bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Report on Enforcing the Rights of Children in Migration
Authors: Binford Warren , Bochenek Michael Garcia , Cernadas Pablo Ceriani , Day Emma , Field Sarah , Hamilton Marci , Liefaard Ton , Mezmur Benyam , Mulatu Fasil , Skelton Ann , Sloth-Nielsen Julia , Stuart João , Van Loon Hans , Verhellen Jinske
Published: October 2023

The ILA Study Group began its work by identifying guiding principles that should frame and inform state practices with respect to children in migration. These principles included, but were not limited to, non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival, and development; the right of the child to express their views on all matters affecting them; and the right to an effective remedy. The Study Group identified some of the most common rights violations for children in migration such as arbitrary age assessment practices; inadequate and age-inappropriate reception policies and facilities; and immigration detention of children and other coercive practices. The Study Group undertook a multidisciplinary approach by summarizing the research documenting the harmful effects of these practices on child health and well-being. It surveyed (1) treaties and international instruments that might recognize a right or remedy for children on the move; (2) regional and international fora where the claims of children could be heard; and (3) the growing body of regional and international jurisprudence upholding the rights of children in migration. Finally, it identified gaps in the international and regional frameworks and formulated recommendations as to how to ensure children in migration are able to enforce their rights and access justice.
The Relationship between Tricuspid Annular Longitudinal and Sphincter-like Features of Its Function in Healthy Adults: Insights from the MAGYAR-Healthy Study
Authors: Nemes Attila , Rácz Gergely , Kormányos Árpád , Ruzsa Zoltán , Achim Alexandru , Lengyel Csaba
Published: October 2023

Introduction. The tricuspid valve is an atrioventricular valve located on the right side of the heart, which consists of the fibrous tricuspid annulus (TA), three valvular leaflets and a supporting apparatus, the papillary muscles and the tendinous chords. The TA is an oval-shaped three-dimensional (3D) fibrous structure with a complex spatial movement during the cardiac cycle. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) could help during “en-face” assessment of TA dimensions and related functional properties featuring its “sphincter-like” function. TA plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is a displacement of the lateral edge of the TA toward the apex in systole measured in apical long-axis using M-mode echocardiography (MME). The aim of this study was to determine potential relationships between TA size and its “sphincter-like” and “longitudinal” functions in healthy adults with no functional tricuspid regurgitation. Methods. The present study consisted of 119 healthy patients (age: 34.6 ± 11.5 years, 70 men) who underwent routine echocardiography with M-mode-derived TAPSE measurement and 3DE. Two subgroups of healthy subjects were compared with each other. A total of 29 subjects with TAPSE between 17 and 21 mm were compared with 90 cases with TAPSE ≥ 22 mm. Results. Subjects with TAPSE of 17–21 mm had tendentiously dilated TA dimensions compared with subjects with TAPSE ≥ 22 mm. Significant differences could be detected in the end-systolic TA area (5.85 ± 1.90 cm2 vs. 3.70 ± 1.22 cm2, p < 0.05), leading to impaired TAFAC (24.8 ± 9.0% vs. 35.1 ± 9.1%, p < 0.05) in subjects with lower TAPSE (17–21 mm) compared with subjects with TAPSE ≥ 22 mm. TAPSE did not show correlations with any TA size or “sphincter-like” functional parameters as determined using 3DE. Conclusions. Three-dimensional echocardiography is capable of measuring TA dimensions and functional “sphincter-like” properties, which are associated with MME-derived TAPSE, suggesting a sensitive and harmonic TA function in healthy adults without functional tricuspid regurgitation.
Exploration of Solid Solutions and the Strengthening of Aluminum Substrates by Alloying Atoms: Machine Learning Accelerated Density Functional Theory Calculations
Authors: Huang Jingtao , Xue Jingteng , Li Mingwei , Cheng Yuan , Lai Zhonghong , Hu Jin , Zhou Fei , Qu Nan , Liu Yong , Zhu Jingchuan
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we studied the effects of a series of alloying atoms on the stability and micromechanical properties of aluminum alloy using a machine learning accelerated first-principles approach. In our preliminary work, high-throughput first-principles calculations were explored and the solution energy and theoretical stress of atomically doped aluminum substrates were extracted as basic data. By comparing five different algorithms, we found that the Catboost model had the lowest RMSE (0.24) and lowest MAPE (6.34), and this was used as the final prediction model to predict the solid solution strengthening of the aluminum matrix by the elements. Calculations show that alloying atoms such as K, Na, Y and Tl are difficult to dissolve in the aluminum matrix, whereas alloy atoms like Sc, Cu, B, Zr, Ni, Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mn, Mo, and W exerted a strengthening influence. Theoretical studies on solid solutions and the strengthening effect of various alloy atoms in an aluminum matrix can offer theoretical guidance for the subsequent selection of suitable alloy elements. The theoretical investigation of alloy atoms in an aluminum matrix unveils the fundamental aspects of the solution strengthening effect, contributing significantly to the expedited development of new aluminum alloys.
Numerical Study of the Plastic Zone at the Crack Front in Cylindrical Aluminum Specimens Subjected to Tensile Loads
Authors: Abatta-Jacome Lenin , Lima-Rodriguez Antonia , Gonzalez-Herrera Antonio , Garcia-Manrique Jose Manuel
Published: October 2023

