bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Influence Mechanism of Friction on the Rolling Deformation of SUS304 Foil Based on CPFEM
Authors: Fan Wanwan , Liu Xinyi , Zhao Xuexia
Published: January 2025

The friction between the roll and the rolled piece is the main force of plate-strip rolling, and the friction condition of the roll gap seriously affects the surface quality of the plate-strip. Therefore, the friction condition is an important boundary condition in the analysis of plate-strip rolling deformation. The finite element model of SUS304 foil rolling was established by crystal plasticity finite element method, and the accuracy of the rolling model was verified by comparing the measured grain orientation of foil after rolling with the simulation results. Based on the above model, the effects of friction conditions on rolling force, contact pressure and friction stress, slip system motion state and grain orientation of rolled SUS304 foil strip were analyzed. The results show that with the increase of friction coefficient, the length of the forward slip zone increases, the surplus frictional force increases, and the contact pressure and friction stress of the upper and lower rolls in the rolling deformation zone increase slightly. The change of friction coefficient has a great influence on the shear slip of the surface layer of the foil strip, which significantly affects the motion state of the activated slip system at the upper and lower surface positions of the foil strip, significantly improves the shear strain of the activated slip system at the upper and lower surface positions, and increases the dispersion degree of the grains in the upper and lower surface layers around the ND direction.
Euler and Gourava Sombor Coindices: Theoretical Bounds and QSPR Applications for Butane Derivatives
Authors: Wazzan Suha , Kizilirmak Gul Ozkan
Published: January 2025

Topological indices characterize the molecular structure of a graph and are called numerical parameters used to estimate physicochemical information. In this article, firstly the Euler Sombor coindex and Gourava Sombor coindex are introduced. Then, bounds for Euler Sombor and Gourava Sombor coindices depending on some other coindices were obtained and bounds in terms of minimum degree, maximum degree, order and size of the graphs are computed for these indices of several graph operations. Next, Euler Sombor coindex and Gourava Sombor coindex of some chemical graphs such as polyamidoamine, graphene, carbon nanocones and caterpillar are studied. Finally, by developing a nonlinear regression model using the QSPR approach and utilizing the Euler Sombor and Gourava Sombor indices and their coindices, the physicochemical properties of interest of butane derivatives were predicted. The results showed that these indices have satisfactory performance in comparative tests.
Nanotechnology-Based Therapies for Preventing Post-Surgical Adhesions
Authors: Teo Zi Yi , Senthilkumar Samyuktha Dhanalakshmi , Srinivasan Dinesh Kumar
Published: January 2025

Adhesions are the body’s natural response to various inflammatory causes, with surgery being the most common cause. However, the formation of post-operative adhesions can lead to significant complications, including intestinal obstruction and chronic pain. To prevent such post-operative complications associated with adhesions, developing effective strategies for adhesion prevention has been a major focus of research. Currently, there are several therapeutic models which have been developed to achieve this aim. These include pharmaceuticals, inert polymers, functional biomaterials, and nanotherapeutics. Among the various strategies developed, nanotherapeutics, though still in its early stages, proves to be a promising approach. While the other therapeutic models are associated with adverse side effects and complications with regards to their application, nanotherapeutic models are not only able to overcome the limitations of the other strategies, but they also provide their own set of unique advantages. Hence, nanotherapeutics is an area that is worthy of research, and more should be done to refine the existing nanotherapeutics for their use in the clinical context, as well as to address any associated safety and ethical concerns with regards to their clinical usage. Therefore, this article aims to review the various nanotherapeutic approaches that have been developed to prevent post-operative adhesions and to explore its regulatory pathways as well as some of the associated safety and ethical concerns.
Techno-Economic Feasibility and Optimal Design Approach of Grid-Connected Hybrid Power Generation Systems for Electric Vehicles Battery Swapping Station
Authors: Nyamayoka Lumbumba Taty-Etienne , Masisi Lesedi , Dorrell David , Wang Shuo
Published: January 2025

Fossil fuel depletion, environmental concerns, and energy efficiency initiatives drive the rapid growth in the adoption of electric vehicles. However, one of the significant challenges to the widespread deployment of this technology is the lengthy battery charging time. The concept of a battery swapping station has emerged as a solution to this issue, where depleted electric vehicle batteries are exchanged for fully charged ones in significantly less time. To this end, this paper evaluates the technical and economic performance of a grid-connected photovoltaic-wind hybrid power supply system for an electric vehicle battery swapping station. The objective is to investigate the viability of the hybrid power supply system as an alternative energy source by assessing its potential for cost savings and the overall cost-effectiveness of grid-connected systems for electric vehicle battery swapping stations. This is achieved through an optimal control model designed to minimize the total life cycle cost of the proposed system and reduce the consumption of electrical energy from the utility grid while maximizing system reliability, which is defined based on the loss of power supply probability. The optimal control problem is solved using mixed-integer linear programming, with decision variables including the power drawn from the utility grid, the number of wind turbines, and the number of solar photovoltaic panels. The effectiveness of this model is verified through a case study. Simulation results demonstrate the desirable performance of the proposed system, with the optimal number of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels determined to be 64 and 420, respectively. The total life cycle cost of the installation, in South African Rand, is estimated at R 1,963,520.12, leading to energy cost savings of up to 41.58% for the studied case. Additionally, an economic analysis, conducted through life cycle cost analysis, includes the initial capital investment as well as the maintenance and operation costs over the system’s lifetime. The LCC analysis results indicate a payback period of 5 years and 6 months, demonstrating that the proposed system is both economically and technically feasible.
Survey on Hardware Security: PUFs, Trojans, and Side-Channel Attacks
Authors: Parikh Raj , Parikh Khushi
Published: January 2025

