bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maize Grain Metabolite Profiling by NMR: Effects of Growing Year, Variety, and Cropping System
Authors: Sobolev Anatoly Petrovich , Acciaro Erica , Milutinović Milica , Božunović Jelena , Aničić Neda , Mišić Danijela , Mattoo Autar K.
Published: August 2024

Considering that maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food for a large segment of the population worldwide, many attempts have been made to improve the nutritional value of its grain and at the same time to achieve sustainable cropping systems. The present study aimed to characterize the composition and nutritional value of maize grain as influenced by cropping system, genetic background (variety), and growing year using untargeted NMR metabolomics. The composition of both water- (sugars and polyols, organic acids, and amino acids) and liposoluble metabolites (free and esterified fatty acids, sterols, and lipids) extracted from the maize grain was determined. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and ANOVA) pointed to the growing year and the variety as the most important random and fixed factors, respectively, influencing the metabolite profile. The samples were separated along PC1 and PC3 according to the growing year and the variety, respectively. A higher content of citric acid and diunsaturated fatty acids and a lower content of tyrosine, trigonelline, and monounsaturated fatty acids was observed in the organic with respect to the conventional variety. The effect of the cropping system was overwhelmed by the random effect of the growing year. The results provide novel knowledge on the influence of agronomic practices on maize micronutrient contents.
Influence of Anions on the Antibacterial Activity and Physicochemical Properties of Different-Sized Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Yuan Bojie , Shangguan Shuyue , Zhao Deqiang
Published: August 2024

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with different sizes have been extensively adopted in various commercial products, causing ecological concerns because of the inevitable release of AgNPs into the environment. Hence, understanding the interaction of different-sized AgNPs with environmental substances is important for assessing the environmental risk and fate of AgNPs. In this work, we investigated the impact of anions (NO3−, SO42−, HCO3−/CO32−, Cl−) in aquatic environments on the physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity of different-sized AgNPs (20, 40 and 57 nm). The results showed that the anions whose corresponding silver-based products had lower solubility were more likely to decrease the zeta potential (more negative) of particles, inhibit the dissolution of AgNPs and reduce their antibacterial activity. This should be attributed to the easier generation of coating layers on the surface of AgNPs during the incubation process with such anions. Additionally, the generation of coating layers was also found to be particle-size dependent. The anions were more prone to adsorbing onto larger-sized AgNPs, promoting the formation of coating layers, subsequently resulting in more pronounced variations in the physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity of the larger-sized AgNPs. Therefore, larger-sized AgNPs were more prone to experiencing specific effects from the anions.
Magnetic Exchange Mechanism and Quantized Anomalous Hall Effect in Bi2Se3 Film with a CrWI6 Monolayer
Authors: Huang He , He Fan , Liu Qiya , Yu You , Zhang Min
Published: August 2024

Magnetizing the surface states of topological insulators without damaging their topological features is a crucial step for realizing the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect and remains a challenging task. The TI–ferromagnetic material interface system was constructed and studied by the density functional theory (DFT). A two-dimensional magnetic semiconductor CrWI6 has been proven to effectively magnetize topological surface states (TSSs) via the magnetic proximity effect. The non-trivial phase was identified in the Bi2Se3 (BS) films with six quantum layers (QL) within the CrWI6/BS/CrWI6 heterostructure. BS thin films exhibit the generation of spin splitting near the TSSs, and a band gap of approximately 2.9 meV is observed at the Γ in the Brillouin zone; by adjusting the interface distance of the heterostructure, we increased the non-trivial band gap to 7.9 meV, indicating that applying external pressure is conducive to realizing the QAH effect. Furthermore, the topological non-triviality of CrWI6/6QL-BS/CrWI6 is confirmed by the nonzero Chern number. This study furnishes a valuable guideline for the implementation of the QAH effect at elevated temperatures within heterostructures comprising two-dimensional (2D) magnetic monolayers (MLs) and topological insulators.
Audio Signal-Stimulated Multilayered HfOx/TiOy Spiking Neuron Network for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Gao Shengbo , Ma Mingyuan , Liang Bin , Du Yuan , Du Li , Chen Kunji
Published: August 2024

As the key hardware of a brain-like chip based on a spiking neuron network (SNN), memristor has attracted more attention due to its similarity with biological neurons and synapses to deal with the audio signal. However, designing stable artificial neurons and synapse devices with a controllable switching pathway to form a hardware network is a challenge. For the first time, we report that artificial neurons and synapses based on multilayered HfOx/TiOy memristor crossbar arrays can be used for the SNN training of audio signals, which display the tunable threshold switching and memory switching characteristics. It is found that tunable volatile and nonvolatile switching from the multilayered HfOx/TiOy memristor is induced by the size-controlled atomic oxygen vacancy pathway, which depends on the atomic sublayer in the multilayered structure. The successful emulation of the biological neuron’s integrate-and-fire function can be achieved through the utilization of the tunable threshold switching characteristic. Based on the stable performance of the multilayered HfOx/TiOy neuron and synapse, we constructed a hardware SNN architecture for processing audio signals, which provides a base for the recognition of audio signals through the function of integration and firing. Our design of an atomic conductive pathway by using a multilayered TiOy/HfOx memristor supplies a new method for the construction of an artificial neuron and synapse in the same matrix, which can reduce the cost of integration in an AI chip. The implementation of synaptic functionalities by the hardware of SNNs paves the way for novel neuromorphic computing paradigms in the AI era.
Impact of Dietary Patterns on Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Liu Jingwen , Lu Wenfeng , Lv Qingyun , Wang Yaqi , Xu Xueying , He Yuan , Chang Hairong , Zhao Yue , Zhang Xiaonan , Zang Xiaoying , Zhang Hua
Published: August 2024

