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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Germoles and siloles unsymmetrically condensed with heteroaromatic units are attracting much interest. In this study, compounds containing a triazologermole core unit...
Germoles and siloles unsymmetrically condensed with heteroaromatic units are attracting much interest. In this study, compounds containing a triazologermole core unit condensed with a benzene or thiophene ring were prepared. Thienotriazologermole was subjected to bromination to obtain the bromide, which underwent transformation via the palladium-catalyzed Stille coupling reaction to form triphenylamine-substituted thienotriazolegermole, with an effective extension of conjugation. The electronic states and properties of these triazologermole derivatives are discussed on the basis of optical and electrochemical measurements and density functional theory calculations. Triphenylamine-substituted thienotriazolegermole showed clear solvatochromic properties in photoluminescence measurements, suggesting that intramolecular charge transfer occurs at the photo-excited state. This clearly indicates that the triazologermole unit is useful as an acceptor of donor-acceptor compounds. The potential application of triphenylamine-substituted thienotriazolegermole as a sensing material was also explored.
PubMed: 38893557
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112684 -
Polymers Jun 2024Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a well-established manufacturing method for producing both prototype and functional components. This study investigates the mechanical...
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a well-established manufacturing method for producing both prototype and functional components. This study investigates the mechanical properties of FDM components by material and process-related influencing variables. Tensile tests were conducted on seven different materials in their raw filament form, two of which were fiber-reinforced, to analyze their material-related influence. To cover a wide range from standard to advanced materials relevant for load-carrying components as well as their respective variations, polylactic acid (PLA), 30% wood-fiber-reinforced PLA, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), a blend of ABS and PC, Nylon, and 30% glass-fiber-reinforced Nylon were selected. The process-related influencing variables were studied using the following process parameters: layer thickness, nozzle diameter, build orientation, nozzle temperature, infill density and pattern, and raster angle. The first test series revealed that the addition of wood fibers significantly worsened the mechanical behavior of PLA due to the lack of fiber bonding to the matrix and significant pore formation. The polymer blend of ABS and PC only showed improvements in stiffness. Significant strength and stiffness improvements were found by embedding glass fibers in Nylon, despite partially poor fiber-matrix bonding. The materials with the best properties were selected for the process parameter analysis. When examining the impact of layer thickness on part strength, a clear correlation was evident. Smaller layer thicknesses resulted in higher strength, while stiffness did not appear to be affected. Conversely, larger nozzle diameters and lower nozzle temperatures only positively impacted stiffness, with little effect on strength. The part orientation did alter the fracture behavior of the test specimens. Although an on-edge orientation resulted in higher stiffness, it failed at lower stresses. Higher infill densities and infill patterns aligned with the load direction led to the best mechanical results. The raster angle had a significant impact on the behavior of the printed bodies. An alternating raster angle resulted in lower strengths and stiffness compared to a unidirectional raster angle. However, it also caused significant stretching due to the rotation of the beads.
PubMed: 38891522
DOI: 10.3390/polym16111576 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) reduce the high profitability of many crops and degrade their quantitative and qualitative yields globally. Traditional nematicides and... (Review)
Review
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) reduce the high profitability of many crops and degrade their quantitative and qualitative yields globally. Traditional nematicides and other nematode control methods are being used against PPNs. However, stakeholders are searching for more sustainable and effective alternatives with limited side effects on the environment and mankind to face increased food demand, unfavorable climate change, and using unhealthy nematicides. This review focuses on upgrading the pre-procedures of PPN control as well as novel measures for their effective and durable management strategies on economically important crops. Sound and effective sampling, extraction, identification, and counting methods of PPNs and their related microorganisms, in addition to perfecting designation of nematode-host susceptibility/resistance, form the bases for these strategies. Therefore, their related frontiers should be expanded to synthesize innovative integrated solutions for these strategies. The latter involve supplanting unsafe nematicides with a new generation of safe and reliable chemical nematicidal and bionematicidal alternatives. For better efficacy, nematicidal materials and techniques should be further developed via computer-aided nematicide design. Bioinformatics devices can reinforce the potential of safe and effective biocontrol agents (BCAs) and their active components. They can delineate the interactions of bionematicides with their targeted PPN species and tackle complex diseases. Also, the functional plan of nematicides based on a blueprint of the intended goals should be further explored. Such goals can currently engage succinate dehydrogenase, acetylcholinesterase, and chitin deacetylase. Nonetheless, other biochemical compounds as novel targets for nematicides should be earnestly sought. Commonly used nematicides should be further tested for synergistic or additive function and be optimized via novel sequential, dual-purpose, and co-application of agricultural inputs, especially in integrated pest management schemes. Future directions and research priorities should address this novelty. Meanwhile, emerging bioactivated nematicides that offer reliability and nematode selectivity should be advanced for their favorable large-scale synthesis. Recent technological means should intervene to prevail over nematicide-related limitations. Nanoencapsulation can challenge production costs, effectiveness, and manufacturing defects of some nematicides. Recent progress in studying molecular plant-nematode interaction mechanisms can be further exploited for novel PPN control given related topics such as interfering RNA techniques, RNA-Seq in BCA development, and targeted genome editing. A few recent materials/techniques for control of PPNs in durable agroecosystems via decision support tools and decision support systems are addressed. The capability and effectiveness of nematicide operation harmony should be optimized via employing proper cooperative mechanisms among all partners.
