Ideal Core Research Articles

Fabrication of stable hydrogel microspheres with hydrophobic shell using water-in-water (W/W) Pickering emulsion template

Hydrogel microspheres are promising for food applications. The water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion template is commonly used to prepare the hydrogel microspheres. However, this method often involves synthetic surfactants and toxic organic solvents to remove the oil phase. The swelling problem of the resultant microspheres is another obstacle. In this study the water-in-water (W/W) emulsion template of gelatin-in-dextran was used to prepare the hydrogel microspheres, without the addition of surfactants, toxic reagents and high energy input. To prevent swelling, zein particles modified with alginate were served as a hydrophobic shell of the gelatin core. The formation evolution of these core–shell microspheres and its relevant factors including phase behavior of the immiscible gelatin/dextran, the binding of zein/alginate and the addition of the modified zein particles were investigated. It was found that small amount of alginate could induce zein particles to absorb on the gelatin surface, whereas the excess led to absorption competition. When using 0.6 wt% particles with zein/alginate ratio of 1:0.5, the ideal core–shell microspheres which were fully covered by the particles and with a self-supporting architecture in uniform size (18.8 ± 0.1 μm) and spherical shape were obtained. These microspheres showed remarkable stability under the conditions of heat treatment, varied pHs and salt concentrations and long-term storage either in refrigerator or room environment. Their sizes were easily manipulated by adjusting the concentration and molar mass of the biopolymers. It is believed that the desired stability and tunable sizes of these edible core–shell microspheres could contribute the development of their applications in foods.

Mesoscopic Study on Effective Thermal Conductivity of Aerogel Based on a Modified LBM

ABSTRACT Aerogel with nano-aerogel structure is regarded as advanced thermal insulation material. Therefore, the impacts of their microstructure and physical features on thermal conductivity are vital for optimizing their fabrication. An improved random growth approach was proposed in this paper to theoretically derive the effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of nano-aerogel. This model can accurately depict the random distribution versus the real microstructure. The Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) was introduced into the model to investigate the nano-scale heat transmission in nano-aerogel with porous structure. The developed model provided significant advantages beyond previous approaches for nano-aerogel by altering the particle’s parameters (e.g. particle’s diameter, specific surface area, and morphological structure) to investigate their effects on thermal performance. Comparison with existing literature was made to validate the accuracy. It indicated good agreement among the modeling results, experimental data, and reference values, implying the accuracy of the modified model. It was demonstrated that the optimal model with 150 kg·m−3 in density gained the lowest effective thermal conductivity and the ideal core distribution probability (while C d = 0.01). An inner vacuum of less than 1.0 Pa was recommended for hunting for optimal adiabatic performance. Moreover, it proved that ETC decreased by increasing the specific surface area of aerogel grain at an optimal density of about 150 kg·m−3.

Compressive behavior of Body-Centered-Cubic (BCC)-like ultra-lightweight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) lattice-based sandwich structures

3D lattice structures comprise a connected network of segments that allow positioning of the base material where needed while maintaining an open-cell characteristic. These structures represent an ideal lightweight core material for high-performance sandwich panels. This work presents, for the first time, the performance of lattice-based cores fabricated via indirect additive manufacturing using pultruded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) rods. The CFRP sandwich panels were tested under out-of-plane compression, and their compressive properties and failure modes were predicted via analytical and FE analyses, later contrasted with mechanical testing. Finally, the study compares favorably with similar core materials found in the literature.

Mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Gang Huo Qing wen granules in the treatment of influenza based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics

