bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning assisted dual-functional nanophotonic sensor for organic pollutant detection and degradation in water
Authors: Zhou Junhu , Wu Ziqian , Jin Congran , Zhang John X. J.
Published: January 2024

This study presents a dual-functional thin film, known as Ag nanoparticles decorated, ZnO nanorods coated silica nanofibers (AgNP-ZnONR-SNF), which demonstrates remarkable capabilities in both water purification and organic pollutants sensing. The 3D fibrous structure of ZnONR-SNF provides a large surface-area-to-volume ratio for piezo- and photo-catalytic degradation of organic pollutants under UV irradiation, achieving over 98% efficiency. Ag nanoparticles decorated on ZnONR-SNF form “hot-spot” that significantly enhance the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal, resulting in an enhancement factor of 1056 and an experimental detection limit of 1 pg mL−1. Furthermore, a machine learning algorithm is developed for the qualitative and quantitative detection of multiple contaminants, achieving high accuracy (92.3%) and specificity (89.3%) without the need for preliminary processing of Raman spectra. This work provides a promising nanoengineering solution for water purification and sensing with improved detection accuracy, purification efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Engineered probiotic overcomes pathogen defences using signal interference and antibiotic production to treat infection in mice
Authors: Do Hackwon , Li Zhong-Rui , Tripathi Praveen Kumar , Mitra Sonali , Guerra Stephanie , Dash Ananya , Weerasekera Dulanthi , Makthal Nishanth , Shams Syed , Aggarwal Shifu , Singh Bharat Bhushan , Gu Di , Du Yongle , Olsen Randall J. , LaRock Christopher , Zhang Wenjun , Kumaraswami Muthiah
Published: January 2024

Probiotic supplements are suggested to promote human health by preventing pathogen colonization. However, the mechanistic bases for their efficacy in vivo are largely uncharacterized. Here using metabolomics and bacterial genetics, we show that the human oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 (SAL) produces salivabactin, an antibiotic that effectively inhibits pathogenic Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) in vitro and in mice. However, prophylactic dosing with SAL enhanced GAS colonization in mice and ex vivo in human saliva. We showed that, on co-colonization, GAS responds to a SAL intercellular peptide signal that controls SAL salivabactin production. GAS produces a secreted protease, SpeB, that targets SAL-derived salivaricins and enhances GAS survival. Using this knowledge, we re-engineered probiotic SAL to prevent signal eavesdropping by GAS and potentiate SAL antimicrobials. This engineered probiotic demonstrated superior efficacy in preventing GAS colonization in vivo. Our findings show that knowledge of interspecies interactions can identify antibiotic- and probiotic-based strategies to combat infection.
Evolution of enhanced innate immune suppression by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants
Authors: Reuschl Ann-Kathrin , Thorne Lucy G. , Whelan Matthew V. X. , Ragazzini Roberta , Furnon Wilhelm , Cowton Vanessa M. , De Lorenzo Giuditta , Mesner Dejan , Turner Jane L. E. , Dowgier Giulia , Bogoda Nathasha , Bonfanti Paola , Palmarini Massimo , Patel Arvind H. , Jolly Clare , Towers Greg J.
Published: January 2024

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) human adaptation resulted in distinct lineages with enhanced transmissibility called variants of concern (VOCs). Omicron is the first VOC to evolve distinct globally dominant subvariants. Here we compared their replication in human cell lines and primary airway cultures and measured host responses to infection. We discovered that subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 have improved their suppression of innate immunity when compared with earlier subvariants BA.1 and BA.2. Similarly, more recent subvariants (BA.2.75 and XBB lineages) also triggered reduced innate immune activation. This correlated with increased expression of viral innate antagonists Orf6 and nucleocapsid, reminiscent of VOCs Alpha to Delta. Increased Orf6 levels suppressed host innate responses to infection by decreasing IRF3 and STAT1 signalling measured by transcription factor phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Our data suggest that convergent evolution of enhanced innate immune antagonist expression is a common pathway of human adaptation and link Omicron subvariant dominance to improved innate immune evasion.
Time-Efficient Constant-Space-Overhead Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation
Authors: Yamasaki Hayata , Koashi Masato
Published: January 2024

Scaling up quantum computers to attain substantial speedups over classical computing requires fault tolerance. Conventionally, protocols for fault-tolerant quantum computation demand excessive space overheads by using many physical qubits for each logical qubit. A more recent protocol using quantum analogues of low-density parity-check codes needs only a constant space overhead that does not grow with the number of logical qubits. However, the overhead in the processing time required to implement this protocol grows polynomially with the number of computational steps. To address these problems, here we introduce an alternative approach to constant-space-overhead fault-tolerant quantum computing using a concatenation of multiple small-size quantum codes rather than a single large-size quantum low-density parity-check code. We develop techniques for concatenating different quantum Hamming codes with growing size. As a result, we construct a low-overhead protocol to achieve constant space overhead and only quasi-polylogarithmic time overhead simultaneously. Our protocol is fault tolerant even if a decoder has a non-constant runtime, unlike the existing constant-space-overhead protocol. This code concatenation approach will make possible a large class of quantum speedups with feasibly bounded space overhead yet negligibly short time overhead.
Residual LSTM-based short duration forecasting of polarization current for effective assessment of transformers insulation
Authors: Vatsa Aniket , Hati Ananda Shankar , Kumar Prashant , Margala Martin , Chakrabarti Prasun
Published: January 2024

