Comparison of the Physicochemical Properties of Carboxylic and Phosphonic Acid Self-Assembled Monolayers Created on a Ti-6Al-4V Substrate

This study compared the tribological properties in nano- and millinewton load ranges of Ti-6Al-4V surfaces that were modified using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of carboxylic and phosphonic acids. The effectiveness of the creation of SAMs with the use of the liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique was monitored by the contact angle measurement, the surface free energy (SFE) calculation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements. The obtained results indicated that more stable and well-ordered layers, which were characterized by the lowest values of the coefficient of friction, adhesion, and wear rate, were obtained using phosphonic acid as a surface modifier. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the Ti-6Al-4V alloy modified by phosphonic acid would be the most advantageous for practical applications, especially in micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS)

Triterpene Saponins from the Aerial Parts of Trifolium medium L. var. sarosiense

Seven previously unreported triterpene glycosides (1−7) were isolated from methanol extract of the aerial parts of Trifolium medium var. sarosiense (zigzag clover). Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HRMS analyses. Compounds 1−7 are oleanane derivatives characterized by the presence of a keto group at C-22 of an aglycone and a primary alcoholic function at C-24 and differing functions at C-30. Among these, compounds 1−3 and 6 showed a secondary alcoholic function at C-11, which is methoxylated in compounds 4 and 7. Compound 5 was shown to possess a known aglycone, wistariasapogenol A; however, it is described here for the first time as a saponin constituent of the Trifolium genus. Some aspects of taxonomic classification of zigzag clover are also discussed

Cancer data quality and harmonization in Europe: the experience of the BENCHISTA Project – international benchmarking of childhood cancer survival by stage

IntroductionVariation in stage at diagnosis of childhood cancers (CC) may explain differences in survival rates observed across geographical regions. The BENCHISTA project aims to understand these differences and to encourage the application of the Toronto Staging Guidelines (TG) by Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) to the most common solid paediatric cancers.MethodsPBCRs within and outside Europe were invited to participate and identify all cases of Neuroblastoma, Wilms Tumour, Medulloblastoma, Ewing Sarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma and Osteosarcoma diagnosed in a consecutive three-year period (2014-2017) and apply TG at diagnosis. Other non-stage prognostic factors, treatment, progression/recurrence, and cause of death information were collected as optional variables. A minimum of three-year follow-up was required. To standardise TG application by PBCRs, on-line workshops led by six tumour-specific clinical experts were held. To understand the role of data availability and quality, a survey focused on data collection/sharing processes and a quality assurance exercise were generated. To support data harmonization and query resolution a dedicated email and a question-and-answers bank were created.Results67 PBCRs from 28 countries participated and provided a maximally de-personalized, patient-level dataset. For 26 PBCRs, data format and ethical approval obtained by the two sponsoring institutions (UCL and INT) was sufficient for data sharing. 41 participating PBCRs required a Data Transfer Agreement (DTA) to comply with data protection regulations. Due to heterogeneity found in legal aspects, 18 months were spent on finalizing the DTA. The data collection survey was answered by 68 respondents from 63 PBCRs; 44% of them confirmed the ability to re-consult a clinician in cases where stage ascertainment was difficult/uncertain. Of the total participating PBCRs, 75% completed the staging quality assurance exercise, with a median correct answer proportion of 92% [range: 70% (rhabdomyosarcoma) to 100% (Wilms tumour)].ConclusionDifferences in interpretation and processes required to harmonize general data protection regulations across countries were encountered causing delays in data transfer. Despite challenges, the BENCHISTA Project has established a large collaboration between PBCRs and clinicians to collect detailed and standardised TG at a population-level enhancing the understanding of the reasons for variation in overall survival rates for CC, stimulate research and improve national/regional child health plans

Numerical analysis of the lower limb prosthesis subjected to various load conditions

This article presents the simulation of a prosthetic socket with an auxetic structure under typical loading cases. The designed model of prosthetic socket is dedicated to patients who have undergone transfemoral amputation and consists of four elements, among which can be distinguished an inner lining, a shock absorbing element, component with a honeycomb re-entrant structure, which has a negative Poisson's ratio an outer shell. The prosthetic socket was analysed by means of the finite element method. The simulations were used to evaluate the strength of the design and to check whether it is possible to avoid a problem of changing the circumference of the patient's stump, thanks to the use of an auxetic structure in the socket

Mask Detection and Classification in Thermal Face Images

Face masks are recommended to reduce the transmission of many viruses, especially SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the automatic detection of whether there is a mask on the face, what type of mask is worn, and how it is worn is an important research topic. In this work, the use of thermal imaging was considered to analyze the possibility of detecting (localizing) a mask on the face, as well as to check whether it is possible to classify the type of mask on the face. The previously proposed dataset of thermal images was extended and annotated with the description of a type of mask and a location of a mask within a face. Different deep learning models were adapted. The best model for face mask detection turned out to be the Yolov5 model in the “nano” version, reaching mAP higher than 97% and precision of about 95%. High accuracy was also obtained for mask type classification. The best results were obtained for the convolutional neural network model built on an autoencoder initially trained in the thermal image reconstruction problem. The pretrained encoder was used to train a classifier which achieved an accuracy of 91%

Three new triterpene saponins from roots of <i>Eryngium planum</i>

<div><p>Saponin composition of the roots of <i>Eryngium planum</i> L. was investigated. Triterpene saponins found in <i>E. planum</i> and also present in <i>Eryngium maritimum</i> were different from those described previously in <i>Eryngium campestre</i> L. Three primary saponins were isolated and their tentative identifications, based on the electrospray MS/MS fragmentation patterns, were subsequently confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Their structures were established as 3-<i>O</i>-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-<i>O</i>-acetyl-22-<i>O</i>-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol (<b>1</b>) and 3-<i>O</i>-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-<i>O</i>-angeloyl-A1-barrigenol (<b>2</b>) and 3-<i>O</i>-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-<i>O</i>-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol (<b>3</b>). Concentrations of the newly identified compounds in aerial parts and roots of both species were estimated using the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method.</p></div

Triterpene Saponins from the Aerial Parts of Trifolium medium L. var. <i>sarosiense</i>

Seven previously unreported triterpene glycosides (<b>1</b>–<b>7</b>) were isolated from methanol extract of the aerial parts of Trifolium medium var. <i>sarosiense</i> (zigzag clover). Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HRMS analyses. Compounds <b>1</b>–<b>7</b> are oleanane derivatives characterized by the presence of a keto group at C-22 of an aglycone and a primary alcoholic function at C-24 and differing functions at C-30. Among these, compounds <b>1</b>–<b>3</b> and <b>6</b> showed a secondary alcoholic function at C-11, which is methoxylated in compounds <b>4</b> and <b>7</b>. Compound <b>5</b> was shown to possess a known aglycone, wistariasapogenol A; however, it is described here for the first time as a saponin constituent of the <i>Trifolium</i> genus. Some aspects of taxonomic classification of zigzag clover are also discussed