bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Gold(III) Complex, TGS 703, Shows Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Colitis via the Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant System—An In Vitro, In Silico, and In Vivo Study
Authors: Włodarczyk Jakub , Krajewska Julia , Szeleszczuk Łukasz , Szałwińska Patrycja , Gurba Agata , Lipiec Szymon , Taciak Przemysław , Szczepaniak Remigiusz , Mlynarczuk-Bialy Izabela , Fichna Jakub
Published: April 2023

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and their main representatives, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are worldwide health-care problems with constantly increasing frequency and still not fully understood pathogenesis. IBD treatment involves drugs such as corticosteroids, derivatives of 5-aminosalicylic acid, thiopurines, and others, with the goal to achieve and maintain remission of the disease. Nowadays, as our knowledge about IBD is continually growing, more specific and effective therapies at the molecular level are wanted. In our study, we tested novel gold complexes and their potential effect on inflammation and IBD in vitro, in silico, and in vivo. A series of new gold(III) complexes (TGS 404, 512, 701, 702, and 703) were designed and screened in the in vitro inflammation studies. In silico modeling was used to study the gold complexes’ structure vs. their activity and stability. Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of colitis was employed to characterize the anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cell experiments proved the anti-inflammatory potential of all tested complexes. Selected on the bases of in vitro and in silico analyses, TGS 703 significantly alleviated inflammation in the DSS-induced mouse model of colitis, which was confirmed by a statistically significant decrease in the macro- and microscopic score of inflammation. The mechanism of action of TGS 703 was linked to the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. TGS 703 and other gold(III) complexes present anti-inflammatory potential and may be applied therapeutically in the treatment of IBD.
Purine Metabolism Dysfunctions: Experimental Methods of Detection and Diagnostic Potential
Authors: Cicero Arrigo F. G. , Fogacci Federica , Di Micoli Valentina , Angeloni Cristina , Giovannini Marina , Borghi Claudio
Published: April 2023

Purines, such as adenine and guanine, perform several important functions in the cell. They are found in nucleic acids; are structural components of some coenzymes, including NADH and coenzyme A; and have a crucial role in the modulation of energy metabolism and signal transduction. Moreover, purines have been shown to play an important role in the physiology of platelets, muscles, and neurotransmission. All cells require a balanced number of purines for growth, proliferation, and survival. Under physiological conditions, enzymes involved in purines metabolism maintain a balanced ratio between their synthesis and degradation in the cell. In humans, the final product of purine catabolism is uric acid, while most other mammals possess the enzyme uricase that converts uric acid to allantoin, which can be easily eliminated with urine. During the last decades, hyperuricemia has been associated with a number of human extra-articular diseases (in particular, the cardiovascular ones) and their clinical severity. In this review, we go through the methods of investigation of purine metabolism dysfunctions, looking at the functionality of xanthine oxidoreductase and the formation of catabolites in urine and saliva. Finally, we discuss how these molecules can be used as markers of oxidative stress.
Exchange Bias Effect of Ni@(NiO,Ni(OH)2) Core/Shell Nanowires Synthesized by Electrochemical Deposition in Nanoporous Alumina Membranes
Authors: García Javier , Gutiérrez Ruth , González Ana S. , Jiménez-Ramirez Ana I. , Álvarez Yolanda , Vega Víctor , Reith Heiko , Leistner Karin , Luna Carlos , Nielsch Kornelius , Prida Víctor M.
Published: April 2023

Tuning and controlling the magnetic properties of nanomaterials is crucial to implement new and reliable technologies based on magnetic hyperthermia, spintronics, or sensors, among others. Despite variations in the alloy composition as well as the realization of several post material fabrication treatments, magnetic heterostructures as ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic coupled layers have been widely used to modify or generate unidirectional magnetic anisotropies. In this work, a pure electrochemical approach has been used to fabricate core (FM)/shell (AFM) Ni@(NiO,Ni(OH)2) nanowire arrays, avoiding thermal oxidation procedures incompatible with integrative semiconductor technologies. Besides the morphology and compositional characterization of these core/shell nanowires, their peculiar magnetic properties have been studied by temperature dependent (isothermal) hysteresis loops, thermomagnetic curves and FORC analysis, revealing the existence of two different effects derived from Ni nanowires’ surface oxidation over the magnetic performance of the array. First of all, a magnetic hardening of the nanowires along the parallel direction of the applied magnetic field with respect their long axis (easy magnetization axis) has been found. The increase in coercivity, as an effect of surface oxidation, has been observed to be around 17% (43%) at 300 K (50 K). On the other hand, an increasing exchange bias effect on decreasing temperature has been encountered when field cooling (3T) the oxidized Ni@(NiO,Ni(OH)2) nanowires below 100 K along their parallel lengths.
Vesicular Integral-Membrane Protein 36 Is Involved in the Selective Secretion of Fucosylated Proteins into Bile Duct-like Structures in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Muranaka Mizuki , Takamatsu Shinji , Ouchida Tsunenori , Kanazawa Yuri , Kondo Jumpei , Nakagawa Tsutomu , Egashira Yuriko , Fukagawa Koji , Gu Jianguo , Okamoto Toru , Kamada Yoshihiro , Miyoshi Eiji
Published: April 2023