The empirical application of polarization and depolarization current (PDC) measurement of transformers facilitates the extraction of critical insulation-sensitive parameters. This technique, rooted in time-domain dielectric response analysis, forms the bedrock for parameterization and insulation modeling. However, the inherently time-consuming nature of polarization current measurements renders them susceptible to data corruption. This article explores deep-learning-based short-duration techniques for forecasting polarization current to address this limitation. By incorporating spatial shortcuts, the residual long short-term memory (LSTM) network facilitates the seamless propagation of spatial and temporal gradients. Furthermore, the relative forecasting assessment of the proposed residual LSTM model’s performance is made against traditional LSTM, attention LSTM, gated recurrent units (GRU), and convolutional neural network (CNN) models. Thus, optimal model selection strategies are evaluated based on their capability to capture extended dependencies and short-term information present in the data. In addition, the Monte Carlo dropout prediction is employed to estimate uncertainty in polarization current forecasts. The findings demonstrate that the proposed residual LSTM network model for polarization current forecasting yields the lowest error metrics and maintains prediction consistency over the testing duration. Thus, the proposed approach significantly reduces PDC measurement time, providing an effective means to develop proactive maintenance strategies for evaluating the insulation condition of transformers.
Development of chia gum/alginate-polymer support for horseradish peroxidase immobilization and its application in phenolic removal
Authors: Mohamed Saleh A. , Elsayed Alshaimaa M. , Salah Hala A. , Barakat Amal Z. , Bassuiny Roqaya I. , Abdel-Mageed Heidi M. , Abdel-Aty Azza M.
Published: January 2024

Chia gum’s molecular structure with distinctive properties as well as the alginate-based hydrogel’s three-dimensionally cross-linked structure can provide a potent matrix for immobilization of enzyme. Herein, chia gum (CG)/alginate (A)-polymeric complex was synthesized and employed as a support material for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP was successfully immobilized on the developed ACG-polymeric support, and the highest immobilization recovery (75%) was observed at 1.0% CG and 2% A, pH 7.0, and 50 units of the enzyme. The structure, morphology, and thermal properties of the prepared ACG-HRP were demonstrated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope, and Thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses. ACG-HRP showed a good reusability (60%) over ten reuses. The immobilized ACG-HRP displayed an acidic pH optimum (6.0), a higher temperature optimum (50 °C), and improved thermal stability (30–50 °C) compared to the soluble HRP at pH 7.0, 40 °C and (30–40 °C), respectively. ACG-HRP has a lower affinity for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and guaiacol and a higher oxidizing affinity for a number of phenolic substrates. The ACG-HRP demonstrated greater resistance to heavy metals, isopropanol, urea, Triton X-100, and urea, as well as improved efficiency for eliminating phenol and p-chlorophenol. The developed ACG-polymeric support provided improved enzyme properties, allowed the reuse of the immobilized HRP in 10 cycles, and made it promising for several biotechnological applications.
Effects of uric acid on ischemic diseases, stratified by lipid levels: a drug-target, nonlinear Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Kim Jungeun , Lee Sun Yeop , Lee Jihye , Yoon Sanghyuk , Kim Eun Gyo , Lee Eunbyeol , Kim Nayoung , Lee Sol , Gym Ho , Park Sang-In
Published: January 2024

Although uric acid-lowering agents such as xanthine oxidase inhibitors have potential cardioprotective effects, studies on their use in preventing cardiovascular diseases are lacking. We investigated the genetically proxied effects of reducing uric acid on ischemic cardiovascular diseases in a lipid-level-stratified population. We performed drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using UK Biobank data to select genetic instruments within a uric acid-lowering gene, xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), and construct genetic scores. For nonlinear MR analyses, individuals were stratified by lipid level. Outcomes included acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic heart disease, cerebral infarction, transient cerebral ischemic attack, overall ischemic disease, and gout. We included 474,983 non-gout individuals with XDH-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The XDH-variant-induced uric acid reduction was associated with reduced risk of gout (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.93; P < 0.001), cerebral infarction (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75–0.98; P = 0.023), AMI (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66–0.94; P = 0.010) in individuals with triglycerides ≥ 188.00 mg/dL, and cerebral infarction in individuals with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≤ 112.30 mg/dL (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61–0.96; P = 0.020) or LDL-C of 136.90–157.40 mg/dL (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49–0.92; P = 0.012). XDH-variant-induced uric acid reduction lowers the risk of gout, AMI for individuals with high triglycerides, and cerebral infarction except for individuals with high LDL-C, highlighting the potential heterogeneity in the protective effects of xanthine oxidase inhibitors for treating AMI and cerebral infarction depending on the lipid profiles.
Word of mouth from an adolescent with cancer in the convalescence stage to exploring their mental health after treatment
Authors: Yu Lu , Gao Chunhai , Zhang Xinyu , Khalid Sabika , Tadesse Endale , Mo Lin
Published: January 2024

