Search Results (184,621)

Background: Point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing streamlines testing and treatment pathways. In this study, we established an HCV model of care in a homelessness service by offering antibody and RNA point-of-care testing. Methods: A nurse and peer-led HCV model of care with peer support were implemented between November 2021 and April 2022 at a homelessness service in Adelaide, Australia. All clients of the service were eligible to participate. Clients were offered an initial antibody point-of-care test, and antibody positive clients were immediately offered RNA point-of-care testing. Clients who tested RNA positive were linked to a viral hepatitis nurse for treatment. Results: A total of 230 clients received an HCV antibody point-of-care test, of which 68 (30%) were antibody positive and 11 (5%) were RNA positive. Of these, seven (64%) clients successfully completed treatment and five (45%) received a sustained virological response (SVR) test to confirm cure. Conclusions: We successfully established HCV testing and a treatment pathway at a homelessness service using HCV antibody and RNA point-of-care testing. The high testing uptake underscores the utility of HCV point-of-care testing when establishing HCV testing and treatment pathways. The low RNA positivity suggests that an initial HCV antibody test was cost-effective, and the four clients diagnosed with chronic HCV who were lost to follow-up indicate a need for enhanced treatment support. Full article

In this work, a set of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), were used to study the impact of high-energy He⁺ ion irradiation on the structural and electrochemical characteristics of sulfur-containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (S-MWCNTs) placed on a titanium substrate. The results indicate that the ion beam treatment of the S-MWCNT system led to an increase in the level of imperfections on the surface structures of the nanotubes due to the formation of point defects on their outer walls and the appearance of oxygen-containing functional groups, including SO_x groups, near these defects. At the same time, a significant increase in the sulfur concentration (by 6.4 times) was observed on the surface of the S-MWCNTs compared to the surface of unirradiated nanotubes. This was due to the redeposition of sulfur atoms near the point defects under the action of the ion beam, followed by the subsequent formation of direct S–C chemical bonds. Electrochemical studies demonstrated that the irradiated S-MWCNTs/Ti system exhibit enhanced catalytic activity, with improved oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance and a substantial increase in anodic current during the oxidation reaction of hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions, highlighting their potential for advanced electrocatalytic applications. Full article

This study investigates the feasibility of using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors for multipoint thermal monitoring of several power semiconductor devices (PSDs), such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and rectifiers assembled on a common heatsink in a three-phase inverter. A novel approach is proposed to integrate FBG sensors beneath the baseplates of the IGBT modules, avoiding the need for invasive modifications to the device structure. By strategically positioning multiple FBG sensors, accurate temperature profiles of critical components can be obtained. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, with the temperature measurements from FBG sensors closely matching those obtained using thermal infrared (IR) cameras within ±1.1 °C. This research highlights the potential of FBG sensors for reliable and precise thermal management in power electronic systems, contributing to improved performance and reliability. Full article

Cancer spheroids are spherical, three-dimensional (3D), in vitro assemblies of cancer cells, which are gaining importance as a useful model in cancer behavior studies. Designed to simulate key features of the in vivo tumor microenvironment, spheroids offer reliable insights for drug screening and testing applications. We observed contrasting phenotypes in 3D cervical cancer (CC) cultures. Thus, in this study, we compared the proteomes of 3D and traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures of CC cell lines, HeLa, SiHa, and C33A. When cultured in in-house poly-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-coated plates under conditions suitable for 3D spheroid formation, these CC cell lines yielded spheroids exhibiting different features. Proteomic analysis of cells cultured in 2D and 3D cultures revealed similar protein profiles but remarkable differences in the expression levels of some proteins. In SiHa and C33A cells, the upregulation of key proteins required for spheroid formation was insufficient for the formation of compact spheroids. In contrast, HeLa cells could form compact spheroids because they upregulated the proteins, including cadherin-binding, cytoskeleton, and adhesion proteins, necessary for spheroid formation during the remodeling process. Overall, this study unravels the mechanisms underlying the formation of spheroids in the commonly used CC cell lines. Full article