The increasing reliance on hardware technologies across critical sectors such as healthcare, defense, automotive, and finance has raised awareness of vulnerabilities in these systems. Threats like hardware Trojans (HTs), side-channel attacks (SCAs), and cloning compromise data security, disrupt operations and jeopardize trust in interconnected systems. Addressing these risks requires robust hardware security mechanisms.This survey provides a comprehensive analysis of advancements in hardware security, focusing on Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs), hardware Trojan detection techniques, and defenses against side-channel attacks. PUFs leverage manufacturing variations for device-specific authentication and cryptographic key generation. Hardware Trojan detection mitigates malicious modifications in integrated circuits, while side-channel defenses counteract attacks exploiting information leakage like power consumption and electromagnetic emissions. A novel AI-driven hybrid PUF model is proposed to address environmental variability, machine learning-based modeling attacks, and scalability challenges.Drawing from recent studies, this paper categorizes threats, explores detection methodologies, and evaluates lightweight security protocols for resource-constrained environments like IoT devices. Emphasizing machine learning-enhanced detection, hybrid cryptographic techniques, and dynamic PUF designs, it highlights innovations for enhancing hardware security. Future directions include quantum-resilient architectures, energy-efficient implementations, and scalable regulatory frameworks, offering a roadmap to secure next-generation hardware systems against evolving threats.
Practices in the Use of Play Materials Across Different Preschool Settings in Bahir Dar City
Authors: Fajinmi John , Oloyede Joseph
Published: January 2025

This study explores the practices in the use of play materials across different preschool settings in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. The research aims to investigate how various preschool institutions, including private and faith-based schools, integrate play materials into their educational frameworks. It examines the types of play materials used, their availability, and the approaches employed by educators to maximize their effectiveness in promoting early childhood development. Additionally, the study addresses the challenges preschool teachers face in utilizing these materials, such as limited resources, cultural considerations, and training gaps. Through a mixed-methods approach, data was collected from a sample of preschool teachers, school administrators, and parents via surveys, interviews, and observations. The findings reveal a significant variation in the quality and frequency of play material usage, with faith-based preschools often demonstrating resource constraints, while private preschools tend to provide more diverse and structured play opportunities. The study concludes with recommendations for improving play material accessibility and training for teachers to enhance early childhood learning experiences across different preschool settings in Bahir Dar City.
Recent Trends in Cryogelation Phenomenon & Factors Affecting Cryotropic Gelation
Authors: Holkar Ketki , Mishra Ruchi , Jain Era
Published: January 2025

Polymeric gels represent one of the most important classes of functional biomaterials for biomedical applications. A variety of methods had been devised to fabricate polymeric gels with an aim to incorporate suitable porosity, appropriate mechanical strength, and functionality for specific biological applications. It is challenging to simultaneously incorporate these three properties via many such methods like thermally induced phase separation, salt leaching, three-dimensional printing, etc., owing to reasons such as the complexity of the procedure, involvement of toxic/harsh chemicals, or formation of toxic intermediates during synthesis and high-cost of the procedure. Cryogels, obtained by cryogelation of polymeric/monomeric precursors usually in an aqueous solvent at sub-zero temperatures, offer an easy and cost-effective way of incorporating macro/micro porosity, mechanical strength, and chemical cues simultaneously into polymeric gels for biomedical applications. Therefore, this review aims to provide comprehensive and updated information on the recent trends in the phenomenon of cryogelation and factors affecting cryotropic gelation. The three major stages of cryogelation, i.e., freezing, incubation/polymerization, and thawing are described in depth along with various kinds of crosslinking mechanisms such as covalently, physically, or ionically crosslinked cryogels. Further, the parameters affecting cryogelation, i.e., ice nucleation and temperature regime, the effect of solutes, the effect of solvent, precursor composition, etc. are also discussed in detail. All this information is expected to greatly assist in understanding the mechanism and factors affecting cryogelation, which in turn can be used for future modifications to yield advanced cryogels for biomedical applications.
Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm Hvsr Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
Authors: Grutas Rhommel Nepomuceno , Serrano Andrew Tolentino , Tan Jamie Mary Loise Casem , Castro Rio Angela Funakoshi
Published: January 2025

