Use Of Components Research Articles

Coxsackievirus B3-Induced m6A Modification of RNA Enhances Viral Replication via Suppression of YTHDF-Mediated Stress Granule Formation

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal RNA modification. Here, we demonstrate that coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), a common causative agent of viral myocarditis, induces m6A modification primarily at the stop codon and 3′ untranslated regions of its genome. As a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, CVB3 replicates exclusively in the cytoplasm through a cap-independent translation initiation mechanism. Our study shows that CVB3 modulates the expression and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of the m6A machinery components—METTL3, ALKBH5 and YTHDFs—resulting in increased m6A modifications that enhance viral replication. Mechanistically, this enhancement is mediated through YTHDF-driven stress granule (SG) formation. We observed that YTHDF proteins co-localize with human antigen R (HuR), a protein facilitating cap-independent translation, in SGs during early infection. Later in infection, YTHDFs are cleaved, suppressing SG formation. Notably, for the first time, we identified that during early infection CVB3’s RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3D) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) are stored in SGs, co-localizing with HuR. This early-stage sequestration likely protects viral components for use in late-phase replication, when SGs are disrupted due to YTHDF cleavage. In summary, our findings reveal that CVB3-induced m6A modifications enhance viral replication by regulating YTHDF-mediated SG dynamics. This study provides a potential therapeutic strategy for CVB3-induced myocarditis.

Design optimization for enhancing performances of integrated planar inductor for power electronics applications

Goal. In this work, the performance of an integrated planar inductor with a square geometric shape using different materials for the substrate: Ni-Fe, Mn-Zn and Ni-Zn have been analyzed and investigated in order to assess the impact of the substrate material on the performance of the integrated planar inductor and to determine the optimal material in the various applications of power modules in power electronics. Methods. To this end, we carried out an in-depth analysis of the geometric dimensions of the integrated planar inductor, by calculating all the geometric parameters of the proposed structure, to establish an equivalent physical model of the integrated planar inductor in order to evaluate its different electrical specifications. The numerical simulation, based on the three-dimensional mathematical model of the system using Maxwell’s equations, was realized by COMSOL Multiphysics software. Results show the importance of the substrate material for the performance of the integrated planar inductor, and specify that the use of Ni-Fe ferrite as a substrate of the integrated planar inductor gives very interesting performance compared to other materials studied. The presented results provide valuable information on the influence of substrate material on the performance of embedded integrated planar inductor and can help to design and optimize these components for use in power electronic systems. Practical value. These results are significant for a wide range of applications, where the integrated planar inductor performance and efficiency can have a significant impact on the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of the power electronic device. References 37, tables 2, figures 7.

Structural characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of six plant phenolic acids.

Phenolic acids still gain significant attention due to their potential antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. In this study, we have investigated the antimicrobial of six phenolic acids, namely chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, rosmarinic, gallic and tannic acids in the concentration range 0.5-500 μM, against Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay. Additionally, the cytotoxic effects of these phenolic acids on two cancer cell lines, the colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell line and Dukes' type C colorectal adenocarcinoma DLD-1 cell line was examined. To further understand the molecular properties of these phenolic acids, quantum chemical calculations were performed using the Gaussian 09W program. Parameters such as ionization potential, electron affinity, electronegativity, chemical hardness, chemical softness, dipole moment, and electrophilicity index were obtained. The lipophilicity properties represented by logP parameter was also discussed. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of six phenolic acids, compounds deliberately selected due to their chemical structure. They are derivatives of benzoic or cinnamic acids with the increasing number of hydroxyl groups in the aromatic ring. The integration of experimental and computational methodologies provides a knowledge of the molecular characteristics of bioactive compounds and partial explanation of the relationship between the molecular structure and biological properties. This knowledge aids in guiding the development of bioactive components for use in dietary supplements, functional foods and pharmaceutical drugs.