Influenza (Flu) is a severe health, medical, and economic problem, but no medication that has excellent outcomes and lowers the occurrence of these problems is now available. GanghuoQingwenGranules (GHQWG) is a common Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of influenza (flu). However, its methods of action remain unknown. We used network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation techniques to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of GHQWG in flu. TCMSP and various types of literature were used to obtain active molecules and targets of GHQWG. Flu-related targets were found in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database, the DisFeNET database, the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and the DrugBank database. To screen the key targets, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. DAVID was used to analyze GO and KEGG pathway enrichment. Target tissue and organ distribution was assessed. Molecular docking was used to evaluate interactions between possible targets and active molecules. For the ideal core protein–compound complexes obtained using molecular docking, a molecular dynamics simulation was performed. In total, 90 active molecules and 312 GHQWG targets were discovered. The PPI network's topology highlighted six key targets. GHQWG's effects are mediated via genes involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress, as well as the TNF and IL-17 signaling pathways, according to GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the active compounds and tested targets had strong binding capabilities. This analysis accurately predicts the effective components, possible targets, and pathways involved in GHQWG flu treatment. We proposed a novel study strategy for future studies on the molecular processes of GHQWG in flu treatment. Furthermore, the possible active components provide a dependable source for flu drug screening.

Efficiency enhancement in a heat-driven single-unit thermoacoustic refrigeration system

Heat-driven thermoacoustic cooling technology provides promising alternatives for eco-friendly refrigeration systems due to its high reliability and minimal environmental impact, meanwhile facing limited efficiency compared to current prevailing cooling technologies. The present work introduces an innovative bypass configuration in heat-driven thermoacoustic refrigeration systems aimed at enhancing the energy coupling between the engine and refrigerator, thereby enhancing system efficiency, particularly when the sources temperature is high. The acoustic power diversion mechanism of the bypass tube is firstly explored in an ideal thermoacoustic core unit through theoretical analysis. This core unit is subsequently studied in Sage platform and integrated into an actual single-stage looped traveling-wave thermoacoustic refrigeration system, respectively, and the effects of the bypass tube dimensions and operating conditions on the system are investigated. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is conducted between the proposed bypass tube-based system and the conventional bypass tube-free system, considering aspects such as system performance, key parameter distribution, and exergy loss analysis. The results demonstrate a significant efficiency enhancement, with a 68.8% increase in Coefficient of Performance (COP) and a 6.2 percentage point boost in relative Carnot efficiency compared to the system without a bypass tube. Additionally, the impact of the bypass dimensions and the DC flow introduced by the bypass tube on the system performance is further discussed at a numerical level. These findings offer valuable insights and serve as a reference for the future development of more efficient thermoacoustic refrigeration systems.

Network Pharmacology Combined with Molecular Docking Approach to Investigate the Mechanism of ChuShiWeiLing Decoction against Perianal Eczema.

ChuShiWeiLing Decoction (CSWLD) is a famous classical Chinese prescription for the treatment of eczema with desirable effect in clinical practice. It has gradually exerted good curative effects on perianal eczema (PE) in recent years, but its specific mechanism is not elucidated yet. This research explores the underlying pharmacological mechanism of CSWLD in addressing PE through network pharmacology combined with molecular docking strategy. The key chemical compounds and potential target genes of CSWLD were screened by bioinformatics. The major targets of CSWLD were discovered using network modules. Functional annotation of Gene Ontology (GO) was undertaken, as well as pathway enrichment analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Molecular docking of core protein-ligand interactions was modeled using AutoDock software. Pymol software was used to perform a molecular dynamics simulation for the ideal core protein-ligand that was discovered by molecular docking. A total of 2,853 active compounds and 922 targets of CSWLD were collected. The target with a higher degree was identified through the PPI network, namely TNF, IL6, ALB, STAT3, EGFR, TLR4, CXCL8 and PTPRC. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that CSWLD treatment of PE mainly involves cellular activation, activation of leukocytes, and adhesion among leukocytes. The molecular docking results showed that wogonin, hederagenin and quercetin of CSWLD could bind to IL-6 and TNF, respectively. Our results indicated that the bioactives, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of CSWLD against PE.

Wieland's Diogenes: A Cosmopolitan sensus non-communis

Abstract: Wieland's novel Dialogen des Diogenes von Sinope from 1770 provides a model for a cosmopolitan mode of non-commonality. A sustained reading of this seldom-read text uncovers a surprisingly provocative rhetoric and textual praxis that challenge false universalisms at the very core of Enlightenment ideals of common sense. The article explores what might lay claim to being the first instance in German literature of an ineluctable and yet, as one could say, cosmopolitan sensus non- communis .