To explore the psychological experience and emotional needs of returning to family and society after treatment in an adolescent with cancer. A phenomenological research design was employed to conduct a semi-structured interview with nine cancer adolescents in the convalescence stage. Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis was used for the data analysis. Three themes of the psychological experience of an adolescent with cancer in convalescence were summarized: continuous negative emotions, emotionally intense behavior, and discomfort of returning to society. The psychological experience of an adolescent with cancer in convalescence returning to family and community is sensitive and complex. Medical staff, families, and schools should provide personalized care according to their different psychological characteristics and emotional needs so that they can return to family and society smoothly.
A randomized open-label clinical trial on the effect of Amantadine on post Covid 19 fatigue
Authors: Harandi Ali Amini , Pakdaman Hossein , Medghalchi Aida , Kimia Negin , Kazemian Alireza , Siavoshi Fatemeh , Barough Siavash Shirzadeh , Esfandani Akram , Hosseini Mohammad Hossein , Sobhanian Seyed Ali
Published: January 2024

Many COVID-19 survivors experience lingering post-COVID-19 symptoms, notably chronic fatigue persisting for months after the acute phase. Despite its prevalence, limited research has explored effective treatments for post-COVID-19 fatigue. This randomized controlled clinical trial assessed the impact of Amantadine on patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue. The intervention group received Amantadine for two weeks, while the control group received no treatment. Fatigue levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Fatigue Scale (VAFS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) questionnaires before and after the trial. At the study's onset, VAFS mean scores were 7.90 ± 0.60 in the intervention group and 7.34 ± 0.58 in the control group (P-value = 0.087). After two weeks, intervention group scores dropped to 3.37 ± 0.44, significantly lower than the control group's 5.97 ± 0.29 (P-value < 0.001). Similarly, FSS mean scores at the trial's commencement were 53.10 ± 5.96 in the intervention group and 50.38 ± 4.88 in the control group (P-value = 0.053). At the trial's end, intervention group scores decreased to 28.40 ± 2.42, markedly lower than the control group's 42.59 ± 1.50 (P-value < 0.001). In this study, we report the safety, tolerability, and substantial fatigue-relieving effects of Amantadine in post-COVID-19 fatigue. The intervention demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in fatigue levels, suggesting Amantadine's potential as an effective treatment for this persistent condition.
Analysis of data and common mutations encountered during routine parentage testing in Zimbabwe
Authors: Thelingwani Roslyn Stella , Jonhera Catherine Ashley , Masimirembwa Collen
Published: January 2024

We analyzed parentage data collected over a ten-year period in a Zimbabwean DNA testing laboratory. Parentage case types, prevalence, exclusion data, mutations rates and observed genotyping irregularities were analyzed. We report analysis results from 1303 cases. DNA extraction and STR typing was conducted using standard commercial kits. Paternity was the most requested test (87.37%) followed by the indirect biological kinship tests (7.01%). Duo paternity (motherless) was the most common paternity test for both regular and court cases. We observed 367 paternity exclusions from 1135 cases, giving an overall paternity exclusion rate of 32.33%. Maternity had the lowest exclusion rate (8.33%), with criminal cases having the highest paternity (61.11%) and maternity (33.33%) exclusion rates. The number of mismatched STR loci ranged from 2–12 for duo cases and 4–18 for the trio cases. FGA, D2S1338, D18S51 and D2S441 were the most informative markers for exclusion. We detected 30 mutations out of 837 cases with an estimated paternal and maternal mutation rate of 0.0021 and 0.0011 respectively. Triallelic patterns were only observed at the TPOX locus with allele 10 and 11 being the extra alleles transmitted. Our report provides forensic parameters which can improve parentage and forensic analysis in Zimbabwe.
Study on the characteristic of overburden rock structure and support system of the retraction channel in layered fully mechanized caving face
Authors: Song Weihua , Yu Shiqi , Rong Hai , Jiao Huice , Xu Xiaotian
Published: January 2024

Aiming at the technical problems of frequent dynamic pressure disturbance of regenerated roof and roadway stability control in the process of forming large-section support return channel under the delamination mining, taking 1200-2 fully mechanized caving face of Baiyinhua No. 4 Mine as the engineering background, numerical simulation and theoretical analysis were adopted. The overburden structure of the lower stratified caving face and the loading characteristics of the roof after the expansion are analyzed, and the breaking forms and the limiting conditions of the roof are given.The combined support scheme of anchor rod + metal mesh + steel ladder belt + I-beam insertion + suspension beam + anchor cable + single pillar is studied to form a set of safe and efficient construction support technology system. Practice shows that this scheme can effectively reduce the roof subsidence, narrow the scope of plastic failure zone, and ensure the stability of roadway surrounding rock during the support withdrawal period. Successfully complete the efficient withdrawal of hydraulic support. The research results can provide a good reference for the roof management and the smooth output of coal resources under similar conditions.
Validity of assessing level walking with the 2D motion analysis software TEMPLO and reliability of 3D marker application
Authors: Widhalm Klaus , Durstberger Sebastian , Greisberger Andrea , Wolf Brigitte , Putz Peter
Published: January 2024