Cylindrical specimens are of great interest in analyzing mechanical elements’ behavior and investigating phenomena with biaxial loads. It is necessary to identify the behavior of the crack front along the thickness to interpret these results, which are usually based on the hypothesis of a straight crack and the observation of the outer face of the crack front. Based on the work carried out on compact tension type specimens, this work proposes adapting this methodology to cylindrical specimens, adapting the previous finite element models. Cylindrical specimens provide an asymmetric behavior influenced by the radius, where the CT (compact tensile) specimen can be considered the extreme infinite radius case. Combinations of the load level and radius values help us simulate the crack’s behavior under intermediate hypotheses between a plane crack theory and a three-dimensional one. The plastic strain around the crack front will be analyzed as a function of the thickness and the load level applied. The results allow us to validate the numerical methodology and establish the differentiated behaviors of the plastic zones close to the outer and inner radii.
Analyzing the Relationship between the Chemical Composition and the Surface Finish of Alnico Alloys in EDM
Authors: Młynarczyk Piotr , Bańkowski Damian , Szwed Bartłomiej
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the chemical compositions of Alnico alloys had any effects on the electrical discharge machining (EDM) performance and the surface finish. This article compares the behavior of three different Alnico alloys in electrical discharge machining. The experiments were conducted under different conditions using a BP93L EDM machine (ZAP BP, Końskie, Poland), applying an additional rotary motion to the electrode. A Box–Behnken experimental design was employed to analyze the influence of three factors, i.e., the spark current, the pulse-on time, and the pulse-off time, at three levels for three Alnico alloys. The material removal rate (MRR) was calculated for the different process parameters. After the EDM, the surface roughness was studied using a Talysurf CCI Lite non-contact profiler (Taylor–Hobson, Leicester, UK). The next step of the experiments involved preparing metallographic specimens to be observed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). Measurements of the nanohardness were also performed. The experimental data were then analyzed using Statistica software version 10 (64-bit) to determine and graphically represent the relationships between the input and output parameters for the three Alnico alloys. The chemical compositions of the Alnico alloys affected the thickness of the white layer (higher cobalt content, lower white layer thickness) and the material removal rate. The higher the cobalt content, the thinner the white layer and the lower the material removal efficiency. Moreover, the cobalt content in Alnico alloys influenced the shape of the precipitates; these ranged from spheroidal (13% Co) to mix-shaped (21.3% Co) to flake-shaped (32.2%). The hardness of the resulting white layer was 874 HV at10 mN.
Correction: Takayama, T. Inorganic Particles Contribute to the Compatibility of Polycarbonate/Polystyrene Polymer Blends. Materials 2023, 16, 1536
Authors: Takayama Tetsuo
Published: October 2023

There was an error in the original publication [...]
Fully Biodegradable Edible Packaging Foils on the Basis of Potato Starch–Lipid–Protein Ternary Complexes
Authors: Folentarska Agnieszka , Kulakowska Anna , Pavlyuk Volodymyr , Krystyjan Magdalena , Tomasik Piotr , Ciesielski Wojciech
Published: October 2023

Fully biodegradable foils were prepared from potato starch, egg albumin, and either stearic or oleic acid. Foils prepared with oleic acid have higher tensile strength, relative elongation, thermal stability, and a more uniform macrostructure. Foils produced with stearic acid were characterized by a higher index of crystallinity than foils made with oleic acid. Functional properties of the foils can be modulated involving a sequence of blending of their components. The simultaneous blending of starch (10 weight parts of 5% aq. gel), albumin (1 weight part of liquid composed of 1 g of albumin in 7 mL of water), and stearic acid (5 weight parts of powder) provided the foil with the highest tensile strength (64.91 MPa/mm). Independently of the method of preparation, foils were white with a greenish-yellow shade. Analysis of the ATR-FTIR spectra showed that the macrostructure of the foils is built involving interactions between all three components.
Particle Swarm Training of a Neural Network for the Lower Upper Bound Estimation of the Prediction Intervals of Time Series
Authors: Gusev Alexander , Chervyakov Alexander , Alexeenko Anna , Nikulchev Evgeny
Published: October 2023

