bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Ion-Imprinted Materials for Selective Adsorption of Cr(VI): Adsorption Behavior and Mechanism Study
Authors: Li Shunfei , Ye Siqing , Zhang Weiye , He Hongxing , Zhang Yi , Xiong Mingyang , Chen Yuhan , Wang Mingqiu , Nie Zhifeng
Published: April 2024

With the increase of hexavalent Cr(VI) wastewater discharged from industrial production, it seriously pollutes water bodies and poses a risk to human health. Adsorption is used as an effective means to treat Cr(VI), but its effectiveness is affected by pH, and the adsorption performance decreases when acidity is strong. Furthermore, research on the mechanism of Cr(VI) adsorption using DFT calculations needs to be developed. This study focuses on the development of magnetically responsive core–shell nano-ion imprinted materials (Fe3O4@GO@IIP) through magnetic separation and surface imprinting techniques. Characterization techniques including FT-IR, XRD, and EDS confirmed the core–shell nanostructure of Fe3O4@GO@IIP. Batch adsorption experiments and model simulations demonstrated the exceptional adsorption capacity of Fe3O4@GO@IIP for Cr(VI) in strongly acidic solutions (pH = 1), reaching a maximum of 89.18 mg/g. The adsorption mechanism was elucidated through XPS and DFT calculations, revealing that Fe3O4@GO@IIP operates through electrostatic interactions and chemical adsorption, with charge transfer dynamics quantified during the process. This research provides new insights for addressing Cr(VI) treatment in highly acidic environments.
Removal of Azo Dyes from Water Using Natural Luffa cylindrica as a Non-Conventional Adsorbent
Authors: Aranda-Figueroa Ma. Guadalupe , Rodríguez-Torres Adriana , Rodríguez Alexis , Bolio-López Gloria Ivette , Salinas-Sánchez David Osvaldo , Arias-Atayde Dulce Ma. , Romero Rosenberg J. , Valladares-Cisneros Maria Guadalupe
Published: April 2024

Reducing high concentrations of pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, drugs, and dyes from water is an emerging necessity. We evaluated the use of Luffa cylindrica (Lc) as a natural non-conventional adsorbent to remove azo dye mixture (ADM) from water. The capacity of Lc at three different doses (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 g/L) was evaluated using three concentrations of azo dyes (0.125, 0.250, and 0.500 g/L). The removal percent (R%), maximum adsorption capacity (Qm), isotherm and kinetics adsorption models, and pH influence were evaluated, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The maximum R% was 70.8% for 10.0 g L−1 Lc and 0.125 g L−1 ADM. The Qm of Lc was 161.29 mg g−1. Adsorption by Lc obeys a Langmuir isotherm and occurs through the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Statistical analysis showed that the adsorbent dose, the azo dye concentration, and contact time significantly influenced R% and the adsorption capacity. These findings indicate that Lc could be used as a natural non-conventional adsorbent to reduce ADM in water, and it has a potential application in the pretreatment of wastewaters.
Using Quinolin-4-Ones as Convenient Common Precursors for a Metal-Free Total Synthesis of Both Dubamine and Graveoline Alkaloids and Diverse Structural Analogues
Authors: Abonia Rodrigo , Cabrera Lorena , Arteaga Diana , Insuasty Daniel , Quiroga Jairo , Cuervo Paola , Insuasty Henry
Published: April 2024

The Rutaceae family is one of the most studied plant families due to the large number of alkaloids isolated from them with outstanding biological properties, among them the quinoline-based alkaloids Graveoline 1 and Dubamine 2. The most common methods for the synthesis of alkaloids 1 and 2 and their derivatives involves cycloaddition reactions or metal-catalyzed coupling processes but with some limitations in scope and functionalization of the quinoline moiety. As a continuation of our current studies on the synthesis and chemical transformation of 2-aminochalcones, we are reporting here an efficient metal-free approach for the total synthesis of alkaloids 1 and 2 along with their analogues with structural diversity, through a two-step sequence involving intramolecular cyclization, oxidation/aromatization, N-methylation and oxidative C-C bond processes, starting from dihydroquinolin-4-ones as common precursors for the construction of the structures of both classes of alkaloids.
Sensing and Microbiological Activity of a New Blue Fluorescence Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Modified with 1,8-Naphthalimide Units
Authors: Grabchev Ivo , Jordanova Albena , Vasileva-Tonkova Evgenia , Minkov Ivan L.
Published: April 2024

A novel second-generation blue fluorescent polyamidoamine dendrimer peripherally modified with sixteen 4-N,N-dimethylaninoethyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide units was synthesized. Its basic photophysical characteristics were investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. It was found that in these solvents, the dendrimer is colorless and emitted blue fluorescence with different intensities depending on their polarity. The effect of the pH of the medium on the fluorescence intensity was investigated and it was found that in the acidic medium, the fluorescence is intense and is quenched in the alkaline medium. The ability of the dendrimer to detect metal ions (Pb2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Sn2+, Ba2+, Ni2+, Sn2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Fe3+, and Al3+) was also investigated, and it was found that in the presence of Fe3+, the fluorescent intensity was amplified more than 66 times. The antimicrobial activity of the new compound has been tested in vitro against Gram-positive B. cereus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. The tests were performed in the dark and after irradiation with visible light. The antimicrobial activity of the compound enhanced after light irradiation and B. cereus was found slightly more sensitive than P. aeruginosa. The increase in antimicrobial activity after light irradiation is due to the generation of singlet oxygen particles, which attack bacterial cell membranes.
Two Fluorescent Probes for Recognition of Acetylcholinesterase: Design, Synthesis, and Comparative Evaluation
Authors: Lin Xia , Yi Qingyuan , Qing Binyang , Lan Weisen , Jiang Fangcheng , Lai Zefeng , Huang Jijun , Liu Qing , Jiang Jimin , Wang Mian , Zou Lianjia , Huang Xinbi , Wang Jianyi
Published: April 2024

