bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PEGylated versus Non-PEGylated pH-Sensitive Liposomes: New Insights from a Comparative Antitumor Activity Study
Authors: Nunes Shirleide Santos , de Oliveira Silva Juliana , Fernandes Renata Salgado , Miranda Sued Eustaquio Mendes , Leite Elaine Amaral , de Farias Marcelo Alexandre , Portugal Rodrigo Villares , Cassali Geovanni Dantas , Townsend Danyelle M. , Oliveira Mônica Cristina , de Barros André Luís Branco
Published: January 2022

PEGylated liposomes are largely studied as long-circulating drug delivery systems. Nevertheless, the addition of PEG can result in reduced interactions between liposomes and cells, hindering liposomal internalization into target cells. The presence of PEG on the surface of pH-sensitive liposomes is not advantageous in terms of biodistribution and tumor uptake, raising the question of whether the indiscriminate use of PEG benefits the formulation. In this study, two doxorubicin-loaded pH-sensitive liposomal formulations, PEGylated (Lip2000-DOX) or non-PEGylated (Lip-DOX), were prepared and characterized. Overall, the PEGylated and non-PEGylated liposomes showed no differences in size or morphology in Cryo-TEM image analysis. Specifically, DLS analysis showed a mean diameter of 140 nm, PDI lower than 0.2, and zeta potential close to neutrality. Both formulations showed an EP higher than 90%. With respect to drug delivery, Lip-DOX had better cellular uptake than Lip2000-DOX, suggesting that the presence of PEG reduced the amount of intracellular DOX accumulation. The antitumor activities of free-DOX and both liposomal formulations were evaluated in 4T1 breast tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. The results showed that Lip-DOX was more effective in controlling tumor growth than other groups, inhibiting tumor growth by 60.4%. Histological lung analysis confirmed that none of the animals in the Lip-DOX group had metastatic foci. These results support that pH-sensitive liposomes have interesting antitumor properties and may produce important outcomes without PEG.
Dual-Drug Delivery via Zein In Situ Forming Implants Augmented with Titanium-Doped Bioactive Glass for Bone Regeneration: Preparation, In Vitro Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Eldeeb Alaa Emad , Salah Salwa , Mabrouk Mostafa , Amer Mohammed S. , Elkasabgy Nermeen A.
Published: January 2022

In situ forming implants (IFIs) are non-surgical approach using biodegradable polymers to treat bone fractures. The study aimed at preparing dual-drug-loaded IFIs to deliver pitavastatin (osteogenic drug) and tedizolid (antibiotic) using zein as the implant matrix via solvent-induced phase inversion method. At first, several investigations were done on pitavastatin-loaded zein IFIs, where three concentrations of zein were used (10, 20, and 30% w/v). IFIs were evaluated for their solidification time, rheological properties, injectability, and in vitro release. IFIs containing bioactive glass nanoparticles were prepared by the addition of non-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGT0; 1, 3, 5, and 10% w/v) or titanium-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGT5; 1% w/v) to the selected concentration of zein (30% w/v) and then evaluated. The optimized dual-medicated implant (D-ZIFI 1) containing pitavastatin, tedizolid, sodium hyaluronate (3% w/v), and BGT5 (1% w/v) was prepared and compared to IFI lacking both sodium hyaluronate and BGT5 (D-ZIFI 2). D-ZIFI 1 and 2 sustained the release profiles of both drugs for 28 days. SEM images proved the interconnected porous structure of D-ZIFI 1 due to sodium hyaluronate. In vivo studies on surgically induced bone defects in Sprague–Dawley rats signified the proper accelerated bone healing ability of D-ZIFI 1 over D-ZIFI 2. Results presented D-ZIFI 1 as a promising, effective, non-surgical approach for bone healing.
Transferrin Receptor-Targeted Nanocarriers: Overcoming Barriers to Treat Glioblastoma
Authors: Ramalho Maria João , Loureiro Joana Angélica , Coelho Manuel A. N. , Pereira Maria Carmo
Published: January 2022

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of brain tumor, and the clinically available approaches for its treatment are not curative. Despite the intensive research, biological barriers such as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and tumor cell membranes are major obstacles to developing novel effective therapies. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been explored as drug delivery systems (DDS) to improve GBM therapeutic strategies. NPs can circumvent many of the biological barriers posed by this devastating disease, enhancing drug accumulation in the target site. This can be achieved by employing strategies to target the transferrin receptor (TfR), which is heavily distributed in BBB and GBM cells. These targeting strategies comprise the modification of NPs’ surface with various molecules, such as transferrin (Tf), antibodies, and targeting peptides. This review provides an overview and discussion on the recent advances concerning the strategies to target the TfR in the treatment of GBM, as their benefits and limitations.
FDM 3D-Printed Sustained-Release Gastric-Floating Verapamil Hydrochloride Formulations with Cylinder, Capsule and Hemisphere Shapes, and Low Infill Percentage
Authors: Qian Haonan , Chen Di , Xu Xiangyu , Li Rui , Yan Guangrong , Fan Tianyuan
Published: January 2022