Many time series forecasting applications use ranges rather than point forecasts. Producing forecasts in the form of Prediction Intervals (PIs) is natural, since intervals are an important component of many mathematical models. The LUBE (Lower Upper Bound Estimation) method is aimed at finding ranges based on solving optimization problems taking into account interval width and coverage. Using the Particle Swarm Training of simple neural network, we look for a solution to the optimization problem of the Coverage Width-Based Criterion (CWC), which is the exponential convolution of conflicting criteria PICP (Prediction Interval Coverage Probability) and PINRW (Prediction Interval Normalized Root-mean-square Width). Based on the concept of the Pareto compromise, it is introduced as a Pareto front in the space of specified criteria. The Pareto compromise is constructed as a relationship between conflicting criteria based on the found solution to the optimization problem. The data under consideration are the financial time series of the MOEX closing prices. Our findings reveal that a relatively simple neural network, comprising eight neurons and their corresponding 26 parameters (weights of neuron connections and neuron signal biases), is sufficient to yield reliable PIs for the investigated financial time series. The novelty of our approach lies in the use of a simple network structure (containing fewer than 100 parameters) to construct PIs for a financial time series. Additionally, we offer an experimental construction of the Pareto frontier, formed by the PICP and PINRW criteria.
Stochastic Approaches Systems to Predictive and Modeling Chilean Wildfires
Authors: de la Fuente-Mella Hanns , Elórtegui-Gómez Claudio , Umaña-Hermosilla Benito , Fonseca-Fuentes Marisela , Ríos-Vásquez Gonzalo
Published: October 2023

Whether due to natural causes or human carelessness, forest fires have the power to cause devastating damage, alter the habitat of animals and endemic species, generate insecurity in the population, and even affect human settlements with significant economic losses. These natural and social disasters are very difficult to control, and despite the multidisciplinary human effort, it has not been possible to create efficient mechanisms to mitigate the effects, and they have become the nightmare of every summer season. This study focuses on forecast models for fire measurements using time-series data from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. Specifically, this study proposes a comprehensive methodology of deterministic and stochastic time series to forecast the fire measures required by the programs of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF). The models used in this research are among those commonly applied for time-series data. For the number of fires series, an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model is selected, while for the affected surface series, a Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model is selected, in both cases due to the lowest error metrics among the models fitted. The results provide evidence on the forecast for the number of national fires and affected national surface measured by a series of hectares (ha). For the deterministic method, the best model to predict the number of fires and affected surface is double exponential smoothing with damped parameter; for the stochastic approach, the best model for forecasting the number of fires is an ARIMA (2,1,2); and for affected surface, a SARIMA(1,1,0)(2,0,1)4, forecasting results are determined both with stochastic models due to showing a better performance in terms of error metrics.
Multi-Objective Prediction of Integrated Energy System Using Generative Tractive Network
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Wang Zhanshan
Published: October 2023

Accurate load forecasting can bring economic benefits and scheduling optimization. The complexity and uncertainty arising from the coupling of different energy sources in integrated energy systems pose challenges for simultaneously predicting multiple target load sequences. Existing data-driven methods for load forecasting in integrated energy systems use multi-task learning to address these challenges. When determining the input data for multi-task learning, existing research primarily relies on data correlation analysis and considers the influence of external environmental factors in terms of feature engineering. However, such feature engineering methods lack the utilization of the characteristics of multi-target sequences. In leveraging the characteristics of multi-target sequences, language generation models trained on textual logic structures and other sequence features can generate synthetic data that can even be applied to self-training to improve model performance. This provides an idea for feature engineering in data-driven time-series forecasting models. However, because time-series data are different from textual data, existing transformer-based language generation models cannot be directly applied to generating time-series data. In order to consider the characteristics of multi-target load sequences in integrated energy system load forecasting, this paper proposed a generative tractive network (GTN) model. By selectively utilizing appropriate autoregressive feature data for temporal data, this model facilitates feature mining from time-series data. This model is capable of analyzing temporal data variations, generating novel synthetic time-series data that align with the intrinsic temporal patterns of the original sequences. Moreover, the model can generate synthetic samples that closely mimic the variations in the original time series. Subsequently, through the integration of the GTN and autoregressive feature data, various prediction models are employed in case studies to affirm the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Novel Mycosporine-like Amino Acids from the Two Intertidal Red Macroalgae Bostrychia scorpioides and Catenella caespitosa
Authors: Orfanoudaki Maria , Alilou Mostafa , Hartmann Anja , Mayr Julia , Karsten Ulf , Nguyen-Ngoc Hieu , Ganzera Markus
Published: October 2023