Vs30, the average shear wave velocity in the uppermost 30 meters, is critical for seismic hazard analysis. In the Philippines, the Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) survey is one of the methods used to determine Vs30. This study investigates the use of an elitist Genetic Algorithm (GA) to invert Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) data as a more efficient alternative. Unlike the ReMi survey, which requires laying out lines and geophones, the HVSR survey uses a single-unit, 3-component microtremor seismograph and can be operated by one person. Analyzing 174 HVSR and 52 ReMi datasets from the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) and Leyte Province, we found that the estimated Vs30 estimates are satisfactory for site classes C, D, and E of the National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015 (NSCP 2015). The overall site class match rate is 76% in GMMA and 81% in Leyte. The R-squared values for measured Vs30 and estimated Vs30 comparisons for GMMA and Leyte are 0.885 and 0.806, respectively, indicating strong correlations. Additionally, the relationship between the fundamental site period and estimated Vs30 values was explored. The R-squared values range of 0.772 for GMMA and 0.707 for Leyte indicate a strong correlation and demonstrate the expected inversely proportion relationship between the two variables. Given the Philippines' high seismic activity, this approach could enable faster updates to seismic hazard maps, improving earthquake preparedness and mitigation.
Generating Human Interpretable Rules from Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Pears Russel , Sharma Ashwini Kumar
Published: January 2025

Advancements in the field of Artificial Intelligence has been rapid in recent years and has revolutionized various industries. Various deep neural network architectures capable of handling both text and images, covering code generation from natural language, producing machine translation and text summarizations have been proposed. For example, Convolutional Neural Networks or CNNs perform image classification at a level equivalent to that of humans on many image datasets. These state-of-the-art networks have reached unprecedented levels of success by using complex architectures with billions of parameters, numerous kernel configurations, weight initialization and regularization methods. Unfortunately to reach this level of success, the models that CNNs use are essentially black box in nature with little or no human interpretable information on the decision-making process. This lack of transparency in decision making gave rise to concerns amongst some sectors of the user community such as healthcare, finance, justice, defense, among others. This challenge motivated our research where we successfully produced human interpretable influential features from CNNs for image classification and captured the interactions between these features by producing a concise decision tree making accurate classification decisions. The proposed methodology made use of a pre-trained VGG16 with finetuning to extract feature maps produced by learnt filters. On the CelebA image benchmark dataset, we successfully produced human interpretable rules that captured the main facial landmarks responsible for segmenting males from females with 89.6% accuracy, while on the more challenging Cats vs Dogs dataset the decision tree produced 87.6% accuracy.
Exploring Avatar Utilization in Workplace and Educational Environments: A Study on User Acceptance, Preferences, and Technostress
Authors: Gasch Cristina , Javanmardi Alireza , Khan Ameer , García-Palacios Azucena , Pagani Alain
Published: January 2025

With the rise of virtual avatars in professional, educational, and recreational settings, this study investigates how different avatar types, with variations in gender and identity affect user perceptions of embodiment, acceptability, technostress, privacy, and preferences. To examine these factors, two studies were conducted in controlled virtual meeting environments. In Study 1, participants controlled their own avatars, while in Study 2, an interviewer used various avatars. Questionnaires and correlation analyses were employed to assess the impact of avatar characteristics on perceived embodiment, technostress, privacy, and preferences across different contexts. Results showed that hyper-realistic avatars, especially those resembling the user, enhanced perceived embodiment and were rated higher for credibility in professional and educational contexts. In contrast, non-realistic avatars were favored in recreational settings, particularly when interacting with strangers. Technostress was generally low, though younger users exhibited more sensitivity to avatar appearance, and privacy concerns increased when avatars were used by others. Gender differences also emerged, with women expressing more concern about appearance and men preferring same-gender avatars in professional and educational settings. Balancing realism with user comfort and addressing privacy concerns are essential for broader adoption.
New Combination and Two Synonyms of Indocalamus Nakai (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from China Based on Morphological Characters and Phylogenetic Evidence
Authors: Gao Liqin , Wang Chengkun , Li Yonglong , Wang Jianqing , Yang Guangyao , Zhang Wengen
Published: January 2025

Based on several evidences from morphology, micromorphology on the abaxial leaf epidermis, and phylogenetic analysis by using complete chloroplast genome data, a new combination and two new synonyms were reported in the genus Indocalamus Nakai. Indocalamus cordatus T. H. Wen et Y. Zou was synonymized with I. tessellatus (Munro) P. C. Keng, and I. multinerus (W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu) W. T. Lin was synonymized with I. chebalingensis W. T. Lin. As a new combination, I. mollis (H. R. Zhao et Y. L. Yang) L. Q. Gao, W. G. Zhang et G. Y. Yang, was created and supplementally described. In addition, the lectotype of I. chebalingensis was designated from several syntypes.
Evaluación in vitro de la fuerza de adhesión de un sistema adhesivo convencional en dientes post aclarados en consultorio en diferentes intervalos de tiempo
Authors:   , Velasquez Mendoza Carolay Lucia
Published: January 2025

