bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical and Thermal Treatment for Drying Cassava Tubers: Optimization, Microstructure, and Dehydration Kinetics
Authors: Nainggolan Ellyas Alga , Banout Jan , Urbanova Klara
Published: December 2023

Perishable commodities like cassava necessitate effective postharvest preservation for various industrial applications. Hence, optimizing pretreatment processes and modeling drying kinetics hold paramount importance. This study aimed to optimize cassava pretreatment using the central composite design of a response surface methodology while also assessing microstructure and dehydration kinetics. Diverse chemical and thermal pretreatments were explored, encompassing sodium metabisulfite concentrations (0–4% w/w), citric acid concentrations (0–4% w/w), and blanching time (0–4 min). The four investigated responses were moisture content, whiteness index, activation energy (Ea), and effective moisture diffusivity (Deff). Employing five established drying models, suitability was appraised after optimal pretreatment conditions were determined. The findings revealed that moisture content ranged from 5.82 to 9.42% db, whereas the whiteness index ranged from 87.16 to 94.23. Deff and Ea ranged from 5.06 × 10−9 to 6.71 × 10−9 m2/s and 29.65–33.28 kJ/mol, respectively. The optimal pretreatment conditions for dried cassava were identified by optimizing the use of 1.31% citric acid, 1.03% sodium metabisulfite, and blanching time for 1.01 min. The microstructure indicated that particular chemical and thermal pretreatment configurations yielded particles in the shape of circular and elliptical granules. The logarithmic model provided the most accurate description of the dehydration kinetics, with the highest R2 value (0.9859) and the lowest χ2, RSME, and SSE values of 0.0351, 0.0015, and 0.0123, respectively.
Long-Term Survival of Cellulose Sulphate-Encapsulated Cells and Metronomic Ifosfamide Control Tumour Growth in Pancreatic Cancer Models—A Prelude to Treating Solid Tumours Effectively in Pets and Humans
Authors: Salmons Brian , Gunzburg Walter H.
Published: December 2023

Background: The use of encapsulated cells for the in vivo delivery of biotherapeutics is a promising new technology to potentiate the effectiveness of cell-based therapies for veterinary and human application. One use of the technology is to locally activate chemotherapeutics to their short-lived highly active forms. We have previously shown that a stable clone of HEK293 cells overexpressing a cytochrome P450 enzyme that has been encapsulated in immunoprotective cellulose sulphate beads can be implanted near solid tumours in order to activate oxazaphosphorines such as ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide to the tumour-killing metabolite phosphoramide mustard. The efficacy of this approach has been shown in animal models as well as in human and canine clinical trials. In these previous studies, the oxazaphosphorine was only given twice. An analysis of the Kaplan–Meier plots of the results of the clinical trials suggest that repeated dosing might result in a significant clinical benefit. Aims: In this study, we aimed to (i) demonstrate the stable long-term expression of cytochrome P450 from a characterized, transfected cell clone, as well as (ii) demonstrate that one implanted dose of these encapsulated cytochrome P450-expressing cells is capable of activating multiple doses of ifosfamide in animal models. Methodology: We initially used cell and molecular methods to show cell line stability over multiple passages, as well as chemical and biological function in vitro. This was followed by a demonstration that encapsulated HEK293 cells are capable of activating multiple doses of ifosfamide in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer without being killed by the chemotherapeutic. Conclusion: A single injection of encapsulated HEK293 cells followed by multiple rounds of ifosfamide administration results in repeated anti-tumour activity and halts tumour growth but, in the absence of a functioning immune system, does not cause tumour regression.
Ocular Motility Patterns in Intellectual Disability: Insights from the Developmental Eye Movement Test
Authors: Orduna-Hospital Elvira , Hernández-Aranda Diego , Sanchez-Cano Ana
Published: December 2023

Purpose: To measure the ocular motility parameters of the Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test objectively, with an eye tracker in subjects with intellectual disability (ID). Methods: The DEM test was performed on 45 subjects with ID, while their eye movements were recorded with an eye tracker. Some objective parameters of ocular motility were obtained through each subtest (A, B, and C) of the full DEM test. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between the saccadic speed (cc: 0.537; p = 0.001) and length (cc: 0.368; p = 0.030) of both eyes for the same subject. People with a higher percentage of ID exhibited a greater number of fixations, saccades, and errors, and took longer to perform the DEM test than those with a lower ID percentage, who had greater numbers of these parameters than subjects without ID. Subjects without ID exhibited faster saccades, with a higher amplitude, than subjects with ID. Conclusions: The eye tracker quantifies ocular motility parameters involved in the DEM test in subjects with ID. Both eyes’ movements in subjects with ID were conjugated, exhibiting saccades of the same length and speed. All parameters were different in subjects with ID compared to those in subjects without ID, so normative tables specifically for subjects with ID are necessary.
Dual Network Co-Crosslinked HNBR Composites with Enhanced Tribological Properties under Water Lubrication
Authors: Yu Hao , Zheng Wuxuan , Zhang Caixia , Chen Shoubing , Tian Guangke , Wang Tingmei
Published: December 2023