In this study, two “on–off” probes (BF2-cur-Ben and BF2-cur-But) recognizing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were designed and synthesized. The obtained probes can achieve recognition of AChE with good selectivity and pH-independence with a linear range of 0.5~7 U/mL and 0.5~25 U/mL respectively. BF2-cur-Ben has a lower limit of detection (LOD) (0.031 U/mL), higher enzyme affinity (Km = 16 ± 1.6 μM), and higher inhibitor sensitivity. A responsive mechanism of the probes for AChE was proposed based on HPLC and mass spectra (MS) experiments, as well as calculations. In molecular simulation, BF2-cur-Ben forms more hydrogen bonds (seven, while BF2-cur-But has only four) and thus has a more stable enzyme affinity, which is mirrored by the results of the comparison of Km values. These two probes could enable recognition of intracellular AChE and probe BF2-cur-Ben has superior cell membrane penetration due to its higher log p value. These probes can monitor the overexpression of AChE during apoptosis of lung cancer cells. The ability of BF2-cur-Ben to monitor AChE in vivo was confirmed by a zebrafish experiment.
Y(OTf)3-Salazin-Catalyzed Asymmetric Aldol Condensation
Authors: Wang Chengzhuo , Chen Ning , Yang Zhanhui , Xu Jiaxi
Published: April 2024

The chiral aziridine-containing vicinal iminophenol tridentate ligands (named salazins) are a class of readily prepared chiral ligands from enantiopure aziridines and salicylaldehydes. Their scandium and yttrium triflate complexes show excellent reactivity and enantioselectivities in the catalytic asymmetric aldol condensation of electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes and ketones, including acetone and cycloalkanones. The stereoselectivity is rationalized to the strong π–stacking interaction between aromatic aldehydes and the vicinal iminophenol group in the chiral ligands.
Self-Assembly Behavior, Aggregation Structure, and the Charge Carrier Transport Properties of S-Heterocyclic Annulated Perylene Diimide Derivatives
Authors: Ben Haijie , Yan Gaojie , Wang Yulin , Zeng Huiming , Wu Yuechao , Lin Feng , Zhao Junhua , Du Wanglong , Zhang Shaojie , Zhou Shijia , Pu Jingyu , Ye Milan , Ji Haifeng , Lv Liang
Published: April 2024

The construction of high-performance n-type semiconductors is crucial for the advancement of organic electronics. As an attractive n-type semiconductor, molecular systems based on perylene diimide derivatives (PDIs) have been extensively investigated over recent years. Owing to the fascinating aggregated structure and high performance, S-heterocyclic annulated PDIs (SPDIs) are receiving increasing attention. However, the relationship between the structure and the electrical properties of SPDIs has not been deeply revealed, restricting the progress of PDI-based organic electronics. Here, we developed two novel SPDIs with linear and dendronized substituents in the imide position, named linear SPDI and dendronized SPDI, respectively. A series of structural and property characterizations indicated that linear SPDI formed a long-range-ordered crystalline structure based on helical supramolecular columns, while dendronized SPDI, with longer alkyl side chains, formed a 3D-ordered crystalline structure at a low temperature, which transformed into a hexagonal columnar liquid crystal structure at a high temperature. Moreover, no significant charge carrier transport signal was examined for linear SPDI, while dendronized SPDI had a charge carrier mobility of 3.5 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 2.1 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 in the crystalline and liquid crystalline state, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of the structure–function relationship in PDIs, and also offer useful roadmaps for the design of high-performance organic electronics for down-to-earth applications.
The Effects of Antofine on the Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Phytophthora capsici
Authors: Wang Mei , Zhang Weirong , Lu Jiaojiao , Huo Yanbo , Wang Jing
Published: April 2024