Fucosylated proteins are widely used as biomarkers of cancer and inflammation. Fucosylated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) is a specific biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. We previously showed that increases in serum AFP-L3 levels depend on increased expression of fucosylation-regulatory genes and abnormal transport of fucosylated proteins in cancer cells. In normal hepatocytes, fucosylated proteins are selectively secreted in the bile duct but not blood. In cases of cancer cells without cellular polarity, this selective secretion system is destroyed. Here, we aimed to identify cargo proteins involved in the selective secretion of fucosylated proteins, such as AFP-L3, into bile duct-like structures in HepG2 hepatoma cells, which have cellular polarity like, in part, normal hepatocytes. α1-6 Fucosyltransferase (FUT8) is a key enzyme to synthesize core fucose and produce AFP-L3. Firstly, we knocked out the FUT8 gene in HepG2 cells and investigated the effects on the secretion of AFP-L3. AFP-L3 accumulated in bile duct-like structures in HepG2 cells, and this phenomenon was diminished by FUT8 knockout, suggesting that HepG2 cells have cargo proteins for AFP-L3. To identify cargo proteins involved in the secretion of fucosylated proteins in HepG2 cells, immunoprecipitation and the proteomic Strep-tag system experiments followed by mass spectrometry analyses were performed. As a result of proteomic analysis, seven kinds of lectin-like molecules were identified, and we selected vesicular integral membrane protein gene VIP36 as a candidate of the cargo protein that interacts with the α1-6 fucosylation (core fucose) on N-glycan according to bibliographical consideration. Expectedly, the knockout of the VIP36 gene in HepG2 cells suppressed the secretion of AFP-L3 and other fucosylated proteins, such as fucosylated alpha-1 antitrypsin, into bile duct-like structures. We propose that VIP36 could be a cargo protein involved in the apical secretion of fucosylated proteins in HepG2 cells.
Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury and a Long Period of Evolution Exhibit an Altered Cytokine Production by CD4 and CD8 T Cell Populations
Authors: Girón Sergio Haro , Gómez-Lahoz Ana M. , Sanz Jorge Monserrat , Fraile-Martínez Oscar , Jiménez Diego J. , Garcia-Montero Cielo , de Leon-Oliva Diego , Ortega Miguel A. , Atienza-Perez Mar , Diaz David , Lopez-Dolado Elisa , Álvarez-Mon Melchor
Published: April 2023