Water-lubricated bearings play a critical role in underwater propulsion systems but are often prone to failure due to mechanical wear and vibration, especially under high loads and prolonged friction. In response to this issue, our study introduces a novel approach: a dual network co-crosslinking strategy utilizing hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR). This strategy connects the rubber network with the epoxy network through epoxidized Eucommia ulmoides gum. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to assess the resulting composite’s damping, tribological, and mechanical properties. The results show that the material has excellent mechanical, damping, and tribological properties relative to pure HNBR, with a 65.9% increase in the damping temperature domain, a 78.5% increase in tensile strength, a low coefficient of friction of 0.022, and a high resistance to abrasion of 3.87 × 10−6 mm3/Nm. The successful synthesis of HNBR-based composites via the dual network co-crosslinking strategy underscores their potential as a practical solution for improving the reliability and prolonging the service life of water-lubricated bearings.
A New Laser-Combined H-Type Device Method for Comprehensive Thermoelectrical Properties Characterization of Two-Dimensional Materials
Authors: Zheng Jie , Zhao Shuaiyi , Wang Haidong , Zhan Tianzhuo
Published: December 2023

Two-dimensional nanomaterials have obvious advantages in thermoelectric device development. It is rare to use the same experimental system to accurately measure multiple thermoelectrical parameters of the same sample. Therefore, scholars have developed suspended microdevices, T-type and H-type methods to fulfill the abovementioned requirements. These methods usually require a direct-current voltage signal to detect in Seebeck coefficient measurement. However, the thermoelectric potential generated by the finite temperature difference is very weak and can be easily overwritten by the direct-current voltage, thereby affecting the measurement accuracy. In addition, these methods generally require specific electrodes to measure the thermoelectric potential. We propose a measurement method that combines laser heating with an H-type device. By introducing a temperature difference in two-dimensional materials through laser heating, the thermoelectric potential can be accurately measured. This method does not require specific electrodes to simplify the device structure. The thermoelectrical parameters of supported graphene are successfully measured with this method; the results are in good agreement with the literature. The proposed method is unaffected by material size and characteristics. It has potential application value in the characterization of thermoelectric physical properties.
Influence of the ANN Hyperparameters on the Forecast Accuracy of RAC’s Compressive Strength
Authors: Almeida Talita Andrade da Costa , Felix Emerson Felipe , de Sousa Carlos Manuel Andrade , Pedroso Gabriel Orquizas Mattielo , Motta Mariana Ferreira Benessiuti , Prado Lisiane Pereira
Published: December 2023

The artificial neural networks (ANNs)-based model has been used to predict the compressive strength of concrete, assisting in creating recycled aggregate concrete mixtures and reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. Thus, the present study examines the effects of the training algorithm, topology, and activation function on the predictive accuracy of ANN when determining the compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete. An experimental database of compressive strength with 721 samples was defined considering the literature. The database was used to train, validate, and test the ANN-based models. Altogether, 240 ANNs were trained, defined by combining three training algorithms, two activation functions, and topologies with a hidden layer containing 1–40 neurons. The ANN with a single hidden layer including 28 neurons, trained with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and the hyperbolic tangent function, achieved the best level of accuracy, with a coefficient of determination equal to 0.909 and a mean absolute percentage error equal to 6.81%. Furthermore, the results show that it is crucial to avoid the use of overly complex models. Excessive neurons can lead to exceptional performance during training but poor predictive ability during testing.
Progress in Gallium Oxide Field-Effect Transistors for High-Power and RF Applications
Authors: Maimon Ory , Li Qiliang
Published: December 2023

Power electronics are becoming increasingly more important, as electrical energy constitutes 40% of the total primary energy usage in the USA and is expected to grow rapidly with the emergence of electric vehicles, renewable energy generation, and energy storage. New materials that are better suited for high-power applications are needed as the Si material limit is reached. Beta-phase gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) is a promising ultra-wide-bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor for high-power and RF electronics due to its bandgap of 4.9 eV, large theoretical breakdown electric field of 8 MV cm−1, and Baliga figure of merit of 3300, 3–10 times larger than that of SiC and GaN. Moreover, β-Ga2O3 is the only WBG material that can be grown from melt, making large, high-quality, dopable substrates at low costs feasible. Significant efforts in the high-quality epitaxial growth of β-Ga2O3 and β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 heterostructures has led to high-performance devices for high-power and RF applications. In this report, we provide a comprehensive summary of the progress in β-Ga2O3 field-effect transistors (FETs) including a variety of transistor designs, channel materials, ohmic contact formations and improvements, gate dielectrics, and fabrication processes. Additionally, novel structures proposed through simulations and not yet realized in β-Ga2O3 are presented. Main issues such as defect characterization methods and relevant material preparation, thermal studies and management, and the lack of p-type doping with investigated alternatives are also discussed. Finally, major strategies and outlooks for commercial use will be outlined.
Effect of Forced Convection on Magnesium Dendrite: Comparison between Constant and Altering Flow Fields
Authors: Qin Lang , Zhang Ang , Du Jinglian , Dong Zhihua , Liu Feng , Jiang Bin
Published: December 2023