This study presents a phytochemical survey of two common intertidal red algal species, Bostrychia scorpioides and Catenella caespitosa, regarding their MAA (mycosporine-like amino acid) composition, which are known as biogenic sunscreen compounds. Six novel MAAs from Bostrychia scorpioides named bostrychines and two novel MAAs from Catenella caespitosa named catenellines were isolated using a protocol which included silica gel column chromatography, flash chromatography on reversed phase material and semipreparative HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). The structure of the novel MAAs was elucidated using NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and HR-MS (High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry), and their absolute configuration was confirmed by ECD (Electronic Circular Dichroism). All isolated MAAs possess a cyclohexenimine scaffold, and the metabolites from B. scorpioides are related to the known MAAs bostrychines A-F, which contain glutamine, glutamic acid and/or threonine in their side chains. The new MAAs from C. caespitosa contain taurine, an amino sulfonic acid that is also present in another MAA isolated from this species, namely, catenelline. Previous and new data confirm that intertidal red algae are chemically rich in MAAs, which explains their high tolerance against biologically harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Evolving Mental Health Dynamics among Medical Students amid COVID-19: A Comparative Analysis of Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use among Medical Students
Authors: Popescu Codruța Alina , Tegzeșiu Ana Maria , Suciu Soimița Mihaela , Covaliu Bogdan Florin , Armean Sebastian Mihai , Uță Tudor Adrian , Sîrbu Alexandru Constantin
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has posed an array of new challenges for medical students worldwide. Amidst academic rigors, students are confronted with unique stressors, potentially affecting their mental health and substance use. This study aimed to investigate the multifaceted effects of depression, alcohol use, and stress on medical students and discern how these factors have been amplified by the pandemic’s circumstances, and to identify predictors of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Materials and Methods: Two online anonymous and cross-sectional surveys were conducted at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” in Romania among medical students in 2018 and in 2022. Data were gathered via online questionnaires distributed through closed student groups on social media platforms, with a total of 1061 participants, to investigate stress, depression, alcohol and drug use, and the impact of the pandemic and online education on mental health, maintaining anonymity and ethical approval. The Medical Student Stress Questionnaire (MSSQ) was employed to measure different aspects of stress, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) provided insights into the participants’ depressive symptoms, and for the assessment of alcohol consumption habits, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was utilized. Results: Our findings showed a significant decrease in mean depression scores (13.81 vs. 11.56, with p < 0.001) from 2018 to 2022. In 2018, students scored significantly higher in the overall stress-related domains. Additionally, being female, facing financial constraints, and being in pre-clinical years emerged as predictors of heightened academic-related stress and depressive symptoms. Students who had experienced the loss of a family member due to COVID-19 exhibited a statistically significant rise in their average BDI score and current anxiety levels. Conclusions: The pandemic, despite introducing new stressors, may have indirectly fostered an increased focus on students’ mental health, leading to more refined support mechanisms. Specialized interventions, taking into account gender and financial problems, are needed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by medical students. Our study highlights the ongoing need to nurture both the academic and emotional strength of future medical practitioners.
Laser Impacts on Skin Rejuvenation: The Use of a Synergistic Emission of CO2 and 1540 nm Wavelengths
Authors: Belletti Stefania , Madeddu Francesca , Brando Antonino , Provenzano Eugenio , Nisticò Steven Paul , Fusco Irene , Bennardo Luigi
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: For nearly 15 years, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser has been the gold standard in skin rejuvenation. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new laser device which combines CO2 and 1540 nm wavelengths in wrinkles reduction, using a recently developed scanning unit named the µScan DOT scanner. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 female patients underwent from two to four laser treatment sessions performed once every 45–90 days. Wrinkles reduction was evaluated using the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Classification System (FWCS). Evaluations of five-point Global Patient’s Assessment (PGA) and an Oedema and Erythema index based on a four-point scale were carried out. A careful photographic evaluation was performed to observe the patients’ aesthetic improvements. All the assessments were performed before and at 3 months follow up (3 MFU) after the last treatment session. Results: The mean FWCS score significantly (p < 0.01) decreased from 5.45 ± 2.21 at baseline to 3.3 ± 1.78 at 3 MFU after the last treatment session. In total, 8/20 (40%) subjects reported excellent improvement, 7/20 (35%) subjects showed good improvement, 5/20 (25%) subjects showed slight improvement, and 0/20 (0%) subjects showed no improvement. Concerning the Oedema index, 15/20 subjects experienced a mild one, 5/20 subjects experienced a moderate one, and none of 20 experienced a severe one, while for the Erythema index, 1/20 patients experienced mild, 18/20 patients experienced moderate, and only 1/20 patient experienced severe erythema. No severe adverse events were observed. Conclusions: This dual-wavelength laser technique may become a promising new option for safe, nonsurgical improvement for skin rejuvenation with an extremely low risk of scarring or hypopigmentation and shorter healing times.
Associated Bacterial Coinfections in COVID-19-Positive Patients
Authors: Boia Eugen Radu , Huț Alexandru Romulus , Roi Alexandra , Luca Ruxandra Elena , Munteanu Ioana Roxana , Roi Ciprian Ioan , Riviș Mircea , Boia Simina , Duse Adina Octavia , Vulcănescu Dan Dumitru , Horhat Florin George
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify specific rhino- and oropharyngeal microbiological pathogens as well as associated comorbidities that favor SARS-CoV-2 infection and corelate them. Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical study enrolled 61 patients (28 COVID-19-positive and 33 controls) who were tested for other comorbidities and co-existence of associated oral pathogenic microbiota. Results: A total of 247 bacterial isolates were identified in the bacterial cultures in both groups. Viral hepatitis type A was more prevalent in the COVID-19-positive group (p = 0.026), as was the presence of oral candidiasis (p = 0.006). In the control group, a moderate direct relationship was observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and dermatitis, and strong direct relationships were observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and external otitis, Streptococcus pyogenes and dental alveolitis, and Streptococcus pyogenes and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the test group, strong direct relationships were observed between Hemophilus influenzae and pulmonary thromboembolism; Staphylococcus aureus and autoimmune thyroiditis; post-viral immunosuppression, chronic coronary syndrome, and hypernatremia; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group C and rheumatoid polyneuropathy; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and hyperkalemia, hypothyroidism, secondary anemia, and splenomegaly; and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral pneumonia. The following relationships were strong, but inverse: Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and acute respiratory failure, and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral bronchopneumonia. Conclusions: Briefly, COVID-19-positive patients have the predisposition to build up associated comorbidities and coinfections, which can be the expression of the immune burden that this virus generates to the host.
Preventing the Progression of Myopia in Children—A Review of the Past Decade
Authors: Wnękowicz-Augustyn Emilia , Teper Sławomir , Wylęgała Edward
Published: October 2023