The aim of this work was to design and fabricate fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printed sustained-release gastric-floating formulations with different shapes (cylinder, capsule and hemisphere) and infill percentages (0% and 15%), and to investigate the influence of shape and infill percentage on the properties of the printed formulations. Drug-loaded filaments containing HPMC, Soluplus® and verapamil hydrochloride were prepared via hot-melt extrusion (HME) and then used to print the following gastric-floating formulations: cylinder-15, capsule-0, capsule-15, hemisphere-0 and hemisphere-15. The morphology of the filaments and the printed formulations were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The physical state of the drugs in the filaments and the printed formulations were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The printed formulations were evaluated in vitro, including the weight variation, hardness, floating time, drug content and drug release. The results showed that the drug-loaded filament prepared was successful in printing the gastric floating formulations. Verapamil hydrochloride was proved thermally stable during HME and FDM, and in an amorphous state in the filament and the printed formulations. The shape and infill percentage of the printed formulations effected the hardness, floating time and in vitro drug release.
Lessons from Grandfather
Authors: Law Andrew , Wasserman Ryan
Published: January 2022

Assume that, even with a time machine, Tim does not have the ability to travel to the past and kill Grandfather. Why would that be? And what are the implications for traditional debates about freedom? We argue that there are at least two satisfactory explanations for why Tim cannot kill Grandfather. First, if an agent’s behavior at time t is causally dependent on fact F, then the agent cannot perform an action (at t) that would require F to have not obtained. Second, if an agent’s behavior at time t is causally dependent on fact F, then the agent cannot perform an action (at t) that would prevent F from obtaining. These two explanations have distinct upshots for more traditional debates over freedom. The first implies that causal determinism is incompatible with the ability to do otherwise and also raises questions about the traditional arguments for the incompatibility of divine foreknowledge and the ability to do otherwise; the second does neither. However, both explanations imply that the Molinist account of divine providence renders agents unable to do otherwise, at least in certain circumstances.
Quantum Cryptography—A Simplified Undergraduate Experiment and Simulation
Authors: Bloom Yuval , Fields Ilai , Maslennikov Alona , Rozenman Georgi Gary
Published: January 2022

Quantum cryptography is a topic of considerable interest. A simple and robust experiment and theory for a senior level undergraduate investigation of quantum key distribution are described. In the proposed experiment, key principles from the BB84 protocol, used in quantum cryptography, are emulated using an optical apparatus and computational scripts independently.
Responses of Soybean Genotypes to Different Nitrogen and Phosphorus Sources: Impacts on Yield Components, Seed Yield, and Seed Protein
Authors: Nget Raby , Aguilar Edna A. , Cruz Pompe C. Sta. , Reaño Consorcia E. , Sanchez Pearl B. , Reyes Manuel R. , Prasad P. V. Vara
Published: January 2022

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) is an important crop, as both food for humans and feed for livestock in Cambodia, but the yields are low, due to use of low yielding genotypes and limited use of inputs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different genotypes and different N and P fertilizer sources on growth, seed yield, and seed protein of soybean. Five genotypes (Sbung, Hongry, 98C81, ACS1, and Kaiabi) were grown under different N (90 kg N ha−1 from urea, nano-n, Nitroplus, and without N application as control) and P fertilizers (50 kg P ha−1 from Inorganic P, nano-p, Mykovam, and without P application as control) in two screenhouse experiments. Shoot, root, and nodulation traits, as well as seed yield and protein, were significantly affected by genotypes and different N and/or P fertilizer sources. Notably, while genotypes Sbung and 98C81 showed the highest yields among the genotypes, regardless of different N and P fertilizers, only Sbung had the highest seed protein. The application of different N and/or P sources significantly increased seed yield, compared to non-N and -P application. Specifically, seed yield and seed protein were higher when treated with nano-n or urea, and number of nodules, root biomass, and nodule dry weight was increased with Nitroplus, whereas seed yield and protein were higher with nano-p, Mykovam, and inorganic P. Application rate of 90 kg N ha−1 and 50 kg P ha−1 produced higher seed yield and its components and seed protein. We conclude that N and P application as well as Nitroplus inoculation can help increase seed yield of soybean in Cambodia.
Genetic Transformation of Quercus ilex Somatic Embryos with a Gnk2-like Protein That Reveals a Putative Anti-Oomycete Action
Authors: Serrazina Susana , Martínez Mª Teresa , Cano Vanesa , Malhó Rui , Costa Rita Lourenço , Corredoira Elena
Published: January 2022