Objetivo: El propósito de este estudio fue comparar la fuerza adhesiva de un adhesivo convencional en dientes que fueron aclarados en diferentes intervalos de tiempo. Materiales y métodos: Ciento veinticinco incisivos en buen estado se distribuyeron proporcionalmente en cuatro grupos experimentales (GE) y un grupo control (GC). El aclaramiento dental fue realizado con Opalescence Boost al 40% para el grupo experimental en cuatro tiempos de estudio (1, 7, 15 y 21 días). Los grupos experimentales y control siguieron la secuencia de acondicionamiento Ultraetch al 35%, tratamiento adhesivo convencional con Optibond FL y tratamiento restaurador con Herculite Precis. Una máquina universal realizó el ensayo de fuerza de micro tracción en megapascal (MPa) para determinar la fuerza de adhesión. La prueba de Kruskall-Wallis se utilizó a un p < 0,05. Resultados: Los resultados demostraron que hubo un aumento progresivo significativo (p < 0,001) en los valores de MPa conforme al tiempo post aclaramiento obteniendo las siguientes medianas: 1 día GE (8,97 [1,02] Mpa), 7 días GE (10,34 [2,46]), seguido de 15 días GE (24,10 [6,13]) y finalmente 21 días GE (29,47 [7,42]) y GC (30,55 [7,72]). Conclusión: La fuerza de adhesión fue afectada por el aclaramiento dental. Una mayor fuerza adhesiva se encontró a los 21 días por lo que sería un tiempo adecuado para iniciar una fase restaurativa con resina.
Pimitespib in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Japan: an expanded access program
Authors: Naito Yoichi , Iwagami Shiro , Doi Toshihiko , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori
Published: January 2025

Background Pimitespib, an oral heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, significantly prolonged progression-free survival in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in CHAPTER-GIST-301 study. This expanded access program was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pimitespib in Japanese patients with advanced GIST.Methods This multicenter, open-label, single-arm study was conducted in patients (≥ 20 years) with histologically confirmed GIST who had been previously treated with imatinib, sunitinib and regorafenib and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–1. Patients received pimitespib 160 mg/day for five days, followed by a 2-day rest, in 21-day cycles.Results Between February and August 2022, 23 patients were enrolled (median age 59.0 years). Over a median pimitespib treatment duration of 81.0 days, adverse events occurred in 22 patients (95.7%). The most common adverse events were diarrhea (73.9%), nausea (39.1%) and increased blood creatinine (30.4%). Serious adverse events occurred in two patients (tumor hemorrhage and tumor pain); neither was related to pimitespib. One patient had grade 3 diarrhea that was considered treatment-related. Four patients (17.4%) had eye disorders, all of which were grade 1 and treatment-related. The median progression-free survival was 4.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–6.2), the overall response rate was 0% (95% CI 0–16.1) and the disease control rate was 66.7% (95% CI 43.0–85.4).Conclusions Pimitespib was well tolerated and effective in patients with advanced GIST in real-world practice in Japan. No new safety signals were identified.Trial registration jRCT2031210526 registered 1 February 2022.
Erythropoietin delivery through kidney organoids engineered with an episomal DNA vector
Authors: Du Z. , Menéndez A. Bas-Cristóbal , Urban M. , Hartley A. , Ratsma D. , Koedam M. , Bosch T.P.P. van den , Groningen M. Clahsen-van , Gribnau J. , Mulder J. , Reinders M.E.J. , Baan C.C. , Eerden B. van der , Harbottle R.P. , Hoogduijn Martin
Published: January 2025

Background
The kidney's endocrine function is essential for maintaining body homeostasis. Erythropoietin (EPO) is one of the key endocrine factors produced by the kidney, and kidney disease patients frequently experience anemia due to impaired EPO production. In the present study we explored the potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived kidney organoids to restore EPO production.
Methods
EPO secretion by kidney organoids was examined under 1% and 20% oxygen levels. To increase the EPO secreting capacity of kidney organoids, iPSC were genetically engineered with a non-integrating scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) DNA vector containing the EPO gene and generated EPO-overexpressing (EPO+) kidney organoids. To assess the physiological effects of EPO + organoids, 2–8 organoids were implanted subcutaneously in immunodeficient mice.
Results
Kidney organoids produced low amounts of EPO under 1% oxygen. EPO S/MAR DNA vectors persisted and continued to robustly express EPO during iPSC expansion and kidney organoid differentiation without interfering with cellular proliferation. EPO + iPSC demonstrated efficient differentiation into kidney organoids. One-month post-implantation, EPO + organoids displayed continuously elevated EPO mRNA levels and significantly increased endothelial cell numbers compared to control organoids. Hematocrit levels were notably elevated in mice implanted with EPO + organoids in an organoid number-dependent manner. EPO + organoids furthermore influenced bone homeostasis in their hosts, evidenced by a change in trabecular bone composition.
Conclusion
Kidney organoids modified by EPO S/MAR DNA vector allow stable long-term delivery of EPO. The observed physiological effects following the implantation of EPO + organoids underscore the potential of gene-edited kidney organoids for endocrine restoration therapy.
Beyond Canopy Cover: How Tree Distribution Shapes Cloud Formation Across Africa
Authors: Xie Di , Caporaso Luca , Reichstein Markus , Zhong Deyu , Duveiller Gregory
Published: January 2025