The growing incidence of myopia worldwide justifies the search for efficient methods of myopia prevention. Numerous pharmacological, optical, and lifestyle measures have already been utilized, but there remains a need to explore more practical and predictable methods for myopia control. This paper presents a review of the most recent studies on the prevention of myopia progression using defocus-incorporated multiple-segment spectacle lenses (DIMSsl), repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy, and a combination of low-dose atropine (0.01%) with orthokeratology lenses.
Exploring Verbal Fluency Strategies among Individuals with Normal Cognition, Amnestic and Non-Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Bairami Styliani , Folia Vasiliki , Liampas Ioannis , Ntanasi Eva , Patrikelis Panayiotis , Siokas Vasileios , Yannakoulia Mary , Sakka Paraskevi , Hadjigeorgiou Georgios , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Dardiotis Efthimios , Kosmidis Mary H.
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: The present study explored the utilization of verbal fluency (VF) cognitive strategies, including clustering, switching, intrusions, and perseverations, within both semantic (SVF) and phonemic (PVF) conditions, across a continuum of neurocognitive decline, spanning from normal cognitive ageing (NC) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its subtypes, amnestic (aMCI) and non-amnestic (naMCI), as well as AD. Materials and Methods: The study sample was derived from the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD) cohort. The sample included 1607 NC individuals, 146 with aMCI (46 single-domain and 100 multi-domain), 92 with naMCI (41 single-domain and 51 multi-domain), and 79 with AD. Statistical analyses, adjusting for sex, age, and education, employed multivariate general linear models to probe differences among these groups. Results: Results showed that AD patients exhibited poorer performance in switching in both VF tasks and SVF clustering compared to NC. Similarly, the aMCI group performed worse than the NC in switching and clustering in both tasks, with aMCI performing similarly to AD, except for SVF switching. In contrast, the naMCI subgroup performed similarly to those with NC across most strategies, surpassing AD patients. Notably, the aMCI subgroup’s poor performance in SVF switching was mainly due to the subpar performance of the multi-domain aMCI subgroup. This subgroup was outperformed in switching in both VF tasks by the single-domain naMCI, who also performed better than the multi-domain naMCI in SVF switching. No significant differences emerged in terms of perseverations and intrusions. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest a continuum of declining switching ability in the SVF task, with NC surpassing both aMCI and AD, and aMCI outperforming those with AD. The challenges in SVF switching suggest executive function impairment associated with multi-domain MCI, particularly driven by the multi-domain aMCI.
Monitoring Membrane Fouling Using Fluid Dynamic Gauging: Influence of Feed Characteristics and Operating Conditions
Authors: Arandia Kenneth , Karna Nabin Kumar , Mattsson Tuve , Theliander Hans
Published: October 2023

Recent studies on membrane fouling have made considerable progress in reducing its adverse effects. However, a lack of comprehensive studies focusing on the underlying fouling mechanisms remains. This work aims to address a part of this gap by investigating the influence of feed suspension chemistry and operating conditions on the fouling characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose. Fluid dynamic gauging (FDG) was employed to monitor the properties of fouling layers under varied conditions. FDG results revealed that the cohesive strength of fouling layers increased in the direction towards the membrane, which can be associated with the higher compressive pressures exerted on foulants deposited near the surface. At lower pHs and higher ionic strengths, reduced electrostatic repulsions between particles likely resulted in particle agglomeration, leading to the formation of thicker cakes. In addition, thicker cake layers were also observed at higher feed concentrations, higher operating transmembrane pressures, and longer filtration times. The cross-flow velocity influenced the resilience of fouling layers significantly, resulting in thinner yet stronger cake layers in the transition and turbulent flow regimes. These findings regarding the influence of feed characteristics and operating conditions on the fouling behavior can be beneficial in developing effective antifouling strategies in membrane separation processes.
Metabolomic Profiling of Hormonal Contraceptive Use in Young Females Using a Commercially Available LC-MS/MS Kit
Authors: Grobler Tania , Opperman Monique , Bester Janette , Swanepoel Albe Carina , du Preez Ilse
Published: October 2023

