrated to enhance pharmacological efficacy. A small pilot study was conducted to investigate the efficacy for improvement of facial wrinkles, whose results revealed that these boosters could enhance the pharmacological efficacy of topical applications of both retinol and retinoic acid for cosmetic use. These results promote not only a higher compliance among retinoids users, but also provide significant insights into the mechanisms underlying the action of retinoids.
Silver Nanoplate Composites as Nonlinear Saturable Absorbers for a Q-Switched Laser
Authors: Lyu Wenhao , Cheng Yuan , An Jiayi , Condorelli Marcello , Pulvirenti Mario , Compagnini Giuseppe , Wang Xiaogang , Fu Bo , Scardaci Vittorio
Published: November 2022

Metal nanomaterials have promising applications in ultrafast photonics due to their broadband operation, large third-order nonlinear susceptibility, and ultrafast recovery time. We realized a Q-switched pulsed erbium-doped fiber laser based on a silver nanoplate polyvinyl alcohol film as a saturable absorber. This film, with a modulation depth of 15.7%, was integrated into a fiber laser by means of a sandwich structure. We obtained Q-switched pulses in the 1.5-μm band, which plays an important role in telecommunications and atmospheric detection. Stable Q-switched pulses were obtained at the pump power of 135 mW, with a single pulse energy of 33.8 nJ, a pulse width of 2.3 μs, a repetition rate of 62.4 kHz, and a signal-to-noise ratio of about 45 dB. When increasing the pump power up to a maximum value of 246 mW, the maximum single pulse energy of 57.8 nJ was achieved. This study first demonstrates the potential of silver nanoplates as saturable absorbers in generating stable laser pulses with high energy.
Numerical and Experimental Study on Thermal Damage Induced by Medium—Infrared Laser
Authors: Lei Zhenhua , Zhang Yubin , Li Qingzhi , Shao Ting , Sun Laixi , Wang Kaixuan , Yi Zao , Ye Xin , Zheng Wanguo , Wu Pinghui
Published: November 2022

We studied the laser-induced thermal damage on the surface of a single crystal silicon mirror illuminated by a mid-infrared intense laser. We used mid−infrared quasi-continuous wave lasers to irradiate the surface of the single−crystal silicon mirror. The power density of the irradiation process is 1 kW/cm2 to 17 kW/cm2, and the transient temperature field and thermal stress field under different laser fluxes were obtained. The simulation results show that we can calculate the thermal stress and temperature under laser irradiation. In addition, irradiance exceeding the corresponding breaking strength and melting point limit was obtained by the model. We can predict the irradiance that causes cracking and melting. There is little difference between experimental results and simulation results. On this basis, the thermal damage to the surface of the silicon wafer caused by continuous mid−infrared laser irradiation was studied.
Random Laser Based on Ytterbium-Doped Fiber with a Bragg Grating Array as the Source of Continuous-Wave 976 nm Wavelength Radiation
Authors: Rybaltovsky Andrey , Popov Sergei , Ryakhovskiy Dmitry , Abramov Alexey , Umnikov Andrey , Medvedkov Oleg , Voloshin Viktor , Kolosovskii Alexander , Vorob’ev Igor , Chamorovskiy Yuriy , Lipatov Denis
Published: November 2022

A random narrow-linewidth lasing at a wavelength of 976 nm was obtained in an ytterbium-doped germanophosphosilicate fiber with an array of weakly reflecting fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). A random laser cavity was formed by implementing the standard phase mask method of FBG inscription directly during the fiber drawing process. The UV radiation pulses of a KrF excimer laser (248 nm wavelength) synchronized with the fiber drawing speed were used to fabricate the in-fiber array of hundreds of similar FBGs. The developed laser’s slope efficiency in the backward-pumping scheme was measured as high as 33%. The stable continuous-wave operation mode of the laser was detected. The magnitude of the laser power fluctuations depends linearly on the cavity length. The random laser cavity modified with a single highlyreflected (90%) FBG demonstrates significantly better power stability and higher slope efficiency than the same one without an FBG.
Unraveling the Physiological Mechanisms Underlying the Intracultivar Variability of Water Use Efficiency in Vitis vinifera “Grenache”
Authors: Buesa Ignacio , Hernández-Montes Esther , Tortosa Ignacio , Baraldi Gabriele , Rosselló Miquel , Medrano Hipólito , Escalona Jose Mariano
Published: November 2022