In gait analysis, knowledge on validity and reliability of instruments and influences caused by the examiner’s performance is of crucial interest. These measurement properties are not yet known for commonly used, low-cost two-dimensional (2D) video-based systems. The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of a video-based 2D system against a three-dimensional (3D) reference standard, as well as the inter-rater reliability, and test–retest reliability of 3D marker application. Level walking was captured simultaneously by a 2D and a 3D system. Reflective markers were applied independently by three raters and repeated by one rater on a second day. We assessed the agreement between the two systems, as well as reproducibility, and inter-rater agreement of derived spatio-temporal parameters and sagittal kinematics. Nineteen healthy participants completed this study. 2D gait analysis provides a possibility to accurately assess parameters such as stride time, stride length, gait velocity, and knee RoM. Interrater and test–retest reliability of 3D gait analysis are generally acceptable, except for the parameters toe-off and pelvic RoM. This is the first study to publish measurement properties of a commercially available 2D video-based gait analysis system, which can support interpretation of gait pattern near the sagittal plane.
Adaptive rewiring shapes structure and stability in a three-guild herbivore-plant-pollinator network
Authors: Su Min , Ma Qi , Hui Cang
Published: January 2024

Animal species, encompassing both pollinators and herbivores, exhibit a preference for plants based on optimal foraging theory. Understanding the intricacies of these adaptive plant-animal interactions in the context of community assembly poses a main challenge in ecology. This study delves into the impact of adaptive interaction rewiring between species belonging to different guilds on the structure and stability of a 3-guild ecological network, incorporating both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Our findings reveal that adaptive rewiring results in sub-networks becoming more nested and compartmentalized. Furthermore, the rewiring of interactions uncovers a positive correlation between a plant’s generalism concerning both pollinators and herbivores. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between a plant’s degree centrality and its energy budget. Although network stability does not exhibit a clear relationship with non-random structures, it is primarily influenced by the balance of multiple interaction strengths. In summary, our results underscore the significance of adaptive interaction rewiring in shaping the structure of 3-guild networks. They emphasize the importance of considering the balance of multiple interactions for the stability of adaptive networks, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of ecological communities.
Implications of stress-induced gene expression for hematopoietic stem cell aging studies
Authors: Konturek-Ciesla Anna , Olofzon Rasmus , Kharazi Shabnam , Bryder David
Published: January 2024

A decline in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function is believed to underlie hematological shortcomings with age; however, a comprehensive molecular understanding of these changes is currently lacking. Here we provide evidence that a transcriptional signature reported in several previous studies on HSC aging is linked to stress-induced changes in gene expression rather than aging. Our findings have strong implications for the design and interpretation of HSC aging studies.
An octameric PqiC toroid stabilises the outer-membrane interaction of the PqiABC transport system
Authors: Cooper Benjamin F , Ratkevičiūtė Giedrė , Clifton Luke A , Johnston Hannah , Holyfield Rachel , Hardy David J , Caulton Simon G , Chatterton William , Sridhar Pooja , Wotherspoon Peter , Hughes Gareth W , Hall Stephen CL , Lovering Andrew L , Knowles Timothy J
Published: January 2024

The E. coli Paraquat Inducible (Pqi) Pathway is a putative Gram-negative phospholipid transport system. The pathway comprises three components: an integral inner membrane protein (PqiA), a periplasmic spanning MCE family protein (PqiB) and an outer membrane lipoprotein (PqiC). Interactions between all complex components, including stoichiometry, remain uncharacterised; nevertheless, once assembled into their quaternary complex, the trio of Pqi proteins are anticipated to provide a continuous channel between the inner and outer membranes of diderms. Here, we present X-ray structures of both the native and a truncated, soluble construct of the PqiC lipoprotein, providing insight into its biological assembly, and utilise neutron reflectometry to characterise the nature of the PqiB-PqiC-membrane interaction. Finally, we employ phenotypic complementation assays to probe specific PqiC residues, which imply the interaction between PqiB and PqiC is less intimate than previously anticipated.
Osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins synergize to establish homeostasis in offspring
Authors: Correa Pinto Junior Danilo , Canal Delgado Isabella , Yang Haiyang , Clemenceau Alisson , Corvelo André , Narzisi Giuseppe , Musunuri Rajeeva , Meyer Berger Julian , Hendricks Lauren E , Tokumura Kazuya , Luo Na , Li Hongchao , Oury Franck , Ducy Patricia , Yadav Vijay K , Li Xiang , Karsenty Gerard
Published: January 2024