Phytophthora capsici is an important plant pathogenic oomycete that causes great losses to vegetable production around the world. Antofine is an important alkaloid isolated from Cynanchum komarovii Al. Iljinski and exhibits significant antifungal activity. In this study, the effect of antofine on the mycelial growth, morphology, and physiological characteristics of P. capsici was investigated using colorimetry. Meanwhile, the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes of P. capsici was evaluated following treatment with a 30% effective concentration (EC30), as well as EC50 and EC70, of antofine for 0, 12, 24, and 48 h. The results showed that antofine had a significant inhibitory effect against P. capsici, with an EC50 of 5.0795 μg/mL. After treatment with antofine at EC50 and EC70, the mycelia were rough, less full, and had obvious depression; they had an irregular protrusion structure; and they had serious wrinkles. In P. capsici, oxalic acid and exopolysaccharide contents decreased significantly, while cell membrane permeability and glycerol content increased when treated with antofine. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) entered a burst state in P. capsici after incubation with antofine for 3 h, and fluorescence intensity was 2.43 times higher than that of the control. The activities of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II, III, I + III, II + III, V, and citrate synthase in P. capsici were significantly inhibited following treatment with antofine (EC50 and EC70) for 48 h compared to the control. This study revealed that antofine is likely to affect the pathways related to the energy metabolism of P. capsici and thus affect the activity of respiratory chain complexes. These results increase our understanding of the action mechanism of antofine against P. capsici.
Sc-Modified C3N4 Nanotubes for High-Capacity Hydrogen Storage: A Theoretical Prediction
Authors: Liu Shuli , Tang Xiao , He Chang , Wang Tingting , Shang Liying , Wang Mengyuan , Yang Shenbo , Tang Zhenjie , Ju Lin
Published: April 2024

Utilizing hydrogen as a viable substitute for fossil fuels requires the exploration of hydrogen storage materials with high capacity, high quality, and effective reversibility at room temperature. In this study, the stability and capacity for hydrogen storage in the Sc-modified C3N4 nanotube are thoroughly examined through the application of density functional theory (DFT). Our finding indicates that a strong coupling between the Sc-3d orbitals and N-2p orbitals stabilizes the Sc-modified C3N4 nanotube at a high temperature (500 K), and the high migration barrier (5.10 eV) between adjacent Sc atoms prevents the creation of metal clusters. Particularly, it has been found that each Sc-modified C3N4 nanotube is capable of adsorbing up to nine H2 molecules, and the gravimetric hydrogen storage density is calculated to be 7.29 wt%. It reveals an average adsorption energy of −0.20 eV, with an estimated average desorption temperature of 258 K. This shows that a Sc-modified C3N4 nanotube can store hydrogen at low temperatures and harness it at room temperature, which will reduce energy consumption and protect the system from high desorption temperatures. Moreover, charge donation and reverse transfer from the Sc-3d orbital to the H-1s orbital suggest the presence of the Kubas effect between the Sc-modified C3N4 nanotube and H2 molecules. We draw the conclusion that a Sc-modified C3N4 nanotube exhibits exceptional potential as a stable and efficient hydrogen storage substrate.
Efficient Functionalization of Organosulfones via Photoredox Catalysis: Direct Incorporation of α-Carbonyl Alkyl Side Chains into α-Allyl-β-Ketosulfones
Authors: Huang Hong-Li , Li Shan , Lv Yong-Zheng , Shi Ya-Qian , Pang Tian-Tian , Zhang Ru-Fen , Huang Wenjing , Yin Jianhui , Gao Fei
Published: April 2024

A novel and efficient method for functionalizing organosulfones has been established, utilizing a visible-light-driven intermolecular radical cascade cyclization of α-allyl-β-ketosulfones. This process employs fac-Ir(ppy)3 as the photoredox catalyst and α-carbonyl alkyl bromide as the oxidizing agent. Via this approach, the substrates experience intermolecular addition of α-carbonyl alkyl radicals to the alkene bonds, initiating a sequence of C-C bond formations that culminate in the production of organosulfone derivatives. Notably, this technique features gentle reaction conditions and an exceptional compatibility with a wide array of functional groups, making it a versatile and valuable addition to the field of organic synthesis.
Pharmacological Activities of Lonicerae japonicae flos and Its Derivative—“Chrysoeriol” in Skin Diseases
Authors: Law Siu Kan , Wu Xiao Xiao , Jiang Zhou , Tong Christy Wing Sum , Chow Wesley Yeuk Lung , Au Dawn Ching Tung
Published: April 2024

Chrysoeriol is an active ingredient derived from the Chinese medicinal herb (CMH) “Lonicerae japonicae flos” in the dried flower bud or bloomed flower of Lonicera japonica Thunberg. Dermatoses are the most common diseases in humans, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, moles, and fungal infections, which are temporary or permanent and may be painless or painful. Topical corticosteroids are widely used in Western medicine, but there are some side effects when it is continuously and regularly utilized in a large dosage. Chrysoeriol is a natural active ingredient, nontoxic, and without any adverse reactions in the treatment of dermatological conditions. Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched, including WanFang Data, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Link, SciFinder, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), without regard to language constraints. The pharmacological activities of chrysoeriol from Lonicerae japonicae flos to fight against skin diseases were explained and evaluated through the literature review of either in vitro or in vivo studies. Results: Chrysoeriol decreased the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. These were transcriptionally regulated by NF-κB and STAT3 to combat skin inflammation. It also showed promising actions in treating many skin ailments including wound healing, depigmentation, photoprotection, and antiaging. Conclusion: The cutaneous route is the best delivery approach to chrysoeriol across the skin barrier. However, toxicity, dosage, and safety assessments of chrysoeriol in a formulation or nanochrysoeriol on the human epidermis for application in skin diseases must be further investigated.
In Silico Analysis: Anti-Inflammatory and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of New α-Methylene-γ-Lactams
Authors: Hernández-Guadarrama Alexis , Díaz-Román Mónica Aideé , Linzaga-Elizalde Irma , Domínguez-Mendoza Blanca Eda , Aguilar-Guadarrama A. Berenice
Published: April 2024