PubMed: 38891366
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111558 -
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Jun 2024Food and beverage products containing cannabidiol (CBD) is a growing industry, but some CBD products contain Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC), despite being labeled as...
Food and beverage products containing cannabidiol (CBD) is a growing industry, but some CBD products contain Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC), despite being labeled as "THC-free". As CBD can convert to Δ-THC under acidic conditions, a potential cause is the formation of Δ-THC during storage of acidic CBD products. In this study, we investigated if acidic products (pH ≤ 4) fortified with CBD would facilitate conversion to THC over a 2-15-month time period. Six products, three beverages (lemonade, cola, and sports drink) and three condiments (ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce), were purchased from a local grocery store and fortified with a nano-emulsified CBD isolate (verified as THC-free by testing). The concentrations of CBD and Δ-THC were measured by Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively, for up to 15 months at room temperature. Coefficients of variation (CVs) of initial CBD concentrations by GC-FID were <10% for all products except ketchup (18%), showing homogeneity in the fortification. Formation of THC was variable, with the largest amount observed after 15 months in fortified lemonade #2 (3.09 mg Δ-THC/serving) and sports drink #2 (1.18 mg Δ-THC/serving). Both beverages contain citric acid, while cola containing phosphoric acid produced 0.10 mg Δ-THC/serving after 4 months. The importance of the acid type was verified using acid solutions in water. No more than 0.01 mg Δ-THC/serving was observed with the condiments after 4 months. Conversion of CBD to THC can occur in some acidic food products when those products are stored at room temperature. Therefore, despite purchasing beverages manufactured with a THC-free nano-emulsified form of CBD, consumers might be at some risk of unknowingly ingesting small amounts of THC. The results indicate that up to 3 mg Δ-THC from conversion can be present in a serving of CBD-lemonade. Based on the previous studies, 3 mg Δ-THC might produce a positive urine sample (≥15 ng/mL THC carboxylic acid) in some individuals. Consumers must exert caution when consuming products with an acidic pH (≤4) that suggests that they are "THC-Free," because consumption might lead to positive drug tests or, in the case of multiple doses, intoxication.
PubMed: 38888614
DOI: 10.1089/can.2024.0064 -
Nature Chemistry Jun 2024Biological systems often rely on topological transformation to reconfigure connectivity between nodes to guide the flux of molecular information. Here we develop a...
Biological systems often rely on topological transformation to reconfigure connectivity between nodes to guide the flux of molecular information. Here we develop a topology-programmed DNA origami system that encodes signal propagation at the nanoscale, analogous to topologically efficient information processing in cellular systems. We present a systematic molecular implementation of topological operations involving 'glue-cut' processes that can prompt global conformational change of DNA origami structures, with demonstrated major topological properties including genus, number of boundary components and orientability. By spatially arranging reactive DNA hairpins, we demonstrate signal propagation across transmission paths of varying lengths and orientations, and curvatures on the curved surfaces of three-dimensional origamis. These DNA origamis can also form dynamic scaffolds for regulating the spatial and temporal signal propagations whereby topological transformations spontaneously alter the location of nodes and boundary of signal propagation network. We anticipate that our strategy for topological operations will provide a general route to manufacture dynamic DNA origami nanostructures capable of performing global structural transformations under programmable control.