Oral hormonal contraceptive users carry the risk of venous thrombosis and increased mortality. This study aimed to comprehensively profile the serum metabolome of participants using a combination of drospirenone (DRSP) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) containing oral contraceptives (COCs). The MxP Quant 500 kit for liquid chromatography mass tandem spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyse the 22 controls and 44 COC users (22 on a low EE dose (DRSP/20EE) and 22 on a higher EE dose (DRSP/30EE)). The kit’s results were compared to our internally developed untargeted and targeted metabolomics methods previously applied to this cohort. Of the 630 metabolites included in the method, 277 provided desirable results (consistently detected above their detection limits), and of these, 5 had p-values < 0.05, including betaine, glutamine, cortisol, glycine, and choline. Notably, these variations were observed between the control and COC groups, rather than among the two COC groups. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis revealed 49 compounds with VIP values ≥ 1, including amino acids and their derivatives, ceramides, phosphatidylcholines, and triglycerides, among others. Ten differential compounds were consistent with our previous studies, reinforcing the notion of COCs inducing a prothrombotic state and increased oxidative stress. Although only a limited number of compounds were deemed usable, these were quantified with high reliability and facilitated the identification of meaningful biological differences among the sample groups. In addition to substantiating known drug-induced variations, new hypotheses were also generated.
Hibernation-Induced microRNA Expression Promotes Signaling Pathways and Cell Cycle Dysregulation in Ictidomys tridecemlineatus Cardiac Tissue
Authors: Ingelson-Filpula W. Aline , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: October 2023

The thirteen-lined ground squirrel Ictidomys tridecemlineatus is a rodent that lives throughout the United States and Canada and uses metabolic rate depression to facilitate circannual hibernation which helps it survive the winter. Metabolic rate depression is the reorganization of cellular physiology and molecular biology to facilitate a global downregulation of nonessential genes and processes, which conserves endogenous fuel resources and prevents the buildup of waste byproducts. Facilitating metabolic rate depression requires a complex interplay of regulatory approaches, including post-transcriptional modes such as microRNA. MicroRNA are short, single-stranded RNA species that bind to mRNA transcripts and target them for degradation or translational suppression. Using next-generation sequencing, we analyzed euthermic vs. hibernating cardiac tissue in I. tridecemlineatus to predict seven miRNAs (let-7e-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-2355-3p, miR-6715b-3p, miR-378i, miR-9851-3p, and miR-454-3p) that may be differentially regulated during hibernation. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis suggested that these miRNAs cause a strong activation of ErbB2 signaling which causes downstream effects, including the activation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling and concurrent decreases in p53 signaling and cell cycle-related processes. Taken together, these results predict critical miRNAs that may change during hibernation in the hearts of I. tridecemlineatus and identify key signaling pathways that warrant further study in this species.
The Study of Performance of a Nanoribbon Biosensor, Sensitized with Aptamers and Antibodies, upon Detection of Core Antigen of Hepatitis C Virus
Authors: Ivanov Yuri D. , Malsagova Kristina A. , Goldaeva Kristina V. , Pleshakova Tatyana O. , Kozlov Andrey F. , Galiullin Rafael A. , Shumov Ivan D. , Popov Vladimir P. , Abramova Irina K. , Ziborov Vadim S. , Petrov Oleg F. , Dolgoborodov Alexander Yu. , Archakov Alexander I.
Published: October 2023

The development of highly sensitive diagnostic systems for the early revelation of diseases in humans is one of the most important tasks of modern biomedical research, and the detection of the core antigen of the hepatitis C virus (HCVcoreAg)—a protein marker of the hepatitis C virus—is just the case. Our study is aimed at testing the performance of the nanoribbon biosensor in the case of the use of two different types of molecular probes: the antibodies and the aptamers against HCVcoreAg. The nanoribbon sensor chips employed are based on “silicon-on-insulator structures” (SOI-NR). Two different HCVcoreAg preparations are tested: recombinant β-galactosidase-conjugated HCVcoreAg (“Virogen”, Watertown, MA, USA) and recombinant HCVcoreAg (“Vector-Best”, Novosibirsk, Russia). Upon the detection of either type of antigen preparation, the lowest concentration of the antigen detectable in buffer with pH 5.1 was found to be approximately equal, amounting to ~10−15 M. This value was similar upon the use of either type of molecular probes.
High Gain Slot Array Antenna at 110 GHz Based on Computer Numerical Control
Authors: Tan Zhen , Zhao Yun , Ding Jiangqiao
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a waveguide–slot antenna to generate a radiation beam with high gain fed by a low-loss feeding network at 110 GHz. The proposed antenna consists of a compact eight-way power divider and a waveguide–slot array. The eight-way power divider provides equal-amplitude and alternative-phase excitation for the slot array, and each of them supports two waveguides. The integral structure is implemented by two layers with a channeled substratum and a slotted superstratum. To verify the proposed slot array, the designed array is fabricated with computer numerical control (CNC) milling and measured. The measured peak gain of the designed antenna is 32 dBi at 110 GHz. The proposed antenna with a simple structure provides a promising solution to develop high gain antenna in upper millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz (THz) applications.
Voltammetric Investigation of Ferulic Acid at Disposable Pencil Graphite Electrode
Authors: David Iulia Gabriela , Popa Dana Elena , Buleandra Mihaela , Codreanu Silvia Nicoleta , Croitoru Lorelei , Iordache Laura Andreea , Noor Hassan
Published: October 2023