Many physiological osteocalcin-regulated functions are affected in adult offspring of mothers experiencing unhealthy pregnancy. Furthermore, osteocalcin signaling during gestation influences cognition and adrenal steroidogenesis in adult mice. Together these observations suggest that osteocalcin may broadly function during pregnancy to determine organismal homeostasis in adult mammals. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed in unchallenged wildtype and Osteocalcin-deficient, newborn and adult mice of various genotypes and origin maintained on different genetic backgrounds, the functions of osteocalcin in the pancreas, liver and testes and their molecular underpinnings. This analysis revealed that providing mothers are Osteocalcin-deficient, Osteocalcin haploinsufficiency in embryos hampers insulin secretion, liver gluconeogenesis, glucose homeostasis, testes steroidogenesis in adult offspring; inhibits cell proliferation in developing pancreatic islets and testes; and disrupts distinct programs of gene expression in these organs and in the brain. This study indicates that osteocalcin exerts dominant functions in most organs it influences. Furthermore, through their synergistic regulation of multiple physiological functions, osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins contributes to the establishment and maintenance of organismal homeostasis in newborn and adult offspring.
Polystyrene microspheres with ultra-rough surfaces engineered using RIE technique and applied using SERS
Authors: Song Jizhe , Feng Sujuan , Shi Haonan , Han Daotong , Liu Guangqiang
Published: January 2024

Two ultra-rough structures were constructed on the surfaces of relatively large PS microspheres using reactive ion etching, elucidating their formation mechanism and testing their SERS properties.
Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed peri-C(sp2)–H selective hydroxylation of naphthalene monoimides
Authors: Chand Tapasi , Gupta Princi , Oza Nehali , Kapur Manmohan
Published: January 2024

Reported herein is an efficient and eco-friendly peri-selective monohydroxylation of naphthalene monoimides (NMIs) to access 4-hydroxy NMIs, which possess multidisciplinary applications.
S–Se oxidative addition to auranofin derivatives: a DFT study
Authors: Dos Santos Hélio F. , Paschoal Diego F. S.
Published: January 2024

The oxidative addition of S–Se to auranofin derivatives can be modulated by subtle changes in the ligands. The kinetics and thermodynamics are favorable for a weak σ donor phosphine.
Vibrational dynamics as an essential determinant of the thermal stability of zinc zeolitic imidazolate lattices
Authors: Xie Yonger , Biliškov Nikola , Titi Hatem M.
Published: January 2024

Vibrational dynamics unlock the complexity of metal–organic framework combustion and kinetics.
Extension of molecules with an inverted singlet–triplet gap with conjugated branches to alter the oscillator strength
Authors: Kim Hwon , Scholes Gregory D. , Min Seung Kyu
Published: January 2024

The oscillator strength of molecules that violate Hund's rule and possess negative singlet–triplet gaps (ΔEST) can be increased through delocalization of the excitation, which allows for more desirable materials to be used in optoelectronic devices.
An effective method in modulating thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters from green to blue emission: the role of the phenyl ring
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Ge Zhongqi , Xu Lin , Song Yan
Published: January 2024

Through simply incorporating phenyl rings into experimental molecules, two new TADF emitters are designed. The luminescence color of TADF emitters is modulated from green to blue emission, and kr and kRISC are also enhanced.
Stable cyclopropenylvinyl ligands via insertion into a transient cyclopropenyl metal bond
Authors: Watson Lachlan J. , Hill Anthony F.
Published: January 2024

Tautomerism between rhodacyclobutadiene and σ-cyclopropenyl complexes is inferred to account for the facile insertion of alkynes to afford unusually stable β-cyclopropenylvinyl complexes.
Reversible hydrogen spillover at the atomic interface for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chao Tingting , Xie Wenbo , Hu Yanmin , Yu Ge , Zhao Tonghui , Chen Cai , Zhang Zedong , Hong Xun , Jin Huile , Wang Dingsheng , Chen Wei , Li Xinhua , Hu P. , Li Yadong
Published: January 2024

Ru1–Mo2C, a novel dual-site synergistic catalyst, demonstrated exceptional performance for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through a reversible hydrogen spillover mechanism.
Highly stable manganese oxide cathode material enabled by Grotthuss topochemistry for aqueous zinc ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Fangjia , Li Jianwei , Chutia Arunabhiram , Liu Longxiang , Kang Liqun , Lai Feili , Dong Haobo , Gao Xuan , Tan Yeshu , Liu Tianxi , Parkin Ivan P. , He Guanjie
Published: January 2024

This research reports the presence of a synergistic effect among vacancies, lattice water and nickel ions on enhancing the hydrated protons hopping via the Grotthuss mechanism for high performance zinc ion battery cathodes.
Green and alcohol-free H2O2 generation paired with simultaneous contaminant treatment enabled by sulfur/cyano-modified g-C3N4 with efficient oxygen activation and proton adsorption
Authors: Wang Zijie , Wu Jiaqi , Fan Xiaoqiong , Zhang Yiwen , Xu Qing , Qiu Bocheng , Chen Liang , Zeng Xiaofei , Zhu Qiaohong
Published: January 2024

A S atom and cyano group co-modified carbon nitride was synthesized for alcohol-free H2O2 generation paired with simultaneous contaminant treatment. S atoms facilitate oxygen adsorption and cyano groups lead to the promotion of H+ adsorption.
Hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol over physically mixed Co/TiO2 and WO3/TiO2 catalysts
Authors: Kim Hyungjoo , Lim Yong Hyun , Park Jae Hyun , Ha Jeong-Myeong , Kim Do Heui
Published: January 2024