The research about α-methylene-γ-lactams is scarce; however, their synthesis has emerged in recent years mainly because they are isosters of α-methylene-γ-lactones. This last kind of compound is structurally most common in some natural products’ nuclei, like sesquiterpene lactones that show biological activity such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, etc., effects. In this work, seven α-methylene-γ-lactams were evaluated by their inflammation and α-glucosidase inhibition. Thus, compounds 3-methylene-4-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one (1), 3-methylene-4-(p-tolyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (2), 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylenepyrrolidin-2-one (3), 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-methylenepyrrolidin-2-one (4), 5-ethyl-3-methylene-4-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one (5), 5-ethyl-3-methylene-4-(p-tolyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (6) and 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl-3-methylenepyrrolidin-2-one (7) were evaluated via in vitro α-glucosidase assay at 1 mM concentration. From this analysis, 7 exerts the best inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase compared with the vehicle, but it shows a low potency compared with the reference drug at the same dose. On the other side, inflammation edema was induced using TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) on mouse ears; compounds 1–7 were tested at 10 µg/ear dose. As a result, 1, 3, and 5 show a better inhibition than indomethacin, at the same doses. This is a preliminary report about the biological activity of these new α-methylene-γ-lactams.
Potential of Drought Tolerant Rhizobacteria Amended with Biochar on Growth Promotion in Wheat
Authors: Noureen Sidra , Iqbal Atia , Muqeet Hafiz Abdul
Published: April 2024

Drought stress is the prime obstacle for worldwide agricultural production and necessitates innovative strategies for enhancing crop resilience. This study explores the efficacy of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and biochar (BC) as sustainable amendments for mitigating the effects of drought on wheat growth. Multiple experiments were carried out on isolated strains to assess their drought tolerance potential and multiple plant growth-promoting attributes. Experiments in the laboratory and natural environment were conducted to assess the impact of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, biochar, and their synergistic application on various growth parameters of wheat. The results revealed that the drought-tolerant PGPR strains (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus tequilensis), alongside biochar (rice husk), alleviated the phytotoxic impact of drought by increasing the root length from 17.0% to 70.0% and shoot length from 30.0% to 82.0% as compared to un-inoculated stressed controls. The total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of the plants were substantially increased to 477% and 423%, respectively, when biochar and PGPR were applied synergistically. Significant enhancements in membrane stability index, relative water content, proline, and sugar level were achieved by combining biochar and bacterial strains, resulting in increases of 19.5%, 37.9%, 219%, and 300%, respectively. The yield of wheat in terms of plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, and number of grains per spike was enhanced from 26.7% to 44.6%, 23.5% to 62.7%, 91.5% to 154%, and 137% to 182%, respectively. It was concluded that the biochar-based application of PGPR induced drought tolerance in wheat under water deficit conditions, ultimately improving the production and yield of wheat.
Carob: A Mediterranean Resource for the Future
Authors: Martins-Loução Maria Amélia , Correia Pedro José , Romano Anabela
Published: April 2024

For centuries, the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) has contributed to the economy of the Mediterranean basin, mainly as food for livestock. Nowadays, the value of the carob tree extends far beyond its traditional uses, encompassing a wide range of industries and applications that take advantage of its unique properties and nutritional benefits. Despite its high industrial demand and European indications, there has been a 65% reduction in the area cultivated throughout the Mediterranean area in the 21st century. Given the threats posed by climate change, including reduced water availability and nutrient-depleted soils, there is a growing need to focus on this crop, which is well placed to cope with unpredictable weather. In this review, we use a bibliographic search approach to emphasise the prioritisation of research needs for effective carob tree exploitation. We found enormous gaps in the scientific knowledge of this under-utilised crop species with fruit pulp and seeds of high industrial value. Insufficient understanding of the biology of the species, as well as inadequate agronomic practices, compromise the quantity and the quality of fruits available to the industry. In addition to industrial applications, carob can also be used in reforestation or restoration programmes, providing a valuable crop while promoting biodiversity conservation and soil restoration. The carbon sequestration potential of the trees should be taken into account as a promising alternative in fighting climate change. This bibliographic search has highlighted clusters with different knowledge gaps that require further research and investment. The carob tree has untapped potential for innovation, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Phytochemical, In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Research on the Extract of Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreb.
Authors: Ionus Elis , Schröder Verginica , Chiţescu Carmen Lidia , Bucur Laura Adriana , Lupu Carmen Elena , Dumitrescu Denisa-Elena , Popescu Liliana , Mihai Dragoș Paul , Olaru Octavian Tudorel , Nițulescu George Mihai , Boscencu Rica , Gîrd Cerasela Elena
Published: April 2024