Structure-Activity Relationship of a Pyrrole Based Series of PfPKG Inhibitors as Anti-Malarials.

Controlling malaria requires new drugs against Plasmodium falciparum. The P. falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PfPKG) is a validated target whose inhibitors could block multiple steps of the parasite's life cycle. We defined the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a pyrrole series for PfPKG inhibition. Key pharmacophores were modified to enable full exploration of chemical diversity and to gain knowledge about an ideal core scaffold. In vitro potency against recombinant PfPKG and human PKG were used to determine compound selectivity for the parasite enzyme. P. berghei sporozoites and P. falciparum asexual blood stages were used to assay multistage antiparasitic activity. Cellular specificity of compounds was evaluated using transgenic parasites expressing PfPKG carrying a substituted "gatekeeper" residue. The structure of PfPKG bound to an inhibitor was solved, and modeling using this structure together with computational tools was utilized to understand SAR and establish a rational strategy for subsequent lead optimization.

The effect of co-ligands on the performance of single-molecule magnet behaviours in a family of linear trinuclear Zn-Dy-Zn complexes with a compartmental Schiff base.

We present herein magneto-structural studies of three heterometallic Zn2Dy complexes: [Zn2Dy(L)2Cl2(H2O)](ClO4)·4H2O (1), [Zn2Dy(L)2Br2(H2O)](ClO4)·4H2O (2) and [Zn2Dy(L)2(OAc)I(H2O)]I3·4H2O (3), utilizing a new Schiff base ligand, N,N'-bis(3-methoxy-5-methylsalicylidene)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (H2L). Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit remarkable magnetic relaxation behaviour with relatively high energy barriers in zero field (Ueff: 244 K for 1 and 211 K for 2) and notable hysteresis temperatures, despite the low local geometric symmetry around the central DyIII ions. The SMM performance of these complexes is further enhanced under an applied magnetic field, with Ueff increasing to 309 K for 1 and 269 K for 2, positioning them as elite members within the Zn-Dy SMM family. These findings emphasize the substantial influence of remote modulation on ZnII beyond the first coordination sphere of DyIII ions on their dynamic magnetic relaxation properties. Ab initio studies demonstrate that the relative orientation of the phenoxo-oxygen donor atoms around the DyIII ion is critical for determining the magnetic anisotropy and relaxation dynamics in these systems. Additionally, experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the coordination of the bridging acetate towards the hard plane, combined with significant distortion from the ideal ZnO2Dy diamond core arrangement caused by the acetate ion, results in low magnetic anisotropy in complex 3, thereby leading to field-induced SMM behaviour. Overall, this study unveils the effects of co-ligands on the SMM performance in a series of linear trinuclear Zn-Dy-Zn complexes, which exhibit low local geometric symmetry around the DyIII centres.

Nonlinear vibrations of auxetic honeycomb thin plates based on the modified Gibson functions

Auxetic honeycombs possess many excellent properties, making them ideal cores for sandwich structures that can absorb energy effectively. This paper investigates the nonlinear vibrations of auxetic honeycomb composite plates, focusing on the primary resonance, super-/sub-harmonic resonances of the composite plates. Two pure panels sandwich an auxetic honeycomb core to form the honeycomb composite plate. The proposed modified Gibson function enables the derivation of effective material properties. By considering geometric nonlinearity, the nonlinear motion equations are derived through the implementation of the Hamilton principle, and then nonlinear ordinary differential equations are given by introducing stress functions and the Galerkin method. The nonlinear response curves are then determined by the multiple scale method. The impact of important parameters on the nonlinear vibration of auxetic honeycomb composite plates is evaluated in this study.

