Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Temporomandibular Joint and Aortic Root Score in Fibrillinopathies.

Fibrillinopathies have different phenotypic expression: Marfan-like skeleton features, MLSF; mitral valve prolapse syndrome, MVPS; MASS phenotype, M = mitral valve prolapse, MVP, A = aortic root dilation, S = skeletal features, and the second S = (cutaneous) striae; Marfan Syndrome, MS. The study had the following main objectives: the correlation between disc displacement, DD (a major sign for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, TMDs) on magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and aortic Z score (a major sign for aortic root dilation) on echocardiography; the predictive value of DD towards aortic Z score. DD had 2 types of severity: DD with reduction (the mild type, DDwR), and DD without reduction (the severe type, DDwoR).

Efficient End-to-End Convolutional Architecture for Point-of-Gaze Estimation.

Point-of-gaze estimation is part of a larger set of tasks aimed at improving user experience, providing business insights, or facilitating interactions with different devices. There has been a growing interest in this task, particularly due to the need for upgrades in e-meeting platforms during the pandemic when on-site activities were no longer possible for educational institutions, corporations, and other organizations. Current research advancements are focusing on more complex methodologies for data collection and task implementation, creating a gap that we intend to address with our contributions.

Photoluminescence of Argan-Waste-Derived Carbon Nanodots Embedded in Polymer Matrices.

In this work, photoluminescent (PL) carbon nano dots (CNDs) prepared from argan waste were embedded in highly optical transparent poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSA) and cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC) matrices, which were further processed into thin films. In the first step, the luminescent CNDs were prepared through thermal processing of fine-groundargan waste, followed, in the second step, by direct dispersion in the polymer solutions, obtained by solving PSA and COC in selected solvents. These two polymer matrices were selected due to their high optical transparency, resilience to various environmental factors, and ability to be processed as quality thin films.

Induced Wettability Switch in Thin Films of Conductive Polymer Coatings Exhibiting Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Interactions.

The hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of some conductive polymer (CP) coatings can be switched in the function of the working conditions of these adaptive materials. We studied the influence of electrical stimuli and intrinsic physical characteristics (nature of the polymerizable core, dopants, the droplet dimension and physical properties, surface roughness, etc.) on the CP wettability.

Strategy Based on Michael Addition Reaction for the Development of Bioinspired Multilayered and Multiphasic 3D Constructs.

The high incidence of osteochondral defects has increased the interest in the development of improved repairing alternatives, with tissue engineering being considered a promising approach. The hierarchical, complex structure of osteochondral tissue requires the design of a biomimetic multilayered scaffold. Here, a multilayered and multiphasic 3D macroporous structure was achieved at subzero temperature by the Michael addition reaction of amino functionalities of collagen with acryloyl groups of a bifunctionalized poly(ε-caprolactone).

Multi-fractal modeling of curcumin release mechanism from polymeric nanomicelles.

The physicochemical properties of "smart" or stimuli-sensitive amphiphilic copolymers can be modeled as a function of their environment. In special, pH-sensitive copolymers have practical applications in the biomedical field as drug delivery systems. Interactions between the structural units of any polymer-drug system imply mutual constraints at various scale resolutions and the nonlinearity is accepted as one of the most fundamental properties.

Drug-Loaded Polymeric Particulated Systems for Ophthalmic Drugs Release.

Drug delivery to the anterior or posterior segments of the eye is a major challenge due to the protection barriers and removal mechanisms associated with the unique anatomical and physiological nature of the ocular system. The paper presents the preparation and characterization of drug-loaded polymeric particulated systems based on pre-emulsion coated with biodegradable polymers. Low molecular weight biopolymers (chitosan, sodium hyaluronate and heparin sodium) were selected due to their ability to attach polymer chains to the surface of the growing system.

Langmuir Probe Perturbations during In Situ Monitoring of Pulsed Laser Deposition Plasmas.

The recent advancements in pulsed laser deposition (PLD) control via plasma diagnostics techniques have been positive and raised questions on the limitation of some techniques, such as the Langmuir probe (LP). The particularities of laser-produced plasma can lead to incorrect interpretation of collected electrical signal. In this paper, we explored the limitations of LP as a technique for in situ PLD control by performing investigations on several metallic plasmas, expanding in various Ar atmosphere conditions.

Impact of the Liquid Crystal Order of Poly(azomethine-sulfone)s on the Semiconducting Properties.