Holm oak is a key tree species in Mediterranean ecosystems, whose populations have been increasingly threatened by oak decline syndrome, a disease caused by the combined action of Phytophthora cinnamomi and abiotic stresses. The aim of the present study was to produce holm oak plants that overexpress the Ginkbilobin-2 homologous domain gene (Cast_Gnk2-like) that it is known to possess antifungal properties. Proembryogenic masses (PEMs) isolated from four embryogenic lines (Q8, E2, Q10-16 and E00) were used as target explants. PEMs were co-cultured for 5 days with Agrobacterium EHA105pGnk2 and then cultured on selective medium containing kanamycin (kan) and carbenicillin. After 14 weeks on selective medium, the transformation events were observed in somatic embryos of lines Q8 and E2 and a total of 4 transgenic lines were achieved. The presence of the Cast_Gnk2-like gene on transgenic embryos was verified by PCR, and the number of transgene copies and gene expression was estimated by qPCR. Transgenic plants were obtained from all transgenic lines after cold storage of the somatic embryos for 2 months and subsequent transfer to germination medium. In an in vitro tolerance assay with the pathogen P. cinnamomi, we observed that transgenic plants were able to survive longer than wild type.
Seasonal Effects of Glucosinolate and Sugar Content Determine the Pungency of Small-Type (Altari) Radishes (Raphanus sativus L.)
Authors: Chae Seung-Hun , Lee O New , Park Han Yong , Ku Kang-Mo
Published: January 2022

Kimchi made from small-type (Altari) radishes grown in late spring is more pungent than that made from autumn-grown Altari radishes, which poses a major challenge in the kimchi industry. The mechanism through which the pungency of Altari radish changes seasonally has not been intensively investigated. In this study, three small-type radish cultivars with different pungency levels were cultivated in spring and autumn to identify the factors affecting the seasonal-dependent pungency of small-type radishes. The contents of pungency-related metabolite glucoraphasatin and other polar metabolites were analyzed. Although a previous study reported that the glucoraphasatin concentration affects the pungency of radish, in the current study, the concentration of neither glucoraphasatin nor its hydrolysis product (raphasatin) could fully explain the change in the pungency associated with radish cultivars grown in the two seasons. The change in the pungency of radish by season may be explained by the ratio of raphasatin content to total sweetness of sugars. In addition, the polar metabolites that differ with season were analyzed to identify seasonal biomarkers and understand the seasonal changed physio-biochemistry.
Identification of Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Two Beneficial Endophytic Pseudomonas Strains from Olive Roots
Authors: Montes-Osuna Nuria , Cernava Tomislav , Gómez-Lama Cabanás Carmen , Berg Gabriele , Mercado-Blanco Jesús
Published: January 2022

The production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represents a promising strategy of plant-beneficial bacteria to control soil-borne phytopathogens. Pseudomonas sp. PICF6 and Pseudomonas simiae PICF7 are two indigenous inhabitants of olive roots displaying effective biological control against Verticillium dahliae. Additionally, strain PICF7 is able to promote the growth of barley and Arabidopsis thaliana, VOCs being involved in the growth of the latter species. In this study, the antagonistic capacity of these endophytic bacteria against relevant phytopathogens (Verticillium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici) was assessed. Under in vitro conditions, PICF6 and PICF7 were only able to antagonize representative isolates of V. dahliae and V. longisporum. Remarkably, both strains produced an impressive portfolio of up to twenty VOCs, that included compounds with reported antifungal (e.g., 1-undecene, (methyldisulfanyl) methane and 1-decene) or plant growth promoting (e.g., tridecane, 1-decene) activities. Moreover, their volatilomes differed strongly in the absence and presence of V. dahliae. For example, when co incubated with the defoliating pathotype of V. dahliae, the antifungal compound 4-methyl-2,6-bis(2-methyl-2-propanyl)phenol was produced. Results suggest that volatiles emitted by these endophytes may differ in their modes of action, and that potential benefits for the host needs further investigation in planta.
Development of Novel Detection Method for Rutinosidase in Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.)
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuro , Morishita Toshikazu , Takigawa Shigenobu , Noda Takahiro , Ishiguro Koji , Otsuka Shiori
Published: January 2022

Contamination of rutinosidase is a major problem for rutin-rich food due to the hydrolysis of the functional compound rutin and generation of strong bitterness caused by the hydrolyzed moiety quercetin. This problem sometimes occurs between the trace and normal rutinosidase Tartary buckwheat varieties. Here, we developed a simple and rapid method for rutinosidase detection in ‘ripening seeds using UV light’ and in ‘dough using alum-flavonoid complexation’ from Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.). Normal rutinosidase seeds can be distinguished from trace-rutinosidase mature seeds and ripening young seeds using a rutin solution by comparing the muddiness, which corresponds to quercetin generation. In dough, we detected a threefold relative increase in rutinosidase activity corresponding to 1% contamination of normal rutinosidase flour with trace-rutinosidase flour within 65 min. These methods do not require expensive apparatuses and toxic chemicals and are therefore promising for detecting and preventing contamination by rutinosidase, e.g., in food processing factories.
Methods for Predicting Ethylene/Cyclic Olefin Copolymerization Rates Promoted by Single-Site Metallocene: Kinetics Is the Key
Authors: Ali Amjad , Naveed Ahmad , Rasheed Tahir , Aziz Tariq , Imran Muhammad , Zhang Ze-Kun , Ullah Muhammad Wajid , Kubar Ameer Ali , Rehman Aziz Ur , Fan Zhiqiang , Guo Li
Published: January 2022