The physically mixed Co/TiO2 and WO3/TiO2 catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol, and the deactivated catalyst could be successfully regenerated after magnetic separation.
Non-matrix-matched analysis of Fe isotopes in silicates by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS and potential silicate in-house standards for microbeam Fe isotopic analysis
Authors: Xu Lei , Yang Jin-Hui , Wang Hao , Ye Hui , Xie Lie-Wen , Yang Yue-Heng , Huang Chao , Wu Shi-Tou
Published: January 2024

Fe isotopic compositions of natural silicate minerals, including olivine, garnet, amphibole and biotite are directly calibrated against non-matrix-matched BCR-2G glass by LA-MC-ICP-MS under wet plasma conditions.
Fast fingerprint scanning and chemical composition identification of a large-scale material surface by a combined HSI-LIBS operation
Authors: Zhao Shangyong , Hou Zongyu , Wang Zhe
Published: January 2024

An experimental solution that combines hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) applied to large-scale material surface chemical analysis is investigated..
String ball-like SnS2/ZnTe heterostructures with improved bifunctional photo/electrocatalytic activity towards overall water splitting
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Aslam Sidra , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem , Mirza Misbah , Safdar Muhammad
Published: January 2024

SnS2/ZnTe nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a two-step methodology incorporating hydrothermal techniques.
Photoanode driven photoelectrocatalytic system for CO2 reduction to formic acid based on lattice-dislocated Bi nanosheets cathode
Authors: Cheng Weijie , Wang Yuhong , Guo Shaoqing , Cheng Qingqing , Zhao Honghong , Gao Lizhen
Published: January 2024

The photoelectrochemical system was constructed using a CxNy/BiVO4 photoanode and lattice-dislocated Bi nanosheets to achieve efficient and stable PEC reduction of CO2 to HCOOH.
Counterfactual sustainability screening – the definition and undertaking of a sustainability screening method for the assessment of defossilised supply chains
Authors: Platt Edward G. , Styring Peter
Published: January 2024

The development of a novel sustainable supply chain screening method via performance distribution prediction for olefins.
Hydrosilylation of BB triple bonds: catalyst- and reductant-free construction of B–Si bonds and B2Si heterocycles
Authors: Brückner Tobias , Duwe Dario , Fantuzzi Felipe , Heß Merlin , Dewhurst Rian D. , Radacki Krzysztof , Braunschweig Holger
Published: January 2024

Hydrosilanes undergo mild, uncatalyzed single and double 1,2-addition across the B–B triple bonds of diborynes, leading to an unsymmetrical silyldiborene and a compound with a novel three-membered B2Si ring.
Excitation energy transfer in proteoliposomes reconstituted with LH2 and RC-LH1 complexes from Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Huang Xia , Vasilev Cvetelin , Swainsbury David J.K. , Hunter C. Neil
Published: January 2024

Light-harvesting 2 (LH2) and reaction-centre light-harvesting 1 (RC-LH1) complexes purified from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides were reconstituted into proteoliposomes either separately, or together at three different LH2:RC-LH1 ratios, for excitation energy transfer studies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the distribution and association of the complexes within the proteoliposome membranes. Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were similar for LH2 complexes in detergent and liposomes, indicating that reconstitution retains the structural and optical properties of the LH2 complexes. Analysis of fluorescence emission shows that when LH2 forms an extensive series of contacts with other such complexes, fluorescence is quenched by 52.6 ± 1.4%. In mixed proteoliposomes, specific excitation of carotenoids in LH2 donor complexes resulted in emission of fluorescence from acceptor RC-LH1 complexes engineered to assemble with no carotenoids. Extents of energy transfer were measured by fluorescence lifetime microscopy; the 0.72 ± 0.08 ns lifetime in LH2-only membranes decreases to 0.43 ± 0.04 ns with a ratio of 2:1 LH2 to RC-LH1, and to 0.35 ± 0.05 ns for a 1:1 ratio, corresponding to energy transfer efficiencies of 40 ± 14% and 51 ± 18%, respectively. No further improvement is seen with a 0.5:1 LH2 to RC-LH1 ratio. Thus, LH2 and RC-LH1 complexes perform their light harvesting and energy transfer roles when reconstituted into proteoliposomes, providing a way to integrate native, non-native, engineered and de novo designed light-harvesting complexes into functional photosynthetic systems.
The Impact of Diglossia on Inflectional Morphological Constructions and Their Relation to Literacy Skills: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Asadi Ibrahim A. , Asli-Badarneh Abeer , Ibrahim Raphiq , Hamzah Hussein
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

This study examined the differences in spoken Arabic (SpA) and standard Arabic (StA) in inflectional (gender, number, possessive pronouns, and tense) construction use in Arabic among preschoolers. Moreover, we tested the contribution of the inflectional constructions possessed in kindergarten to reading skills in the first grade and examined whether this morphological contribution differs between SpA and StA.

Method:

We assessed 261 Arabic-speaking kindergartners for 1 year until the end of first grade for inflectional knowledge in kindergarten and reading skills in first grade (reading accuracy and fluency, spelling, and reading comprehension).