Metabolic syndrome has become a significant public health concern. This study aims to investigate the impact of dietary patterns on metabolic syndrome in young adults and how physical activity modulates this effect. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a health management center in Tianjin, China, from September 2022 to March 2023. Participants aged 18–35 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models evaluated associations between these patterns and metabolic syndrome, adjusting for potential confounders. Among 442 participants, four dietary patterns were identified: Legume–Nut, Alcohol–Meat, Sugar–Processed, and Egg–Vegetable. The Legume–Nut dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.08–6.37), while the Egg–Vegetable dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10–0.70). No significant associations were found for the Sugar–Processed and Alcohol–Meat patterns. Subgroup analysis revealed that the Legume–Nut pattern increased the risk of metabolic syndrome among those with irregular physical activity, whereas the Egg–Vegetable pattern decreased the risk. These findings highlight the significant influence of dietary patterns on the risk of metabolic syndrome in young adults and the modifying effect of regular physical activity, underscoring the need for targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions to prevent metabolic syndrome in this population.
Dietary Interventions for Cancer Prevention: An Update to ACS International Guidelines
Authors: Torres Álvaro , Quintanilla Francisca , Barnafi Esteban , Sánchez César , Acevedo Francisco , Walbaum Benjamín , Merino Tomás
Published: August 2024

Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, demands the identification of modifiable risk factors to optimize its prevention. Diet has emerged as a pivotal focus in current research efforts. This literature review aims to enhance the ACS guidelines on diet and cancer by integrating the latest findings and addressing unresolved questions. The methodology involved an advanced PubMed search with specific filters relevant to the research topic. Topics covered include time-restricted diet, diet quality, acid load, counseling, exercise and diet combination, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian and pescetarian diets, weight loss, dairy consumption, coffee and tea, iron, carbohydrates, meat, fruits and vegetables, heavy metals, micronutrients, and phytoestrogens. The review highlights the benefits of the Mediterranean diet in reducing cancer risk. Adherence to overnight fasting or carbohydrate consumption may contribute to cancer prevention, but excessive fasting may harm patients’ quality of life. A vegetarian/pescetarian diet is associated with lower risks of general and colorectal cancer compared to a carnivorous diet. High heme and total iron intake are linked to increased lung cancer risk, while phytoestrogen intake is associated with reduced risk. Coffee and tea have a neutral impact on cancer risk. Finally, the roles of several preventive micronutrients and carcinogenic heavy metals are discussed.
Estimating the Seroprevalence of Scrub Typhus in Nepal
Authors: Linsuwanon Piyada , Auysawasdi Nutthanun , Chao Chien-Chung , Rodkvamtook Wuttikon , Shrestha Binob , Bajracharya Samita , Shrestha Jasmin , Wongwairot Sirima , Limsuwan Chawin , Lindroth Erica , Mann Alyssa , Davidson Silas , Wanja Elizabeth , Shrestha Sanjaya Kumar
Published: August 2024

Prior to the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, scrub typhus was not recognized as a highly endemic disease in the country. This contrasted with neighboring India, where scrub typhus is endemic and there have been sporadic outbreaks of severe forms. This discrepancy underscores the limitations in our comprehensive understanding of the scrub typhus epidemiological patterns in Nepal, especially before 2015. To better understand the dynamic and current status of scrub typhus, this study investigated its prevalence among patients with acute febrile illness in two hospitals located in Pokhara city, Kaski district and Bharatpur city, Chitwan district during 2009–2010. Our findings revealed that 31.5% (239 of 759 patients) of the cases were positives for scrub typhus based on serological and pathogen detection assays. These results provide crucial insights into the pre-earthquake endemicity of scrub typhus in Nepal, implying its long-standing presence in the region prior to the significant environmental transformations caused by the 2015 earthquake. This study also emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and improved diagnostic capabilities to effectively manage and control scrub typhus, which remains a significant public health concern in Nepal.
Susceptibility of Oilseed Radish (Raphanus sativus subsp. oleiferus) Cultivars and Various Brassica Crops to Plasmodiophora brassicae
Authors: Wallenhammar Ann-Charlotte , Edin Eva , Jonsson Anders
Published: August 2024