The present study focuses on the chemical characterization of a dry extract obtained from the species Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreb, evaluating its antioxidant properties, toxicity, and in silico profile. Quantitative analysis of the dry extract revealed a notable amount of phytochemical compounds: 59.932 ± 21.167 mg rutin equivalents (mg REs)/g dry weight, 45.864 ± 4.434 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (mg ChAEs)/g dry weight and, respectively, 83.307 ± 3.989 mg tannic acid equivalents (TAEs)/g dry weight. By UHPLC-HRMS/MS, the following were quantified as major compounds: caffeic acid (3253.8 μg/g extract) and kaempherol (3041.5 μg/g extract); more than 11 types of polyphenolic compounds were quantified (genistin 730.2 μg/g extract, naringenin 395 μg/g extract, apigenin 325.7 μg/g extract, galangin 283.3 μg/g extract, ferulic acid 254.3 μg/g extract, p-coumaric acid 198.2 μg/g extract, rutin 110.6 μg/g extract, chrysin 90.22 μg/g extract, syringic acid 84.2 μg/g extract, pinocembrin 32.7 μg/g extract, ellagic acid 18.2 μg/g extract). The antioxidant activity was in accordance with the amount of phytochemical compounds: IC50DPPH = 483.6 ± 41.4 µg/mL, IC50ABTS•+ = 127.4 ± 20.2 µg/mL, and EC50FRAP = 491.6 ± 2 µg/mL. On the larvae of Artemia sp., it was found that the extract has a low cytotoxic action. In silico studies have highlighted the possibility of inhibiting the activity of protein kinases CDK5 and GSK-3b for apigenin, galangin, and kaempferol, with possible utility for treating neurodegenerative pathologies and neuropathic pain. Further studies are warranted to confirm the predicted molecular mechanisms of action and to further investigate the therapeutic potential in animal models of neurological disorders.
Exploring the Nutritional Potential and Functionality of Hemp and Rapeseed Proteins: A Review on Unveiling Anti-Nutritional Factors, Bioactive Compounds, and Functional Attributes
Authors: Axentii Marina , Codină Georgiana Gabriela
Published: April 2024

Plant-based proteins, like those derived from hemp and rapeseed can contribute significantly to a balanced diet and meet human daily nutritional requirements by providing essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. According to numerous recent research papers, the consumption of plant-based proteins has been associated with numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Plant-based diets are often lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in fiber and phytonutrients, which can support overall health and well-being. Present research investigates the nutritional attributes, functional properties, and potential food applications of hemp and rapeseed protein for a potential use in new food-product development, with a certain focus on identifying anti-nutritional factors and bioactive compounds. Through comprehensive analysis, anti-nutritional factors and bioactive compounds were elucidated, shedding light on their impact on protein quality and digestibility. The study also delves into the functional properties of hemp and rapeseed protein, unveiling their versatility in various food applications. Insights from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the nutritional value and functional potential of hemp and rapeseed protein, paving the way for their further utilization in innovative food products with enhanced nutritional value and notable health benefits.
Impacts of Soil Properties on Species Diversity and Structure in Alternanthera philoxeroides-Invaded and Native Plant Communities
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Yuxin , Zhang Tiantian , Xu Mingxia , Rao Benqiang
Published: April 2024

Soil properties can affect plant population dynamics and the coexistence of native and invasive plants, thus potentially affecting community structure and invasion trends. However, the different impacts of soil physicochemical properties on species diversity and structure in native and invaded plant communities remain unclear. In this study, we established a total of 30 Alternanthera philoxeroides-invaded plots and 30 control plots in an area at the geographical boundary between North and South China. We compared the differences in species composition between the invaded and native plant communities, and we then used the methods of regression analysis, redundancy analysis (RDA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to examine the impacts of soil physicochemical properties on four α-diversity indices and the species distribution of these two types of communities. We found that A. philoxeroides invasion increased the difference between the importance values of dominant plant species, and the invasion coverage had a negative relationship with the soil-available potassium (R2 = 0.135; p = 0.046) and Patrick richness index (R2 = 0.322; p < 0.001). In the native communities, the species diversity was determined with soil chemical properties, the Patrick richness index, the Simpson dominance index, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, which all decreased with the increase in soil pH value, available potassium, organic matter, and ammonium nitrogen. However, in the invaded communities, the species diversity was determined by soil physical properties; the Pielou evenness index increased with increasing non-capillary porosity but decreased with increasing capillary porosity. The determinants of species distribution in the native communities were soil porosity and nitrate nitrogen, while the determinants in the invaded communities were soil bulk density and available potassium. In addition, compared with the native communities, the clustering degree of species distribution in the invaded communities intensified. Our study indicates that species diversity and distribution have significant heterogeneous responses to soil physicochemical properties between A. philoxeroides-invaded and native plant communities. Thus, we need to intensify the monitoring of soil properties in invaded habitats and conduct biotic replacement strategies based on the heterogeneous responses of native and invaded communities to effectively prevent the biotic homogenization that is caused by plant invasions under environmental changes.
Synthesis of Nano-Structured Conjugated Polymers with Multiple Micro-/Meso-Pores by the Post-Crosslinking of End-Functionalized Hyperbranched Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Liang Zhenfeng , Liang Hui
Published: April 2024