Selecting genotypes with a better capacity to respond and adapt to soil water deficits is essential to achieve the sustainability of grapevine cultivation in the context of increasing water scarcity. However, cultivar changes are very poorly accepted, and therefore it is particularly interesting to explore the intracultivar genetic diversity in water use efficiency (WUE). In previous studies, the cultivar “Grenache” has shown up to 30% variability in WUE. This research aimed to confirm the intracultivar variability and to elucidate the traits underlying this variability in the response to a water deficit by analyzing the growth rates, water relations, osmotic potential, leaf morphology, leaf gas exchange and carbon isotope discrimination in nine “Grenache” genotypes grown in pots during two seasons. The results showed lower differences in WUE and carbon isotope ratio than in previous field studies, but fairly good consistency in genotype ranking. Leaf mass area and osmotic potential did not underlie differences in stem water potential and in stomatal conductance. Overall, stomatal regulation and photosynthetic capacity seem to underlie differences in WUE among genotypes with an important environmental influence. These results confirm the ability to select clones with higher WUE and present an opportunity for the genetic improvement of WUE in grapevines.
Predicting Cloned Disease Resistance Gene Homologs (CDRHs) in Radish, Underutilised Oilseeds, and Wild Brassicaceae Species
Authors: Cantila Aldrin Y. , Thomas William J. W. , Bayer Philipp E. , Edwards David , Batley Jacqueline
Published: November 2022

Brassicaceae crops, including Brassica, Camelina and Raphanus species, are among the most economically important crops globally; however, their production is affected by several diseases. To predict cloned disease resistance (R) gene homologs (CDRHs), we used the protein sequences of 49 cloned R genes against fungal and bacterial diseases in Brassicaceae species. In this study, using 20 Brassicaceae genomes (17 wild and 3 domesticated species), 3172 resistance gene analogs (RGAs) (2062 nucleotide binding-site leucine-rich repeats (NLRs), 497 receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs) and 613 receptor-like proteins (RLPs)) were identified. CDRH clusters were also observed in Arabis alpina, Camelina sativa and Cardamine hirsuta with assigned chromosomes, consisting of 62 homogeneous (38 NLR, 17 RLK and 7 RLP clusters) and 10 heterogeneous RGA clusters. This study highlights the prevalence of CDRHs in the wild relatives of the Brassicaceae family, which may lay the foundation for rapid identification of functional genes and genomics-assisted breeding to develop improved disease-resistant Brassicaceae crop cultivars.
Metabolic Profiling and Antioxidant Analysis for the Juvenile Red Fading Leaves of Sweetpotato
Authors: Shi Jie , Wu Qiang , Deng Jiliang , Balfour Kelly , Chen Zhuo , Liu Yonghua , Kumar Sunjeet , Chen Yanli , Zhu Zhixin , Zhu Guopeng
Published: November 2022

Leaves of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) are promising healthy leafy vegetable. Juvenile red fading (JRF) leaves of sweetpotato, with anthocyanins in young leaves, are good candidates for developing functional vegetables. Here, metabolic profiling and possible antioxidants were analyzed for five leaf stages of the sweetpotato cultivar “Chuanshan Zi”. The contents of anthocyanins, total phenolics, and flavonoids all declined during leaf maturation, corresponding to declining antioxidant activities. By widely targeted metabolomics, we characterized 449 metabolites belonging to 23 classes. A total of 193 secondary metabolites were identified, including 82 simple phenols, 85 flavonoids, 18 alkaloids, and eight terpenes. Analysis of the metabolic data indicates that the antioxidant capacity of sweetpotato leaves is the combined result of anthocyanins and many other colorless compounds. Increased levels of “chlorogenic acid methyl ester”, a compromised form of chlorogenic acid, significantly correlated with the declined antioxidant abilities. Besides anthocyanins, some significant metabolites contributing to the high antioxidant property of the sweetpotato leaves were highlighted, including chlorogenic acids, isorhamnetin glycosides, trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid methyl ester, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, esculetin, caffeate, and trigonelline. This study provides metabolic data for the utilization of sweetpotato leaves as food sources, and sheds light on the metabolomic change for JRF leaves of other plants.
Electrospun Polycrown Ether Composite Nanofibers as an Adsorbent for On-Line Solid Phase Extraction of Eight Bisphenols from Drinking Water Samples with Column-Switching Prior to High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Xu Tong , Zhang Rui , Bi Yueling , Li Jingjing , Li Xiaohuan , Chen Liqin , Fang Zhongze
Published: November 2022