Ferulic acid (FA), a monohydroxycinnamic acid, is an antioxidant with multiple beneficial effects on human health, presenting also importance in the food and cosmetics industry. Its electrochemical behavior was investigated at the disposable and cost-effective pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Cyclic voltammetry emphasized its pH-dependent, diffusion-controlled oxidation. Using the optimized conditions (HB type PGE, Britton Robinson buffer pH 4.56) differential pulse and square-wave voltammetric techniques were applied for its quantitative determination in the range 4.00 × 10−7–1.00 × 10−3 mol/L FA. The developed methods were employed for the rapid and simple assessment of the FA content from a commercially available powder designed for cosmetic use.
Measurement and Characterization of Rotational Errors of Aerostatic Bearings in Subnanometer Accuracy
Authors: Wang Ping , Kong Lingbao , An Huijun , Gao Minge , Cui Hailong , Lei Dajiang
Published: October 2023

Measuring the running accuracy of aerostatic bearings is challenging because of the high-precision requirements in rotational motion. This paper presents an ultra-high precision measurement method for aerostatic bearings using atomic force microscopy (AFM) as the displacement sensor. The Donaldson reversal method was used to separate the artifact form errors from the measurement results. A measurement system was developed with the integration of an AFM module. The effects of sensor nonlinearity, environmental noise, and structural vibration on the measurement results were effectively suppressed in the system. The experimental results show that the measurement achieves up to subnanometer accuracy.
An Investigation on the Most Likely Failure Locations in the BEoL Stack of a 20 nm Chip Due to Chip Package Interaction with the Use of Novel Semi-Elliptical Cracks
Authors: Li Ganglong , Shi Yidian , Tay Andrew A. O. , Long Zhilin
Published: October 2023

The era of 20 nm integrated circuits has arrived. There exist abundant heterogeneous micro/nano structures, with thicknesses ranging from hundreds of nanometers to sub-microns in the IC back end of the line stack, which put stringent demands on the reliability of the device. In this paper, the reliability issues of a 20 nm chip due to chip–package interaction during the reflow process is studied. A representative volume element of the detailed complex BEoL structure has been analyzed to obtain mechanical properties of the BEoL stack by adopting a sub-model analysis. For the first time, semi-elliptical cracks were used in conjunction with J-integral techniques to analyze the failure caused by Chip-to-Package Interaction for a 20 nm chip. The Energy Release Rate(ERR)for cracks at various interfaces and locations in the BEoL stack were calculated to predict the most likely mode and location of failure. We found that the ERR of interfacial cracks at the bottom surface of the interconnects are, on average, more than double those at the sidewalls, which are in turn more than double the number of cracks in the low-k inter-layer dielectric. A total of 500 cycles of thermal shock were conducted, which verified the predictions of the finite element simulations.
The Effect of Thermal Maturity on the Pore Structure Heterogeneity of Xiamaling Shale by Multifractal Analysis Theory: A Case from Pyrolysis Simulation Experiments
Authors: Wu Wei , Liang Zhikai , Xu Liang , Liu Yong , Li Yi , Tang Xianglu , Yin Yingzi , Chen Yao
Published: October 2023

Shale oil and gas, as source-reservoir-type resources, result from organic matter hydrocarbon generation, diagenesis, and nanoscale pore during the evolution processes, which are essential aspects of shale gas enrichment and reservoir formation. To investigate the impact of diagenetic hydrocarbons on shale pore heterogeneity, a thermal simulation of hydrocarbon formation was conducted on immature shale from the Middle Proterozoic Xiamaling Formation in the Zhangjiakou area, covering stages from mature to overmature. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments analyzed the microstructure of the thermally simulated samples, and the multifractal model quantitatively assessed pore development and heterogeneity in the experimental samples. The results reveal that the quartz and clay mineral contents show alternating trends with increasing temperature. Organic matter dissolution intensifies while unstable mineral content decreases, promoting clay mineral content development. Pyrolysis intensity influences Total Organic Carbon (TOC), which reduces as hydrocarbons are generated and released during simulation. Porosity exhibits a decreasing–increasing–decreasing trend during thermal evolution, peaking at high maturity. At maturity, hydrocarbon generation obstructs pore space, resulting in higher levels of bound fluid porosity than those of movable fluid porosity. Conversely, high maturity leads to many organic matter micropores, elevating movable fluid porosity and facilitating seepage. Shale pore heterogeneity significantly increases before 450 °C due to the dissolution of pores and the generation of liquid and gas hydrocarbons. In the highly overmature stage, pore heterogeneity tends to increase slowly, correlated with the generation of numerous micro- and nano-organic matter pores.
Tunable Electronic Transport of New-Type 2D Iodine Materials Affected by the Doping of Metal Elements
Authors: Li Jie , Zhou Yuchen , Liu Kun , Wang Yifan , Li Hui , Okulov Artem
Published: October 2023