Bile acid salts are steroid biosurfactants that build relatively small micelles compared to surfactants with an alkyl chain due to the rigid conformation of the steroid skeleton. In order to increase the capacity of micellar solubilization of the hydrophobic molecular guest, certain C7 alkyl derivatives were synthesized. Namely, introducing an alkyl group in the C7 position of the steroid skeleton results in a more effective increase in the micelle’s hydrophobic domain (core) than the introduction in the C3 position. In comparison, fewer synthetic steps are required than if alkyl groups are introduced into the C12 position of cholic acid in the Grignard reaction. Here, the thermodynamic parameters of micellization (demicellization) of C7 alkyl (number of C atoms in the alkyl group: 2, 3, 4, and 8) derivatives of cholic acid anion in an aqueous solution without additives are examined (which have not yet been determined) in the temperature interval T (10–40) °C. The critical micellar concentration and the change in the standard molar enthalpy of demicellization ($∆h_{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{c}}^0$) are determined by isothermal calorimetric titration (ICT). From the temperature dependence of $∆h_{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{c}}^0$, the change in the standard molar heat capacity of demicellization is obtained ($∆C_{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{c}}^0$), the value of which is proportional to the hydrophobic surface of the monomer, which in the micellar state is protected from hydrophobic hydration. The values of $∆C_{\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{c}}^0$ indicate that in the case of C7-alkyl derivatives of cholic acid anion with butyl and octyl chains, parts of the steroid skeleton and alkyl chain remain shielded from hydration after disintegration of the micelle. Conformational analysis can show that starting from the C7 butyl chain in the alkyl chain, sequences with gauche conformation are also possible without the formation of steric repulsive strain between the alkyl chain and the steroid skeleton so that the C7 alkyl chain takes an orientation above the convex surface of the steroid skeleton instead of an elongated conformation toward the aqueous solution. This is a significant observation, namely, if the micelle is used as a carrier of a hydrophobic drug and after the breakdown of the micelle in the biological system, the released drug has a lower tendency to associate with the monomer if its hydrophobic surface is smaller, i.e., the alkyl chain is oriented towards the angular methyl groups of the steroid skeleton (the ideal monomer increases the hydrophobic domain of the micelle, but in aqueous solution, it adopts a conformation with the as small hydrophobic surface as possible oriented towards the aqueous solution)—which then does not disturb the passage of the drug through the cell membrane. Full article

This paper presents the design and development of a proof of concept (PoC) open-source data logger system for wireless data acquisition via Wi-Fi aimed at bench testing and fault detection in combustion and electric engines. The system integrates multiple sensors, including accelerometers, microphones, thermocouples, and gas sensors, to monitor critical parameters, such as vibration, sound, temperature, and CO₂ levels. These measurements are crucial for detecting anomalies in engine performance, such as ignition and combustion faults. For combustion engines, temperature sensors detect operational anomalies, including diesel engines operating beyond the normal range of 80 °C to 95 °C and gasoline engines between 90 °C and 110 °C. These readings help identify failures in cooling systems, thermostat valves, or potential coolant leaks. Acoustic sensors identify abnormal noises indicative of issues such as belt misalignment, valve knocking, timing irregularities, or loose parts. Vibration sensors detect displacement issues caused by engine mount failures, cracks in the engine block, or defects in pistons and valves. These sensors can work synergistically with acoustic sensors to enhance fault detection. Additionally, CO₂ and organic compound sensors monitor fuel combustion efficiency and detect failures in the exhaust system. For electric motors, temperature sensors help identify anomalies, such as overloads, bearing problems, or excessive shaft load. Acoustic sensors diagnose coil issues, phase imbalances, bearing defects, and faults in chain or belt systems. Vibration sensors detect shaft and bearing problems, inadequate motor mounting, or overload conditions. The collected data are processed and analyzed to improve engine performance, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhanced energy efficiency. This PoC system leverages open-source technology to provide a cost-effective and versatile solution for both research and practical applications. Initial laboratory tests validate its feasibility for real-time data acquisition and highlight its potential for creating datasets to support advanced diagnostic algorithms. Future work will focus on enhancing telemetry capabilities, improving Wi-Fi and cloud integration, and developing machine learning-based diagnostic methodologies for combustion and electric engines. Full article