Oilseed radish (OR; Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus) is grown as a cover crop and develops a unique taproot, absorbing nitrogen left by the previous crop. The aim of this project was to investigate the resistance of OR cultivars (cvs.) to Plasmodiophora brassicae, the causal agent of clubroot disease. Twelve market cvs. were compared with cvs. of clubroot-resistant (CR) winter oilseed rape (OSR; Brassica napus) and other selected species of the Brassicaceae family. The study was performed as a replicated bioassay in a growth chamber using a specially composed mixture of field soils holding the natural inoculum of P. brassicae. The results show that the OR cultivars were infected, which implies that OR multiplies the pathogen. The susceptibility of the OR cultivars was not significantly different from that of the CR OSR cultivars Alister and Archimedes, but it was significantly different from that of the OSR cv. Mendel. The disease severity index (DSI) for OR cultivars ranged from 2.3 to 9.3, and disease incidence was 3–17%. The best performance was shown by black radish (Raphanus sativus var. niger) with a DSI of 0.3. For sustainable brassica crop production, we suggest avoiding OR as a cover crop in crop rotations, including OSR or other brassica crops, since there is a risk of increasing inoculum in the soil.
Correction: Kovács et al. ABT-333 (Dasabuvir) Increases Action Potential Duration and Provokes Early Afterdepolarizations in Canine Left Ventricular Cells via Inhibition of IKr. Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16, 488
Authors: Kovács Zsigmond Máté , Óvári József , Dienes Csaba , Magyar János , Bányász Tamás , Nánási Péter P. , Horváth Balázs , Feher Adam , Varga Zoltan , Szentandrássy Norbert
Published: August 2024

Text Correction [...]
Maltol Improves Peripheral Nerve Function by Inhibiting Schwann Cell Apoptosis via the PERK/eIF2α/CHOP Pathway and MME Upregulation in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Li Jiawei , Liu Quan , Liu Shuainan , Xin Hong , Zhang Xuemei , Guo Nan
Published: August 2024

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most prevalent chronic complication among diabetic patients and a primary risk factor contributing to the deterioration of diabetic foot conditions. The pathogenesis of DPN remains complex and not fully understood, and there are hardly any effective treatment drugs. Maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyranone) has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential role of maltol in the treatment of DPN remains unclear. This study aimed to assess maltol’s effects on DPN rats and high glucose (HG)/palmitic acid (PA)-induced rat Schwann cells (RSC96). The results indicated maltol’s capacity to enhance peripheral nerve function in DPN rats. In RSC96 cells stimulated with high HG and PA, maltol treatment reduced DPN markers and apoptosis-related proteins. Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways were involved in this process. Western blot results demonstrated the activation of ER stress pathway in HG/PA-induced RSC96 cells, with maltol attenuating ER stress-related protein expression. Furthermore, the knockdown of Membrane metallo-endopeptidase (MME) reversed maltol’s effects on apoptosis-related protein expression, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for maltol via MME in treating DPN. These findings indicate that maltol may hold promise as a therapeutic agent for DPN treatment.
[68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286—Synthesis, Quality Control and Comparison with [18F]FDG PET/CT in a Patient with Suspected Cholangiocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hörmann Anton Amadeus , Schweighofer-Zwink Gregor , Rendl Gundula , Türk Kristina , Nadeje Samuel , Haas Kristina , Jung Theresa , Huber-Schönauer Ursula , Hehenwarter Lukas , Beheshti Mohsen , Pirich Christian
Published: August 2024

[68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286 is a new peptide-based radiopharmaceutical for positron-emission tomography (PET) that targets fibroblast activation protein (FAP). This article describes in detail the automated synthesis of [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286 using a commercially available synthesis tool that includes quality control for routine clinical applications. The synthesis was performed using a Scintomics GRP-3V module and a GMP grade 68Ge/68Ga generator. A minor alteration for transferring the eluate to the module was established, eliminating the need for new method programming. Five batches of [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286 were tested to validate the synthesis. A stability analysis was conducted up to 3 h after production to determine the shelf-life of the finished product. The automated synthesis on the Scintomics GRP-3V synthesis module was found to be compliant with all quality control requirements. The shelf-life of the product was set to 2 h post-production based on the stability study. A patient suffering from cholangiocellular carcinoma that could not be clearly detected by conventional imaging, including a [18F]FDG-PET/CT, highlights the potential use of [68Ga]Ga-FAP-PET/CT.
Harnessing the Power of NK Cell Receptor Engineering as a New Prospect in Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Douka Stefania , Papamoschou Vasilis , Raimo Monica , Mastrobattista Enrico , Caiazzo Massimiliano
Published: August 2024