Convection has a nonnegligible effect on the growth of the magnesium dendrite with six-primary-branch pattern. Most work, however, investigates the effect of the convection by simplifying the melt flow as a constant horizontal flow. In this work, four convection behaviors, including equally distributed convection, linearly distributed convection, sinusoidal-wave convection, and square-wave convection, are imposed and simulated through the phase-field lattice-Boltzmann schemes. The effects of constant (the former two) and altering (the latter two) flow fields are quantified by the length ratio of the upstream primary arm to the downstream one. The results show that the dendrite asymmetry increases under the constant forced convections but presents nonmonotonic change under the altering convections. A simple mathematical relation is fitted to summarize the dependence of the dendrite asymmetry on the input velocity, the undercooling, and the flow frequency. Deep understanding of the convection effects can guide the prediction and control of the magnesium dendrite under more complex situations.
Medical-Radiation-Shielding Film Fabricated by Imitating the Layered Structure Pattern of Abalone Shell and Verification of Its Shielding Effect
Authors: Kim Seon-Chil
Published: December 2023

Radiation-shielding clothing for medical workers must be light and thin, thus ensuring flexibility. However, controlling the thickness and weight is limited by shielding performance requirements. This study aims to improve shielding performance by considering a shielding structure that mimics the internal structure of an abalone shell. Two shields were produced: a sheet made with a carrier process using a liquid polymer and tungsten mixture, and a fillet made by compounding the same material and laminated using a heat-treatment press after the injection process. The tungsten content and thickness were the same at 85 wt% and 0.3 mm, respectively. In the high-energy region, the shielding film based on the laminated structure of abalone shells showed a shielding rate that was higher by more than 7%. Compared to that of a 0.3 mm lead plate, the shielding ratio of the shielding film was approximately 16% lower at 120 kVp, thereby confirming the radiation-shielding effect of the layered-structure shielding film. Therefore, it is concluded that the laminated structure of the shielding film, which is identical to the internal laminated structure of the abalone shell, expands the impact area of incident radiation and attenuates the energy intensity, thereby improving the medical-radiation-shielding performance.
Anionic Hyperbranched Amphiphilic Polyelectrolytes as Nanocarriers for Antimicrobial Proteins and Peptides
Authors: Balafouti Anastasia , Forys Aleksander , Trzebicka Barbara , Gerardos Angelica Maria , Pispas Stergios
Published: December 2023

This manuscript presents the synthesis of hyperbranched amphiphilic poly (lauryl methacrylate-co-tert-butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), H-P(LMA-co-tBMA-co-MAA) copolymers via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of tBMA and LMA, and their post-polymerization modification to anionic amphiphilic polyelectrolytes. The focus is on investigating whether the combination of the hydrophobic characters of LMA and tBMA segments, as well as the polyelectrolyte and hydrophilic properties of MAA segments, both distributed within a unique hyperbranched polymer chain topology, would result in intriguing, branched copolymers with the potential to be applied in nanomedicine. Therefore, we studied the self-assembly behavior of these copolymers in aqueous media, as well as their ability to form complexes with cationic proteins, namely lysozyme (LYZ) and polymyxin (PMX). Various physicochemical characterization techniques, including size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), verified the molecular characteristics of these well-defined copolymers, whereas light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques revealed promising nanoparticle (NP) self- and co-assembly properties of the copolymers in aqueous media.
Freeze–Thaw Damage Degradation Model and Life Prediction of Air-Entrained Concrete in Multi-Year Permafrost Zone
Authors: Zhang Kai , Guo Aojun , Yu Yonghui , Yang Bo , Yu Bentian , Xie Chao
Published: December 2023

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is the main permafrost area in China. Concrete structures constructed on permafrost are affected by the early negative-temperature environment. In particular, the negative-temperature environment seriously affects the strength growth process and the frost resistance of concrete (FRC). Therefore, this study considered the influence of the gas content, water–binder ratio (w/b), age, and other factors on the strength variation law and FRC under −3 °C curing conditions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to analyze the pore structure of concrete before and after freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs). The results showed that the compressive strength of the concrete (CSC) under −3 °C curing was only 57.8–86.4% of that cured under standard conditions. The CSC under −3 °C curing showed an obvious age-lag phenomenon. The FRC under −3 °C curing was much lower than that under standard curing. The porosity of the concrete under −3 °C curing was greater, with a higher percentage of harmful and multi-harmful pores than that under standard curing. The concrete properties deteriorated primarily because curing at −3 °C hindered the hydration reaction compared with standard methods. This hindrance resulted in diminished hydration development, weakening the concrete’s structural integrity. Under both curing conditions, when the gas content was between 3.2% and 3.8%, the frost resistance was the best. This is because a gas content within this range effectively enhances the internal pore structure, therefore relieving the swelling pressure caused by FTCs. Based on the freeze–thaw damage (FTD) model proposed by previous authors, a new model for the CSC under −3 °C curing reaching that of the concrete under standard curing for 28 d was established in this study. This advanced model was capable of accurately assessing the FTD of concrete structures in permafrost regions. Finally, the life expectancy of concrete in Northwest China was predicted. The life of the concrete reached 46.9 years under standard curing, while the longest life of the concrete under −3 °C curing was only 12.9 years. Therefore, attention should be paid to constructing and curing concrete structures in cold environments.
The Effect of Oxalic Acid and Citric Acid on the Modification of Wollastonite Surface
Authors: Lin Shaomin , Wang Weijie , Wu Linguang , Zhong Mingfeng , Zhang Chenyang , Yu Yaling , Zhang Zhijie , Wu Yunying
Published: December 2023