A nano-structured conjugated polymer with multiple micro-/meso-pores was synthesized by post-crosslinking of an end-functionalized hyperbranched conjugated prepolymer. Firstly, an AB2 monomer 3-((3,5-dibromo-4-(octyloxy)phenyl)ethynyl)-6-ethynyl-9-octyl-9H-carbazole (PECz) was synthesized and polymerized by Sonogashira reaction to give the -Br end-functionalized hyperbranched conjugated prepolymer hb-PPECz. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of hb-PPECz were investigated. The λmax of absorption and emission of hb-PPECz in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution was 313 and 483 nm, respectively. The optical energy bandgap, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels of hb-PPECz were 2.98, −5.81, and −2.83 eV, respectively. Then, the prepolymer hb-PPECz was post-crosslinked by Heck reaction with divinylbenzene to give the porous conjugated polymer c-PPECz. The effects of hb-PPECz concentration and added dispersant polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K-30) on the morphology and porosity of c-PPECz were investigated. The resulting c-PPECzs showed multiple porous structures mainly constructed by micropores and mesopores. Under a higher hb-PPECz concentration (4 wt/v%), a bulky gel product was obtained. Under lower hb-PPECz concentrations (0.6 wt/v%~2 wt/v%), the resulting c-PPECzs were mainly composed of nano-sized particles. Nearly spheric nanoparticles (200~300 nm) (c-PPECz-5) were obtained under the concentration of 1 wt/v% in the presence of PVP (10 wt% of hb-PPECz). The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, pore volume, average pore size, and percentage of pore size below 10 nm of c-PPECz-5 were 10.7781 m2·g−1, 0.0108 cm3·g−1, 4.0081 nm, and 94.47%, respectively.
A Continuous Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Prediction Method Based on Deep Sparse Residual U-Net Combined with Improved Squeeze and Excitation Skip Connections
Authors: Lai Kaixuan , Wang Xusheng , Cao Congjun
Published: April 2024

Arterial blood pressure (ABP) serves as a pivotal clinical metric in cardiovascular health assessments, with the precise forecasting of continuous blood pressure assuming a critical role in both preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. This study proposes a novel continuous non-invasive blood pressure prediction model, DSRUnet, based on deep sparse residual U-net combined with improved SE skip connections, which aim to enhance the accuracy of using photoplethysmography (PPG) signals for continuous blood pressure prediction. The model first introduces a sparse residual connection approach for path contraction and expansion, facilitating richer information fusion and feature expansion to better capture subtle variations in the original PPG signals, thereby enhancing the network’s representational capacity and predictive performance and mitigating potential degradation in the network performance. Furthermore, an enhanced SE-GRU module was embedded in the skip connections to model and weight global information using an attention mechanism, capturing the temporal features of the PPG pulse signals through GRU layers to improve the quality of the transferred feature information and reduce redundant feature learning. Finally, a deep supervision mechanism was incorporated into the decoder module to guide the lower-level network to learn effective feature representations, alleviating the problem of gradient vanishing and facilitating effective training of the network. The proposed DSRUnet model was trained and tested on the publicly available UCI-BP dataset, with the average absolute errors for predicting systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean blood pressure (MBP) being 3.36 ± 6.61 mmHg, 2.35 ± 4.54 mmHg, and 2.21 ± 4.36 mmHg, respectively, meeting the standards set by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), and achieving Grade A according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) Standard for SBP and DBP predictions. Through ablation experiments and comparisons with other state-of-the-art methods, the effectiveness of DSRUnet in blood pressure prediction tasks, particularly for SBP, which generally yields poor prediction results, was significantly higher. The experimental results demonstrate that the DSRUnet model can accurately utilize PPG signals for real-time continuous blood pressure prediction and obtain high-quality and high-precision blood pressure prediction waveforms. Due to its non-invasiveness, continuity, and clinical relevance, the model may have significant implications for clinical applications in hospitals and research on wearable devices in daily life.
A Novel Method for Obtaining Analytical Parameters Based on Double-Flank Measurement
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Liu Mingkang , Yao Tianyang , Zheng Kunlei , Zhao Chengxiang , Xiao Longyuan , Zhu Dongjie , Shi Zhaoyao
Published: April 2024

Double-flank measurement is the most commonly used method for full inspection of mass-produced gears and has high measurement efficiency, but it cannot obtain the analytical parameters and is not helpful enough to evaluate the NVH performance of the gears. Based on the double-flank rolling tester with a new principle, a simulation method for double-flank measurement and a solving method for analytical parameters are proposed. Using the simulation method, the double-flank measurements without random error can be obtained through the collision detection algorithm. The solving method uses the iteration to obtain the minimum rolling length of each position of the tooth surface, then obtains the analytical parameters of the gear. In the experiments, the difference between the profile deviations obtained by the solving method and superimposed in the simulation method is less than 0.03 μm. The experiment results have verified the correctness of the simulation method and the solving method. These methods can greatly improve the value of double-flank measurement.
Moral Distress and Moral Agency: Staff Experience of Supporting Self-Determination for People with Dementia
Authors: Ingard Cecilia , Sjölund Maria , Trygged Sven
Published: April 2024