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling neurological condition coursing with serious multisystem affections and morbidities. Changes in immune cell compartments have been consistently reported in previous works, representing a critical point of study for understanding the pathophysiology and progression of SCI from acute to chronic stages. Some relevant variations in circulating T cells have been noticed in patients with chronic SCI, although the number, distribution, and function of these populations remain to be fully elucidated. Likewise, the characterization of specific T cell subpopulations and their related cytokine production can aid in understanding the immunopathological role of T cells in SCI progression. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to analyze and quantify the total number of different cytokine-producers T cells in the serum of patients with chronic SCI (n = 105) in comparison to healthy controls (n = 38) by polychromatic flow cytometry. Having this goal, we studied CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes as well as naïve, effector, and effector/central memory subpopulations. SCI patients were classified according to the duration of the lesion in chronic SCI with a short period of evolution (SCI-SP) (comprised between 1 and 5 years since initial injury), early chronic phase (SCI-ECP) (between 5 and 15 years since initial injury) and late-chronic phase (SCI-LCP) (>15 years since initial injury). Our results show that patients with chronic SCI exhibited an altered immune profile of cytokine-producer T cells, including CD4/CD8 naïve, effector, and memory subpopulations in comparison to HC. In particular, IL-10 and IL-9 production seems to be importantly altered, especially in patients with SCI-LCP, whereas changes in IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ T cell populations have also been reported in this and other chronic SCI groups. In conclusion, our study demonstrates an altered profile of cytokine-producer T cells in patients with chronic SCI, with marked changes throughout the course of the disease. In more detail, we have observed significant variations in cytokine production by circulating naive, effector, and effector/central memory CD4 and CD8 T cells. Future studies should be directed to explore the possible clinical consequences of these changes or develop additional translational approaches in these groups of patients.
Newborn Screening in a Pandemic—Lessons Learned
Authors: Mlinaric Matej , Bonham James R. , Kožich Viktor , Kölker Stefan , Majek Ondrej , Battelino Tadej , Torkar Ana Drole , Koracin Vanesa , Perko Dasa , Remec Ziga Iztok , Lampret Barbka Repic , Scarpa Maurizio , Schielen Peter C. J. I. , Zetterström Rolf H. , Groselj Urh
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affected many essential aspects of public health, including newborn screening programs (NBS). Centers reported missing cases of inherited metabolic disease as a consequence of decreased diagnostic process quality during the pandemic. A number of problems emerged at the start of the pandemic, but from the beginning, solutions began to be proposed and implemented. Contingency plans were arranged, and these are reviewed and described in this article. Staff shortage emerged as an important issue, and as a result, new work schedules had to be implemented. The importance of personal protective equipment and social distancing also helped avoid disruption. Staff became stressed, and this needed to be addressed. The timeframe for collecting bloodspot samples was adapted in some cases, requiring reference ranges to be modified. A shortage of essential supplies and protective equipment was evident, and laboratories described sharing resources in some situations. The courier system had to be adapted to make timely and safe transport possible. Telemedicine became an essential tool to enable communication with patients, parents, and medical staff. Despite these difficulties, with adaptations and modifications, some centers evaluated candidate conditions, continued developments, or began new NBS. The pandemic can be regarded as a stress test of the NBS under real-world conditions, highlighting critical aspects of this multidisciplinary system and the need for establishing local, national, and global strategies to improve its robustness and reliability in times of shortage and overloaded national healthcare systems.
Understanding the Spread of Fake News: An Approach from the Perspective of Young People
Authors: Valencia-Arias Alejandro , Arango-Botero Diana María , Cardona-Acevedo Sebastián , Paredes Delgado Sharon Soledad , Gallegos Ada
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and the boom of fake news cluttering the internet have revealed the power of social media today. However, young people are not yet aware of their role in the digital age, even though they are the main users of social media. As a result, the belief that older adults are responsible for information is being re-evaluated. In light of this, the present study was aimed at identifying the factors associated with the spread of fake news among young people in Medellín (Colombia). A total of 404 self-administered questionnaires were processed in a sample of people between the ages of 18 and 34 and analyzed using statistical techniques, such as exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results suggest that the instantaneous sharing of fake news is linked to people’s desire to raise awareness among their inner circle, particularly when the messages shared are consistent with their perceptions and beliefs, or to the lack of time to properly verify their accuracy. Finally, passive corrective actions were found to have a less significant impact in the Colombian context than in the context of the original model, which may be explained by cultural factors.
IIoT-Supported Manufacturing-Material-Flow Tracking in a DES-Based Digital-Twin Environment
Authors: Monek Gergő Dávid , Fischer Szabolcs
Published: April 2023

Manufacturing processes can be cited as significant research areas when examining infrastructure systems and infrastructure, as they are inextricably linked to both. Examples include automobile manufacturing, the production of traffic signs, etc. Connecting and utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies and processing simulation solutions to address industry challenges, such as process optimization and fault detection, are gaining in popularity. Cyber-physical systems and digital twins connect the physical and cyber worlds to enable intelligent manufacturing capabilities, increased system flexibility, decreased manufacturing-cycle times, and improved quality. This paper presents a solution that improves the synchronization between the real (physical) and simulation (digital) layers, using discrete-event-driven simulations to create more efficient and accurate digital-twin environments. Using a combination of inexpensive commercial microcontrollers and an inertial-measurement-unit sensor to enhance a standard programmable logic controller process, a discrete-event-simulation-based digital layer is updated in real time to produce a live digital twin. The system can accurately identify and track products throughout the production cycle while simultaneously updating the digital twin in real time. Even independently, the algorithm running on the microcontroller can be used to gather the input parameters required for the simulation of production processes. The implemented environment can serve as a suitable testing ground for investigating the practical applicability of digital-twin solutions.
Insights into Non-Exercise Physical Activity on Control of Body Mass: A Review with Practical Recommendations
Authors: Bonilla Diego A. , Peralta-Alzate Javier O. , Bonilla-Henao Jhonny A. , Cannataro Roberto , Cardozo Luis A. , Vargas-Molina Salvador , Stout Jeffrey R. , Kreider Richard B. , Petro Jorge L.
Published: April 2023

Non-exercise physical activity (NEPA), also called unstructured or informal physical activity, refers to those daily activities that require movement of the human body without planning or strict control of the physical effort made. Due to new technologies and motorized transportation devices, the general population has significantly decreased its NEPA. This increase in sedentary lifestyles, physical inactivity, and excessive energy intake is considered a risk factor for obesity, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and all-cause mortality. Searching in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases, a narrative review of NEPA was carried out to address its conceptualization, promotion strategies for the general population, and monitoring through wearable devices. It is strongly recommended that governmental entities, health practitioners, and the construction industry adhere to “The Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030: More Active People for a Healthier World” and implement different salutogenic urban strategies. These strategies aim to generate environments that motivate increases in NEPA, such as cycling and walking transportation (between 5000–12,500 steps per day), and the progression to physical exercise. There is a wide variety of electronic devices for personal use, such as accelerometers, smartphone apps, or “smart clothes”, that allow for the monitoring of NEPA, some with a wide range of analysis variables contributing to the estimation of total daily energy expenditure and the promotion of healthy habits. In general, the further promotion and monitoring of NEPA is required as part of a strategy to promote healthy habits sustainable over time for the prevention and control of obesity and NCDs.
A Novel Method for Imputing Missing Values in Ship Static Data Based on Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Gao Junbo , Cai Ze , Sun Wei , Jiao Yingqi
Published: April 2023