Organic semiconductors are an attractive class of materials with large application in various fields, from optoelectronics to biomedicine. Usually, organic semiconductors have low electrical conductivity, and different routes towards improving said conductivity are being investigated. One such method is to increase their ordering degree, which not only improves electrical conduction but promotes cell growth, adhesion, and proliferation at the polymer-tissue interface.

Comparative Investigation of Collagen-Based Hybrid 3D Structures for Potential Biomedical Applications.

Collagen is a key component for devices envisaging biomedical applications; however, current increasing requirements impose the use of multicomponent materials. Here, a series of hybrid collagen-based 3D materials, comprising also poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA)-in dense, porous or macroporous form-were characterized in comparison with a commercially available collagen sponge, used as control. Properties, such as water uptake ability, water vapour sorption, drug loading and delivery, were investigated in correlation with the material structural characteristics (composition and morphology).

A Theoretical Model for Release Dynamics of an Antifungal Agent Covalently Bonded to the Chitosan.

The aim of the study was to create a mathematical model useful for monitoring the release of bioactive aldehydes covalently bonded to the chitosan by reversible imine linkage, considered as a polymer-drug system. For this purpose, two hydrogels were prepared by the acid condensation reaction of chitosan with the antifungal 2-formyl-phenyl-boronic acid and their particularities; influencing the release of the antifungal aldehyde by shifting the imination equilibrium to the reagents was considered, i.e.

Catalytic hydrotreating of bio-oil and evaluation of main noxious emissions of gaseous phase.

Bio-oil produced from biomass pyrolysis has the potential to become an alternative renewable fuel. However due to the high content of oxygenated compounds is unsuitable as transportation fuel. The objective of this work is to evaluate the catalytic activity of CoMo /γ-AlO-HMS in the hydrotreating process of biomass pyrolysis bio-oil.

The Role of Information in Managing Interactions from a Multifractal Perspective.

In the framework of the multifractal hydrodynamic model, the correlations informational entropy-cross-entropy manages attractive and repulsive interactions through a multifractal specific potential. The classical dynamics associated with them imply Hubble-type effects, Galilei-type effects, and dependences of interaction constants with multifractal degrees at various scale resolutions, while the insertion of the relativistic amendments in the same dynamics imply multifractal transformations of a generalized Lorentz-type, multifractal metrics invariant to these transformations, and an estimation of the dimension of the multifractal Universe. In such a context, some correspondences with standard cosmologies are analyzed.

Theoretical model for the diclofenac release from PEGylated chitosan hydrogels.

Controlled drug delivery systems are of utmost importance for the improvement of drug bioavailability while limiting the side effects. For the improvement of their performances, drug release modeling is a significant tool for the further optimization of the drug delivery systems to cross the barrier to practical application. We report here on the modeling of the diclofenac sodium salt (DCF) release from a hydrogel matrix based on PEGylated chitosan in the context of Multifractal Theory of Motion, by means of a fundamental spinor set given by 2 × 2 matrices with real elements, which can describe the drug-release dynamics at global and local scales.

Toward Interactions through Information in a Multifractal Paradigm.

In a multifractal paradigm of motion, Shannon's information functionality of a minimization principle induces multifractal-type Newtonian behaviors. The analysis of these behaviors through motion geodesics shows the fact that the center of the Newtonian-type multifractal force is different from the center of the multifractal trajectory. The measure of this difference is given by the eccentricity, which depends on the initial conditions.

A theoretical mathematical model for assessing diclofenac release from chitosan-based formulations.

The paper reports a new mathematical model for understanding the mechanism delivery from drug release systems. To do this, two drug release systems based on chitosan and diclofenac sodium salt as a drug model, were prepared by in situ hydrogelation in the presence of salicylaldehyde. The morphology of the systems was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy and the drug release was investigated into a medium mimicking the environment.

A Theoretical Multifractal Model for Assessing Urea Release from Chitosan Based Formulations.

This paper reports the calibration of a theoretical multifractal model based on empirical data on the urea release from a series of soil conditioner systems. To do this, a series of formulations was prepared by in situ hydrogelation of chitosan with salicylaldehyde in the presence of different urea amounts. The formulations were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy.

Biopolymers/poly(ε-caprolactone)/polyethylenimine functionalized nano-hydroxyapatite hybrid cryogel: Synthesis, characterization and application in gene delivery.