Decomposing the hazard function into interpretable readmission risk components

Hospital decision-makers use predictive models to proactively manage risk of readmission for discharged patients. While predictions from classification models are easily integrated into decision-making processes, it is unclear how to best integrate predictions of the evolution of risk from time-to-event models. We propose a method for summarising predictions of risk over time that produces interpretable components for use in a variety of decision-making processes. The proposed method summarises predictions of risk over time (hazard functions) by approximating them with a parametric smoother. The components of the smoothed approximation can then serve as the basis for decision-making. To demonstrate the proposed summarisation method, we apply it in the specific case of a previously published model for patients discharged from a large teaching hospital on the Gold Coast, Australia. In this context, we describe how the summaries produced by the method could be used to estimate time until a patient reaches a stable, persistent risk level or to stratify patients according to risks of readmission in excess of patient-specific baselines. Our method is anticipated to be valuable in and outside of healthcare for settings where the evolution of risk is important, with specific examples including post-transplantation risk and reinjury risks.

Cryogenic thermo-physical properties of additive manufactured materials

Environmentally friendly aviation is one of the great challenges of this century. One promising approach is electric flight, in which an energy carrier (e.g. liquid Hydrogen LH2) and an electric powertrain work together. Within the scope of the joint project AdHyBau, the overarching goal is the development of new additive processes and fibre composite-metal hybrid designs for use in the cryogenic environment of such an electric propulsion system. Additive manufacturing of complex components for use in the cryogenic temperature range down to 20K (LH2) is one essential component in the production. For the design and optimization of the different components it is necessary to know the thermo-physical behaviour of such materials like high purity copper, Ti6Al4V alloy, Al-Mg-Sc alloy, and Inconell 718. The thermo-physical parameters investigated are thermal expansion, thermal & electrical conductivity and heat capacity. Further production-related influences coming from the method used (SLM, DED or Cold-Spray) and orientational dependences are discussed.Supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany. Grant-No.: 20M1904D.

Layered Wide Bandgap Semiconductor GaPS4 as a Charge‐Trapping Medium for Use in High‐Temperature Artificial Synaptic Applications

AbstractArtificial synaptic devices (ASDs) are attracting widespread attention as highly promising components for use in complex neuromorphic systems, playing crucial roles in addressing the challenges posed by the conventional von Neumann architecture. However, the instabilities of ASDs in high‐temperature environments diminish the reliabilities of the device performances, significantly inhibiting their practical application. Herein, a highly reliable 2D MoS2/GaPS4 ASD that maintains its functionality even after exposure to 400 °C is proposed. Moreover, due to the enhanced charge‐trapping effect of the GaPS4 layer, the memory window expands from an initial 42 to 55 V, accompanied by a substantial on/off ratio of 105, low off‐leakage current of 10−11 A, and high number of endurance cycles (103). The device effectively simulates various biological synaptic functions via electric and light stimulation. Notably, the high electric and light paired‐pulse facilitation indices suggest an exceptional synaptic performance. The findings introduce a novel approach to high‐temperature neuromorphic applications via defect engineering.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE METHOD OF ULTRASONIC EXTRACTION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS WITH AN ALCOHOL-WATER MIXTURE FROM THE FRUITS OF VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA L., GROWING ON THE KOLA PENINSULA

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is a profusely fruiting evergreen berry shrub, which is a hypoactic forest species, growing throughout the Kola Peninsula. Fruits have a number of significant therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, antitumor, neuroprotective, decongestant, antibiotic, due to a significant content of phenolic compounds. The process of complete extraction of polyphenolic components from a complex plant matrix requires the development of extraction conditions aimed at maximum mass transfer of target components with minimal destruction of compounds. In connection with the prospects of using the fruits of lingonberry plants in the pharmaceutical and cosmetology industries, in this work, for the first time, optimization of the conditions of the method of ultrasonic extraction with a water-ethanol mixture using single-factor analysis and the Box-Benken algorithm was carried out. The kinetics of the extraction process is approximated by the second-order reaction equation. The optimal duration of extraction, the concentration of the extractant, the power of ultrasonic exposure, the diameter of the fractions of plant raw materials, the hydromodule and the extraction temperature were determined. The total content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity, as well as the degree of inhibition of free radicals, were determined. The results obtained can be used in the development of technologies for the production of components for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetology industries.

Use of quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics and ELISA to compare the alpha 2 macroglobulin concentration in equine blood-based products processed by three different orthobiologic devices.

Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M), a multi-functional protein in the plasma protease inhibitor class, regulates proinflammatory cytokines and the clearance of chondrodestructive enzymes in cases of joint injury and osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to compare A2M concentrations in equine plasma samples processed by three commercial devices developed for stall-side regenerative joint therapy. Plasma samples were obtained from healthy adult horses (N = 13). Mass spectrometry analysis was used to determine the concentration of protein analytes in each sample. Selected reaction monitoring measured a specific A2M peptide as a surrogate of the whole A2M protein. A2M concentrations produced by each test device were compared for two sample types: a pre-concentrate or platelet-poor (PP) component and a final component for use in the horse. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the geometric mean (GM) concentration of A2M in the final concentration samples produced by the Alpha2EQ® device (N horses = 13) and the single-centrifugation PP samples produced by the Pro-Stride® APS (autologous protein solution) device (N = 13) and the Restigen® PRP (platelet-rich plasma) device (N = 11). When A2M content in final concentration samples produced by each device was compared, the Pro-Stride APS and Restigen PRP samples had significantly greater GM A2M content (p < 0.0001) compared to the Alpha2EQ samples, and the Pro-Stride APS final concentration samples had significantly greater GM A2M concentration (p < 0.0001) versus that for the Restigen PRP final samples. This comparison demonstrated that the volume and A2M concentration of an Alpha2EQ final concentrate are no different than the volume and concentration of A2M in the PP from Pro-Stride or Restigen devices.

The Development and Evaluation of Netball-Specific High-Intensity Interval Training Sessions: The Netball-HIIT Study.

This two-phase study involved the design, development, and evaluation of netball-specific high-intensity interval training sessions (Netball-HIIT) for use with netballers of varied ages and abilities. In Phase 1 (2020), a systematic analysis of netball GPS data from 30 netball players and gameplay video footage (10 h) was conducted, followed by the design and testing of five 8 min Netball-HIIT sessions involving 100 netball players (age 21 ± 8.44 years; Australia). In Phase 2 (2021), the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of delivering one Netball-HIIT session each week for five weeks was assessed using a two-armed, dose-matched, randomized, controlled feasibility study with netball players (born in 2010) (Netball HIIT n = 15; Netball Knee Program: NKP n = 15). Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness was assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models and Cohen's d effect sizes. Netball-HIIT sessions were highly rated by players, and higher average (139 bpm) and peak heart rates (156 bpm) were detected amongst Netball-HIIT participants (KNP = 127 bpm and 152 bpm). We observed a large effect for cardiorespiratory fitness (+2.4 laps, d = 0.89), and a small to medium effect for muscular fitness (push-ups +1.2, d = 0.49; standing jump +0.8 cm, d = 0.36) in favor of Netball-HIIT, suggesting that coach-led Netball-HIIT may provide a time-efficient and effective training component for use in netball.

Thermo-Mechanical Cycling of the ROTAJOINT Flexible Interconnection Installed in a Parabolic Trough Test Facility

Rotation and expansion performing assemblies (REPA) are one of the key components of parabolic-trough collectors (PTC) solar fields. This element is a flexible connector that connects the moving absorber tubes between adjacent PTCs or the absorber tubes to the fixed pipes of the solar field. A hybrid REPA model consisting of a flexible hose and a swivel joint, manufactured by the Spanish company ROTARM, has been installed in one of the PTC of a pilot plant at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (Spain) and tested to evaluate its life-time performance. Due to the lack of standardized procedure for testing this type of components for use in PTC solar fields, a test procedure has been defined consisting of a continuous thermo-mechanical cycling of the component to evaluate its performance under real conditions and to check any possible wear or failure. The total number of accumulated cycles has been 4000, which means that the tested REPA can withstand at least 10 years of trouble-free operation, if the periodic revisions and maintenance actions are carried out according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

The Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts in Controlling the Larvae of the Cadelle Beetle, Tenebriodes mauritanicus in the Laboratory