In toluene at 50 °C, the vinyl addition polymerization of 4-vinyl-cyclohexene (VCH) comonomers with ethylene is investigated using symmetrical metallocene (rac-Et(Ind)2ZrCl2) combined with borate/TIBA. To demonstrate the polymerizations’ living character, cyclic VCH with linear-exocyclicπ and endocyclicπ bonds produces monomodal polymers, but the dispersity (Ɖ) was broader. The copolymers obtained can be dissolved in conventional organic solvent and have excellent thermal stability and crystalline temperature (ΔHm), and their melting temperature (Tm) varies from 109 to 126 °C, and ΔHm ranges from 80 to 128 (J/g). Secondly, the distribution of polymeric catalysts engaged in polymer chain synthesis and the nature of the dormant state are two of the most essential yet fundamentally unknown aspects. Comprehensive and exhaustive kinetics of E/VCH have shown numerous different kinetic aspects that are interpreted as manifestations of polymeric catalysts or of the instability of several types of active center [Zr]/[C*] fluctuations and formation rates of chain propagation RpE, RpVCH, and propagation rate constants kpE and kpVCH, the quantitative relationship between RpE, RpVCH and kpE, kpVCH and catalyst structures, their constituent polymer Mw, and their reactivity response to the endocyclic and exocyclic bonds of VCH. The kinetic parameters RpE, RpVCH, kpE, and kpVCH, which are the apparent rates for the metallocene-catalyzed E/VCH, RpE, and kpE values, are much more significant than RpVCH and kpVCH at 120 s, RpE and RpVCH 39.63 and 0.78, and the kpE and kpVCH values are 6461 and 93 L/mol·s, respectively, and minor diffusion barriers are recommended in the early stages. Compared with previously reported PE, RpE and kpE values are 34.2 and 7080 L/mol·s. VCH increases the RpE in the initial stage, as we are expecting; this means that the exocyclic bond of VCH is more active at the initial level, and that the chain transfer reaction of cyclic internal π double is increased with the reaction time. The tp versus Rp, kp, and [Zr]/[C*] fraction count may be fitted to a model that invokes deactivation of growing polymer chains. At tp 120–360 s higher, the incorporation rate of VCH suppresses E insertion, resulting in reduced molecular weight.
An In-Vitro Evaluation of Microleakage in Resin-Based Restorative Materials at Different Time Intervals
Authors: Bilgrami Afreen , Alam Mohammad Khursheed , Qazi Fazal ur Rehman , Maqsood Afsheen , Basha Sakeenabi , Ahmed Naseer , Syed Kausar Ali , Mustafa Mohammed , Shrivastava Deepti , Nagarajappa Anil Kumar , Srivastava Kumar Chandan
Published: January 2022

A vital feature of conservative dentistry is the adhesion of the restorative material to the tooth structure for restoration of the tooth substance lost due to dental decay, trauma, or dental imperfections. In a perfect world, a restorative material should generate a lasting adhesion by bonding the restoration with tooth tissues. The ingress of micro-organisms, oral fluids, molecules, and ions through microscopic spaces due to faulty adhesion between restoration and tooth structure is known as microleakage. This study is focuses on the evaluation of adhesive failures between the restorative materials. In the past, studies have focused more on the bonding potential of a restorative material with the tooth surface. Therefore, there is need to carry out a study that compares the microleakage between resin-based restorative materials in a sandwich manner with and without the intermediate bonding layer after immersion in 2% methylene blue dye at different time intervals. The restorative materials used were composite Ceram X Mono plus (DENTSPLY) and Z350 (3M ESPE), Vitremer resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) (3M ESPE), smart dentine replacement SDR (3M ESPE), Bond NT (DENTSPLY), and Universal Bond (3M ESPE). A light emitting diode (LED) was used to cure the specimens. Artificial saliva was used as a storage medium for the specimens. Thermocycling of specimens was carried out at 500 cycles/30 s and 1000 cycles/30 s. The world health organization (WHO) grading tool for microleakage was used to analyze fluid ingress in the specimens through disclosing by 2% methylene blue dye. The statistical analysis was carried out with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test, keeping the level of significance at p ≤ 0.05. In Grade 0 = 85 samples, Grade 1 = 10 samples, Grade 2 = 7 samples, Grade 3 = 16 samples, and in Grade 4 = 2 samples were identified. This study describes that no microleakage was observed in SDR and resin composite groups as compared to Vitremer and resin composite groups.
Characteristics of the Waste Wood Biomass and Its Effect on the Properties of Wood Sanding Dust/Recycled PP Composite
Authors: Vitolina Sanita , Shulga Galia , Neiberte Brigita , Jaunslavietis Jevgenijs , Verovkins Anrijs , Betkers Talrits
Published: January 2022

To decrease climate changes, more research focuses on decreasing waste wood biomass (WWB) burning and increasing its conversion into value-added products. The WWB was isolated from model wood processing wastewater with a new hybrid coagulant by the coagulation/flocculation method. This study is aimed to characterize the WWB and to investigate its effect in the composition of a hybrid lignocellulosic filler on the properties of recycled polypropylene (rPP)-based wood–plastic composites (WPCs). The waste biomass contained high-molecular lignin and hemicelluloses substances and represented a finely dispersed powder. It was hydrophobic and was characterized by enhanced thermal stability. To minimize the negative effect of polymer wastes on the environment, recycled polypropylene as a polymer matrix was used with the hybrid filler in fabricating WPC samples. The presence of the coagulated WWB in the hybrid filler composition positively affects the mechanical properties, water uptake and dimensional stability of the composite samples. Such a behavior of the waste biomass showed its function as a compatibilizer, which promoted the interfacial adhesion in the composite system.
Electrospun Coaxial Fibers to Optimize the Release of Poorly Water-Soluble Drug
Authors: Liu Yubo , Chen Xiaohong , Liu Yuyang , Gao Yuhang , Liu Ping
Published: January 2022