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp), surface functionalized with linear polyethylenimine (LPEI), was used for the preparation of biocomposites in combination with biopolymers and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), by cryogelation technique, to yield biomimetic scaffolds with controlled interconnected macroporosity, mechanical stability, and predictable degradation behavior. The structural characteristics, swelling and degradation behavior of hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) filled matrices were investigated as compared to the corresponding naked polymer 3D system. It was found that the homogeneity and cohesivity of the composite are significantly dependent on the size and amount of the included inorganic particles, which are thus determining the structural parameters.

Superparamagnetic Composites Based on Ionic Resin Beads/CaCO /Magnetite.

The preparation of superparamagnetic composites obtained by CaCO mineralization from supersaturate aqueous solutions is presented. The preparation was conducted in the presence of oleic acid stabilized magnetite nanoparticles as a water-based magnetic fluid and insoluble templates as gel-like cross-linked polymeric beads. The presence of the magnetic particles in the composites provides a facile way for external manipulation using a permanent magnet, thus allowing the separation and extraction of magnetically modified materials.

Bioelectro-Claus processes using MFC technology: Influence of co-substrate.

This work is focused on the removal of sulphide from wastewater using a two chamber microbial fuel cell, seeded with activated sludge and operated in semi-continuous mode. Two co-substrates were used in order to provide the system for carbon and nutrient source: actual urban wastewater and synthetic wastewater. Results show that sulphide is efficiency depleted (removals over 94%) and that electricity is efficiently produced (maximum power density is 150 mW m(-2)) meanwhile COD is also oxidised (removals higher than 60%).

Control and prediction of degradation of biopolymer based hydrogels with poly(ɛ-caprolactone) subunits.

Complex hydrogels consisting of natural and synthetic polymers, stabilized by combining different physical and chemical cross-linking methods, were assessed by in vitro degradation tests performed at 37°C in phosphate buffer solution. Four biopolymer-based hydrogel series were comparatively evaluated as sponge or dense films as regards mass loss, morphology changes and thermal behavior over the fixed incubation period, considering as main factors of influence the composition, the adopted stabilization mode and the microstructure of the 3D construct. To facilitate the selection of the appropriate material for envisaged applications, matching the specific needs, the obtained data were used to generate an artificial neural network (ANN) model, able to establish correlations of the examined formulations and preparation parameters with mass loss.

Ozone photolysis of paracetamol in aqueous solution.

The degradation of a paracetamol (N-acetil-para-aminofenol) aqueous solution (C (0) P = 5 mmol L(-1)) is studied in a bench-scale setup by means of simple ozonation (O3) and ozonation catalyzed with UV light (O3/UV) in order to quantify the influence of UV light on the degradation process. The results have shown that under the adopted experimental conditions (25°C, applied ozone dose = 9.8 mg L(-1) and gas flow rate of 20 L h(-1)) both oxidative systems are capable of removing the substrate with mineralization degrees up to 51% for ozonation and 53% for O3/UV.

Macroporous structures based on biodegradable polymers--candidates for biomedical application.

New hybrid cryogels comprising natural polymers (free atelocollagen or atelocollagen mixed with a hyaluronic acid derivative) and a synthetic polyester--poly(ε-caprolactone)--were successfully developed by a cryogenic treatment and a subsequent freeze-drying step. Systematic studies on the effect of preparation conditions (reaction mixture composition, total concentration of the feed dispersion, and freezing regime) on cryogelation efficiency were conducted. The degree of cross-linking and the morphology of the obtained materials were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and (environmental) scanning electron microscopy (ESEM/SEM) techniques.

A measurement system for an automatic survey of low frequency magnetic and electric fields.

In this paper we propose and verify by experiment a measurement system capable to survey both magnetic (H) and electric (E) fields at the same point, considering that the existing low frequency (50 Hz-10 kHz) instruments permit the survey at two different points, one for H and the other for E. This measurement system has a sensor with a special configuration, with a sensitivity to electric field of 1.3 mV∕(V∕m), and a sensitivity to magnetic induction of 143 mV∕μT.

Effect of cross-linking methods on structure and properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) stabilized hydrogels containing biopolymers.

Different dense and porous biodegradable matrices based on solely atelocollagen, or with different atelocollagen and hyaluronic acid derivative ratios, were obtained by varying feeding formulations, cross-linking reaction parameters, and preparative protocols. The compositions and methods for forming hydrogels through a combination of physical and chemical cross-linking processes are provided. The chemical cross-linking was mainly mediated by a synthetic component, a poly(ε-caprolactone) reactive derivative, aiming the development of new hybrid hydrogels with tailored characteristics by an appropriate use of the advantages offered by the included natural and synthetic components and the selection of the preparative procedure.