Al-Saoud, N. 2024. The Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts in Controlling the Larvae of the Cadelle Beetle, Tenebriodes mauritanicus in the Laboratory. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 248-254. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001236 The efficacy of four acetone extracts of Melia azedarach, Zingiber pupureum, Thymus capitata and Mentha viridis, was tested as pesticides of plant origins in controlling the 4 th instar larvae of Tenebroides mauritanicus (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under laboratory conditions. The extracts were applied at three concentrations 100, 50 and 25%. The results showed that the extract of ginger root had the highest mortality rate (90%), followed by M. azedarach fruits extract (83.33%), when 100% concentration was used. Meanwhile, thyme and mint leaf extracts caused 3.33 and 30% mortality, respectively, when the same concentration was used. The LC50 values for the ginger and the azedarach extracts were calculated on the first day after treatment and were 41.9 and 79.99% for both extracts, respectively. The results obtained 253 Arab J. Pl. Prot. Vol. 42, No. 2 (2024) indicated that the evaluated plant extracts were effective in controlling the cadelle beetle, which makes it a potential future component for use in integrated pest management programs. Keywords: Cadelle beetle, LC50, Tenebroides mauritanicus, plant extracts

Numerical and experimental fatigue strength evaluation of thin-walled aluminum components for aerospace application manufactured by roll forming

The design of structural components for use in commercial aircraft places high demands on the safety under static and cyclic loading conditions during the total operating time. With immerging innovative developments in the production of thin-walled sheet metal components, savings in energy consumption and material are achievable by switching from metal-cutting production to forming operations. As the forming process has an impact the local material properties due to resulting residual stress state, cold working and surface finish, the fatigue life estimation requires the consideration of the forming history.The structural component under consideration from aluminum alloy EN AW-7475 T761 is manufactured by automated, robot-assisted roll forming. Potentially existing residual stresses are determined via process simulation of the angled profile utilizing commercial finite element solver LS-Dyna®. The fatigue life assessment is carried out using the Local Strain Approach for different loading conditions.

Confinement mechanism of rectangular CFST components using double horizontally-corrugated steel plates

This paper presents experimental and analytical investigations on the confinement mechanism of a novel rectangular concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) component for use in composite shear walls. The CFST component consists of a steel tube made by welding double horizontally corrugated steel plates and double flat steel plates, and infilled with concrete. Tests of eight components and finite element analysis of twenty-three components under uniform compression were conducted to explore confinement mechanism of the novel tube to core concrete. The impacts of several factors such as steel plate thickness, nominal sectional aspect ratios, slenderness ratios, and the strength of the steel and concrete on the confinement mechanism were analyzed. The non-uniform confinement mechanism of horizontally corrugated steel plates was investigated based on their vertical and horizontal strain responses at the wave crests, middles, and troughs. The test results and numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed CFST components exhibited desirable axial compressive behavior with ductile failure modes. The tested specimens with nominal sectional aspect ratios ranging from 1.2 to 2.39 had strength indexes greater than 1.17. Even with a width-thickness ratio of 325.33, the horizontally corrugated steel plates effectively confined the core concrete. Furthermore, this research proposed a design strength model that considered the confinement effects of corrugated plates. The model accurately predicted the experimental and numerical results.

Influence of wall thickness on mechanical properties and porosity of additive manufactured polymer-based porous structures for fibula bone regeneration

In the recent past, Bone tissue engineering (BTE) has become a potentially effective solution for repairing bone defects. In the meantime, various fields, such as material science, additive manufacturing, and clinical medicine, are interlinked in the fast-emerging field of bone tissue engineering. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a unique technology that accumulates content rather than waste materials in the form of chips. AM techniques like selective laser sintering (SLS), commonly used to create complex polymer structures, allow for the direct fabrication of complex structural implant components for use in BTE. However, the wall thickness of the product limits the SLS systems. In detail, research into the influence of wall thickness on mechanical properties and scaffold porosity is required to develop such lightweight and complex structures. In this study, Polyamide12-based bone Scaffolds were fabricated using the SLS technique by varying the wall thickness ranging from 0.9 mm to 1.10 mm in steps of 0.05 mm. Compression tests, porosity, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry were conducted on the fabricated specimens. The studies demonstrated that the higher wall thickness benefits in reduction of porosity. The sample fabricated with a wall thickness of 1.1 mm has about 76% less porosity than the sample fabricated with a wall thickness of 0.9 mm. In addition, the study also found that compression strength decreases as porosity increases. The compressive strength of the scaffolds has been measured to be between 45.62 and 90.67 MPa for a wall thickness between 0.90 and 1.10 mm. The maximum compressive strength of a porous polyamide specimen is 90.67 MPa at a wall thickness of 1.10 mm. The fabricated samples with wall thicknesses of 0.9 and 0.95 mm were not mechanically stable, as their compressive strength values were lower than the compressive strength of human fibula bone (68 N/mm2).