Natural killer (NK) cells have recently gained popularity as an alternative for cancer immunotherapy. Adoptive cell transfer employing NK cells offers a safer therapeutic option compared to T-cell-based therapies, due to their significantly lower toxicity and the availability of diverse autologous and allogeneic NK cell sources. However, several challenges are associated with NK cell therapies, including limited in vivo persistence, the immunosuppressive and hostile tumor microenvironment (TME), and the lack of effective treatments for solid tumors. To address these limitations, the modification of NK cells to stably produce cytokines has been proposed as a strategy to enhance their persistence and proliferation. Additionally, the overexpression of activating receptors and the blockade of inhibitory receptors can restore the NK cell functions hindered by the TME. To further improve tumor infiltration and the elimination of solid tumors, innovative approaches focusing on the enhancement of NK cell chemotaxis through the overexpression of chemotactic receptors have been introduced. This review highlights the latest advancements in preclinical and clinical studies investigating the engineering of activating, inhibitory, and chemotactic NK cell receptors; discusses recent progress in cytokine manipulation; and explores the potential of combining the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology with NK cell receptors engineering.
Evaluation of Population Pharmacokinetic Models of Micafungin: Implications for Dosing Regimen Optimization in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Li Xiping , Liu Xiaoqin , Mao Juehui , Liu Dong , Jiao Zheng
Published: August 2024

Micafungin (MFG) is a widely used echinocandin antifungal agent for treating invasive candidiasis, particularly in critically ill patients. However, its pharmacokinetics can be highly variable in this population. This systematic review aims to summarize population pharmacokinetic models and provide recommendations for its use in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Monte Carlo simulations were implemented to compare pharmacokinetic parameters and probability of target attainment (PTA) against various Candida species. A total of 16 studies were included, of which 6 studies were conducted in adult ICU patients. The key covariates were body size, liver function, and sepsis-related organ failure assessment score (SOFA) score. The median MFG clearance in adult ICU patients was 30–51% higher than in adult non-ICU patients. For infections with C. albican with MIC below 0.016 mg/L, micafungin dosages of 100 and 150 mg/d were recommended for adult non-ICU and ICU patients, respectively. For C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, 200 and 250 mg/d were recommended, respectively. However, for C. krusei and C. parapsilosis, none of the tested dosage regimens achieved assumed PTA criteria within MIC ranges of 0.125–0.25 mg/L and 0.125–2 mg/L, respectively. Therefore, MFG dosage regimens in ICU and non-ICU patients should be tailored based on the Candida spp. and their respective MIC values.
Intrinsic Conductance of Ferroelectric Charged Domain Walls
Authors: Yang Feng
Published: August 2024

Ferroelectric charged domain walls offer a revolutionary path for next-generation ferroelectric devices due to their exceptional conductivity within an otherwise insulating matrix. However, quantitative understanding of this “giant conductivity” has remained elusive due to the lack of robust models describing carrier behavior within CDWs. The current paper bridges this critical knowledge gap by employing a first-principles approach that incorporates Boltzmann transport theory and the relaxation time approximation. This strategy enables the calculation of carrier concentration, mobility, and conductivity for both head-to-head and tail-to-tail domain wall configurations within a stabilized periodic structure. The comprehensive transport analysis given here reveals that the accumulation of charge carriers, particularly their concentration, is the dominant factor governing domain wall conductance. Interestingly, observed conductance differences between head-to-head and tail-to-tail walls primarily arise from variations in carrier mobility. Additionally, this study demonstrates a significantly reduced domain wall width compared to previous reports. This miniaturization is attributed to the presence of compressive strain, which lowers the energy barrier for electron–hole pair generation. Furthermore, the findings here suggest that reducing the band gap presents a viable strategy for stabilizing charged domain walls. These results pave the way for the optimization and development of domain wall devices across a spectrum of ferroelectric materials.
The Influence of Molecular Weights on Dispersion and Thermoelectric Performance of Alkoxy Side-Chain Polythiophene/Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials
Authors: Chen Xiaogang , Chen Shihong , Wang Dagang , Qiu Yongfu , Chen Zhongming , Yang Haixin , Yang Qing , Yin Zijian , Pan Chengjun
Published: August 2024

In the development of wearable electronic devices, the composite modification of conductive polymers and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has become a burgeoning research area. This study presents the synthesis of a novel polythiophene derivative, poly(3-alkoxythiophene) (P3(TEG)T), with alkoxy side chains. Different molecular weight variants of P3(TEG)T (P1–P4) were prepared and combined with SWCNTs to form composite materials. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed a reduced bandgap for P3(TEG)T. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated π-π interactions between P3(TEG)T and SWCNTs, facilitating the dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes and the formation of a continuous conductive network. Among the composite films, P4/SWCNTs-0.9 exhibited the highest thermoelectric performance, with a power factor (PF) value of 449.50 μW m−1 K−2. The fabricated flexible thermoelectric device achieved an output power of 3976.92 nW at 50 K, with a tensile strength of 59.34 MPa for P4/SWCNTs. Our findings highlight the strong interfacial interactions between P3(TEG)T and SWCNTs in the composite material, providing an effective charge transfer pathway. Furthermore, an improvement in the tensile performance was observed with an increase in the molecular weight of the polymer used in the composite, offering a viable platform for the development of high-performance flexible organic thermoelectric materials.
Block Copolymers of Poly(N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone) and Poly(Vinyl Esters) Bearing n-alkyl Side Groups via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Polymerization: Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Roka Nikoletta , Papazoglou Theodosia-Panagiota , Pitsikalis Marinos
Published: August 2024