The modification mechanism of low-molecular-weight organic acids on a single-chain silicate mineral (wollastonite) was investigated through a leaching method. Solid and liquid samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). After 720 h of reaction, the results revealed that the dissolution concentration of Si (2200 μmol/L) in citric acid solution is more than that (1950 μmol/L) in oxalic acid. In the composite acids (citric acid and oxalic acid), the dissolution concentration of Si release from wollastonite reached the maximum value of 3304 μmol/L. The dissolution data of Si in wollastonite were fittingly described by the parabolic equation (Ct = a + bt1/2), with the highest correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.993), in the presence of the low-molecular-weight organic acids. The dissolution data suggested that the dissolution reaction process of Si was consistent with the diffusion-controlled model. Citric acid exhibited a higher affinity for attacking the (200) surface, while oxalic acid was prone to dissolve the (002) crystal face. The synergistic effects of oxalic acid and citric acid led to the weakening of the XRD diffraction peak intensity of wollastonite. When exposed to composite acids, the surface of wollastonite was covered with insoluble reactants that restricted the substance diffusion and hindered the reaction. This study offers valuable theoretical insights into the modification or activation of wollastonite by composite low-molecular-weight organic acids.
Application of Decimated Mathematical Equations and Polynomial Root-Finding Method in Protection of Text Messages
Authors: Stoyanov Borislav , Nedzhibov Gyurhan , Dobrev Dimitar , Ivanova Tsvetelina
Published: December 2023

Cryptography is the process of transforming data so that only the recipient of the message can read it. It uses an algorithm and a key to convert an input into an encrypted output. In this study, we introduce a novel method for protecting readable messages through the utilization of a polynomial root-finding technique in conjunction with the decimated output of Zaslavsky equations. The innovative approach we have developed is a block encryption algorithm that offers both protection for sensitive information as well as adaptability to various block sizes, including dynamically changing block sizes. Precise security analysis is provided for the proposed algorithm using key space analysis and strong statistical tests. The presented results show that the novel block encryption protection provides a high level of security.
Prediction of the Health Status of Older Adults Using Oversampling and Neural Network
Authors: Li Yue , Hu Qingyu , Xie Guilan , Chen Gong
Published: December 2023

Self-rated health (SRH) serves as an important indicator for measuring the physical and mental well-being of older adults, holding significance for their health management and disease prevention. In this paper, we introduce a novel classification method based on oversampling and neural network with the objective of enhancing the accuracy of predict the SRH of older adults. Utilizing data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we included a total of 6596 participants aged 60 years and above in our analysis. To mitigate the impact of imbalanced data, an improved oversampling was proposed, known as weighted Tomek-links adaptive semi-unsupervised weighted oversampling (WTASUWO). It firstly removes the features that are not relevant to the classification by ReliefF. Consequently, it combines undersampling and oversampling. To improve the prediction accuracy of the classifier, an improved multi-layer perception (IMLP) for predicting the SRH was constructed based on bagging and adjusted learning rate. Referring to the experimental results, WTASUWO can effectively improve the prediction performance of a classifier when being applied on an imbalanced dataset, and the IMLP using WTASUWO achieves a higher accuracy. This method can more objectively and accurately assess the health status and identify factors affecting the SRH of older adults. By mining relevant information related the health status of older adults and constructing the prediction model, we can provide policymakers and healthcare professionals with targeted intervention techniques to focus on the health needs of older adults. Meanwhile, this method provides a practical research basis for improving the health level of older adults in China.
Verification and Enforcement of (ϵ, ξ)-Differential Privacy over Finite Steps in Discrete Event Systems
Authors: Al-Sarayrah Tareq Ahmad , Li Zhiwu , Zhu Guanghui , El-Meligy Mohammed A. , Sharaf Mohamed
Published: December 2023

In the realm of data protection strategies, differential privacy ensures that unauthorized entities cannot reconstruct original data from system outputs. This study explores discrete event systems, specifically through probabilistic automata. Central is the protection of state data, particularly the initial state privacy of multiple starting states. We introduce an evaluation criterion to safeguard initial states. Using advanced algorithms, the proposed method counters the probabilistic identification of any state within this collection by adversaries from observed data points. The efficacy is confirmed when the probability distributions of data observations tied to these states converge. If a system’s architecture does not meet state differential privacy demands, we propose an enhanced supervisory control mechanism. This control upholds state differential privacy across all initial states, maintaining operational flexibility within the probabilistic automaton framework. Concluding, a numerical analysis validates the approach’s strength in probabilistic automata and discrete event systems.
Demand Prediction of Shared Bicycles Based on Graph Convolutional Network-Gated Recurrent Unit-Attention Mechanism
Authors: Xu Jian-You , Qian Yan , Zhang Shuo , Wu Chin-Chia
Published: December 2023