Vegetation plays a pivotal role in regulating climate and sustaining the hydrological cycle, with both the quantity and distribution of trees influencing surface and atmospheric processes. While the direct effects of vegetation on surface properties are well-documented, the indirect impacts of trees on clouds—especially those from trees outside the forest—are less explored, with spatial tree distribution often neglected. This study examines how tree cover, in terms of absolute coverage and spatial configuration, affects cloud formation over Africa. Our findings reveal distinct patterns of cloud sensitivity to tree cover changes across climatic zones and elevations, linked to energy partitioning during the day and land surface temperature disparities at night. Additionally, combining increases in tree cover and heterogeneity enhances cloud formation by 55.2% in tropical savannas compared to tree cover increase alone, underscoring the importance of strategic tree placement. This data-driven analysis enhances the understanding of vegetation-cloud interactions and provides valuable insights for tree restoration projects in Africa.
Scanning diffraction imaging without stable illumination and scan position information
Authors: Zhang Fucai , Liu Tao , Wang Bingyang , Zhao Jiangtao , Kahnt Maik
Published: January 2025

Ptychography has gained significant prominence at synchrotron facilities globally for characterizing the topological structure and intricate properties of biological and material specimens at the nanometer or atomic scale. Its high-resolution potential relies on accurate scan position information, substantial overlap ratio, and a stable probe; however, fulfilling these requirements becomes increasingly challenging as resolution approaches atomic scales. This paper proposes a multiple-shot coherent modulation imaging (multiCMI) scheme to eliminate those strict requirements. Optical light validation demonstrated that the completely unknown scan positions could be retrieved better than 10 nm precision. Sub-pixel position accuracy was still achievable with only a 13% overlap ratio. For the X-ray dataset recorded under an unstable probe and 18% overlap, our method successfully retrieved the varying probe functions, unknown positions, and sample functions simultaneously. Probe spatial deviations of 500nm and 50nm along the X and Y axes were measured, which were not accessible by previous methods. With all these promising features, we expect the proposed multiCMI method will significantly simplify the implementation and widen the scope of applications of scanning diffraction microscopy, especially at nanometer and atomic scale imaging.
Improved Tuberculosis Reinfection Dynamics Modeling with Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Elfouly M. A. , Fares M. E. , Sohaly M. A.
Published: January 2025

This study uses a delayed differential equation (DDE) model to impact how latency and loss of immunity rate affect the dynamics of TB transmission. The study investigates how 1 affects important factors such as transmission rate, progression rate, recovery rate, loss immunity rate and time delays. It does this by considering four cases with different rates and parameters of reinfection. The results show that high latency and loss of immunity rate make bad feedback mechanisms. This causes oscillations to last longer, stabilize later and make the system more sensitive to changes in parameters and time lags. On the other hand, low latency and loss of immunity rate help maintain system stability by reducing oscillatory behavior, allowing for faster convergence and reducing the effects of rates of progression, recovery and loss of immunity. Sensitivity analyses show how latency and loss of immunity rate is important in amplifying or reducing the impact of key parameters and time delays on how the disease progresses and how people recover. These results underscore the pivotal role of reinfection in shaping TB dynamics and highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce reinfection rates as part of effective TB control strategies. This research provides valuable insights into TB epidemiology and offers practical guidance for designing interventions that enhance the stability and predictability of disease dynamics, contributing to broader efforts to control and ultimately eliminate TB.
Human Development and Economic Freedom: Empirical Evidence with an Eye on the Constitutional Economy of the Great Lakes Region
Authors: Etienne Nzabirinda
Published: January 2025