Results:

The findings revealed that among inflections, prevalence of performance on gender constructions was the highest, followed by number and possessive pronouns, and lowest performance for tense constructions. Although the performance for SpA was higher than for StA in all constructions, similar patterns were observed except similarity between gender and number in StA. Moreover, the results indicate a significant contribution of almost all inflectional constructions (except possessive pronouns) possessed in kindergarten to all reading skills in the first grade. However, tense did not contribute to reading comprehension, and possessive pronouns did not contribute to any of the reading measures. Regarding diglossia, although the claims that linguistic components in StA are not represented in the mental lexicon, StA accounted for an additional significant 2%–3% of the explained variance in Step 2 (which checked the practical significance of statistically significant results) in all reading measures.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the impact of diglossia-specific morphological differences (prevalence of the use of the morphological construction in Arabic in SpA vs. StA) on reading and literacy measures, especially the contribution of morphological awareness in SpA, which may provide a stronger basis for StA reading skills. The implications of these results are discussed, especially regarding exposing children to the morphological representations of both the SpA and StA forms to promote reading and literacy in Arabic.
Did subduction in the western Mediterranean drive Neogene alpine dynamics? Insights from analogue modeling
Authors: Martinod Joseph , Daou Ayend-Christ , Métral Laurent , Sue Christian
Published: January 2024

In the Western Alps, a first Late Cretaceous to Eocene “Pyrenean-Provençal” compressive phase accommodating N-S shortening resulting from the convergence between Africa and Eurasia is classically described. It is followed by the Neogene “Alpine phase” accommodating E-W shortening. Since this major tectonic change is not explained by a modification of the global Africa-Eurasia convergence, it should be explained instead by more local causes, possibly by the subduction of the Ligurian Ocean that initiated in the Oligocene beneath the European and Iberian plates. In this paper, we present analogue models simulating the Neogene evolution of this subduction zone, in order to understand how it impacted the regional tectonics. Although models do not include the lithospheric plate overriding the subduction zone, their surface deformations share many similarities with the Neogene tectonics of Western Europe and Iberia. We observe that the tectonic evolution is largely controlled by the roll-back of the slab, that occurred much faster than the Africa-Eurasia convergence. Models reproduce the opening of the Western Mediterranean Basins and the dispersion of the AlKaPeCa continental fragments (Alboran, Kabylian, Peloritan and Calabrian blocks). They also show that the subduction of the Ligurian Ocean favors the counterclockwise rotation of Adria. In more elaborated models, we introduced a pre-existing weakness along the Africa and Adria margins, to reproduce the break-off of the oceanic slab that followed the beginning of continental subduction both in Northern Africa and Adria. Slab break-off is followed by the exhumation of the subducted continent. We observe that the influence of subduction on the kinematics of Adria largely decreases following slab break-off. In the models, the total counterclockwise rotation of Adria varies between 7° and more than 30°, depending on the timing of slab break-off. Since the process of subduction modifies the displacement of Adria, it also impacts the tectonic evolution of surrounding regions, especially in the Alpine belt: Our models show that during slab-roll back and before the Ligurian slab break-off, the azimuth of convergence between Adria and Europe shifts from ∼N-S to ∼ENE-WSW. Hence, they suggest that the oceanic subduction in the Western Mediterranean may contribute to the “Oligocene revolution” described by Dumont et al. (2011), leading to E-W shortening in the Western Alps and to the activation of the Periadriatic right-lateral shear zones in the Central Alps. We conclude that the western Mediterranean region is a spectacular example showing how the tectonics of mountain ranges and plate boundaries may be controlled by distant subduction processes.
Theoretical Models of Composite Materials for the Protection Technologies
Authors: Gerasymov Oleg
Published: January 2024

The work develops the concept of shielding external radiation using composite materials that are a single condensed structure with incorporated specially configured impurities and (or) defects. Using the example of a one-dimensional model of an inhomogeneous power chain, the possibility of the existence of blocking and transparency effects with respect to external radiation, which arise already in the presence of binary impurities, which, in turn, act as the simplest models of composite systems, is shown. It is proposed to use the above property (isomorphic to the experimentally observed Ramsauer-Townsend effect) for the synthesis of composite materials in radiation protection technologies.
Lithological discrimination using ASTER and Hyperion data in Salem District, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Linda Theres B. , Selvakumar R. , Saranaathan S.E.
Published: January 2024

— Lithological mapping is a crucial factor in identifying and mapping the spatial distribution of minerals. It aids in accurately defining the most promising primary prospects for local exploration. The differentiation of rock units across a wider region is likely to be attributed to remotely sensed satellite data. Therefore, the research focuses on utilizing remote sensing methods to create a geological map for a specific area in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, by employing HYPERION and ASTER satellite images. Various techniques, such as Band Ratio (BR), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), Mixture Tuned Mapped Filtering (MTMF), Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF), and Support Vector Machines (SVMs), are utilized to classify lithological units, which are crucial for data analysis. The outcomes of these methods will be compared to field-mapped geological boundaries to assess accuracy. In the final phase, a highly precise geological map is produced by combining remote sensing data with on-site investigations. The application of these approaches holds significant potential for enhancing geological mapping and mineral exploration in hard-to-reach areas.
Enabling Device-to-Device network with proximity service for porter-passengers in railway stations
Authors: Dhilipkumar S. , Zubin Prannoy J. Ignitious , Lakshmi Priya R.
Published: January 2024