A Critique of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers as Educators

In this article, the author examines the thoughts of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers on teaching and higher education themes, particularly the humanistic psychology approach to education. It reviews Maslow’s expert introduction of materials on psychology, literature, ethics, and philosophy in class, which demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach to teaching students. Maslow developed ideal core goals for college, emphasizing student creativity and experiences in the educational process, whereas Rogers tended to take a humanistic psychology approach to teaching. His philosophy emphasizes student-centered learning and client-centered therapy. Rogers considered the teacher a facilitator of learning, who builds relationships with students based on empathy, trust, and prioritizing of student needs, whereas Maslow adopted a hybrid position on education. His undergraduate teaching views included a student-directed curriculum and degrees of empathic involvement; yet he maintained a disciplinarian expert’s authority. His approach is also compared with that of graduate education. By contrast, Rogers’s view on education was homogeneous, making no distinctions as to what a student is supposed to learn at each level. This article compares the educational perspectives of two “giants” of humanistic psychology.

Who is sensitising whom? A participatory interview guide development as an awareness tool within a health care research project

Who is sensitising whom? A participatory interview guide development as an awareness tool within a health care research project

Investigation on Effective Thermal Conductivity of Fibrous Porous Materials as Vacuum Insulation Panels’ Core Using Lattice Boltzmann Method

Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) provide significant adiabatic performance for heat/cooling systems to reduce energy consumption. The application of fibrous porous material (FPM) as the ideal core of VIPs has gained global attention in recent decades. The microstructure and physical properties of FPMs, filled as novel VIPs’ core material, and holding superior thermal performance, affected effective thermal conductivity (ETC) greatly. Aiming to deeply understand heat transfer mechanisms, a holistic simulation method that combined with a developed 3D FPM structure generation method and a D3Q15-Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is proposed to simulate the heat transfer in FPM and to illuminate the influence factors of ETC on the microstructure of FPM in a vacuum. The improved and modified mesoscopic 3D fibrous random micro-structure generation approach involved five structural parameters: generation probability of nucleus growth, fiber length, diameter, coincidence rate, and orientation angle. The calculation model of ETC is established, and the discrete velocity, distribution, evolution, and boundary conditions of D3Q15-LBM are invested in detail. The model is validated with influences of different microstructure parameters. It indicated that FPM with finer diameter, smaller average pore size, and bigger orientation angle easily gain the lower ETC in a vacuum. The ETC was also affected by the orientation angles of fibers. The more the heat transfer direction is inconsistent with the length direction of the fiber, the better the adiabatic performance is. The reliability of the model is verified by comparison, and this work is a reference to optimize the fibrous core of VIPs.

Ultra-wideband low-reflectance spinel films with nanostructure prepared by in-situ one-step hydrothermal method

The ultra-wideband low-reflectance materials are ideal core materials for advanced optical instruments, which are difficult to synthesize at present. Herein, in-situ one-step hydrothermal method was firstly introduced to prepare spinel films with nanostructures on low-cost Fe–Cr alloy substrates. The film shows excellent low reflectance in the range of 0.3–2.5 μm and 2.5–13 μm, which are 4.34% and 4.99% respectively, due to the uniform nano-micron structure on surface. The synthesized spinel film can be an ideal candidate ultra-wideband low-reflectance material for improving high-precision for optical instruments.

Bonding of Neuropeptide Y on Graphene Oxide for Drug Delivery Applications to the Central Nervous System.

Nanoscale graphene-based materials (GBMs) enable targeting subcellular structures of the nervous system, a feature crucial for the successful engineering of alternative nanocarriers to deliver drugs and to treat neurodisorders. Among GBMs, graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes, showing good dispersibility in water solution and being rich of functionalizable oxygen groups, are ideal core structures for carrying biological active molecules to the brain, such as the neuropeptide Y (NPY). In addition, when unconjugated, these nanomaterials have been reported to modulate neuronal function per se. Although some GBM-based nanocarriers have been tested both in vitro and in vivo, a thorough characterization of covalent binding impact on the biological properties of the carried molecule and/or of the nanomaterial is still missing. Here, a copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition strategy was employed to synthesize the GO-NPY complex. By investigating through electrophysiology the impact of these conjugates on the activity of hippocampal neurons, we show that the covalent modification of the nanomaterial, while making GO an inert platform for the vectorized delivery, enhances the duration of NPY pharmacological activity. These findings support the future use of GO for the development of smart platforms for nervous system drug delivery.