This study examines the impact of economic freedom on human development within the Great Lakes region. This region comprises the states of Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda. The data obtained from the World Bank's Prosperity Data 360 and the HDI from the United Nations Development Programme were employed for this research using fixed-effect panel data models and System GMM Two-Step models to determine the linkage between economic freedom and human development. The results depict a general positive relationship between economic freedom and human development across the region. Specifically, it is seen that economic freedom significantly correlates with human development, ranging from 1.12 in Uganda to 1.85 in Rwanda. HDI in all countries is positively related to human development with a coefficient of 0.13, while life expectancy contributes positively to human development in Burundi, DRC, and Uganda. Expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling are some of the educational indicators that also illustrate positive relationships with human development. Highly correlated to human development, Gross National Income per capita was 0.42 across all countries. The Democracy Index also shows a positive influence on human development, mainly in Burundi. From the System GMM model, it is confirmed that HDI, life expectancy, and GNI per capita significantly explain economic freedom. The findings show that though economic freedom and increase in income are important for development, governance, education, and healthcare reforms are fundamental for ensuring that growth in the region is inclusive and sustainable.
JEL classification codes: O10, O15, O43, E02 P16
Hayabusa2# mission target 1998 KY26 preview: a small optically bright rapid rotator
Authors: Santana-Ros Toni , Bartczak Przemyslaw , Muinonen Karri , Rozek Agata , Müller Thomas , Hirabayashi Masatoshi , Farnocchia Davide , Micheli Marco , Cannon Richard , Brozovic Marina , Hainaut Olivier , Oszkiewicz Dagmara , Virkki Anne , Benner Lance , Bagatin Adriano Campo , Benavidez Paula , Cabrera-Lavers Antonio , Martinez Clara , Vivas Kathy
Published: January 2025

Understanding the physical characteristics of small bodies in the Solar System is crucial for refining models of their formation and evolution. Although several kilometre-sized asteroids have already been visited by spacecraft, 1998 KY26 will be the first asteroid in the decametre range to be explored in situ. Its diameter and spin period place it above the spin barrier, suggesting that its formation and properties may differ from those of previously visited bodies. However, the key physical characteristics of 1998 KY26 remain poorly understood. We conducted a photometric observing campaign during 1998 KY26’s close approach to Earth in 2024. Our observations revealed that 1998 KY26 has a high optical albedo and colours consistent with an E-type taxonomy. We also determined its spin period to be (5.3516 ± 0.0001) minutes—twice as fast as previously reported. Using lightcurve inversion methods, we derived a retrograde pole solution and constructed convex and non-convex shape models. By integrating these models with Goldstone radar data from 1998, we estimated 1998 KY26’s diameter to be (11 ± 2) m. The most likely structure for 1998 KY26 is monolithic, yet a fine grained rubble-pile structure is theoretically possible given its required small strength level. We found that it will be possible to validate these results with future JWST observations. Our comprehensive characterisation of 1998 KY26 can inform the planning of the Hayabusa2# spacecraft’s rendezvous encounter, scheduled for July 2031. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into the non-gravitational forces acting on small Solar System bodies, enhancing our understanding of their orbital evolution which could shed light on the nature of dark comets.
Fragmented Liquid Crystals of Graphene Oxide
Authors: Xu Zhen , Xu Zhiping , Shen Chenwei , Liao Yangchao , Liu Senping , Gao Yue , Wang Ya , Ming Xin , Ye Xuan , Zhao Wenbo , Ge Chendong , Zhang Chengqi , Lin Ze , Zhang Mingtao , Guo Rui , Cai Gangfeng , Liu Yingjun , Gao Chao
Published: January 2025

Repulsive colloids can form liquid crystals (LCs) that combine fluidity and structural order. Screening repulsion leads to abrupt collapse of LC, losing fluidity either by gelation or frustrating structural order by coagulation. However, the evolution of liquid crystallinity before the transition from overall repulsion to attraction remains unclear. Here we find an intermediate LC state of graphene oxide (GO), named as fragmentated LC (FLC). FLC features fragmented domains down to single entity size but keeps good fluidity contrary to gel and coagulation. In FLC, the balanced interaction keeps single-layer dispersed state of GO and triggers transient networks. GO FLCs surprisingly serve as a peculiar processing state towards amorphous but compact structures with both high strength and toughness, beyond brittle crystalline structures assembled from ordinary nematic LCs. Our findings enable precisely modulating LC directors down to the molecular size limit and provide a new design method for exotic amorphous materials.
The Role of Six Anthropometric Indicators in Predicting the Prevalence and Mortality of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, Asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Population- Based Study from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Authors: Hu Jingdi , Tang Songwen , Zhu Qijiang , Liao Huai
Published: January 2025