Fluorine-based mold fluxes are critical for continuous casting of peritectic steels, controlling heat transfer and preventing cracks. However, environmental and health concerns associated with fluorine have spurred the search for alternative flux compositions. This study applied a factorial design to explore the effects of ${\mathrm{Na}}_2$O, ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$, ${\mathrm{B}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$, and fluorine on key properties such as viscosity, crystallization temperature, and melting behavior. Analytical methods, including viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), combined with thermodynamic modeling, were used to evaluate performance. Four formulations were selected based on factorial design results. Sample A, with high ${\mathrm{Na}}_2$O, exhibited intense crystallization of merwinite (${\mathrm{Ca}}_3{\mathrm{MgSi}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8$) and perovskite (${\mathrm{CaTiO}}_3$). Sample B, incorporating ${\mathrm{B}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$, had reduced crystallization and suitable viscosity (2.97 Pa·s). Sample C, with a slightly higher fluorine content than Sample B and without ${\mathrm{B}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$, presented balanced low viscosity (1.75 Pa·s) with a moderate crystallization tendency. Sample D, free of fluorine and ${\mathrm{B}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$, showed high viscosity (4.58 Pa·s) and significant crystallization. These results demonstrate that fluorine-free fluxes with properties comparable to fluorine-based compositions can be developed, offering a sustainable alternative for steelmaking. Industrial trials are necessary to validate their performance under operational conditions. Full article

Advanced oxidation catalyzed by metal oxides is a promising approach for degrading organic pollutants in wastewater. A critical strategy to enhance the performance of these catalysts is optimizing the dispersion of their active components through innovative synthesis methods. In this study, we report a one-pot synthesis of g-C₃N₄ nanomeshes supported with highly dispersed VO₂ catalysts (V-g-C₃N₄) for the advanced oxidation of methylene blue (MB). The characterization results reveal that the involvement of VCl₃ in the pyrolysis of melamine facilitates the formation of g-C₃N₄ nanomeshes with abundant amino groups (NH/NH₂). The strong interaction between vanadia species and amino groups prevents VO₂ particles from agglomerating, resulting in a significantly higher vanadia dispersion than V-g-C₃N₄-im synthesized via the traditional impregnation method. V-g-C₃N₄ exhibits a sophisticated microstructure and surface structure, which leads to a rate constant 2.3-fold higher than V-g-C₃N₄-im in the catalytic degradation of methylene blue using H₂O₂ as the oxidant. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, trapping experiments, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements reveal that the rapid adsorption and fast diffusion of MB over g-C₃N₄ nanomeshes, together with the efficient H₂O₂ activation into ·OH radicals via the V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ redox cycle, synergistically contribute to the superior MB removal efficiency of V-g-C₃N₄. Moreover, V-g-C₃N₄ demonstrates no significant decrease in activity even after the fourth cycle, indicating its excellent stability during the pollutant removal process. Full article

Background: Damage to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, often caused by high-energy trauma, leads to significant functional impairment of the upper limb. This injury primarily affects the C5 and C6 roots, resulting in paralysis of muscles critical for shoulder and elbow function. If spontaneous nerve regeneration does not occur within 3–6 months post-injury, surgical intervention, including nerve transfers, is recommended to restore function. Methods: This study evaluates long-term outcomes of nerve transfer surgeries performed between 2013 and 2023 on 16 adult patients with post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries. The most common cause of injury was motorcycle accidents. Nerve transfers targeted shoulder and elbow function restoration, including transfer of the accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve, the radial nerve branch to the long or medial head of the triceps brachii to the axillary nerve, or the transfer of motor fascicles of the ulnar and median nerves (double Oberlin) to the brachialis and biceps brachii motor nerves. Results: Postoperative results showed varying degrees of functional recovery. In the shoulder, most patients achieved stabilization and partial restoration of active movement, with average flexion up to 92° and abduction up to 78°. In the elbow, full flexion with M4 strength was achieved in 64% of patients. In both the shoulder and the elbow, double nerve transfers yield better long-term outcomes than single transfers. Secondary procedures, such as tendon transfers, were required in some cases to improve limb strength. Conclusions: The study concludes that nerve transfers offer reliable outcomes in restoring upper limb function, although additional surgeries may be necessary in certain cases. Full article