Shared bicycles provide a green, environmentally friendly, and healthy mode of transportation that effectively addresses the “final mile” problem in urban travel. However, the uneven distribution of bicycles and the imbalance of user demand can significantly impact user experience and bicycle usage efficiency, which makes it necessary to predict bicycle demand. In this paper, we propose a novel shared-bicycle demand prediction method based on station clustering. First, to address the challenge of capturing patterns in station-level bicycle demand, which exhibits significant fluctuations, we employ a clustering method that combines graph information from the bicycle transfer graph and potential energy. This method aggregates closely related stations into corresponding prediction regions. Second, we use the GCN-CRU-AM (Graph Convolutional Network-Gated Recurrent Unit-Attention Mechanism) model to predict bicycle demand in each region. This model extracts the spatial information and correlation between regions, integrates time feature data and local weather data, and assigns weights to the input features. Finally, experimental results based on the data from Citi Bike System in New York City demonstrate that the proposed model achieves a more accurate demand prediction.
Leveraging Zero and Few-Shot Learning for Enhanced Model Generality in Hate Speech Detection in Spanish and English
Authors: García-Díaz José Antonio , Pan Ronghao , Valencia-García Rafael
Published: December 2023

Supervised training has traditionally been the cornerstone of hate speech detection models, but it often falls short when faced with unseen scenarios. Zero and few-shot learning offers an interesting alternative to traditional supervised approaches. In this paper, we explore the advantages of zero and few-shot learning over supervised training, with a particular focus on hate speech detection datasets covering different domains and levels of complexity. We evaluate the generalization capabilities of generative models such as T5, BLOOM, and Llama-2. These models have shown promise in text generation and have demonstrated the ability to learn from limited labeled data. Moreover, by evaluating their performance on both Spanish and English datasets, we gain insight into their cross-lingual applicability and versatility, thus contributing to a broader understanding of generative models in natural language processing. Our results highlight the potential of generative models to bridge the gap between data scarcity and model performance across languages and domains.
Acute Effects of Brevetoxin-3 Administered via Oral Gavage to Mice
Authors: Barbe Peggy , Molgó Jordi , Thai Robert , Urman Apolline , Servent Denis , Arnich Nathalie , Keck Mathilde
Published: December 2023

Brevetoxins (BTXs) constitute a family of lipid-soluble toxic cyclic polyethers mainly produced by Karenia brevis, which is the main vector for a foodborne syndrome known as neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) in humans. To prevent health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated shellfish in France, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recommended assessing the effects of BTXs via an acute oral toxicity study in rodents. Here, we investigated the effect of a single oral administration in both male and female mice with several doses of BTX-3 (100 to 1,500 µg kg−1 bw) during a 48 h observation period in order to provide toxicity data to be used as a starting point for establishing an acute oral reference dose (ARfD). We monitored biological parameters and observed symptomatology, revealing different effects of this toxin depending on the sex. Females were more sensitive than males to the impact of BTX-3 at the lowest doses on weight loss. For both males and females, BTX-3 induced a rapid, transient and dose-dependent decrease in body temperature, and a transient dose-dependent reduced muscle activity. Males were more sensitive to BTX-3 than females with more frequent observations of failures in the grip test, convulsive jaw movements, and tremors. BTX-3’s impacts on symptomatology were rapid, appearing during the 2 h after administration, and were transient, disappearing 24 h after administration. The highest dose of BTX-3 administered in this study, 1,500 µg kg−1 bw, was more toxic to males, leading to the euthanasia of three out of five males only 4 h after administration. BTX-3 had no effect on water intake, and affected neither the plasma chemistry parameters nor the organs’ weight. We identified potential points of departure that could be used to establish an ARfD (decrease in body weight, body temperature, and muscle activity).
Medically Significant Vector-Borne Viral Diseases in Iran
Authors: Paquette Sarah-Jo , Simon Ayo Yila , XIII Ara , Kobinger Gary P. , Shahhosseini Nariman
Published: December 2023