Amphiphilic block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and various vinyl esters (VEs), PNVP-b-PVEs, namely vinyl butyrate (VBu), vinyl decanoate (VDc), and vinyl stearate (VSt), were synthesized through RAFT polymerization techniques. The sequential addition of the monomers methodology was employed starting from the polymerization of NVP followed by the polymerization of the Ves’ monomer. The polymerization of NVP was conducted at 60 °C in benzene solution using AIBN as the initiator and O-ethyl S-(phthalimidylmethyl) xanthate as the CTA. The resulting PNVP macro-CTA was further applied for the polymerization of the vinyl ester in dioxane solution at 80 °C using, again, AIBN as the initiator. The block copolymers were characterized through size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and NMR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior of the copolymers was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), whereas their thermal stability via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG).
Antimicrobial Coatings Based on a Photoreactive (Meth)acrylate Syrup and Ferulic Acid—The Effectiveness against Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Kowalczyk Agnieszka , Kraśkiewicz Agata , Markowska-Szczupak Agata , Kowalczyk Krzysztof
Published: August 2024

A novel photopolymerizable (meth)acrylate oligomer syrup modified with ferulic acid (FA) was verified as an antimicrobial coating binder against a biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis. A solution-free UV-LED-initiated photopolymerization process of aliphatic (meth)acrylates and styrene was performed to prepare the oligomer syrup. The influence of ferulic acid on the UV crosslinking process of the varnish coatings (kinetic studies using photo-DSC) as well as their chemical structure (FTIR) and mechanical (adhesion, hardness), optical (gloss, DOI parameter), and antibacterial properties against S. epidermidis were investigated. The photo-DSC results revealed that FA has a positive effect on reducing the early occurrence of slowing processes and has a favorable effect on the monomer conversion increment. It turned out, unexpectedly, that the more FA in the coating, the greater its adhesion to a glass substrate and hardness. The coating containing 0.9 wt. part of FA exhibited excellent antimicrobial properties against S. epidermidis, i.e., the bacterial number after 24 h was only 1.98 log CFU/mL. All the coatings showed relatively high hardness, gloss (>80 G.U.), and DOI parameter values (30–50 a.u.).
Enhancing the Fire Resistance of Ablative Materials: Role of the Polymeric Matrix and Silicon Carbide Reinforcement
Authors: Abenojar Juana , López de Armentia Sara , Martínez Miguel Angel
Published: August 2024

The primary characteristic of ablative materials is their fire resistance. This study explored the development of cost-effective ablative materials formed into application-specific shapes by using a polymer matrix reinforced with ceramic powder. A thermoplastic (polypropylene; PP) and a thermoset (polyester; UPE) matrix were used to manufacture ablative materials with 50 wt% silicon carbide (SiC) particles. The reference composites (50 wt% SiC) were compared to those with 1 and 3 wt% short glass fibers (0.5 mm length) and to composites using a 1 and 3 wt% glass fiber mesh. Fire resistance was tested using a butane flame (900 °C) and by measuring the transmitted heat with a thermocouple. Results showed that the type of polymer matrix (PP or UPE) did not influence fire resistance. Composites with short glass fibers had a fire-resistance time of 100 s, while those with glass fiber mesh tripled this resistance time. The novelty of this work lies in the exploration of a specific type of material with unique percentages of SiC not previously studied. The aim is to develop a low-cost coating for industrial warehouses that has improved fire-protective properties, maintains lower temperatures, and enhances the wear and impact resistance.
Application of 3D-Printed Bioinks in Chronic Wound Healing: A Scoping Review
Authors: Abuhamad Asmaa Y. , Masri Syafira , Fadilah Nur Izzah Md , Alamassi Mohammed Numan , Maarof Manira , Fauzi Mh Busra
Published: August 2024

Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and venous ulcers, pose significant clinical challenges and burden healthcare systems worldwide. The advent of 3D bioprinting technologies offers innovative solutions for enhancing chronic wound care. This scoping review evaluates the applications, methodologies, and effectiveness of 3D-printed bioinks in chronic wound healing, focusing on bioinks incorporating living cells to facilitate wound closure and tissue regeneration. Relevant studies were identified through comprehensive searches in databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, following strict inclusion criteria. These studies employ various 3D bioprinting techniques, predominantly extrusion-based, to create bioinks from natural or synthetic polymers. These bioinks are designed to support cell viability, promote angiogenesis, and provide structural integrity to the wound site. Despite these promising results, further research is necessary to optimize bioink formulations and printing parameters for clinical application. Overall, 3D-printed bioinks offer a transformative approach to chronic wound care, providing tailored and efficient solutions. Continued development and refinement of these technologies hold significant promise for improving chronic wound management and patient outcomes.
Multi-Objective Robust Design Optimization for Crashworthiness Enhancement of Hybrid 2D Triaxially Braided Composite Tube Using Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Sun Dongyang , Jiao Yudu , Tian Yuanhao , Gong Youkun , Li Leilei , Ning Huiming
Published: August 2024