In a drug delivery system, the physicochemical properties of the polymeric matrix have a positive impact on the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. In this work, monolithic F1 fibers and coaxial F2 fibers were successfully prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone as the main polymer matrix for drug loading and the poorly water-soluble curcumin (Cur) as a model drug. The hydrophobic poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) was designed as a blank layer to change the hydrophilicity of the fiber and restrain the drug dissolution rate. The curved linear morphology without beads of F1 fibers and the straight linear morphology with few spindles of F2 fibers were characterized using field-emission environmental scanning electron microscopy. The amorphous forms of the drug and its good compatibility with polymeric matrix were verified by X-ray diffraction and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Surface wettability and drug dissolution data showed that the weaker hydrophilicity F2 fibers (31.42° ± 3.07°) had 24 h for Cur dissolution, which was much longer than the better hydrophilic F1 fibers (15.31° ± 2.79°) that dissolved the drug in 4 h.
The Effect of Nanoparticle-Incorporated Natural-Based Biomaterials towards Cells on Activated Pathways: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fadilah Nur , Isa Isma , Zaman Wan , Tabata Yasuhiko , Fauzi Mh
Published: January 2022

The advancement of natural-based biomaterials in providing a carrier has revealed a wide range of benefits in the biomedical sciences, particularly in wound healing, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Incorporating nanoparticles within polymer composites has been reported to enhance scaffolding performance, cellular interactions and their physico-chemical and biological properties in comparison to analogue composites without nanoparticles. This review summarized the current knowledge of nanoparticles incorporated into natural-based biomaterials with effects on their cellular interactions in wound healing. Although the mechanisms of wound healing and the function of specific cells in wound repair have been partially described, many of the underlying signaling pathways remain unknown. We also reviewed the current understanding and new insights into the wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway and other signaling pathways of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Notch, and Sonic hedgehog during wound healing. The findings demonstrated that most of the studies reported positive outcomes of biomaterial scaffolds incorporated with nanoparticles on cell attachment, viability, proliferation, and migration. Combining therapies consisting of nanoparticles and biomaterials could be promising for future therapies and better outcomes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Photovoltaic Device Application of a Hydroquinone-Modified Conductive Polymer and Dual-Functional Molecular Si Surface Passivation Technology
Authors: Park Na Yeon , Jeong Gwan Seung , Yu Young-Jin , Jung Yoon-Chae , Lee Jin Hee , Seo Jung Hwa , Choi Jea-Young
Published: January 2022

In the last decades, the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS has been introduced in Si-based hybrid solar cells, gaining noticeable research interest and being considered a promising candidate for next generation solar cells which can achieve both of low manufacturing cost and high power conversion efficiency. This study succeeded in improving the electrical conductivity of PEDOT:PSS to 937 S/cm through a simple process of adding hydroquinone (HQ) to the pristine PEDOT:PSS solution. The results also showed that the addition of HQ to PEDOT:PSS(HQ-PEDOT:PSS) could not only dramatically improve the conductivity but also well-sustain the work function characteristics of PEDOT:PSS by promoting the formation of more continuous conductive-PEDOT channels without removing the insulating PSS. In this report, we reveal that the application of the HQ-PEDOT:PSS to the Si/PEDOT:PSS HSC could significantly improve the short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage characteristics to increase the power conversion efficiency of the HSCs compared to the conventional approaches. Moreover, we also treated the Si surface with the organic monomer, benzoquinone (BQ) to (1) passivate the excess Si surface defect states and (2) to improve the properties of the Si/PEDOT:PSS interface. We show that BQ treatment is able to dramatically increase the minority carrier lifetime induced by effective chemical and field-effect passivation in addition to enhancing the wettability of the Si surface with the PEDOT:PSS solution. As a result, the power conversion efficiency was increased by 10.6% by introducing HQ and BQ into the fabrication process of the Si/PEDOT:PSS HSC.
Polyelectrolyte Multilayered Capsules as Biomedical Tools
Authors: Mateos-Maroto Ana , Fernández-Peña Laura , Abelenda-Núñez Irene , Ortega Francisco , Rubio Ramón G. , Guzmán Eduardo
Published: January 2022

Polyelectrolyte multilayered capsules (PEMUCs) obtained using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) method have become powerful tools for different biomedical applications, which include drug delivery, theranosis or biosensing. However, the exploitation of PEMUCs in the biomedical field requires a deep understanding of the most fundamental bases underlying their assembly processes, and the control of their properties to fabricate novel materials with optimized ability for specific targeting and therapeutic capacity. This review presents an updated perspective on the multiple avenues opened for the application of PEMUCs to the biomedical field, aiming to highlight some of the most important advantages offered by the LbL method for the fabrication of platforms for their use in the detection and treatment of different diseases.
Characterisation of Hemp Fibres Reinforced Composites Using Thermoplastic Polymers as Matrices
Authors: Stelea Lucia , Filip Ioan , Lisa Gabriela , Ichim Mariana , Drobotă Mioara , Sava Costică , Mureșan Augustin
Published: January 2022