People living in nursing homes have the right to self-determination, and difficulty in accommodating this right can create moral distress in staff. This study aimed to explore experiences of situations of moral distress and to identify nursing home staffs’ needs to act with moral agency. Six group interviews were conducted with nursing home staff. Content analysis of the interview responses showed that moral distress can be rooted in both concrete situations with residents and factors related to the work environment and policy requirements. Personnel can address moral distress through both active and passive means. Staff acted to address moral distress mainly in situations with residents and sometimes in relation to co-workers, but they did not try to influence the policy level.
Combined Aerobic Exercise with Intermittent Fasting Is Effective for Reducing mTOR and Bcl-2 Levels in Obese Females
Authors: Rejeki Purwo Sri , Pranoto Adi , Widiatmaja Deandra Maharani , Utami Dita Mega , Izzatunnisa Nabilah , Sugiharto  , Lesmana Ronny , Halim Shariff
Published: April 2024

The integration of combined aerobic exercise and intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a strategy for the prevention and management of obesity, including its associated health issues such as age-related metabolic diseases. This study aimed to examine the potential of combined aerobic exercise and IF as a preventative strategy against cellular senescence by targeting mTOR and Bcl-2 levels in obese females. A total of 30 obese women, aged 23.56 ± 1.83 years, body fat percentage (FAT) 45.21 ± 3.73% (very high category), BMI 30.09 ± 3.74 kg/m2 were recruited and participated in three different types of interventions: intermittent fasting (IF), exercise (EXG), and a combination of intermittent fasting and exercise (IFEXG). The intervention program was carried out 5x/week for 2 weeks. We examined mTOR and Bcl-2 levels using ELISA kits. Statistical analysis used the one-way ANOVA test and continued with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test, with a significance level of 5%. The study results showed that a combination of aerobic exercise and IF significantly decreased mTOR levels (−1.26 ± 0.79 ng/mL) compared to the control group (−0.08 ± 1.33 ng/mL; p ≤ 0.05). However, combined aerobic exercise and IF did not affect Bcl-2 levels significantly (−0.07 ± 0.09 ng/mL) compared to the control group (0.01 ± 0.17 ng/mL, p ≥ 0.05). The IF-only group, exercise-only group, and combined group all showed a significant decrease in body weight and fat mass compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). However, the combined aerobic exercise and IF program had a significant effect in reducing the total percentage of body fat and fat mass compared to the IF-only group (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that the combined intermittent fasting and exercise group (IFEXG) undertook the most effective intervention of the three in terms of preventing cellular senescence, as demonstrated by decreases in the mTOR level, body weight, and fat mass. However, the IFEXG did not present reduced Bcl-2 levels.
Changing Conditions: Global Warming-Related Hazards and Vulnerable Rural Populations in Mediterranean Europe
Authors: Graus Sandra , Ferreira Tiago Miguel , Vasconcelos Graça , Ortega Javier
Published: April 2024

Human-induced climate change has profound effects on extreme events, particularly those linked to global warming, such as heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. These events disrupt ecosystems, emphasizing the imperative to understand the interactions among them to gauge the risks faced by vulnerable communities. Vulnerability levels vary primarily based on a community’s resources. Rural areas, especially in the Mediterranean region of Europe, are experiencing acute depopulation, creating a complex situation affecting various aspects of society, from economic declines to cultural heritage loss. Population decline in rural regions weakens resources, leading to the abandonment of built environments, fostering desertification, and elevating the risk of wildfires. Communities undergoing this deterioration process become exceptionally vulnerable, especially when dealing with and recovering from extreme natural phenomena. This review offers insights into the dynamics of these hazards and the predominant challenges in rural areas. By focusing on a topic that has received limited attention, the aim is to inform future research initiatives, ultimately improving risk assessment and mitigation strategies for these vulnerable communities.
Results of lidar monitoring in the Vyborgsky district
of the Leningrad region and St. Petersburg
Authors: Samulenkov Dmitry , Sapunov Maxim
Published: April 2024

, St. Petersburg, Russia,
Statistical Analysis of Ineqality and Poverty with Under-Reporting Incomes of Russian Households
Authors: Arzhenovskiy S. V.
Published: April 2024

The subject of the article is the study of inequality and poverty, taking into account under-reporting household income. The purpose of the research was to estimate the under-reporting incomes of households and their impact on the smoothing income inequality and poverty based on representative data of the All-Russian Survey of Consumer Finance (2013, 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2022). It is relevant to analyze changes in inequality for individual population groups, as well as the contribution to inequality of individual sources of income, including those hidden from statistical observation. The novelty of the study is the obtained estimates of under-reporting household income, as well as the results of an analysis of their impact on smoothing income inequality and poverty based on the specified dataThe methodology included the use of econometric modeling according to the Pissarides – Weber approach, as well as decomposition of the Gini elasticity by income sources based on the Lerman – Yitzhaki algorithm. The results of estimations differ from those previously obtained according to the data of the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – Higher School of Economics. The resulting share of under- reporting income in the disposable resources of households averaged about 20% for 2013 to 2022 and decreased by 2,3% on average per year. Decomposition of the Gini index by income sources led to the conclusion that the main contribution to inequality was made by the non-poor population. Calculation of Gini income elasticities by income sources for poor and non-poor households (taking into account the imputed component of under-reporting income) revealed their differently directed impact on inequality. Wages and social transfers increase inequality among the poor and do not increase inequality among non-poor households. Estimating under-reporting income was higher for the group of poor households. At the same time, this component increased inequality in the post-crisis year 2015 and in the pandemic year 2020 for the group of non-poor households. The obtained results will provide important information to social policy makers, taking into account the influence of under-reporting income` on the poverty reduction and equalization of the standard of living of the Russian population
Implementation of the Environmental Goods and Services Accounting into the Statistical Practice of the Russian Federation
Authors: Klevakina M. P. , Guren T. V. , Repin I. A.
Published: April 2024