Background:
Obesity is linked to a greaterrisk of respiratory diseases. Due to limitations in body mass index (BMI), alternative anthropometric indicators have been developed to reflect body fat distribution. This study compares six anthropometric measures—BMI, waist circumference(WC), the waist-to-height ratio(WHtR), the body roundness index (BRI), the body shape index(ABSI), and the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI)—and their relationships withthe prevalence and mortality of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the US population.
Methods:
Data from four NHANES cycles were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression assessedthe cross-sectional associations between the six anthropometric measures and disease prevalence. Mortality associations were analysed via Cox proportional hazards models, and time‒dependent ROC curve was utilised to evaluate the predictive performance of the significant marker for mortality.
Results:
BMI, WC, WWI, BRI, ABSI, and WHtR were positively correlated with the prevalence of OSA, and COPD. For asthma, BMI, WC, BRI, and WHtR were positively associated with prevalence, while ABSI and WWI were negatively associated. Concerningmortality, higher WC and BMI were associated with better survival in the OSA and COPD groups, whereas elevated WWI and ABSI were linked to greater mortality risk in the participants with OSA symptoms. An increase of one standard deviation (SD) in the ABSI resulted in an 18% increase in mortality (95% CI: 1.09-1.27) for the OSA population. The area under the curve (AUC) for ABSI was 0.752 for 3-year, 0.755 for 5-year, and 0.744 for 10-year mortality.
Conclusions:
Novel anthropometric indicators, including WWI, BRI, ABSI and WHtR, show positive associations with the prevalence of OSA, and COPD, alongside traditional measures likeBMI and WC. However, WWI and ABSI were more limited in their association with asthma prevalence. Longitudinal analyses revealed that traditional anthropometric indicators such as BMI and WC were negatively associated with mortality risks in the OSA and COPD, supporting the "obesity paradox." ABSI, however, emerged as a significant mortality predictor for OSA, providing a more nuanced view of central obesity’s impact on mortality. However, in COPD patients, routine anthropometric measurements may not fully capture the effects of obesity.
Fenton-like modification of Bauhinia tomentosa seedpod for improved sequestration of methylene blue from water
Authors: Agbadaola Michael Tope , Akinyemi Damilola Adeola , Olatunji Dorcas Abiodun , Babalola Jonathan Oyebamiji
Published: January 2025

Water pollution by dyes remain an important problem that constantly reduces water quality, creating hazard to aquatic flora and fauna, as well as terrestrial life. Although adsorption has been a favourite technique exploited to remediate this growing menace due to its cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness, adsorbents remain limited in their capacity to efficiently remove emerging dye contaminants from wastewater. In this work, we present an efficient method to improve the sequestration of an emerging contaminant, methylene blue dye (MB), from water through Fenton-like modification of adsorbents. Low-cost and readily-available Bauhinia tomentosa seedpod (BTSP) was modified with recyclable FeOCl nanosheets to produce Fenton-BTSP adsorbents. The modified and unmodified adsorbents were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, energy dispersive X-Ray, and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed successful modification of BTSP to form fine agglomerated particles with enhanced surface areas and pore spaces. Adsorption studies revealed optimal adsorption at pH 10, with equilibrium reached in 30 mins for the adsorbents. Isotherm modelling of the adsorption data suggests formation of multiple layers of MB molecules on the adsorbents at maximum monolayer capacity of 190.63 mg/g and 520.83 mg/g for BTSP and Fenton-BTSP, respectively. Kinetics modelling revealed chemical interaction between the adsorbents and dye molecules at a rate that is higher for Fenton-BTSP. Adsorbent regeneration was also improved after Fenton-like modification, contributing to the potential of Fenton-BTSP for industrial applications.
Fabrication and Characterization of Potato Starch Bioplastics for 3d Printing
Authors: Suarez Sergio Gómez , González-Lezcano Roberto Alonso , López Rolando Enrique Guzmán
Published: January 2025

Bioplastics are becoming increasingly important due to their positive impact on the environment. This trend has spurred the development of new production techniques, such as 3D printing, emphasizing the need for efficient and sustainable applications of these materials. This article focuses on the preparation of bioplastic filaments for 3D printers using potato starch as the main raw material through the extrusion process. The filaments were prepared with different proportions of starch, glycerin, and distilled water and subjected to thermal analysis using DSC. 3D printing was performed using an Ender 3 V2 printer, and specimens were prepared for tensile testing according to ASTM D638-14 and flexure testing according to ISO 178:2019 for mechanical characterization. It was observed that filaments with higher glycerin content exhibited brittleness and slippage problems in the printer feed motor, making printing impossible. Suitable extrusion and 3D printer bed temperatures were defined. Although the mechanical properties obtained were modest, they are considered adequate for this type of material, suggesting the feasibility of using bioplastics in 3D printing.
Traceable and Scalable Food Balance Sheets from Agricultural Commodity Supply and Utilization Accounts (2010-2022)
Authors: Zhao Xin , Chepeliev Maksym , Escobar Neus , Binsted Matthew , Patel Pralit , Kyle Page , Wise Marshall
Published: January 2025

The Food Balance Sheets (FBS), compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), serve as a cornerstone dataset for studies on agricultural development, food security, and dietary health, providing a broad overview of global and regional food systems. However, its limited transparency and scalability hinder its application in empirical analysis and multisector dynamic modeling. Here, we present a traceable Food Balance Sheets (T-FBS) dataset, developed from detailed Supply Utilization Accounts (SUA) using a novel Primary Commodity equivalent (PCe) aggregation approach. This framework enables the aggregation of commodity flows along supply chains while ensuring consistency and balance across multiple dimensions. The T-FBS dataset includes 57 PCe commodities across 195 regions for the period 2010–2022, consolidated from over 500 SUA products. While T-FBS closely aligns with FAO-FBS at aggregate levels for dietary energy and macronutrients, it identifies key uncertainties in other elements (e.g., feed, trade, stocks). By enhancing methodological transparency, traceability, and scalability, T-FBS strengthens the robustness of food system studies and fosters future research and collaboration within the open-source community.
NoxO1 as novel regulator of EGFR signaling and endosomal dynamics
Authors:   , Hebchen Dana Maureen
Published: January 2025