Hemp fibres used as a reinforcing agent and three polymeric matrices (polypropylene, bicomponent, recycled polyester) were used to obtain composite materials by needle punching and heat pressing. The influence of the hemp/matrix ratio and the nature of the matrix on the properties of the composites were analysed. The obtained composites were characterised by physical–mechanical indices, thermal analysis (thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Chromatic measurements. The mechanical properties of composites are influenced by both the hemp/matrix ratio and the nature of the matrix. The thermal stability of composites decreased as the amount of hemp increased (for the same mass losses, the decomposition temperature decreased significantly for composites containing a quantity of hemp greater than 50%). Regarding the nature of the matrix, for the same mass loss, the highest decomposition temperature was presented by the composites containing recycled polyester as matrix, and the lowest one was presented by composites containing polypropylene fibres as matrix. The FTIR and SEM analyses highlight the changes that occurred in the structure of the composite, changes determined both by the amount of hemp in the composite and by the nature of the matrix.
Sites of Re-Enchantment: Sacred Space and Nature in Early 20th Century Europe
Authors: French Aaron
Published: January 2022

This essay analyses the relationship between healing, nature, and the sacred in the construction of “sacred space” or heterotopies at the beginning of the 20th century in Europe. Two examples of these spaces are provided: the Kurorte in Bad Reichenhall, Germany, and the back-to-nature site Monte Verità in Ascona, Switzerland. The focus is on sacred space, alternative lifestyles, and the natural environment through the use of “light and air” cabins and community organization, as described by the founders of the colony at Monte Verità. The healing garden and the Gradierhaus—a special type of building designed for breathing salted air—in Bad Reichenhall are explored through the lens of “air cure” and “climate cures”, which became popular in Central Europe at the end of the 19th century. Such buildings and healing sites were designed for the express purpose of healing through disconnection from the chaos of the modern industrial world in order to reconnect with nature and the elements. Drawing on Foucault’s concept of heterotopia, a striking affinity between buildings and the natural environment at these sites is revealed, resulting in a “special” or “sacred” location that is somehow both “in” and “out” of everyday life, capable of ostensibly producing forms of healing in the visitors and inhabitants.
Cosmology, Faith, Architecture—A Temple under the Sky: The Church of Saint Maximilian Kolbe in Varese
Authors: Placci Luca
Published: January 2022

In my article, I propose a reflection about the Catholic church of Saint Maximilian Kolbe in Varese, Italy, designed by the architect Justus Dahinden at the end of the millennium. Despite the fact that this original sacred space has been imagined by a well-known designer, it still remains a neglected case study. In detail, the present research is about the method by which the architect included the divine element into contemporary architecture and how he facilitated the encounter with the transcendent. The first step focused on the assessment of unpublished materials, such as the architect’s early plan drafts, the executive drawings and the correspondence between the client and the designer. The following study was on Dahinden’s scripts and publications. In the second stage, I analyzed the space under the lens of the hermeneutical approach to highlight the importance of the proven experiences in the building, which is distinguished for its holistic qualities. Furthermore, symbolism plays a relevant role in communicating the evangelical message here, and it seems that Dahinden brought it to the extreme consequence; the entire building, the sequence of its spaces and its details strongly evoke a universal dimension, which pretends to go beyond the dogmatism which marks the traditional religious architecture.
Theopolitics of the Orthodox World—Autocephaly of the Orthodox Churches as a Political, Not Theological Problem
Authors: Baar Vladimír , Solík Martin , Baarová Barbara , Graf Jan
Published: January 2022

The recognition of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2019 sparked a debate in the Orthodox world about the legitimacy of such an act. In the present study, we aim to explain, through the concept of theopolitics, this event which has caused a schism in the contemporary Orthodox Church. Following a brief introduction to Buber’s concept of theopolitics, we focus on a historical overview, demonstrating that the problems of the Orthodox world do not originate in theological issues, as it might seem at first glance, but primarily in political issues. The case of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church proves the importance of theopolitics.
How Modern Witches Enchant TikTok: Intersections of Digital, Consumer, and Material Culture(s) on #WitchTok
Authors: Miller Chris
Published: January 2022

WitchTok describes a sub-section of the social media platform TikTok, which caters to Contemporary Pagans and other practitioners of modern Witchcraft. Through short micro-videos, users share snapshots of their lives, providing a window into their religious identities and practices. Through a qualitative analysis of videos and comments, this exploratory study examines how modern Witches engage with religion through this digital space. Although this platform is wholly virtual, WitchTok is also eminently material. Through sharing and commenting on videos of spells, potions, altars, and other practices, users engage with a range of material objects. By announcing the magical properties of materials, instructing how to use certain objects, and advising where items can be found, WitchTok reveals how Witches conceptualize materiality and magic. The promotion of products, businesses, and personal brands in this space also reveals how Witchcraft is shaped by consumerism. In contrast to scholars who distinguish between “traditional” Witchcraft and “consumerist” Witches, I argue that WitchTok highlights the complex entanglements of Witchcraft with consumer capitalism.
“Cross Is Fix”: Christianity and Christian Community as Vehicles for Overcoming Settlement Crises of Chinese Immigrant Families
Authors: Wang Yining
Published: January 2022