The suspension parameters of heavy-duty freight trains can deviate from their initial design values due to material aging and performance degradation. While traditional multibody dynamics simulation models are usually designed for fixed working conditions, it is difficult for them to adequately analyze the safety status of the vehicle–line system in actual operation. To address this issue, this research provides a suspension parameter estimation technique based on CNN-GRU. Firstly, a prototype C80 train was utilized to build a simulation model for multibody dynamics. Secondly, six key suspension parameters for wheel–rail force were selected using the Sobol global sensitivity analysis method. Then, a CNN-GRU proxy model was constructed, with the actually measured wheel–rail forces as a reference. By combining this approach with NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II), the key suspension parameters were calculated. Finally, the estimated parameter values were applied into the vehicle–line coupled multibody dynamical model and validated. The results show that, with the corrected dynamical model, the relative errors of the simulated wheel–rail force are reduced from 9.28%, 6.24% and 18.11% to 7%, 4.52% and 10.44%, corresponding to straight, curve, and long and steep uphill conditions, respectively. The wheel–rail force simulation’s precision is increased, indicating that the proposed method is effective in estimating the suspension parameters for heavy-duty freight trains. Full article

Hardness constitutes one of the primary performance indices of bread. However, there is scarce literature regarding the study of the mechanisms of increased hardness in different breads. In this paper, the hardness and retrogradation rates of five popular brands of bread (DaliGarden, Mankattan, MianLunSi, TOLY, and ZhengMao) in China during storage at room temperature were determined, and the mechanism of increased hardness was revealed by the results in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), disulfide bonds, ¹³C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the sequence for the degree of hardness increase among the five bread brands was DaliGarden > TOLY >Mankattan > MianLunSi > ZhengMao. The bread hardness was likely associated with the gliadin content; the more gliadin, the higher the hardness of the bread. All bread hardness values underwent a rapid increase during storage at room temperature. The hardness level of the bread preferred by Chinese individuals was approximately 105 g, and the hardness of the TOLY bread underwent relatively minor changes during storage at room temperature. The disulfide bond content of all breads apart from Mankattan decreased during storage at room temperature. The increase in the hardness of the bread was attributed to the ordered configuration of the amylopectin structures resulting from water evaporation. The results given in this paper offer a practical hardness index to control the quality of bread. This study is expected to contribute to better quality control and optimization in bread production, enhancing consumers’ satisfaction and extending products’ shelf lives. Full article

The durability of carbonated recycled aggregate concrete (C-RAC) beams is still unclear at present. In this paper, the characteristics of corrosion-induced cracks and the steel corrosion depth of C-RAC beams were investigated through the accelerated corrosion test. The results showed that when accelerating corrosion to the 40th day, compared to the non-carbonated recycled aggregate concrete (NC-RAC) beam, the corrosion-induced cracking area of the C-RAC beam with a 100% carbonated recycled coarse aggregate (C-RCA) replacement ratio decreased by 40.00%, while the total length of the corrosion-induced cracks (CCs) increased by 51.82%. The type of probability distribution for the width of the CCs on the tension side of the C-RAC beams was a lognormal distribution. Compared with the NC-RAC beam, the mean value of the width of the CCs of the C-RAC beam with a 100% C-RCA replacement ratio decreased by 66.67%, the crack width distribution was more concentrated, and the quartiles and median were all reduced. With an increase in the C-RCA replacement ratio, the fractal dimension and the scale coefficient of CCs on the tension side of the beams showed an approximate trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The distribution of the corrosion depth of longitudinal tensile steel bars in the C-RAC beams was a mainly normal distribution. When the C-RCA replacement ratio increased from 30% to 100%, the mean value of the corrosion depth of the longitudinal tensile steel bars decreased by 33.46%, and the trend of changes in the quartiles and medians was basically the same as the trend of changes in the mean value. The research results can provide some reference for promoting the engineering application of C-RAC beams. Full article