Enhancing Strength and Toughness of Aluminum Laminated Composites through Hybrid Reinforcement Using Dispersion Engineering

In this work, we propose a hybrid approach to solve the challenge of balancing strength and ductility in aluminum (Al) matrix composites. While some elements of our approach have been used in previous studies, such as in situ synthesis and ex situ augmentation, our work is innovative as it combines these techniques with specialized equipment to achieve success. We synthesized nanoscale Al3BC particles in situ using ultra-fine particles by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into elemental powder mixtures, followed by mechanical activation and annealing, to obtain granular (UFG) Al. The resulting in situ nanoscale Al3BC particles are uniformly dispersed within the UFG Al particles, resulting in improved strength and strain hardening. By innovating the unique combination of nanoscale Al3BC particles synthesized in situ in UFG Al, we enabled better integration with the matrix and a strong interface. This combination provides a balance of strength and flexibility, which represents a major breakthrough in the study of composites. (Al3BC, CNT)/UFG Al composites exhibit simultaneous increases in strength (394 MPa) and total elongation (19.7%), indicating increased strength and suggesting that there are promising strengthening effects of in situ/ex situ reinforcement that benefit from the uniform dispersion and the strong interface with the matrix. Potential applications include lightweight and high-strength components for use in aerospace and automotive industries, as well as structural materials for use in advanced mechanical systems that require both high strength and toughness.

Selection of highly adaptive source material of watermelon for selection for early ripening

In terms of watermelon selection, the issue of stability of obtaining high yields in the conditions of manifestation of abiotic stressors of the external environment is relevant. The purpose of this study was to select a highly adaptive source material of watermelon according to the duration of the growing season and its components for use in breeding for early ripening. 101 collection samples of watermelon from 9 countries of the world were analysed. The study was based on the following methods: general scientific, measurement and weight, calculation, statistical. The watermelon collection was divided into ripeness groups and the sample was ranked according to the “duration of the seedling-ripening period”. The study established the amplitude (Am) and range of variation (Lim) of the signs of the duration of the components of the growing season. Samples with the smallest individual interphase periods were selected for use in selection for early ripening. The study found Vi – general adaptive capacity (GAC), σ2 SACi – specific adaptive capacity (SAC), Sgi – genotype stability, bi – regression coefficient of genotype response to changing conditions (plasticity), SVGi – selection value of the watermelon collection genotype based on the “duration of the growing season period”. According to the general adaptive capacity, the samples with the shortest duration of the “seedling – ripening” period were selected – 19 samples (Vi =-11.72…-6.05). As the most stable genotypes according to the “duration of the growing season” characteristic, 32 collection samples with a low value of the specific adaptive capacity indicator were selected, 23 of which are early ripening. The high stability of the genotype (Sgi) according to the characteristic “duration of the seedling-ripening period” was determined in 31 collection samples, of which 24 were early ripening. Based on the results of determining the regression coefficient (ecological plasticity coefficient), according to the characteristic “duration of the growing season”, the collection samples of watermelon were divided into three groups – with low (bi =0.01-2.20), medium (bi =2.21-4.22), and high (bi =4.23-6.24) ecological plasticity. According to the selection value of the genotype according to the trait “duration of the seedling-ripening period”, 18 collection samples had high indicators (SVGi =110.22-119.92), which are valuable for use in selection work with watermelon as sources of the characteristic “early ripeness”

BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork.