This paper presents an innovative device-to-device (D2D) network adapted to optimize the rail experience for both passengers and carriers. The meaning of the proposed system is a smart wearable device specially designed for wearers. This device serves two purposes, enabling fair dynamic pricing based on baggage weight and length of trip, and facilitating health monitoring by continuously checking vital signs such as heart rate and pulse. In case of an emergency, the device is equipped to send timely notifications to both the passenger mobile application and the railway service. For passengers, the D2D network offers a variety of proximity services that enhance their rail experience by providing real-time location information to various facilities such as taxis, hotels, restaurants and internet hubs. An integrated application has been developed to further enhance the passenger experience. This app helps with porter booking, fare estimation, taxi booking and hotel search, contributing to a smooth travel experience. The portable portable prototype is built on state-of-the-art technology that includes modules such as ESP32 and pulse sensors for connectivity, monitoring and pricing. Rigorous tests have demonstrated the feasibility of a D2D network in implementing key functions such as concierge health monitoring, location-aware passenger services, and fair pricing mechanisms. While the results show promising progress, there are recognized areas that need further refinement. These include improving the accuracy of remote monitoring, optimizing health monitoring algorithms and strengthening network security measures. This paper presents a robust D2D network architecture that benefits both carriers and passengers at train stations. Addressing certain pain points and using technological innovations. The proposed system shows its potential to significantly improve the overall railway experience.
Research Review Inquisitive on Indoor Air Quality Monitoring System Facilitate with Internet of Things
Authors: Rehash Rushmi Pavitra A. , Muthukrishnan A. , Uma Maheswari P. , Venkatasamy Ramkumar , Daniel Lawrence I.
Published: January 2024

In recent days, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a matter of interest for researchers from both scientific and industrial community. During pandemic situation public settle more time at indoor in place of outdoor environment. With rapid growth in science and technology people have progressive necessity for active facility parameters with respect to indoor temperature, humidity and wind movement etc. Asthma, lung cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular issues, and respiratory illnesses are just a few of the chronic health issues that have been linked to frequent exposure to hazardous material in enclosed spaces. However, real-time monitoring technologies are being adopted in smart city projects to identify and remedy such unfavourable conditions, ultimately improving the general quality of life. This paper surveyed the current proposed IAQ monitoring systems in terms of Internet of Things (IoT). In addition, the research work highlights composition of diverse monitoring systems, research summary, challenges together implying future directions for the researchers. The current level of knowledge on the close relationship between IoT and IAQ is presented in this research.
A survey of federated learning approach for the Sustainable Development aspect: eLearning
Authors: Bentaleb Asmae , Abouchabaka Jaafar
Published: January 2024

Throughout the years, sustainable development has been the concern of many governments. The United Nations have launched the agenda for sustainable development, containing 17 goals. Achieving it, is considered to be a challenging task as it requires balancing different aspects, the economic, social and ecological ones. One of the most important aspects of sustainable development is eLearning. It is green and does not require students to move to classes or waste energy. It has been widespread globally, especially after the pandemic. Artificial intelligence solutions have been used to implement eLearning; however, they still have some shortcoming, that were handled by newer technologies. Federated learning is among them. It came with more robust, and intelligent solutions to effectively implement the eLearning concept. Hence, in this work we will explain how eLearning helps in achieving sustainability, and then how technology can serve this virtual concept. We will focus on one of the latest technologies of AI that helps in implementing eLearning, which is Federated Learning. Therefore, we will try to filter the most interesting works in eLearning, especially the ones using Federated learning.
An In-depth Exploration of the Reagent-Based Approach for Eliminating Hydrogen Sulphide from Crude Oil
Authors: Salikhova Ozoda , Ergasheva Dilfuza , Abdurazakova Gulsara
Published: January 2024

This research successfully presented a process for the extraction of hydrogen sulphide utilising urotropine, a choice considerably more economical compared to formaldehyde or ammonia. Noteworthy rates of hydrogen sulphide conversion were achieved in the study, with a marked reduction in specific mercaptans present in the raw oil. Cleaning of the materials was undertaken with absorption solutions under particular conditions, underscoring the necessity for ample tank volumes. A proficient absorbent agent was developed for significant removal of hydrogen sulphide, employing a physical impact method and reagent treatment. Notably, the stability of urotropine combined with formalin and aqueous ammonia was advantageous. The procedure also comprised analysis of the sulphur content in oil. The results indicate towards efficacious and efficient methods for the separation of hydrogen sulphide. The majority of global petroleum is in the form of highly viscous heavy oil. Traditionally heavy oil in sands at shallow depths is accessed by large scale mining activities. Recently steam has been used to allow heavy oil extraction with greatly reduced surface disturbance. However, in situ thermal recovery processes can generate hydrogen sulphide, high levels of which are toxic to humans and corrosive to equipment.