Vector-borne viral diseases (VBVDs) continue to pose a considerable public health risk to animals and humans globally. Vectors have integral roles in autochthonous circulation and dissemination of VBVDs worldwide. The interplay of agricultural activities, population expansion, urbanization, host/pathogen evolution, and climate change, all contribute to the continual flux in shaping the epidemiology of VBVDs. In recent decades, VBVDs, once endemic to particular countries, have expanded into new regions such as Iran and its neighbors, increasing the risk of outbreaks and other public health concerns. Both Iran and its neighboring countries are known to host a number of VBVDs that are endemic to these countries or newly circulating. The proximity of Iran to countries hosting regional diseases, along with increased global socioeconomic activities, e.g., international trade and travel, potentially increases the risk for introduction of new VBVDs into Iran. In this review, we examined the epidemiology of numerous VBVDs circulating in Iran, such as Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, Sindbis virus, West Nile virus, Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Sandfly-borne phleboviruses, and Hantavirus, in relation to their vectors, specifically mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, and rodents. In addition, we discussed the interplay of factors, e.g., urbanization and climate change on VBVD dissemination patterns and the consequent public health risks in Iran, highlighting the importance of a One Health approach to further surveil and to evolve mitigation strategies.
The Post-Curing of Waterborne Polyurethane–Acrylate Composite Latex with the Dynamic Disulfide-Bearing Crosslinking Agent
Authors: Zhang Haotian , Liang Rihui , Wang Qianshu , Luan Wenbo , Ye Jun , Qiu Teng , Tuo Xinlin
Published: December 2023

The development of a dynamic network for commodity polymer systems via feasible methods has been explored in the context of a society-wide focus on the environment and sustainability. Herein, we demonstrate an adaptive post-curing method used to build a self-healable network of waterborne polyurethane–acrylate (WPUA) composite latex. The composite latex was synthesized via the miniemulsion polymerization of acrylates in the dispersion of waterborne polyurethane (PU), with commercial acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM) serving as the functional monomer. Then, a dynamic disulfide (S–S)-bearing diamine was applied as the crosslinking agent for the post-curing of the hybrid latex via keto-amine condensation, which occurred during the evaporation of water for film formation. It was revealed that the microphase separation in the hybrid films was suppressed by the post-curing network. The mechanical performance exhibited a high reliability as regards the contents of the crosslinking agents. The reversible exchange of S–S bonds meant that the film displayed associative covalent-adaptive networks in the range of medium temperature in stress relaxation tests, and ≥95% recovery in both the stress and the strain was achieved after the cut-off films were self-healed at 70 °C for 2 h. The rebuilding of the network was also illustrated by the >80% recovery in the elongation at break of the films after three crushing–hot pressing cycles. These findings offer valuable insights, not only endowing the traditional WPUA with self-healing and reprocessing properties, but broadening the field of study of dynamic networks to polymer hybrid latex.
Concerns on the Effects of Electrode Positions in Electrolyte Container for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhao Yayun , Chen Xiaofeng , Zhao Shengxiao , Zhou Junjie , Lu Zhiyi , Lin Yichao
Published: December 2023

Water electrolysis is currently a major technique to produce clean hydrogen, which is regarded as a promising and sustainable energy carrier. The efficiency of water electrolysis is highly dependent on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the anode. The evaluation of an OER electrocatalyst is frequently carried out on a three-electrode system in a container of electrolyte. Herein, we found that the electrode positions in the electrolyte container could significantly affect the data acquisition of OER performance. After a detailed investigation, we reveal that the difference of the OER activity of an electrocatalyst at a different position is originated from their different iRu drop and the gas diffusion resistance. For the first time, this work evokes concerns on the accurate evaluation of electrocatalysts regarding the electrode position. For fair comparisons and reliable results, it is strongly suggested to keep the electrode position unchanged in the electrochemical measurements. In addition, the establishment of a standard electrolyzer setup for electrocatalysis evaluation in the electrochemical community is also called for.
Study on Physicochemical Properties of Food Protein
Authors: He Shudong
Published: December 2023

As the global population continues to grow, the demand for sustainable and nutritious food sources has never been higher [...]
Monometallic and Bimetallic Catalysts Supported on Praseodymium-Doped Ceria for the Water–Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Srichaisiriwech Weerayut , Tepamatr Pannipa
Published: December 2023

The water–gas shift (WGS) performance was investigated over 5%Ni/CeO2, 5%Ni/Ce0.95Pr0.05O1.975, and 1%Re4%Ni/Ce0.95Pr0.05O1.975 catalysts to decrease the CO amount and generate extra H2. CeO2 and Pr-doped CeO2 mixed oxides were synthesized using a combustion method. After that, Ni and Re were loaded onto the ceria support via an impregnation method. The structural and redox characteristics of monometallic Ni and bimetallic NiRe materials, which affect their water–gas shift performance, were investigated. The results show that the Pr addition into Ni/ceria increases the specific surface area, decreases the ceria crystallite size, and improves the dispersion of Ni on the CeO2 surface. Furthermore, Re addition results in the enhancement of the WGS performance of the Ni/Ce0.95Pr0.05O1.975 catalyst. Among the studied catalysts, the ReNi/Ce0.95Pr0.05O1.975 catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity, reaching 96% of CO conversion at 330°. It was established that the occurrence of more oxygen vacancies accelerates the redox process at the ceria surface. In addition, an increase in the Ni dispersion, Ni surface area, and surface acidity has a positive effect on hydrogen generation during the water–gas shift reaction due to favored CO adsorption.
Graphitic Carbon Nitride/MOFs Hybrid Composite as Highly Selective and Sensitive Electrodes for Calcium Ion Detection
Authors: S. Abou-Elyazed Ahmed , Li Shilin , Mohamed Gehad G. , Li Xiaolin , Meng Jing , S. EL-Sanafery Safa
Published: December 2023