Ship data obtained through the maritime sector will inevitably have missing values and outliers, which will adversely affect the subsequent study. Many existing methods for missing data imputation cannot meet the requirements of ship data quality, especially in cases of high missing rates. In this paper, a missing data imputation method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) is proposed. The generative adversarial imputation network (GAIN) is improved using the Wasserstein distance and gradient penalty to handle missing values. Meanwhile, the data preprocessing process is optimized by combining knowledge from the ship domain, such as using isolation forests for anomaly detection. Statistical analysis of ship data is also conducted, including correlation analysis of ship design parameters, analysis of outliers, and analysis of missing data types. These analyses provide the basis for the proposed model. In a case study of 8167 bulk carriers, the proposed model outperformed the missing forest (MF) and polynomial fitting (PF) models, with an average error reduction of 2.4% and 6.3%, respectively. The proposed model also showed stable performance in cases of high missing rates. This study provides a new approach for estimating or imputing critical parameters of ships.
Examining the Determinants of Credit Risk Management and Their Relationship with the Performance of Commercial Banks in Nepal
Authors: Bhatt Tribhuwan Kumar , Ahmed Naveed , Iqbal Muhammad Babar , Ullah Mehfooz
Published: April 2023

In recent years, after the global financial crisis, the issue of credit risk management has received increased attention from international regulators. Credit risk management frameworks are often not sufficiently integrated within the organization, there is no unified approach, and there is no holistic view of all risks. Likewise, where they exist, sound risk management practices have helped institutions to weather financial crises better than others. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the determinants of credit risk management and their relationship with the performance of commercial banks in Nepal. It also examines the mediating role of credit risk management on the performance of commercial banks in Nepal. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between environmental risk and credit risk management. It is also found that credit appraisal measurements have a significant effect on credit risk management. The results reveal that market risk analysis has a significant effect on credit risk management. The results show that credit risk management mediates the relationship between environmental risk, credit appraisal measurements, market risk analysis, and the performance of commercial banks. Therefore, managers should strive to impart risk prevention and control mechanisms to reduce credit risk and achieve good financial performance.
Producing Territories for Extractivism: Encomiendas, Estancias and Forts in the Long-Term Political Ecology of Colonial Southern Chile
Authors: Romero-Toledo Hugo
Published: April 2023

The aim of this article is to show that what seems natural today has a long social and environmental history, associated with the way in which territory has been socially produced. Socioenvironmental change is not natural, but instead is a political ecological project, and in this case, a colonial project deeply connected with the form that capitalism took in Southern Chile from the 16th century. This paper aims to connect three things: the colonial encomienda system as a primitive accumulation based on the capture of people and land to produce profit, the metabolic rift produced by colonial territorial relationships, and the emergence of a new nature which, dialectically, destroyed and created the conditions for the Indigenous uprisings, and the Mapuche resistance that continues today. The case of the fort in Mariquina Valley is used to illustrate the interlinkages between historical geography and landscape archaeology, to make the colonial production of nature visible, to understand how the Spanish fortress supported the production of the new colonial nature and the dispossession and transformation of the Indigenous territories.
Density, Excess Molar Volume and Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium Measurements at 101.3 kPa for Binary Mixtures Containing Ethyl Acetate and a Branched Alkane: Experimental Data and Modeling
Authors: Caqueret Vincent , Berkalou Kaoutar , Havet Jean-Louis , Debacq Marie , Vitu Stéphane
Published: April 2023

Vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) and density data for binary systems of branched alkanes + ethyl acetate are scarce in the literature. In this study, the binary mixtures 3-methylpentane + ethyl acetate and 2,3-dimethylbutane + ethyl acetate were investigated. Density measurements at atmospheric pressure were performed using a vibrating tube density meter at 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15 K. Large and positive excess molar volumes were calculated and correlated using a Redlich–Kister-type equation. Isobaric VLE data at 101.3 kPa were obtained using a Gillespie-type recirculation ebulliometer. Equilibrium compositions were determined indirectly from density measurements. The experimental data were checked for consistency by means of the Fredenslund test and the Wisniak (L-W) test and were then successfully correlated using the NRTL model. The newly studied binary systems display high deviations from ideality and minimum boiling azeotropes, the coordinates of which are reported in this work.
Review on High-Throughput Micro-Combinatorial Characterization of Binary and Ternary Layers towards Databases
Authors: Sáfrán György , Petrik Péter , Szász Noémi , Olasz Dániel , Chinh Nguyen Quang , Serényi Miklós
Published: April 2023