Background: Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) is the prodrug of olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker that has antihypertensive and antioxidant activities and renal protective properties. It exhibits low water solubility, which leads to poor bioavailability and limits its clinical potential. To improve the solubility of OLM, a host–guest inclusion complex (IC) between heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DMβCD) and the drug substance was obtained. Along with active substances, excipients play a crucial role in the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical formulations. Therefore, the compatibility of OLM/DMβCD IC with several pharmaceutical excipients was evaluated. Methods: IC was characterized in both solid and liquid states, employing thermoanalytical techniques, universal-attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, UV spectroscopy, and saturation solubility studies. Compatibility studies were carried out using thermal and spectroscopic methods to assess potential physical and chemical interactions. Results: The 1:1 OLM:DMβCD stoichiometry ratio and the value of the apparent stability constant were determined by means of the phase solubility method that revealed an A_L-type diagram. The binary system showed different physicochemical characteristics from those of the parent entities, supporting IC formation. The geometry of the IC was thoroughly investigated using molecular modeling. Compatibility studies revealed a lack of interaction between the IC and all studied excipients at ambient conditions and the thermally induced incompatibility of IC with magnesium stearate and α-lactose monohydrate. Conclusions: The results of this study emphasize that OLM/DMβCD IC stands out as a valuable candidate for future research in the development of new pharmaceutical formulations, in which precautions should be considered in choosing magnesium stearate and α-lactose monohydrate as excipients if the manufacture stage requires temperatures above 100 °C. Full article

Squalene, a triterpene found in extra virgin olive oil, has therapeutic properties in diseases related to oxidative stress, such as cancer. However, its hydrophobic nature and susceptibility to oxidation limit its bioavailability outside of olive oil. To expand its applications, alternative delivery methods are necessary. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of squalene encapsulated in PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid) nanoparticles (PLGA + Sq) on the proliferation of human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells, as well as its underlying mechanism of action. The findings demonstrated that PLGA + Sq exert no influence on differentiated cells; however, it is capable of reducing the proliferation of undifferentiated Caco-2 cells through apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. This effect was initiated by the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and the subsequent activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, squalene exhibited pro-oxidant activity, as evidenced by an increase in intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels. The results of the squalene effect on genes associated with cell death, inflammation, and the cell cycle indicate that its antiproliferative effect may be post-transcriptional. In conclusion, PLGA + Sq demonstrate an antiproliferative effect on Caco-2 cells through apoptosis by altering redox balance, suggesting squalene’s potential as a functional food ingredient for colorectal cancer prevention. Full article

This research presents an in-depth analysis of large mammal remains first discovered in 1932 in the archaeological area of ancient Rome, central Italy, during the work for the opening of Via dell’Impero (VFI). This work describes the faunal assemblage, its current preservation status, and uses tephrochronology to assess its age. Additionally, it provides paleoecological insights into the evolution of the mammalian fauna in Latium, central Italy, from MIS 13 to MIS 7. Analysis of the fossils updates the identification previously proposed by De Angelis d’Ossat, confirming the presence of Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Cervus elaphus, and Bos primigenius. However, in contrast to the previous author, the hippopotamus remains are assigned to Hippopotamus cf. antiquus, and a second deer is identified as Dama sp. Furthermore, gnawing marks on the hippopotamus femur suggest the presence of a middle-sized carnivore. Tephrochronological investigation was conducted on pumice retrieved from the VFI fossiliferous layer and ash extracted from sediments adhering to the fossil surfaces. The major element composition of the glass from all pumice/ash samples shows a strong affinity with the Vico β unit, allowing correlation with the Fucino record and constraining the deposition of the VFI fossiliferous level between <406.5 ± 1.3 ka and >405.7 + 1.5/−1.6 ka. Radiometric dating is particularly useful for large mammal faunas of MIS 11-MIS 7, a period lacking significant faunal renewals, as Latium mammalian faunas are often dominated by species (elephants, red deer, aurochs) with broad chronological ranges. Full article