An innovative optimal design framework is developed aiming at enhancing the crashworthiness while ensuring the lightweight design of a hybrid two-dimensional triaxial braided composite (2DTBC) tube, drawing insights from the mesostructure of the composite material. To achieve these goals, we first compile the essential mechanical properties of the 2DTBC using a concentric cylinder model (CCM) and an analytical laminate model. Subsequently, a kriging surrogate model to elucidate the intricate relationship between design variables and macroscopic crashworthiness is developed and validated. Finally, employing multi-objective evolutionary optimization, we identify Pareto optimal solutions, highlighting that reducing the total fiber volume and increasing the glass fiber content in the total fiber volume are crucial for optimal crashworthiness and the lightweight design of the hybrid 2DTBC tube. By integrating advanced predictive modeling techniques with multi-objective evolutionary optimization, the proposed approach not only sheds light on the fundamental principles governing the crashworthiness of hybrid 2DTBC but also provides valuable insights for the design of robust and lightweight composite structures.
Applying pH Modulation to Improve the Thermal Stability of Melamine–Formaldehyde Microcapsules Containing Butyl Stearate as a Phase-Change Material
Authors: Alič Branko , Šebenik Urška , Krajnc Matjaž
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a two-stage microencapsulation process that uses pH modulation to enhance the thermal stability of microcapsules that consist of a melamine–formaldehyde (MF) shell and a butyl stearate core. In the first stage, the pH value was modulated between 6.0 and 8.0. Rising the pH value to 8.0 slowed the polycondensation rate, allowing the MF resin with a lower degree of polymerization to migrate to the capsule surface and form a smooth shell. Lowering the pH value to 6.0 accelerated polycondensation. In the second stage, a relatively fast, continuous reduction in the pH value to 5.0 led to further MF polycondensation, hardening the shell. Post-curing at 100 °C prevented shell damage caused by the liquid–gas phase transition of the core material during the process. The microcapsules produced by increasing the pH value to 8.0 twice demonstrated improved thermal stability, with only a minimal overall weight loss of 5% at 300 °C. Significant weight loss was observed between 350 and 400 °C, temperatures at which the methylene bridges in the MF shell undergo thermal degradation. The results from differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry analyses confirmed a successful optimization of the microencapsulation, showing that these microcapsules are promising for thermal energy storage and other applications that require high thermal stability.
Freedom by Coercion: Augustine’s Limitation of Coercion by the State
Authors: Debusschere Aaron P.
Published: August 2024

Despite the tendency of some modern scholars to mark Augustine as the father of religious coercion, the Second Vatican Council (1962–65) cites him as a principal source for freedom of conscience. This essay presents evidence from Augustine’s letters and anti-Donatist writings to show that he both upheld freedom of conscience and maintained a vital role for state force. The essay shows that far from simply providing a Christian justification for the use of state force against non-Catholics, Augustine most notably imposed the limits of Christian charity on a long history of state-sponsored religious persecution. Only by the charitable and paternal application of discipline by the state would many Donatists be truly free to follow their conscience. In this way, those persecuted for being in schism could attain freedom by coercion.
Sensing the Eternal Birth: Mystical Vision “Inside” The Visitation in the Met
Authors: Tramarin Davide
Published: August 2024

Much scholarly attention has been paid to The Visitation group housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The sculpture, dated between 1310 and 1320 and attributed to Master Heinrich of Constance, comes from the Dominican convent of St. Katherinental, in present-day Switzerland, and is notable for its two rock crystal cabochons embedded in the wombs of the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth. In this paper, I support and substantiate the original inclusion of the two stones in the artwork, arguing that it was conceived in close connection with the mystical doctrine on inner vision and the Eternal Birth of God within the soul, as theorized by the Dominican theologian Meister Eckhart (1260–1328). Considering the role of vision in medieval spirituality, the rock crystals, as symbols of purity and divine illumination, functioned as pivotal tools in the mystical experience of Katherinental nuns, fostering their profound spiritual connection with the divine. This article provides a fresh and in-depth analysis of the iconological essence of The Visitation in the Met, incorporating notions established in the field of sensory studies together with methods developed in visual and material culture studies.
Engaging with Climate Grief, Guilt, and Anger in Religious Communities
Authors: Pihkala Panu
Published: August 2024

Climate change evokes many kinds of emotions, which have an impact on people’s behavior. This article focuses on three major climate emotions—guilt, grief, and anger—and other closely related emotional phenomena, such as climate anxiety/distress. The article explores ways in which these emotions could be engaged with constructively in religious communities, with a certain emphasis on Christian, monotheistic, and Buddhist communities. These religious communities have certain special resources for engaging with guilt and grief, but they often have profound difficulty working with constructive anger. The ways in which these emotions can affect each other are probed, and the complex dynamics of climate guilt are given special attention. Based on the work of psychologists Tara Brach and Miriam Greenspan, a four-step method of engaging with these emotions is proposed and discussed: self-reflection, exploration of various forms of these emotions, contextualization, and creative application of various methods to channel the energies in these emotions. The article draws from interdisciplinary research on eco-emotions, religion and ecology studies, and psychology.
A Comparative Study of Shame as Denoted by Hrī, Apatrāpya, and Xiuwuzhixin
Authors: Zhang (Ven. Hongliang) Chao , Yang Benhua
Published: August 2024