This paper presents significant advances in mycelium biofabrication using permanent knitted textile formwork and a new substrate formulation to dramatically improve the mechanical properties of mycelium-textile biocomposites suitable for large-scale components for use in construction. The paper outlines the biofabrication process, detailing the composition of mycocrete, a viscous mycelium substrate developed for use with permanent knitted formwork, and the injection process required to regulate the filling of slender tubes of fabric with mycocrete. The use of a permanent integrated knitted formwork shows promise as a composite system for use with mycelium to improve mechanical performance and enable complex shapes to be fabricated for lightweight construction. Results of mechanical testing show dramatic improvements in tensile, compressive and flexural strength and stiffness compared to conventional mycelium composites. The testing demonstrates the importance of both the mycocrete paste recipe and the knitted textile formwork. In addition, the paper highlights the advantages of the proposed biofabrication system with reference to the BioKnit prototype: a 1.8m high freestanding arched dome composed of very slender biohybrid knit-mycelium tubes. This prototype demonstrates the opportunity to utilize the potential for lightweight construction and complex form offered by a textile formwork with low environmental impact mycelium biomaterials. The combination of textiles and mycelium present a compelling new class of textile biohybrid composite materials for new applications within the construction sector.

Development of Technique for Piezoelectric Element Automated Selection Process

Iezoelectric elements are one of the most popular electronic components in use and are used in many electronic devices. These devices are very effectively used in medicine, education, construction, the oil and gas industry, military equipment, metrology, and many other fields. They are part of devices that provide diagnostics of various human organs, measure the flow of pumped liquids and gases, and utilize the mechanical energy of a person and vehicles for the purpose of its subsequent conversion into electrical energy. Currently, manufacturers of piezoelectric elements present a large number of various models on the Russian market that can satisfy any customer request. The orientation of developers of electronic devices that use piezoelectric elements, is quite difficult. In addition, great difficulties arise in the selection of piezoelectric elements at the present time, when many models have become unavailable for purchase within the country. To evaluate several models of piezoelectric elements in the shortest possible time, taking into account the analysis of a large amount of data, is very difficult and time-consuming, as well as involving a large team of specialized experts for analysis. To optimize the choice of the most appropriate model and save time and human resources, an automated control system for the selection of piezoelectric elements has been implemented. The proposed system takes into account a set of the most significant properties of piezoelectric elements as well as the possibility of their purchase (availability) in the domestic market, which significantly reduces the time spent by companies in selecting the necessary devices. The system is one of the elements of the developed methodology for selecting piezoelectric elements.

Atomistic origins of biomass recalcitrance in organosolv pretreatment

Separation of lignocellulosic biomass components for use in sustainable energy and biomaterials applications remains challenging, since biopolymers such as cellulose and hemicellulose carbohydrates and polyaromatic lignin are found in close proximity within the plant secondary cell wall. Organic solvents have been used to pretreat recalcitrant biomass and separate the interacting polymers, solubilizing the lignin fraction for lignin-first valorization approaches. However, no single organosolv pretreatment approach has proven superior for heterogeneous biomass samples. Here we present a complementary atomic view of interactions between biomass components using molecular simulations, specific to lignin and cellulose, resolving mechanistic hypotheses for how lignin-cellulose composition influences separation processes. Using lignin-cellulose binding free energy calculated using molecular simulations, we find polar protic solvents such as methanol and ethanol separate lignin from cellulose, irrespective of the charge on the lignin monomer. Aprotic organic solvents (DMSO, THF, 1,4-dioxane) separate uncharged lignin (phenols and monolignols) from cellulose, while charged lignin (cinnamates) prefer binding to cellulose.

Toward in-fiber nonlinear silicon photonics

Silicon core fibers (SCFs) offer an exciting opportunity to harness the nonlinear functionality of the semiconductor material within the excellent waveguiding properties of optical fiber systems. Over the past two decades, these fibers have evolved from a research curiosity into established components for use across a wide range of photonic applications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of the SCFs, with a focus on the development of the fabrication and post-processing procedures that have helped unlock the nonlinear optical potential of this new technology. As well as reviewing the timeline of advancements in nonlinear performance, a perspective will be provided on the current challenges and future opportunities for in-fiber nonlinear silicon systems.