Mainland Chinese grow up in a nation with Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism as their cultural heritage, and are educated with atheism, materialism, and scientism in contemporary China. However, the high rate of conversion to Christianity among Chinese immigrants in Anglo-Saxon countries constitutes a distinctive feature in studies of migration. This paper aims to investigate the reasons for becoming Christian and the development of spirituality of a group of first-generation Chinese Australians from mainland China. All the seven participants are highly educated women who migrated to Australia as adults and had young children at the time of conversion. Data were collected mainly through open-ended in-depth interviews, and triangulated with private conversations, observations, and WeChat messaging. This ethnographic qualitative research found that these immigrants’ Christian attempts were prominently triggered by settlement crisis as new immigrants and as immigrant parents. They see Christianity and church community as a strong vehicle to resolve integration difficulties in a new society, such as economic and career insecurities, social isolation, language barriers, marital crises, and parenting dilemmas. Their Christian movement is facilitated by identified ideological congruence but hindered by cultural conflicts between their newly acquired Christian doctrines and their previously instructed values. The findings have implications for immigrant families, secular institutions, and religious organizations, as to the psychosocial well-being of new migrants.
European Hophornbeam Biomass for Energy Application: Influence of Different Production Processes and Heating Devices on Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Ilari Alessio , Fabrizi Sara , Foppa Pedretti Ester
Published: January 2022

Environmental sustainability has recently shifted towards biodiversity protection via governmental and intergovernmental initiatives (e.g., the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, MA). The life cycle assessment, the widespread method for assessing environmental sustainability, was not created to evaluate impacts on biodiversity. However, several authors recognize its ability to estimate biodiversity loss drivers (impact indices on land use change and ecosystem). The study aims to apply LCA to the forest sector, precisely to the wood–energy chain of Hophornbeam, to cover suggestions of the MA for the biodiversity impact assessment. Six different scenarios for stove (3) and fireplace (3) wood production were analyzed, evaluating two baselines and four alternative scenarios, including sensitivity analyses related to transport distances for the raw materials. The functional unit is 1 MJ of energy. The fireplace combustion scenarios are relatively more sustainable than the stove ones are (2.95–3.21% less). The global warming potential (around 3 g CO2 eq/MJ) is consistent with current European directives on the sustainability of biofuels and scientific literature. The scenarios showed similarities regarding the impact of the categories related to MA drivers. Although biodiversity is protected by limiting forest management, some authors argue that for some species (e.g., Hophornbeam), a rational tree felling could produce biofuels, increasing biodiversity.
Spatial Prioritization for Wildfire Mitigation by Integrating Heterogeneous Spatial Data: A New Multi-Dimensional Approach for Tropical Rainforests
Authors: Sakti Anjar Dimara , Fauzi Adam Irwansyah , Takeuchi Wataru , Pradhan Biswajeet , Yarime Masaru , Vega-Garcia Cristina , Agustina Elprida , Wibisono Dionisius , Anggraini Tania Septi , Theodora Megawati Oktaviani , Ramadhanti Desi , Muhammad Miqdad Fadhil , Aufaristama Muhammad , Perdana Agung Mahadi Putra , Wikantika Ketut
Published: January 2022

Wildfires drive deforestation that causes various losses. Although many studies have used spatial approaches, a multi-dimensional analysis is required to determine priority areas for mitigation. This study identified priority areas for wildfire mitigation in Indonesia using a multi-dimensional approach including disaster, environmental, historical, and administrative parameters by integrating 20 types of multi-source spatial data. Spatial data were combined to produce susceptibility, carbon stock, and carbon emission models that form the basis for prioritization modelling. The developed priority model was compared with historical deforestation data. Legal aspects were evaluated for oil-palm plantations and mining with respect to their impact on wildfire mitigation. Results showed that 379,516 km2 of forests in Indonesia belong to the high-priority category and most of these are located in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and North Maluku. Historical data suggest that 19.50% of priority areas for wildfire mitigation have experienced deforestation caused by wildfires over the last ten years. Based on legal aspects of land use, 5.2% and 3.9% of high-priority areas for wildfire mitigation are in oil palm and mining areas, respectively. These results can be used to support the determination of high-priority areas for the REDD+ program and the evaluation of land use policies.
Determination of Weak Terrestrial Water Storage Changes from GRACE in the Interior of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xiang Longwei , Wang Hansheng , Steffen Holger , Qiao Baojin , Feng Wei , Jia Lulu , Gao Peng
Published: January 2022