PubMed: 38886615
DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01565-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The CNC (computerized numerically controlled) machines are widespread in use due to their high capability of precise manufacturing in industrial production. They have a...
The CNC (computerized numerically controlled) machines are widespread in use due to their high capability of precise manufacturing in industrial production. They have a wide range of designs depending on the working capacity in manufacturing. The associated form errors in large-capacity CNC machines during production shall be identified and corrected or eliminated. This study presents an investigation of one of the main form errors that may affect the manufacturing precision of these machines. This error type is a straightness error with both two kinds of horizontal and vertical errors. The study is carried out for a vertical turning center CNC machine type. The straightness errors are measured for the X axis at different latches in the Z direction and for the Z axis at three positions in the X direction with multi-displacement steps. Different algorithms are used in the determination of straightness errors. The X-axis has minimum horizontal straightness errors at latch Nr. 3 and minimum vertical straightness errors at latch Nr. 5. For the Z axis, the minimum values for horizontal and vertical straightness errors exist when the spindle is located 1200 mm away from the machining center to the right. The displacement steps have a significant impact on the determination of straightness errors.
PubMed: 38886360
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63909-9 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Ropivacaine hydrochloride (RPL) is a local anesthetic agent that has been widely used for the treatment of pain during or after surgery. However, this drug is only...
Ropivacaine hydrochloride (RPL) is a local anesthetic agent that has been widely used for the treatment of pain during or after surgery. However, this drug is only available in parenteral dosage form and may contribute to the infiltration of RPL into the plasma, causing some undesirable side effects. Intradermal delivery of RPL using dissolving microneedles may become a promising strategy to deliver such drugs into the skin. This research aimed to develop RPL-loaded dissolving microneedles (DMN-RPLs) as a proof of the concept of intradermal delivery of a local anesthetic. The DMN-RPLs were fabricated using either centrifugation or air-pressurized chamber methods. Several polymers, such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and sodium hyaluronate (SH), were utilized for manufacturing the DMN-RPLs. The prepared DMN-RPLs were assessed for their thermal properties, chemical bonds, mechanical strength, insertion ability, skin-dissolution study, and drug content. Furthermore, in-skin deposition and dermatokinetic studies were also performed. The results showed that F9 (30 % w/w PVP-4 % w/w SH) and F10 (30 % w/w PVP-5 % w/w PVA) containing 5 % w/w of RPL were the most promising formulations, as shown by their needle height reduction (<10 %) and insertion depth (∼400 μm). Both formulations were also able to deliver more than 60 % of the RPL contained in the DMNs into the epidermis, dermis, and receiver compartment. This study, for the first time, has provided a proof concept to deliver RPL as a local anesthetic using DMNs and the intradermal route, aiming to minimize pain and discomfort during administration and improve the patient's experience.
PubMed: 38885777
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124347 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jun 2024Cumulative culture, the accumulation of modifications, innovations, and improvements over generations through social learning, is a key determinant of the behavioral...
Cumulative culture, the accumulation of modifications, innovations, and improvements over generations through social learning, is a key determinant of the behavioral diversity across populations and their ability to adapt to varied ecological habitats. Generations of improvements, modifications, and lucky errors allow humans to use technologies and know-how well beyond what a single naive individual could invent independently within their lifetime. The human dependence on cumulative culture may have shaped the evolution of biological and behavioral traits in the hominin lineage, including brain size, body size, life history, sociality, subsistence, and ecological niche expansion. Yet, we do not know when, in the human career, our ancestors began to depend on cumulative culture. Here, we show that hominins likely relied on a derived form of cumulative culture by at least ~600 kya, a result in line with a growing body of existing evidence. We analyzed the complexity of stone tool manufacturing sequences over the last 3.3 My of the archaeological record. We then compare these to the achievable complexity without cumulative culture, which we estimate using nonhuman primate technologies and stone tool manufacturing experiments. We find that archaeological technologies become significantly more complex than expected in the absence of cumulative culture only after ~600 kya.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hominidae; Archaeology; Cultural Evolution; Tool Use Behavior; Biological Evolution; Fossils; Technology; History, Ancient
PubMed: 38885385
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319175121 -
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and... Jun 2024Face cups form a vital component of breathing, assisting with devices that aid in artificial breathing for neonates. This study aims to evaluate the flow parameters in...