Bisphenols (BPs) are a class of endocrine disruptors widely existing in the environment. They have a great impact on human health owing to their environmental endocrine disrupting effects, chronic toxicity, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity and genetic toxicity. In this paper, an on-line packed fiber solid phase extraction (PFSPE) coupling with column-switching HPLC-FLD determination method was developed for the determination of eight BPs in drinking water. The poly (dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether)/polystyrene composite nanofibers (PDB18C6/PS) were prepared by electrospinning and used as an adsorbent for the on-line PFSPE column. The on-line PFSPE-HPLC equipment contained a dual ternary pump and a switching valve to enable enrichment, purification, and analysis directly in the system. The results showed that the proposed on-line PFSPE-HPLC-FLD method realized the simultaneous separation and detection of eight BPs: BPF, BPE, BPA, BPB, BPAF, BPAP, BPC and BPZ. The curves of the target analytes were prepared with good correlation coefficient values (r2 > 0.998) in the range of 50–1000 pg/mL. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 20 pg/mL, the limit of quantitation (S/N = 10) is 50 pg/mL. The recoveries of eight BPs were 94.8–127.3%, and the intra-day precisions (RSD) were less than 10%. The PFSPE column made of the PDB18C6/PS composite nanofibers has stable properties and can be reused at least 200 times. In the detection of drinking water samples, BPZ was detected in nearly 80% of drinking water samples, and BPA, BPAP, BPF and BPAF were also detected in some water samples. This high level of integration and automation was achieved in pretreatment of eight BPs from water samples. The proposed simple, rapid, and practical method has been successfully applied to the detection of eight BPs in drinking water, which can provide powerful technical support for drinking water quality and safety monitoring.
Enhanced Soft Sensor with Qualified Augmented Samples for Quality Prediction of the Polyethylene Process
Authors: Dai Yun , Liu Angpeng , Chen Meng , Liu Yi , Yao Yuan
Published: November 2022

Data-driven soft sensors have increasingly been applied for the quality measurement of industrial polymerization processes in recent years. However, owing to the costly assay process, the limited labeled data available still pose significant obstacles to the construction of accurate models. In this study, a novel soft sensor named the selective Wasserstein generative adversarial network, with gradient penalty-based support vector regression (SWGAN-SVR), is proposed to enhance quality prediction with limited training samples. Specifically, the Wasserstein generative adversarial network with gradient penalty (WGAN-GP) is employed to capture the distribution of the available limited labeled data and to generate virtual candidates. Subsequently, an effective data-selection strategy is developed to alleviate the problem of varied-quality samples caused by the unstable training of the WGAN-GP. The selection strategy includes two parts: the centroid metric criterion and the statistical characteristic criterion. An SVR model is constructed based on the qualified augmented training data to evaluate the prediction performance. The superiority of SWGAN-SVR is demonstrated, using a numerical example and an industrial polyethylene process.
A Flexible Piezoelectric Device for Frequency Sensing from PVDF/SWCNT Composite Fibers
Authors: Choi Sejin , Lim Jihwan , Park Hansol , Kim Han Seong
Published: November 2022