The article discusses the main characteristics of the international statistical standard «System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework» (SEEA) in terms of the Environmental Goods and Services Sector (EGSS) developing as well as the provisions of the Eurostat methodological guidelines which are designed to facilitate the monitoring of progress in the EU policy priorities implementation in the field of environmental protection, rational resource management and «green» growth economy. The authors presented a brief overview of publications made by Rosstat specialists and Russian scientists in the field of environmental protection.The body of article defines practical recommendations on the EGSS implementation into statistical practice in Russia: both the justified approach for compilation the list of environmental goods and services, and the identified statistics sources for calculation the EGSS indicators, as well as an algorithm for their calculation developed by the authors. The recommendations provided in this article are the methodological framework for environmental goods and services accounting.According to the authors, the study findings will permit further development of methodological guidelines for the EGSS compilation accordance with the Action Plan («Roadmap») for the Implementation of Priority Accounts of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting approved by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Heart Disease Diagnosis Using Decision Trees with Feature Selection Method
Authors: Sheta Alaa , El-Ashmawi Walaa , Baareh Abdelkarim
Published: April 2024

The advancement in treating medical data grows significantly daily. An accurate data classification model can help determine patient disease and diagnose disease severity in the medical domain, thus easing doctors' treatment burdens. Nonetheless, medical data analysis presents challenges due to uncertainty, the correlations between various measurements, and the high dimensionality of the data. These challenges burden statistical classification models. Machine Learning (ML) and data mining approaches have proven effective in recent years in gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of these aspects. This research adopts a well-known supervised learning classification model named a Decision Tree (DT). DT is a typical tree structure consisting of a central node, connected branches, and internal and terminal nodes. In each node, we have a decision to be made, such as in a rule-based system. This type of model helps researchers and physicians better diagnose a disease. To reduce the complexity of the proposed DT, we explored using the Feature Selection (FS) method to design a simpler diagnosis model with fewer factors. This concept will help reduce the data collection stage. A comparative analysis has been conducted between the developed DT and other various ML models, such as Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed model. The results of the DT model establish a notable accuracy of 93.78\% and an ROC value of 0.94, which beats other compared algorithms. The developed DT model provided promising results and can help diagnose heart disease
Objectual violence: some remarks on deliberate pottery fragmentation from Predynastic Egypt
Authors: Barba Pablo
Published: April 2024

Alors que la violence exercée sur les corps humains fait partie des thèmes les plus étudiés en archéologie, la violence infligée aux objets a reçu beaucoup moins de considération. J’explore ici de nouvelles perspectives anthropologiques qui définissent la violence non pas sous l’aspect du «dommage physique humain» mais de celui de la «véhémence». La violence nous oblige en effet à reconsidérer les relations et les limites entre humains et non-humains. J’analyse de manière qualitative des exemples provenant du registre de l’archéologie funéraire qui témoignent de la destruction violente et délibérée d’objets céramiques dans des rituels mortuaires puis leur éparpillement. Bien que la diversité et la complexité du phénomène soient bien mises en évidence, je suggère que cette pratique est importante en tant que «technologie des émotions» provocant le deuil au sein des participants et comme un dispositif mnémonique associant les populations, les temporalités et les espaces sociaux.
De quoi jouit l’archiviste ? Méditation certalienne sur le « vol d’âme » 2.0
Authors: Le Roux Ronan
Published: April 2024

Quoiqu’il thésaurise des traces du monde, l’archiviste n’est pas tout à fait un croque-mort du document. Il y a bien une vie de l’ «archive » , mais en quoi intéresse-t-elle le corps vivant ? Interroger ce lien archives-corps avec la psychanalyse, c’est s’aventurer sur une passerelle que Michel de Certeau avait lancée sans l’emprunter tout à fait. Philippe Artières ou Elisabeth Roudinesco y ont fait quelques pas en illustrant comment des archives peuvent faire l’objet de projections fantasmatiques et d’investissements libidinaux. Une anecdote institutionnelle ‒ le refus d’une proposition d’archivage numérisé des nombreuses créations des patients d’un établissement psychiatrique ‒ fournit ici l’occasion paradigmatique d’interroger, à partir de l’éthique de la psychanalyse, l’économie pulsionnelle qui sous-tend les décisions d’archivage. Si l’archivage est une objectification, une fétichisation, à quelles jouissances ces objets sont-ils destinés ? Quelles satisfactions visent et alimentent les gestes ordinaires qui ponctuent la vie des archives (capture, classement, mise à disposition, exhibitions) ? La question prend toute sa voilure en tenant compte qu’à côté des archivistes professionnels se multiplient, par la grâce des technologies numériques, les archivistes amateurs encouragés à une mise en boîte du monde toujours plus effrénée.