2D iodine structures under high pressures are more attractive and valuable due to their special structures and excellent properties. Here, electronic transport properties of such 2D iodine structures are theoretically studied by considering the influence of the metal-element doping. In equilibrium, metal elements in Group 1 can enhance the conductance dramatically and show a better enhancement effect. Around the Fermi level, the transmission probability exceeds 1 and can be improved by the metal-element doping for all devices. In particular, the device density of states explains well the distinctions between transmission coefficients originating from different doping methods. Contrary to the “big” site doping, the “small” site doping changes transmission eigenstates greatly, with pronounced electronic states around doped atoms. In non-equilibrium, the conductance of all devices is almost weaker than the equilibrium conductance, decreasing at low voltages and fluctuating at high voltages with various amplitudes. Under biases, K-big doping shows the optimal enhancement effect, and Mg-small doping exhibits the most effective attenuation effect on conductance. Contrastingly, the currents of all devices increase with bias linearly. The metal-element doping can boost current at low biases and weaken current at high voltages. These findings contribute much to understanding the effects of defects on electronic properties and provide solid support for the application of new-type 2D iodine materials in controllable electronics and sensors.
Chemical Composition, Functional and Anticancer Properties of Carrot
Authors: Mandrich Luigi , Esposito Antonia Valeria , Costa Silvio , Caputo Emilia
Published: October 2023

Plants are a valuable source of drugs for cancer treatment. Daucus carota has been investigated for its health properties. In particular, Daucus carota L. subsp. Sativus, the common edible carrot root, has been found to be rich in bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and dietary fiber and contains many other functional components with significant health-promoting features, while Daucus carota L. subsp. Carrot (Apiacae), also known as wild carrot, has been usually used for gastric ulcer therapy, diabetes, and muscle pain in Lebanon. Here, we review the chemical composition of Daucus carota L. and the functional properties of both edible and wild carrot subspecies. Then, we focus on compounds with anticancer characteristics identified in both Daucus carota subspecies, and we discuss their potential use in the development of novel anticancer therapeutic strategies.
Peptides as Therapeutic Agents: Challenges and Opportunities in the Green Transition Era
Authors: Rossino Giacomo , Marchese Emanuela , Galli Giovanni , Verde Francesca , Finizio Matteo , Serra Massimo , Linciano Pasquale , Collina Simona
Published: October 2023

Peptides are at the cutting edge of contemporary research for new potent, selective, and safe therapeutical agents. Their rise has reshaped the pharmaceutical landscape, providing solutions to challenges that traditional small molecules often cannot address. A wide variety of natural and modified peptides have been obtained and studied, and many others are advancing in clinical trials, covering multiple therapeutic areas. As the demand for peptide-based therapies grows, so does the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly synthesis methods. Traditional peptide synthesis, while effective, often involves environmentally draining processes, generating significant waste and consuming vast resources. The integration of green chemistry offers sustainable alternatives, prioritizing eco-friendly processes, waste reduction, and energy conservation. This review delves into the transformative potential of applying green chemistry principles to peptide synthesis by discussing relevant examples of the application of such approaches to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with a peptide structure and how these efforts are critical for an effective green transition era in the pharmaceutical field.
Steric and Energetic Studies on the Synergetic Enhancement Effect of Integrated Polyaniline on the Adsorption Properties of Toxic Basic and Acidic Dyes by Polyaniline/Zeolite-A Composite
Authors: Zaidalkilani Ayah T. , Farhan Amna M. , Sayed Islam R. , El-Sherbeeny Ahmed M. , Al Zoubi Wail , Al-Farga Ammar , Abukhadra Mostafa R.
Published: October 2023

The synergetic enhancement effect of the polyaniline (PANI) integration process on the adsorption properties of the PANI/zeolite-A composite (PANI/ZA) as an adsorbent for malachite green and Congo red synthetic dyes was evaluated based on classic equilibrium modelling in addition to the steric and energetic parameters of advanced isotherm studies. The PANI/ZA composite displays enhanced adsorption capacities for both methylene blue (270.9 mg/g) and Congo red (235.5 mg/g) as compared to ZA particles (methylene blue (179.6 mg/g) and Congo red (140.3 mg/g)). The reported enhancement was illustrated based on the steric parameters of active site density (Nm) and the number of adsorbed dyes per active site (n). The integration of PANI strongly induced the quantities of the existing active sites that have enhanced affinities towards both methylene blue (109.2 mg/g) and Congo red (92.9 mg/g) as compared to the present sites on the surface of ZA. Every site on the surface of PANI/ZA can adsorb about four methylene blue molecules and five Congo red molecules, signifying the vertical orientation of their adsorbed ions and their uptake by multi-molecular mechanisms. The energetic investigation of the methylene blue (−10.26 to −16.8 kJ/mol) and Congo red (−9.38 to −16.49 kJ/mol) adsorption reactions by PANI/ZA suggested the operation of physical mechanisms during their uptake by PANI/ZA. These mechanisms might involve van der Waals forces, dipole bonding forces, and hydrogen bonding (<30 kJ/mol). The evaluated thermodynamic functions, including enthalpy, internal energy, and entropy, validate the exothermic and spontaneous behaviours of the methylene blue and Congo red uptake processes by PANI/ZA.