Polymer piezoelectric devices have been widely studied as sensors, energy harvesters, and generators with flexible and simple processes. Flexible piezoelectric devices are sensitive to external stimuli and are attracting attention because of their potential and usefulness as acoustic sensors. In this regard, the frequency sensing of sound must be studied to use flexible piezoelectric devices as sensors. In this study, a flexible piezoelectric device composed of a polymer and an electrode was successfully fabricated. Polyvinylidene fluoride, the active layer of the piezoelectric device, was prepared by electrospinning, and electrodes were formed by dip−coating in a prepared single−walled carbon nanotube dispersion. The output voltage of the external sound was matched with the input frequency through a fast Fourier transform, and frequency matching was successfully performed, even with mechanical stimulation. In a high−frequency test, the piezoelectric effect and frequency domain peak started to decrease sharply at 300 Hz, and the limit of the piezoelectric effect and sensing was observed from 800 Hz. The results of this study suggest a method for developing flexible piezoelectric-fiber frequency sensors based on piezoelectric devices for acoustic sensor systems.
Influence of Mixing Order on the Synthesis of Geopolymer Concrete
Authors: Mukhametkaliyev Timur , Ali Md. Hazrat , Kutugin Viktor , Savinova Olesya , Vereschagin Vladimir
Published: November 2022

Geopolymers are high-performance, cost-effective materials made from industrial waste that ideally fit the needs of 3D printing technology used in construction. The novelty of the present work lies in the investigation of methods to mix geopolymer concrete from fly ash (FA) class F, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and raw calcined kaolin clay (RCKC) to determine the mixing procedure which provides the best mechanical strength and structural integrity. The experimental results show that aluminosilicates with different reaction parameters when mixed one after another provide the optimal results while the geopolymer concrete possesses the highest compressive strength and the denser structure. The results demonstrated that the reactivity of GGBS, FA, and RCKC increased for different depolymerization speeds of the selected aluminosilicates. This research will provide results on how to improve the mixing order for geopolymer synthesis for 3D printing demands. The highest compressive strength and denser structure of geopolymer concrete is achieved when each type of aluminosilicate is mixed with an alkaline medium separately.
Ligustrazine as an Extract from Medicinal and Edible Plant Chuanxiong Encapsulated in Liposome–Hydrogel Exerting Antioxidant Effect on Preventing Skin Photoaging
Authors: Liu Chang , Xia Ying , Li Yufan , Cheng Yongfeng , Xia Hongmei , Wang Yu , Yue Yan , Wu Yifang , Cheng Xiaoman , Xu Yinxiang , Xie Zili
Published: November 2022

Long-term sunlight exposure will cause the accumulation of free radicals in the skin and lead to oxidative damage and aging, antioxidant drugs have gradually become the focus of research, but there is little research on antioxidant drugs for percutaneous treatment. The purpose of this study was to prepare ligustrazine hydrochloride (TMPZ)-loaded liposome–hydrogel (TMPZ-LG), evaluate its antioxidant properties, and apply it on the skin of mice to observe whether it had preventive and therapeutic effect on the irradiation under the ultraviolet rays, in an attempt to make it into a new kind of delivery through the skin. TMPZ-LG was prepared by the combination of film dispersion and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (2%, CMC-Na) natural swelling method. The release rates in vitro permeation across the dialysis membrane and ex vivo transdermal had both reached 40%; the scavenging effect of TMPZ-LG on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H2O2 were 65.57 ± 4.13% and 73.06 ± 5.65%; the inhibition rate of TMPZ-LG on malondialdehyde (MDA) production in liver homogenate and anti-low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation experiments ex vivo were 15.03 ± 0.9% and 21.57 ± 1.2%. Compared with untreated mice, the skin pathological symptoms of mice coated with TMPZ-LG were significantly reduced after ultraviolet irradiation, and there was statistical significance. The results showed TMPZ-LG could exert good antioxidant activity in vitro and ex vivo; therefore, it is feasible to prevent and treat skin oxidation.
Removal Efficiency of Sulfapyridine from Contaminated Surface Water by Carboxylated Graphene Oxide Blended PVDF Composite Ultrafiltration Membrane with Activated Carbon
Authors: Chen Yuliang , Ba Libo , He Yini , Yi Xuesong
Published: November 2022