The metal–organic framework (MOF) is a class of materials that exhibits a notable capacity for electron transfer. This unique framework design offers potential applications in various fields, including catalysis, gas storage, and sensing. Herein, we focused on a specific type of MOF called Ti-MOF. To enhance its properties and functionality, the composite material was prepared by incorporating graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) into the Ti-MOF structure. This composite, known as g-C3N4@Ti-MOF, was selected as the active material for ion detection, specifically targeting calcium ions (Ca2+). To gain a comprehensive understanding of the structural and chemical properties of the g-C3N4@Ti-MOF composite, several analytical techniques were employed to characterize the prepared g-C3N4@Ti-MOF composite, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM-EDX, and FT-IR. For comparison, different pastes were prepared by mixing Ti-MOF or g-C3N4@Ti-MOF, graphite, and o-NPOE as a plasticizer. The divalent Nernstian responses of the two best electrodes, I and II, were 28.15 ± 0.47 and 29.80 ± 0.66 mV decade−1, respectively, with concentration ranges of 1 µM–1 mM and 0.1 µM–1 mM with a content 1.0 mg Ti-MOF: 250 mg graphite: 0.1 mL o-NPOE and 0.5 mg g-C3N4@Ti-MOF: 250 mg graphite: 0.1 mL o-NPOE, respectively. The electrodes showed high sensitivity and selectivity for Ca2+ ions over different species. The suggested electrodes have been successfully employed for Ca2+ ion measurement in various real samples with excellent precision (RSD = 0.74–1.30%) and accuracy (recovery = 98.5–100.2%), and they exhibited good agreement with the HPLC.
Proteomic Study of Broiler Plasma Supplemented with Different Levels of Copper and Manganese from Different Sources
Authors: Martins Renata Aparecida , Assunção Andrey Sávio de Almeida , Vieira José Cavalcante Souza , Rocha Leone Campos , Urayama Priscila Michelin Groff , Buzalaf Marília Afonso Rabelo , Sartori José Roberto , Padilha Pedro de Magalhães
Published: December 2023

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differential expression of plasma proteins in broiler chickens supplemented with different sources (sulfates and hydroxychlorides) and levels of copper (15 and 150 mg kg−1) and manganese (80 and 120 mg kg−1). For this, plasma samples from 40 broiler chickens were used, divided into four experimental groups: S15-80 (15 ppm CuSO4 and 80 ppm MnSO4), S150-120 (150 ppm CuSO4 and 120 ppm MnSO4), H15-80 (15 ppm Cu(OH)Cl and 80 ppm Mn(OH)Cl), and H150-120 (150 ppm Cu(OH)Cl and 120 ppm Mn(OH)Cl). From plasma samples obtained from each bird from the same treatment, four pools were made considering 10 birds per group. Plasma proteome fractionation was performed by 2D-PAGE. Concentrations of the studied minerals were also evaluated in both plasma and protein pellet samples. A higher concentration of Cu and Mn was observed in the plasma and protein pellets of groups that received higher mineral supplementation levels compared to those receiving lower levels. Mn concentrations were higher in plasma and protein pellets of the hydroxychloride-supplemented groups than the sulfate-supplemented groups. Analysis of the gels revealed a total of 40 differentially expressed spots among the four treatments. Supplementation with different sources of minerals, particularly at higher levels, resulted in changes in protein regulation, suggesting a potential imbalance in homeostasis.
Novel Lanthanide Complexes Synthesized from 3-Dimethylamino Benzoic Acid and 5,5′-Dimethyl-2,2′ Bipyridine Ligand: Crystal Structure, Thermodynamics, and Fluorescence Properties
Authors: Hao Ya-Fan , Xu Su-Ling , Shi Quan , Zhao Jin-Jin , Ren Ning , Gao Jie , Zhang Jian-Jun
Published: December 2023

Two isostructural lanthanide complexes were synthesized by solvent evaporation with 3-dimethylaminobenzoic acid and 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine as ligands. The general formula of the structure is a [Ln(3-N,N-DMBA)3(5,5′-DM-2,2′-bipy)]2·2(3-N,N-DMHBA), Ln = (Gd(1), Tb(2)), 3-N,N-DMBA = 3-Dimethylamino benzoate, 5,5′-DM-2,2′-bipy = 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′ bipyridine. Both complexes exhibited dimeric structures based on X-ray diffraction analysis. At the same time, infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to measure the spectra of the complex. A thermogravimetric infrared spectroscopy experiment was performed to investigate the thermal stability and decomposition mechanism of the complexes. Measurements of the low-temperature heat capacity of the complexes were obtained within the temperature range of 1.9 to 300 K. The thermodynamic function was calculated by heat capacity fitting. In addition, the fluorescence spectra of complex 2 were studied and the fluorescence lifetime values were determined, and the energy transfer mechanism of complex 2 was elucidated.
Carvacrol Microemulsion vs. Nanoemulsion as Novel Pork Minced Meat Active Coatings
Authors: Zaharioudakis Konstantinos , Kollia Eleni , Leontiou Areti , Moschovas Dimitrios , Karydis-Messinis Andreas , Avgeropoulos Apostolos , Zafeiropoulos Nikolaos E. , Ragkava Efthymia , Kehayias George , Proestos Charalampos , Salmas Constantinos E. , Giannakas Aris E.
Published: December 2023