The novel, single-sample concept combinatorial method, the so-called micro-combinatory technique, has been shown to be suitable for the high-throughput and complex characterization of multicomponent thin films over an entire composition range. This review focuses on recent results regarding the characteristics of different binary and ternary films prepared by direct current (DC) and radiofrequency (RF) sputtering using the micro-combinatorial technique. In addition to the 3 mm diameter TEM grid used for microstructural analysis, by scaling up the substrate size to 10 × 25 mm, this novel approach has allowed for a comprehensive study of the properties of the materials as a function of their composition, which has been determined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), spectroscopic ellipsometry, and nanoindentation studies. Thanks to the micro-combinatory technique, the characterization of multicomponent layers can be studied in greater detail and efficiency than before, which is beneficial for both research and practical applications. In addition to new scientific advances, we will briefly explore the potential for innovation with respect to this new high-throughput concept, including the creation of two- and three-component thin film databases.
Effect of I-Phase on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Mg-8.5Li-6.5Zn-1.2Y Alloy
Authors: Fang Ziming , He Liangxu , Wang Jiaxiu , Ma Xiaochun , Wang Guixiang , Wu Ruizhi , Jin Siyuan , Wang Jiahao , Lu Zihui , Yang Zhenzhao , Krit Boris , Betsofen Sergey , Tashlykova-Bushkevich Iya I.
Published: April 2023

The effects of solid solution treatment duration on the corrosion behavior and microstructure behavior of the cast Mg-8.5Li-6.5Zn-1.2Y (wt.%) alloy were investigated. This study revealed that with the treatment time for solid solutions increasing from 2 h to 6 h, the amount of α-Mg phase gradually decreases, and the alloy presents a needle-like shape after solid solution treatment for 6 h. Meanwhile, when the solid solution treatment time increases, the I-phase content drops. Exceptionally, under 4 h of solid solution treatment, the I-phase content has increased, and it is dispersed uniformly over the matrix. What we found in our hydrogen evolution experiments is that the hydrogen evolution rate of the as-cast Mg-8.5Li-6.5Zn-1.2Y alloy following solid solution processing for 4 h is 14.31 mL·cm−2·h−1, which is the highest rate. In the electrochemical measurement, the corrosion current density (icorr) value of as-cast Mg-8.5Li-6.5Zn-1.2Y alloy following solid solution processing for 4 h is 1.98 × 10−5, which is the lowest density. These results indicate that solid solution treatment can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the Mg-8.5Li-6.5Zn-1.2Y alloy. The I-phase and the α-Mg phase are the primary elements influencing the corrosion resistance of the Mg-8.5Li-6.5Zn-1.2Y alloy. The existence of the I-phase and the border dividing the α-Mg phase and β-Li phase easily form galvanic corrosion. Although the I-phase and the boundary between the α-Mg phase and β-Li phase will be corrosion breeding sites, they are more effective in inhibiting corrosion.
Effects of Borax, Sucrose, and Citric Acid on the Setting Time and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag
Authors: Li Peiqing , Chen Deyong , Jia Zhirong , Li Yilin , Li Shuaijun , Yu Bin
Published: April 2023

The setting time of alkali-activated slag (AAS) binders is extremely short, while traditional retarders of Portland cement may be invalid for AAS. To find an effective retarder with a less negative impact on strength, borax (B), sucrose (S), and citric acid (CA) were selected as potential retarders. The setting time of AAS with different admixtures dosages of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%, and the unconfined compressive strength and beam flexural strength of 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d AAS mortar specimens were tested. The microstructure of AAS with different additives was observed by scanning using an electron microscope (SEM), and the hydration products were analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (DT-TGA) to explain the retarding mechanism of AAS with different additives. The results showed that the incorporation of borax and citric acid could effectively prolong the setting time of AAS more than that of sucrose, and the retarding effect is more and more obvious with the increase in borax and citric acid dosages. However, sucrose and citric acid negatively influence AAS’s unconfined compressive strength and flexural stress. The negative effect becomes more evident with the increase in sucrose and citric acid dosages. Borax is the most suitable retarder for AAS among the three selected additives. SEM-EDS analysis showed that the incorporation of borax does three things: produces gels, covers the surface of the slag, and slows down the hydration reaction rate.
Pool Boiling Performance of a Sintered Aluminum Powder Wick for a Lightweight Vapor Chamber
Authors: Ou Liwen , Jiang Xingchi , Zhang Shiwei , Tang Yong , Zhong Guisheng , Li Jie
Published: April 2023