Mencius’ concept of shame has emerged as a space of comparison between shame cultures in the East and West in cross-cultural research. However, comparative research on shame in Buddhist and Confucian cultures is scarce. Hence, this study examines the Buddhist psychological Shame concepts of “hrī” (Can 慚, shame) and “apatrāpya” (Kui 愧, abashment) and the Confucian “xiuwuzhixin” (羞惡之心, the mind of shame) as representative examples that reveal a subject boundary that restricts shame to human beings and explores the similar subject-subordinate structures of these concepts. The study then analyzes the internal and external forces that induce shame. Finally, it discusses the goodness ascribed to shame and how deviation from shame leads to evil. Results reveal fundamental differences in the understanding of shame between the two cultures. In particular, “hrī” and “apatrāpya” in Buddhism are rooted in the psychological consciousness function, whereas “xiuwuzhixin” in Confucian culture is rooted in the ethics function. This cross-cultural comparison of shame highlights the tension and complexity inherent in this concept.
Images, Legends, and Relics Worship in Southern Song Mingzhou: Interpretating “King Aśoka Stupa” and “Relics’ Light” from the Daitokuji Old Collection’s 500 Luohans Paintings
Authors: Wu Tianyue
Published: August 2024

The Daitokuji Old Collection’s 500 Luohans Paintings 五百羅漢圖, painted by Southern Song Mingzhou 明州 artists Lin Tinggui 林庭珪 and Zhou Jichang 周季常, have become a focal point in recent studies on the Chinese Buddhist material culture of the Song Dynasty. Among the 500 Luohans series, five paintings are related to the ancient Indian legend of Emperor Aśoka’s creation of 84,000 stupas. These paintings include “Building a Stupa” (No.78), “King Aśoka Stupa Emitting Light” (No.79), “Precious Stupa on the Rock” (No.80), and “Miracle of Light-Emitting Relics” (No.81), which are currently housed in the Daitokuji 大德寺 in Kyoto, Japan, and “Luohans Watching the Relics’ Light” (B5), which is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the US. However, the way in which the “King Aśoka Stupa” 阿育王塔 and “Relics’ Light” 舍利光 series were integrated into the overall visual narrative of the 500 Luohans in the Daitokuji and Boston collections, as well as the profound meanings and social-cultural contexts embedded in these images, have been rarely studied in depth. The introduction of the miraculous relics theme into the Daitokuji Old Collection’s 500 Luohans Paintings originates from an earlier version by the monk Fa Neng. However, Fa Neng’s version recorded by the Northern Song literati Qin Guan 秦觀 does not mention the King Aśoka Stupa. The artists had considerable freedom in depicting miraculous relic phenomena and King Aśoka Stupa. The specific details of King Aśoka Stupa’s background in Tiantai Mountain 天台山, such as rock bridges, waterfalls, and rock caves, as well as the craftsmanship of King Aśoka Stupa, reflect particular contemporary ideas. The vivid depictions of the “King Aśoka Stupa” and “Relics’ Light” in the Daitokuji Present Collection and the Boston Collection of the 500 Luohans may indicate a close connection between the creation of these images and the fervent Relics Worship at King Aśoka Temple 阿育王寺 in Mingzhou during Southern Song. This paper synthesizes these images, ancient Chinese and Japanese manuscripts, and fieldwork insights to interpret the sources and significance of these images.
Exploring Shallow Geological Structures in Landslides Using the Semi-Airborne Transient Electromagnetic Method
Authors: Wu Junjie , Xiao Du , Du Bingrui , Liu Yuge , Zhi Qingquan , Wang Xingchun , Deng Xiaohong , Chen Xiaodong , Zhao Yi , Huang Yue
Published: August 2024

The Meijiayan landslide in Pengshui County within Chongqing City is a medium-scale soil landslide triggered by the excavation of roadbeds. To delve into the influencing factors and assess the stability of this landslide, it is crucial to meticulously map the subterranean geological framework of the area. Such an analysis lays the groundwork for evaluating and mitigating the risks of future landslide instabilities. In this context, the semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method (SATEM), which is complemented by a receiving system mounted on an aerial platform, stands out as an innovative geophysical exploration technique. This method is adept at conducting swift measurements across complex terrains, making it particularly valuable for areas prone to such geological events. This paper presents the utilization of a cutting-edge loop source SATEM system, which was operationalized via a rotor-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system was employed to conduct shallow geological structure detection experiments on the Meijiayan landslide. The SATEM detection outcomes have unveiled fluctuations in the electrical distribution across the upper strata, which are indicative of the subsurface geological boundaries, faults, and areas potentially rich in water within the landslide region. These discoveries affirm the viability of utilizing loop source SATEM for the identification of shallow geological structures in regions susceptible to landslides. The findings indicate that while the landslide is currently in a stable condition, it poses a significant risk of movement, especially during the rainy season, with the potential for landslides to be exacerbated by extreme or sustained rainfall events.
RGBTSDF: An Efficient and Simple Method for Color Truncated Signed Distance Field (TSDF) Volume Fusion Based on RGB-D Images
Authors: Li Yunqiang , Huang Shuowen , Chen Ying , Ding Yong , Zhao Pengcheng , Hu Qingwu , Zhang Xujie
Published: August 2024