Face cups form a vital component of breathing, assisting with devices that aid in artificial breathing for neonates. This study aims to evaluate the flow parameters in the nasal cavity for two different types of face cups. The neonatal nasal cavity model was developed from CT scans using MIMICS 21.0. Two face cups, one hemispherical and the other anatomical shaped cups are developed around the nasal cavity and the airflow is simulated using ANSYS 2021 R2. Results are compared with a nasal-only model. At the nasal valve region, the highest velocity is seen for the nasal-only model which is 16.3% higher than that of the hemispherical face cup and 15.2% superior to the anatomical-shaped face cup. In addition, the decrease in pressure across the nasal-only model is 7.4 and 6.6% below that of the hemispherical cup and anatomical cup masks. The nasal resistance values across the nasal cavity are the lowest for the nasal-only model, 7.7 and 6.7% lower respectively than the hemispherical and anatomical-shaped cups. There were very minor changes in the flow parameters such as velocity, pressure and wall shear stress when comparing the hemispherical and anatomic-shaped masks for the airflow inside the nasal cavity.
PubMed: 38884320
DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2024.2367120 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease May 2024Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein (TP) and glucose (Glu) in pleural hydrothorax and ascites can be used in the diagnosis of exudate, and adenosine deaminase...
BACKGROUND
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein (TP) and glucose (Glu) in pleural hydrothorax and ascites can be used in the diagnosis of exudate, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) can be used in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusion. However, the manufacturers do not claim that their biochemical reagents can be used to detect hydrothorax and ascites samples. Therefore, medical laboratories must conduct suitability studies on biochemical reagents for hydrothorax and ascites samples to comply with regulatory requirements for humor detection. This study aimed to verify the analytical performance and clinical diagnostic accuracy of the Mindray biochemical reagents, including LDH, TP, Glu and ADA, for hydrothorax and ascites.
METHODS
The repeatability, detection limits and reference intervals of Mindray biochemical reagents (LDH, TP, Glu, ADA) in detecting hydrothorax and ascites were determined. The comparison of different measurement procedures was performed. Meanwhile, the diagnostic accuracy of LDH, TP, Glu and ADA were assessed.
RESULTS
The quality control results of LDH, TP, Glu, and ADA were all under control. The repeatability coefficient of variation (%) of LDH, TP, Glu, and ADA were all less than 1%. The limits of blank of LDH, TP, Glu, and ADA were 0.33 U/L, 0.45 g/L, 0.00 mmol/L, and 0.04 U/L, respectively; the limits of detection were 1.57 U/L, 1.85 g/L, 0.05 mmol/L, and 0.12 U/L, respectively. Compared with the reference measurement program, the correlation coefficients of LDH, TP, Glu and ADA were 0.9931, 0.9983, 0.9996 and 0.9966, respectively; the regression equations were y=1.0082x-10.06, y=0.9965x-0.4732, y=0.9903x+0.0522 and y=1.0051x-0.0232, respectively. The reference intervals of LDH, TP, Glu, and ADA in hydrothorax and ascites were ≤198.39 U/L, ≤32.97 g/L, ≥5.03 mmol/L. and ≤11.00 U/L respectively. For differentiating between exudates and transudates, the area under the curve (AUC) of LDH, TP, and Glu were 0.913, 0.875, and 0.767, respectively; the AUC of ADA for the differential diagnosis of tuberculous and nontuberculous effusions was 0.876.
CONCLUSIONS
The LDH, TP, Glu, and ADA assays were validated for use with the Mindray BS-2800 analyzer for hydrothorax and ascites evaluation. LDH, TP, and Glu in hydrothorax and ascites are applicable to the differential diagnosis of exudates and transudates; ADA in hydrothorax and ascites can be employed to differentiate and diagnose tuberculous and nontuberculous effusions.
PubMed: 38883656
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-24-345