Auxetics and Other Systems with Unusual Characteristics

Auxetics and Other Systems with Unusual Characteristics

Neuromorphic Liquids, Colloids, and Gels: A Review.

Advances in flexible electronic devices and robotic software require that sensors and controllers be virtually devoid of traditional electronic components, be deformable and stretch-resistant. Liquid electronic devices that mimic biological synapses would make an ideal core component for flexible liquid circuits. This is due to their unbeatable features such as flexibility, reconfiguration, fault tolerance. To mimic synaptic functions in fluids we need to imitate dynamics and complexity similar to those that occurring in living systems. Mimicking ionic movements are considered as the simplest platform for implementation of neuromorphic in material computing systems. We overview a series of experimental laboratory prototypes where neuromorphic systems are implemented in liquids, colloids and gels.

Comparative evaluation of the tensile and compressive strength of three light cured bulk-filled composite core build up material

Introduction- The loss of a considerable amount of tooth structure makes retention of subsequent restorations more problematic and increases likelihood of fracture during functional loading. Different clinical techniques are there, one such technique is post and core. An ideal core build- up material must present excellent mechanical properties to resist the stresses that may be produced during function, providing equitable stress distributions of forces and reducing probability of tensile and compressive failures. Recent developments in flowable and restorative composite resins have resulted in a greater total depth of cure—between 4 and 5 mm for some materials. Materials and Methods: study was conducted in the department of prosthodontics and crown and bridge, including implantology along with external laboratory support and molds for tensile and compressive strength were made. Result- Based on strength, Photocore and Multicore HB may be used as alternatives to Kerr Herculite Precise; however, other physical qualities should also be considered. Conclusion-Within limited data available on recent bulk fill material that is PLT, Kerr Herculite Precis more in vitro and in vivo studies should be held for long term success of the material.

Mass Transfer Enhancement by Solution Pulsing in Laboratory Scale In-Situ Recovery

ABSTRACT Low-permeability deposits currently yield insufficient metal recovery using in-situ recovery (ISR) due to the weak interaction between lixiviant solution and the ore body as a result of low fluid flow and mineral/lixiviant contact. To improve the lixiviant/ore interaction, the use of a solution pulsing method (intermittent rather than continuous pumping) to improve the mass transfer of ions and fluid flow in such deposits could be an option. Solution pulsing alters the solution flow and mass transfer at the microscale between low- and high-permeability regions and can result in a higher overall mass transfer. This paper reports on research in which laboratory-scale solution pulsing-ISR experiments were undertaken to assess the effects of various parameters on lixiviant movement through ideal synthetic core samples. The concentration of lixiviant solution was tracked. The findings revealed that when the pump resting period was too long, the pulsed pumping was inefficient. A short pumping on-and-off time (30 min) was found to be more efficient. The results also confirmed that an increase in the hydrostatic pressure that drives the pumping increased the migration of ions. For the most effective pumping parameters, the effect of synthetic core sample permeability was also measured to confirm that a lower permeability results in a lower ion movement, as is expected from continuous pumping experiments.

The interplay between volunteers and firm’s employees in distributed innovation: emergent architectures and stigmergy in open source software

AbstractThis paper focuses on the interplay between firms and open and collaborative innovation communities. We develop a formal model where both volunteers (agents setting their agendas freely) and firm’s employees (agents whose agenda is mostly set by their employer) participate in the creation of a common artifact. In this framework, we discuss how firms can influence the architecture of the emerging product to assure fast and performant development and a desirable distribution of innovative labor within the project team. We find that closing the project only to employees implies high speed and performance if employees are given autonomy in certain dimensions and are directed in others. In this case, however, we observe a trade-off in terms of ideal core–periphery division of labor on one side and development speed and performance on the other side. At the opposite extreme, creating a volunteer-only project can ease the trade-off but assures positive results only if the firm is able to set up an entry mechanism that “surgically” selects volunteers with specific preferences. A mixture of both employees and volunteers can strike a good balance, relaxing the two constraints.