RGB-D image mapping is an important tool in applications such as robotics, 3D reconstruction, autonomous navigation, and augmented reality (AR). Efficient and reliable mapping methods can improve the accuracy, real-time performance, and flexibility of sensors in various fields. However, the currently widely used Truncated Signed Distance Field (TSDF) still suffers from the problem of inefficient memory management, making it difficult to directly use it for large-scale 3D reconstruction. In order to address this problem, this paper proposes a highly efficient and accurate TSDF voxel fusion method, RGBTSDF. First, based on the sparse characteristics of the volume, an improved grid octree is used to manage the whole scene, and a hard coding method is proposed for indexing. Second, during the depth map fusion process, the depth map is interpolated to achieve a more accurate voxel fusion effect. Finally, a mesh extraction method with texture constraints is proposed to overcome the effects of noise and holes and improve the smoothness and refinement of the extracted surface. We comprehensively evaluate RGBTSDF and similar methods through experiments on public datasets and the datasets collected by commercial scanning devices. Experimental results show that RGBTSDF requires less memory and can achieve real-time performance experience using only the CPU. It also improves fusion accuracy and achieves finer grid details.
Stripe Noise Removal Algorithm for Infrared Remote Sensing Images Based on Adaptive Weighted Variable Order Model
Authors: Huang Liang , Gao Mingyang , Yuan Hangfei , Li Mingxuan , Nie Ting
Published: August 2024

In the infrared remote sensing imaging system, the output of the detector is uneven, resulting in noticeable stripe noise in the image, which significantly reduces the image quality. Therefore, in response to the problem of establishing a variational model for the image globally and fixing the fractional order of the regularization term in the existing stripe noise removal algorithms based on model optimization, a stripe noise removal algorithm for infrared remote sensing images based on an adaptive weighted variable order model is proposed. In this algorithm, the vertical and approximate components containing stripe noise in the image are first separated through multi-level and multi-scale wavelet transform, and only these two components are processed; secondly, the global sparsity and the gradient sparsity of stripe noise and the variable order gradient sparsity of the information component are constrained by L1 norm, so as to establish the stripe noise removal model. The order of the fractional derivative is adaptively assigned to each pixel of the information component through local variance; then, an adaptive weight operator is introduced, which can assign different weights to the pixels in the variable order derivative of the information component on the basis of the image gradient information. Finally, through the ADMM algorithm, we can obtain the optimal solution of this model. The processing results of simulated and actual data indicate that the proposed algorithm performs well in all indexes and has obvious advantages in removing stripe noise and preserving image details.
An Efficient Task Implementation Modeling Framework with Multi-Stage Feature Selection and AutoML: A Case Study in Forest Fire Risk Prediction
Authors: Su Ye , Zhao Longlong , Li Hongzhong , Li Xiaoli , Chen Jinsong , Ge Yuankai
Published: August 2024

As data science advances, automated machine learning (AutoML) gains attention for lowering barriers, saving time, and enhancing efficiency. However, with increasing data dimensionality, AutoML struggles with large-scale feature sets. Effective feature selection is crucial for efficient AutoML in multi-task applications. This study proposes an efficient modeling framework combining a multi-stage feature selection (MSFS) algorithm and AutoSklearn, a robust and efficient AutoML framework, to address high-dimensional data challenges. The MSFS algorithm includes three stages: mutual information gain (MIG), recursive feature elimination with cross-validation (RFECV), and a voting aggregation mechanism, ensuring comprehensive consideration of feature correlation, importance, and stability. Based on multi-source and time series remote sensing data, this study pioneers the application of AutoSklearn for forest fire risk prediction. Using this case study, we compare MSFS with five other feature selection (FS) algorithms, including three single FS algorithms and two hybrid FS algorithms. Results show that MSFS selects half of the original features (12/24), effectively handling collinearity (eliminating 11 out of 13 collinear feature groups) and increasing AutoSklearn’s success rate by 15%, outperforming two FS algorithms with the same number of features by 7% and 5%. Among the six FS algorithms and non-FS, MSFS demonstrates the highest prediction performance and stability with minimal variance (0.09%) across five evaluation metrics. MSFS efficiently filters redundant features, enhancing AutoSklearn’s operational efficiency and generalization ability in high-dimensional tasks. The MSFS–AutoSklearn framework significantly improves AutoML’s production efficiency and prediction accuracy, facilitating the efficient implementation of various real-world tasks and the wider application of AutoML.