In this study, we addressed the question of new cellular functions of NoxO1, in order to explain our initial findings that NoxO1 expression exceeded the other Nox1-subunits in many cell types. Here we demonstrated that NoxO1 altered endosomal dynamics towards degradative routes. Investigating the mechanism beyond, we identified Erbin as novel interaction partner for NoxO1. Our results showed that Erbin and NoxO1 induced lysosome biogenesis and cargo translocation (EGF, BSA) by increasing TFEB activity. In the following, we characterized the interaction with regard to EGFR signaling, trafficking and ROS production. We provided evidence for a cooperative action of NoxO1 and Erbin on EGF signal transduction. Moreover, we found that NoxO1 delayed wound closure and proliferation in several cell lines. In conclusion, our work supports the view of NoxO1 exerting functions apart from organizing the Nox1 complex in ROS production.
Control of deformations in metal structures in construction: methods and technologies
Authors: Krasnoyarov N. A. , Dmitrieva T. L. , Sobolev V. I.
Published: January 2025

The paper presents an algorithm to control deformations of metal structure supports caused by force and temperature effects. The study involved investigating the influence of these factors on the overall stress-strain state of the structure. A proposed methodology is based on numerical experiments, which include the creation of an information model of the structure, integration of data on temperature and force effects into it, and finite element analysis. Based on this data, corrective measures are introduced to control displacements using damping devices. The study reveals the effect of temperature loads on deformations of structures and proposes methods for their control. The suggested method using building information modeling and active displacement control systems enhances the reliability and durability of structures. The integration of modern technologies, including active dampers and adaptive structures, shows high potential for real-time deformation control. The successful application of such technologies requires thorough testing in order to further adapt them to specific conditions and project requirements.
Biotechnological transformation of giant miscanthus biomass into bacterial nanocellulose
Authors: Shavyrkina N. A. , Gladysheva E. K. , Zenkova A. A. , Skiba E. А.
Published: January 2025

Biotechnological transformation of plant materials constitutes one of the most promising industrial processes for obtaining high-value products from inexpensive plant materials. The article analyzes the biotransformation of giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) into high-value bacterial nanocellulose from the feedstock to the final product, i.e., presents the complete cycle of plant material processing. First, the chemical composition of giant miscanthus biomass was determined, and the content of cellulose was found to be 54%. After that, biotransformation was performed in three stages: in the first stage, the giant miscanthus biomass was pretreated using four methods; then, the obtained substrates were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis under the same conditions, and carbohydrate growth media were obtained; in the final stage, bacterial nanocellulose was biosynthesized in the obtained growth media using Medusomyces gisevii Sa-12 symbiotic culture. The chemical pretreatment with dilute solutions of nitric acid and sodium hydroxide was found to be extremely effective and increase the reactivity to enzymatic hydrolysis by 28–31 times as compared to native miscanthus. It is shown that for the production of bacterial nanocellulose from giant miscanthus, biomass should undergo one-stage pretreatment with a dilute nitric acid solution. In this case, the substrate yield from the feedstock (for subsequent hydrolysis) amounts to 50%, the extraction of reducing sugars from miscanthus biomass is maximum (65.2%), and the yield of bacterial nanocellulose is 1.1–1.3 times higher than for the other three biomass pretreatment methods.
Synthesis of three-dimensional matrices based on collagen–pectin–polyacrylate grafted copolymers using the RbTe1.5W0.5O6 photocatalyst
Authors: Semenycheva L. L. , Prodaevich V. V. , Rumyantseva V. O. , Fukina D. G. , Koryagin A. V. , Valetova N. B. , Smirnova O. N. , Suleimanov E. V.
Published: January 2025

The development of new promising materials of three-dimensional structure from available bioresorbable, biointegrable and biocompatible polymers is in demand and relevant in connection with the intensive development of regenerative medicine. In this work, hydrogels of the grafted copolymers of methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate onto a mixture of collagen and pectin were obtained during photocatalysis in the presence of a complex oxide RbTe1.5W0.5O6. The characteristics of the synthesis products were obtained by gel penetrating chromatography, elemental analysis, electron microscopy, and biological biocidality tests. The collagen content in an amount of less than 40%, the microstructure of the polymer in the form of a fine-mesh, and the biocidity of the sample films were established. The polymer product was identified on the catalyst surface after the separation of the oxide powder from the aqueous dispersion. The main advantage of such materials is the unique combination of properties of their components assembled into a specific structure. The advantages of the obtained material include, among other things, the environmental advantage of the initial components - natural renewable raw materials: collagen was isolated from cod processing waste, pectin from fruit and vegetable processing waste.