In this study, sulfapyridine (SPY), an antibiotic that is less commonly treated by membrane filtration techniques but is frequently detected in the aqueous environment and at higher concentrations than other detected antibiotics, was selected for investigation. A composite ultrafiltration membrane for the removal of sulfapyridine (SPY) antibiotics from water was fabricated using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide (CFGO) as additives. The changes in retention rate and pure water flux of sulfapyridine by the composite ultrafiltration membrane were investigated by changing the ratios of the prepared ultrafiltration membrane materials under the conditions of low-pressure operation to explore the optimal experimental conditions. The results showed that the addition of PVP and CFGO significantly increased the number of membrane pores and their pore size. The addition of CFGO in the membrane significantly improved the hydrophilicity of the membrane. The contact angle decreased from 83.7 to 31.6°. Compared to ordinary PVDF ultrafiltration membranes, the membrane’s pure water flux increased nearly three times to 2612.95 L/(m2·h). The removal rate of SPY was 56.26% under the optimal conditions. When the composite ultrafiltration membrane was combined with activated carbon, the removal rate of SPY was 92.67%, which was nine times higher than that of activated carbon alone. At this time, the flux of the composite membrane was 2610.23 L/(m2·h). This study proposes a simple, efficient, and low production cost solution for the removal of sulfapyridine from water.
Anti-Corrosion Reinforcements Using Coating Technologies—A Review
Authors: Yan Lei , Deng Wenjie , Wang Neng , Xue Xuanyi , Hua Jianmin , Chen Zengshun
Published: November 2022

Coated reinforcements are expected to improve the performance of reinforced concrete in aggressive environments, but different kinds of coated reinforcements can express a variety of properties, which can confuse researchers and engineers. This paper reviews the manufacture, corrosion mechanisms, behaviors, and applications of popular or promising coated reinforcements, incorporating galvanized reinforcements (GRs), epoxy coated reinforcements (ECRs), stainless cladding reinforcements (SCRs), and steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bars (SFCBs). In terms of manufacture, GRs and ECRs should focus on minimizing the negative effect of manufacture on performance, while SCRs and SFCBs should reduce the cost and increase the production capacity. Behaviors of GRs and ECRs are primarily determined by the steel substrate, but the behaviors of SCRs and SFCBs are primarily affected by the coat and core, and their interaction. The corrosion mechanism of GRs and SCRs is about oxidation, while that of SFCBs is about hydrolysis. ECRs are usually corroded under film, which can be a cause of premature failure. Corrosion embrittles SCRs, as well as bare bars, but corrosion of SFCBs usually causes a reduction in maximum strength. The investigation of the corrosion behaviors of GRs and ECRs focuses on bond strength. GRs have controversial performance. ECRs have been proven to have drawbacks regarding bond strength. The use of anti-corrosion reinforcement is uneven in regions, which may correlate with the development of technology and the economy.
Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Agar Hydrogel Electrolytes Based Flexible All-in-One Supercapacitors with Conducting Polyaniline/Polypyrrole Electrodes
Authors: Hasan Khadija , Bashir Shahid , Subramaniam Ramesh , Kasi Ramesh , Kamran Kashif , Iqbal Javed , Algarni Hamed , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G. , Wageh S. , Pershaanaa M. , Kamarulazam Fathiah
Published: November 2022

The major components of supercapacitor are electrodes and electrolytes which are fabricated using various materials and methods. Hydrogel is one such material that is used in supercapacitors as electrodes and electrolytes or both. Hydrogels are usually described as a soft and porous network of polymer materials that can swell in water because of the hydrophilic nature of its polymer chains, compriseng a 3D structure. It is well known that supercapacitors possess high-power density but low energy density. For enhancing energy density of these electrochemical cells and a boost in its electrochemical performance and specific capacity, binder free conducting polymer hydrogel electrodes have gained immense attention, especially polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy). Therefore, in this work, chemically crosslinked PVA/Agar hydrogel electrolytes have been prepared and employed. Agar has been added in PVA since it is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective natural polymer. Subsequently, the binder free polyaniline/polypyrrole electrodes were grown on the PVA/Agar hydrogel electrolytes to fabricate all-in-one flexible hydrogels. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and mechanical studies. Then, the all-in-one flexible supercapacitors were fabricated using the hydrogels. The electrochemical studies such cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanic charge discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The fabricated all-in-one lamination free supercapacitors showed promising results and by comparing all four samples, PAP2 where 5 mL of PVA was used in combination with 3 mL of Agar and 5 mL of PANI and PPy each, exhibited the highest areal capacitance of 750.13 mF/cm2, energy density of 103.02 μWh/cm2, and 497.22 μW/cm2 power density. The cyclic stability study revealed the 149% capacity retention after 15,000 cycles.