Aluminum vapor chambers have become an important component used to solve heat dissipation problems in lightweight applications due to their low density and good heat transfer characteristics. In this paper, a new sintered aluminum powder wick is provided for an aluminum vapor chamber. An aluminum porous wick was sintered using liquid phase sintering technology. Using acetone as the working medium, the influence of the structural parameters of the aluminum wick on its boiling heat transfer performance was studied. The influence of thickness on the boiling heat transfer performance of a sintered porous wick is particularly significant. Thinner, porous wicks have better critical heat flux (CHF). The porosity and particle diameter mainly affect the heat transfer coefficient (HTC). At a low heat flux, the sintered wick with low porosity and a small particle diameter has a higher HTC. The HTC of porous wicks, with a larger particle diameter and porosity, decreases slower. The optimal porosity ranges from 46.4 ± 2.5% to 51.8 ± 2.5%. Compared with the polished aluminum plate, the CHF is increased by 1.7 times, and the HTC is increased by about 4.6 times under the same heat flux.
Estimates for the Coefficients of Subclasses Defined by the Bell Distribution of Bi-Univalent Functions Subordinate to Gegenbauer Polynomials
Authors: Amourah Ala , Alnajar Omar , Darus Maslina , Shdouh Ala , Ogilat Osama
Published: April 2023

In the real world there are many applications that find the Bell distribution to be a useful and relevant model. One of these is the normal distribution. In this paper, we develop a new subclass of analytic bi-univalent functions by making use of the Bell distribution as a building block. These functions involve the Gegenbauer polynomials, and we use them to establish our new subclass. In this study, we solve the Fekete–Szegö functional problem and analyse various different estimates of the Maclaurin coefficients D2 and D3 for functions that belong to the built class.
Evolutionary Game Analysis of SME Social Responsibility Performance under Public Health Emergencies
Authors: Xie Nan , Tong Yezi , He Haitao
Published: April 2023

Performing corporate social responsibility is the only way to adapt to sustainable economic and social development and is also the inevitable choice to enhance the core competitiveness of enterprises. At the beginning of 2020, the rapid spread of the COVID-19 epidemic made SMEs face a survival crisis. Therefore, SMEs need to continue to shoulder their social responsibilities in this special period. In view of this, this paper, with the COVID-19 outbreak as the background, constructed the evolution of the government regulatory agency, SME, and consumer evolutionary game model. This paper studies the strategy choice of three subjects in the process of fulfilling social responsibility before and after public health emergencies and analyzes the influence of dynamic incentive and punishment measures, cash, and inventory on the performance of SMEs’ social responsibility using MATLAB. The results show that the government regulatory agencies play a guiding role in the enterprise responsibility process and need to provide appropriate liquidity for SMEs; SMEs should actively participate in social responsibility activities, optimize internal governance, and prepare enough cash for a crisis; consumers need to develop responsible consumer market, expand the responsible consumption scale, and help SMEs share the difficulties.
Formation Control of Non-Holonomic Mobile Robots: Predictive Data-Driven Fuzzy Compensator
Authors: Wang Jinfeng , Dong Hui , Chen Fenghua , Vu Mai The , Shakibjoo Ali Dokht , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir
Published: April 2023

A key research topic in the field of robotics is the formation control of a group of robots in trajectory tracking problems. Using organized robots has many advantages over using them individually, such as efficient use of resources, increased reliability due to cooperation, and better resistance against defects. To achieve this, a controller is proposed that steers the leader robot and subsequent follower robots asymptotically to a reference trajectory. The basic controller is feedback linearization. To ensure stability against perturbations, a compensator based on type-3 fuzzy logic systems (T3-FLSs) and a data-driven control strategy is designed. The approach involves employing a finite number of open-loop data and using the model-based predictive controller (MPC) approach to acquire sufficient criteria for stability. An infinite-horizon function is minimized online, which allows the data-based control policy to be considered the optimal control method. The gains of the constrained data-based control signal are computed at each time step to enhance accuracy. Applying the data-based state feedback controller to the system yields positive and stable state trajectories with appropriate transient responses. The suggested data-driven compensator is guaranteed to handle constraints. A practical example is simulated to evaluate the proposed strategy.
An Improved Neural Particle Method for Complex Free Surface Flow Simulation Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Authors: Shao Kaixuan , Wu Yinghan , Jia Suizi
Published: April 2023

The research on free surface flow is of great interest in fluid mechanics, with the primary task being the tracking and description of the motion of free surfaces. The development of numerical simulation techniques has led to the application of new methods in the study of free surface flow problems. One such method is the Neural Particle Method (NPM), a meshless approach for solving incompressible free surface flow. This method is built on a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN), which allows for training and solving based solely on initial and boundary conditions. Although the NPM is effective in dealing with free surface flow problems, it faces challenges in simulating more complex scenarios due to the lack of additional surface recognition algorithms. In this paper, we propose an improved Neural Particle Method (INPM) to better simulate complex free surface flow. Our approach involves incorporating alpha-shape technology to track and recognize the fluid boundary, with boundary conditions updated constantly during operation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method through three numerical examples with different boundary conditions. The result shows that: (1) the addition of a surface recognition module allows for the accurate tracking and recognition of the fluid boundary, enabling more precise imposition of boundary conditions in complex situations; (2) INPM can accurately identify the surface and calculate even when particles are unevenly distributed. Compared with traditional meshless methods, INPM offers a better solution for dealing with complex free surface flow problems that involve random particle distribution. Our proposed method can improve the accuracy and stability of numerical simulations for free surface flow problems.
Removing of Fe, Pb and Hg from Crude Selenium by Fractional Crystallization
Authors: He Bei , Wang Weiyi , Jiang Wenlong , Xu Baoqiang , Yang Hongwei
Published: April 2023