Time series of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission have been successfully used to reveal changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) in many parts of the world. This has been hindered in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau since the derived TWS changes there are very sensitive to the selections of different available GRACE solutions, and filters to remove north-south-oriented (N-S) stripe features in the observations. This has resulted in controversial distributions of the TWS changes in previous studies. In this paper, we produce aggregated hydrology signals (AHS) of TWS changes from 2003 to 2009 in the Tibetan Plateau and test a large set of GRACE solution-filter combinations and mascon models to identify the best combination or mascon model whose filtered results match our AHS. We find that the application of a destriping filter is indispensable to remove correlated errors shown as N-S stripes. Three best-performing destriping filters are identified and, combined with two best-performing solutions, they represent the most reliable solution-filter combinations for determination of weak terrestrial water storage changes in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau from GRACE. In turn, more than 100 other tested solution-filter combinations and mascon solutions lead to very different distributions of the TWS changes inside and outside the plateau that partly disagree largely with the AHS. This is mainly attributed to less effective suppression of N-S stripe noises. Our results also show that the most effective destriping is performed within a maximum degree and order of 60 for GRACE spherical harmonic solutions. The results inside the plateau show one single anomaly in the TWS trend when additional smoothing with a 340-km-radius Gaussian filter is applied. We suggest using our identified best solution-filter combinations for the determination of TWS changes in the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent areas during the whole GRACE operation time span from 2002 to 2017 as well as the succeeding GRACE-FO mission.
Satellite Remote Sensing of Water Quality Variation in a Semi-Enclosed Bay (Yueqing Bay) under Strong Anthropogenic Impact
Authors: Zhu Bozhong , Bai Yan , Zhang Zhao , He Xianqiang , Wang Zhihong , Zhang Shugang , Dai Qian
Published: January 2022

The semi-enclosed bays impacted by heavy anthropogenic activities have weak water exchange and purification capacities. Most of the sea bays have suffered severe eutrophication, water quality deterioration, ecosystem degradation and other problems. Although many countries and local governments have carried out corresponding environmental protection actions, the evaluation of their effectiveness still requires monitoring technology and data support for long-term water environment change. In this study, we take Yueqing Bay, the fourth largest bay in China, as a case to study the satellite-based water quality monitoring and variation analysis. We established a nutrient retrieval model for Yueqing Bay to produce a long-term series of nutrient concentration products in Yueqing Bay from 2013 to 2020, based on Landsat remote sensing images and long-term observation data, combined with support vector machine learning and water temperature and satellite spectra as input parameters, and then we analyzed its spatiotemporal variations and driving factors. In general, nutrient concentrations in the western part of the bay were higher than those in the eastern part. Levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were lower in summer than in spring and winter, and reactive phosphate (PO4-P) levels were lower in summer and higher in autumn. In terms of natural factors, physical effects (e.g., seasonal variations in flow field) and biological effects (e.g., seasonal differences in the intensity of plankton photosynthesis) were the main causes of seasonal differences in nutrient concentration in Yueqing Bay. Nutrient concentration generally increased from 2013 to 2015 but decreased slightly after 2015. Over the past decade, the economy and industry of Yueqing Bay basin have developed rapidly. Wastewater resulting from anthropogenic production and consumption was transported via streams into Yueqing Bay, leading to the continuous increase in nutrient concentrations (the variation rates: aDIN>0, aPO4−P>0), which directly or indirectly caused high nutrient concentrations in some areas of the bay (e.g., Southwest Shoal at the mouth of Yueqing Bay). After 2015, the various ecological remediation policies adopted by cities around Yueqing Bay have mitigated, to some extent, the increasing nutrient concentration trends (the variation rates: aDIN<0, aPO4−P<0), but not significantly (P > 0.1). The environmental restoration of Yueqing Bay also requires continuous and long-term ecological protection and restoration work to be effective. This research can provide a reference for ecological environment monitoring and remote sensing data application for similar semi-enclosed bays, and support the sustainable development of the bay.
Automated Archaeological Feature Detection Using Deep Learning on Optical UAV Imagery: Preliminary Results
Authors: Altaweel Mark , Khelifi Adel , Li Zehao , Squitieri Andrea , Basmaji Tasnim , Ghazal Mohammed
Published: January 2022

This communication article provides a call for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) users in archaeology to make imagery data more publicly available while developing a new application to facilitate the use of a common deep learning algorithm (mask region-based convolutional neural network; Mask R-CNN) for instance segmentation. The intent is to provide specialists with a GUI-based tool that can apply annotation used for training for neural network models, enable training and development of segmentation models, and allow classification of imagery data to facilitate auto-discovery of features. The tool is generic and can be used for a variety of settings, although the tool was tested using datasets from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. Current outputs suggest that trained data are able to help identify ruined structures, that is, structures such as burials, exposed building ruins, and other surface features that are in some degraded state. Additionally, qanat(s), or ancient underground channels having surface access holes, and mounded sites, which have distinctive hill-shaped features, are also identified. Other classes are also possible, and the tool helps users make their own training-based approach and feature identification classes. To improve accuracy, we strongly urge greater publication of UAV imagery data by projects using open journal publications and public repositories. This is something done in other fields with UAV data and is now needed in heritage and archaeology. Our tool is provided as part of the outputs given.