Carvacrol is well documented for its antibacterial and antioxidant effects. However, its high volatility has directed researchers toward nanoencapsulation technology according to bioeconomy and sustainability trends. This study examined and compared free carvacrol (FC), carvacrol microemulsion (MC), carvacrol microemulsion busted with chitosan (MMC), and carvacrol nanoemulsions (NC) as active coatings on extending minced pork meat shelf life at 4 ± 1 °C for 9 days, focusing on microbiological, physiochemical, and sensory characteristics. The research involved pre-characterizing droplet sizes, evaluating antioxidants, and determining antibacterial efficacy. The results demonstrated that NC with a 21 nm droplet size exhibited the highest antioxidant and antibacterial activity. All coatings succeeded in extending the preservation of fresh minced pork meat in comparison to the free carvacrol sample (FC). The NC coating showed the highest extension of minced pork meat preservation and maintained meat freshness for 9 days, with a lower TBARs of 0.736 mg MDA/Kg, and effectively reduced mesophilic, lactic acid, and psychotrophic bacterial counts more significantly by 1.2, 2, and 1.3 log, respectively, as compared to FC. Sensory assessments confirmed the acceptability of NC and MCC coatings. Overall, the carvacrol-based nanoemulsion can be considered a novel antioxidant and antimicrobial active coating due to its demonstrated higher efficacy in all the examined tests performed.
Influence of Sociodemographic Variables and Healthy Habits on the Values of Insulin Resistance Indicators in 386,924 Spanish Workers
Authors: Mestre Font Miguel , Busquets-Cortés Carla , Ramírez-Manent José Ignacio , Tomás-Gil Pilar , Paublini Hernán , López-González Ángel Arturo
Published: December 2023

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is an alteration of the action of insulin in cells, which do not respond adequately to this action, leading to an increase in blood glucose levels. IR produces a very diverse clinical picture and increases the cardiometabolic risk of the population that suffers from it. Among the factors that influence IR are genetics, unhealthy lifestyle habits, overweight, and obesity. The objective of this work was to determine how different sociodemographic variables and healthy habits influence the values of different scales that assess the risk of presenting IR in a group of Spanish workers. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in 386,924 workers from different Spanish regions. Different sociodemographic variables and lifestyle habits were studied (age, social class, educational level, smoking, Mediterranean diet, physical exercise) along with their association with four scales to evaluate the risk of insulin resistance (TyG index, TyG-BMI, METS-IR, TG/HDL-c). To analyse the quantitative variables, Student’s t test was used, while the Chi-squared test was used for the qualitative variables. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed, calculating the odds ratio with its 95% confidence intervals. The accepted level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: In the multivariate analysis, all variables, except educational level, increased the risk of presenting high values on the IR risk scales, especially a sedentary lifestyle and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate an association between the practice of regular physical exercise and a reduction in the risk of IR; a strong role of the Mediterranean diet as a protective factor for IR; an association between aging and increased IR, which has also been suggested in other studies; and, finally, a relationship between a low socioeconomic level and an increase in IR.
Improving Children’s Lifestyle and Quality of Life through Synchronous Online Education: The Nutritional Adventures School-Based Program
Authors: Diamantis Dimitrios V. , Shalit Almog , Katsas Konstantinos , Zioga Evangelia , Zota Dina , Kastorini Christina Maria , Veloudaki Afroditi , Kouvari Matina , Linos Athena
Published: December 2023

The early introduction of effective nutritional educational programs is pivotal for instilling sustainable healthy behaviors. The present work aims to present a best practice example of a nutrition and overall lifestyle school-based training program, the Nutritional Adventures (“Diatrofoperipeteies”). Conducted during 2020–2022 in Greek primary schools, this synchronous, online educational initiative included two 1-school-hour activities with a nutrition instructor. Additionally, schools were randomly assigned to supplementary “at-home” supported-by-parents or “in-class” supported-by-educators educational activities. In total, n = 12,451 students of 84 primary schools participated. Parent-completed questionnaires were selected in the recruitment and post-intervention phase (40% participation rate); overall, the working sample was n = 1487 students. In the post-intervention phase, a significant increase in Mediterranean diet adherence was observed (KIDMED score: mean increment = 0.25 units; p < 0.001), particularly fruit and vegetable consumption. Time spent on physical activity increased, while screen time decreased. Students’ total quality of life significantly improved (PedsQL; mean increment = 1.35 units; p < 0.001), including on all of its subscales (physical, emotional, social, and school function). Supplementary educational activities that were supported by educators rather than parents yielded a more favorable impact on students’ lifestyle and quality of life. The Nutritional Adventures program can be regarded as a successful initiative in primary schools, yielding immediate advantages that extend beyond promoting healthy dietary habits.