This paper focuses on a fractional crystallization methodology using a rotating and internally gas-cooled crystallizer to purity crude selenium. Experiments using a rotating and gas-cooled crystallizer (cooled finger) were performed. The distribution coefficients of the main impurities (Pb, Fe and Hg) in selenium were presented as a polynomial function of concentration. The experimental parameters such as crystallization temperature and rotation rate were determined and discussed. The appropriate crystallization temperature is 222 °C and the rotation rates are 120 and 300 rpm, respectively. The purity of crude selenium increased from 99.9% to over 99.997%. Compared with the traditional method such as zone melting, this method only takes less than one day to complete several purifications, and the purification effect is better than the former. The removal rates of Hg, Pb and Fe in Se are 28.70%, 97.63% and 96.28%, respectively. The direct yield of Se purified is 92.5%. This study provides an efficient process for high-purity selenium, which has important industrial applications.
A Novel Method to Detect Partial Shadow Effects in Perovskite-Based Simulated Solar Cell System Faults
Authors: Sharifi Miavaghi Amir , Esmaeili Asghar
Published: April 2023

When a fault occurs in photovoltaic systems, a human expert should be present at the scene and perform tests to determine the location and type of the fault. In such a situation, in order to maintain the safety of the specialist, protective measures such as shutting down the power plant or isolating the faulty part are usually taken. Given the fact that the equipment and technology of photovoltaic systems are expensive and their efficiency is currently relatively low (about 20%), a complete shutdown of the plant or part of it can be economical, return on investment and achieve profitability. Therefore, as much as possible, efforts should be made to detect and eliminate errors in the shortest possible time without shutting down the power plant. On the other hand, most solar power plants are located in desert areas, which make them difficult to access and visit. In this case, training skilled manpower and the constant presence of an expert on site can be very costly and uneconomical. Also, if these errors are not detected and fixed in time, they can lead to power loss (not using the maximum potential of the panel), device failure and eventually fire. In this research, using fuzzy detection method, a suitable method for detecting the error of partial shadow occurrence in solar cells is presented. Based on the simulation results, the efficiency of the proposed method is confirmed.
Characterization of Feruloyl Esterase from Klebsiella oxytoca Z28 and Its Application in the Release of Ferulic Acid from De-Starching Wheat Bran
Authors: Zhang Yao , Feng Zhiping , Xiang Hongzhu , Zhang Xian , Yang Lijuan
Published: April 2023

Feruloyl esterase (EC3.1.1.73; FAE) can degrade biomass to release ferulic acid (FA), which has a high application in bioprocessing, food, pharmaceutical, paper, feed, and other industrial fields. A strain of Klebsiella oxytoca Z28 with ferulic esterase activity was screened from Daqu. In addition, the FAE gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The enzyme consists of 340 amino acids with a molecular mass of 37.7 kDa. The FAE enzyme activity was 463 U/L when the substrate was ethyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate and the optimum temperature and pH were 50 °C and 8.0, respectively. The enzyme had good stability at temperatures of 25–40 °C and a pH of 8.0. Ba2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ had a strong inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity, and Na+ had a promotive effect on the enzyme activity. The de-starching wheat bran was degraded by KoFAE, and the FA release was up to 227.15 µg/g. This indicated that the heterologous expression of KoFAE from Klebsiella oxytoca Z28 in E. coli had a certain potential of biodegradation, which can be applied to the degradation of agricultural waste to obtain high value-added FA products.
Thanksgiving to Yeast, the HMGB Proteins History from Yeast to Cancer
Authors: Lamas-Maceiras Mónica , Vizoso-Vázquez Ángel , Barreiro-Alonso Aida , Cámara-Quílez María , Cerdán María Esperanza
Published: April 2023

Yeasts have been a part of human life since ancient times in the fermentation of many natural products used for food. In addition, in the 20th century, they became powerful tools to elucidate the functions of eukaryotic cells as soon as the techniques of molecular biology developed. Our molecular understandings of metabolism, cellular transport, DNA repair, gene expression and regulation, and the cell division cycle have all been obtained through biochemistry and genetic analysis using different yeasts. In this review, we summarize the role that yeasts have had in biological discoveries, the use of yeasts as biological tools, as well as past and on-going research projects on HMGB proteins along the way from yeast to cancer.
The Large Molecular Weight Polysaccharide from Wild Cordyceps and Its Antitumor Activity on H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice
Authors: Tan Li , Liu Sijing , Li Xiaoxing , He Jing , He Liying , Li Yang , Yang Caixia , Li Yong , Hua Yanan , Guo Jinlin
Published: April 2023

Cordyceps has anti-cancer effects; however, the bioactive substance and its effect are still unclear. Polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps sinensis, the fugus of Cordyceps, have been reported to have anti-cancer properties. Thus, we speculated that polysaccharides might be the key anti-tumor active ingredients of Cordyceps because of their larger molecular weight than that of polysaccharides in Cordyceps sinensis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides on H22 liver cancer and the underlying mechanism. The structural characteristics of the polysaccharides of WCP were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, H22 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were used to explore the anti-tumor effect of WCP (100 and 300 mg/kg/d). The mechanism by WCP inhibited H22 tumors was uncovered by the TUNEL assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin–eosin staining, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Here, our results showed that WCP presented high purity with an average molecular weight of 2.1 × 106 Da and 2.19 × 104 Da. WCP was determined to be composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose. Notably, WCP could inhibit the proliferation of H22 tumors not only by improving immune function, but also by promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells, likely through the IL-10/STAT3/Bcl2 and Cyto-c/Caspase8/3 signaling pathways, in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Particularly, WCP had essentially no side effects compared to 5-FU, a common drug used in the treatment of liver cancer. In conclusion, WCP could be a potential anti-tumor product with strong regulatory effects in H22 liver cancer.
Hollow Spherical Pd/CdS/NiS with Carrier Spatial Separation for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Wang Xiao , Zhao Fei , Zhang Nan , Wu Wenli , Wang Yuhua
Published: April 2023

Inspired by the unique properties of the three-dimensional hollow nanostructures in the field of photocatalysis, as well as the combination of co-catalyst, porous hollow spherical Pd/CdS/NiS photocatalysts are prepared by stepwise synthesis. The results show that the Schottky junction between Pd and CdS accelerates the transport of photogenerated electrons, while a p-n junction between NiS and CdS traps the photogenerated holes. As co-catalysts, the Pd nanoparticles and the NiS are loaded inside and outside the hollow CdS shell layer, respectively, which combines with the particular characteristic of the hollow structure, resulting in a spatial carrier separation effect. Under the synergy of the dual co-catalyst loading and hollow structure, the Pd/CdS/NiS has favorable stability. Its H2 production under visible light is significantly increased to 3804.6 μmol/g/h, representing 33.4 times more than that of pure CdS. The apparent quantum efficiency is 0.24% at 420 nm. A feasible bridge for the development of efficient photocatalysts is offered by this work.
A 2 kW, 8 GHz-Linewidth Yb-Doped Polarization-Maintained Fiber Laser with Quasi-Flat-Top Pseudo Random Binary Sequence Phase Modulation for SBS Suppression
Authors: Kim Dong Joon , Koo Joonhoi , Jun Seung Won , Jeong Hwanseong , Lee Hwihyeong , Lee Jung Hwan , Jo Minsik
Published: April 2023

We demonstrated a narrow-linewidth high-power Yb-doped polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber laser with near-diffraction-limited beam. The laser system consisted of a phase-modulated single-frequency seed source and four-stage amplifiers in the master oscillator power amplifier configuration. A quasi-flat-top pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS) phase-modulated single-frequency laser with a linewidth of 8 GHz was injected into the amplifiers for suppressing stimulated Brillouin scattering. The quasi-flat-top PRBS signal was readily generated from the conventional PRBS signal. The maximum output power was 2.01 kW with polarization extinction ratio (PER) of ~15 dB. The beam quality (M2) was less than 1.3 over the power scaling range.
Diet Quality and Its Relationship with Weight Characteristics in Pregnant Japanese Women: A Single-Center Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Imai Chihiro , Takimoto Hidemi , Kurotani Kayo , Fudono Ayako , Tarui Iori , Aoyama Tomoko , Yago Satoshi , Okamitsu Motoko , Miyasaka Naoyuki , Sato Noriko
Published: April 2023

Maternal underweight and inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) are problems in Japan. However, increases in food intake aimed at weight gain alone are not sufficient for mother–child health. This study assessed diet quality based on the 3-day dietary records of pregnant women in an urban area of Japan in order to show the importance of evaluating diet quality, using the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3), which is one metric based on nutrition profiling, and the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (JFGST). After excluding misreporters of energy intake, we stratified women (n = 91) by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and determined energy intake, diet quality status, and their relationship with GWG. Intakes of carbohydrate-containing staple foods, vegetable dishes, and fruit were insufficient regardless of BMI. Most of the underweight women with inadequate GWG had insufficient energy intake but high diet quality, as assessed by NRF9.3. In contrast, most women who consumed energy within the recommended range had low diet quality and gained weight at inappropriate levels. These results highlight the importance for pregnant Japanese women to maintain diet quality through a nutrient-dense diet, while simultaneously increasing energy intake after evaluation of their individual diet quality.