bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Membrane Surface Hydrophobicity on the Performance and Water Production Cost of a Desalination Unit
Authors: Rabiei Sima , Paterson Anthony H. J.
Published: February 2025

Membrane pore wetting remains a significant challenge to achieving the stable operation and commercialization of membrane distillation processes. This study quantitatively assessed membrane surface hydrophobicity to investigate its impact on the performance and water production cost of an MD system. Membranes with a similar pore wetting resistance but differing in surface hydrophobicity and pore diameter were examined. A direct contact membrane distillation unit was modeled, and the water flux results were compared with laboratory experiments to validate the model. The validated model was subsequently employed to simulate a seawater desalination plant with a designed capacity of 20 m3/day. The results demonstrated that membranes with a higher surface hydrophobicity and bigger pore sizes achieved higher water flux, increasing from 0.6 kg/m2·h to 2.5 kg/m2·h, and significantly reduced water production costs from NZD$13.5/m3 to $3.9/m3. This research highlights the importance of optimizing membrane surface properties and microstructures to advance MD applications.
pH Measurements Using Leaky Waveguides with Synthetic Hydrogel Films
Authors: Wensley Victoria , Goddard Nicholas J. , Gupta Ruchi
Published: February 2025

Leaky waveguides (LWs) are low-refractive-index films deposited on glass substrates. In these, light can travel in the film while leaking out at the film–substrate interface. The angle at which light can travel in the film is dependent on its refractive index and thickness, which can change with pH when the film is made of pH-responsive materials. Herein, we report an LW comprising a waveguide film made of a synthetic hydrogel containing the monomers acrylamide and N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide (DMA) and a bisacrylamide crosslinker for pH measurements between 4 and 8. The response of the LW pH sensor was reversible and the response times were 0.90 ± 0.14 and 2.38 ± 0.22 min when pH was changed from low to high and high to low, respectively. The reported LW pH sensor was largely insensitive to typical concentrations of common interferents, including sodium chloride, urea, aluminum sulfate, calcium chloride, and humic acid. Compared to a glass pH electrode, the measurement range is smaller but is close to the range required for monitoring the pH of drinking water. The pH resolution of the hydrogel sensor was ~0.004, compared to ~0.01 for the glass electrode.
Research on the Preparation of Ultramarine Pigments from Palygorskite
Authors: Feng Min , Wang Qingyun , Wang Xingpeng , Mo Pengwei , Tong Yongchun
Published: February 2025

Ultramarine is a highly favored blue inorganic pigment. It is non-toxic with a deep color and widely used in architecture, plastics, coatings, fine arts and cosmetics. In this study, ultramarine pigment was synthesized using palygorskite, anhydrous sodium carbonate and sulfur as the raw materials through the high-temperature solid-phase method. The incorporation of palygorskite into the synthesis process greatly improves the reaction efficiency and reduces the amount of sulfur. When the mass ratio of palygorskite, anhydrous sodium carbonate and sulfur is 2:6:3, the resulting ultramarine pigment exhibits optimal chrominance. Notably, this sulfur ratio is substantially lower than that used in conventional processes, highlighting the efficiency and potential environmental benefits of this approach. The XRD, FT-IR, UV visible spectroscopy and SEM reveal that the synthetically produced blue pigments possess a sodalite structure, incorporating S3− and S2− radicals. Stability assessments indicated a marked improvement in the acid resistance of the dark blue pigment upon modification with dodecyltrimethoxysilane, with no notable color degradation observed in either neutral or alkaline conditions. The refined formulation and synthesis process not only optimize the production of ultramarine pigment, but also pave the way for enhanced durability and broader application prospects in various industries.
Optimal Methylammounium Chloride Additive for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cao Qinghua , Liu Hui , Xing Jiangping , Li Bing’e , Liu Chuangping , Xie Fobao , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhao Weiren
Published: February 2025

Organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have presented promising improvements within recent years due to the superior photophysical properties of perovskites. The efficiency of PSCs is closely related to the quality of the of the perovskite film. Additive engineering is an effective strategy to regulate the crystallization of perovskite film. Therefore, in this work, we introduce methylammounium chloride (MACl) into a perovskite precursor as an additive to improve the crystallization of perovskite film and to suppress the formation of defects to achieve high-performance PSCs. By meticulously investigating and studying the influence of different percentages of MACl additives on perovskite film quality, we obtain that the best amount of incorporated MACl is 10%. Thanks the employment of the optimal amount of MACl, the perovskite film shows a significantly improved morphology with larger grains, a smoother surface, and suppressed defects. Finally, the target PSCs with the addition of 10% MACl present the highest PCE of 23.61%, which is much higher than the value (16.72%) of the control device.
Microstructure, Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature and High Temperature of Near-α Titanium Alloys Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhang Zhaohui , Jia Xiaotong , He Yangyu , Zhou Jinzhao , Sun Yuanhao , Cheng Xingwang
Published: February 2025

A near-α titanium alloy was fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) to investigate the effects of sintering temperature on its relative density, microstructure, and mechanical properties. The relative density increased significantly with temperature, reaching 94.56%, 99.91%, and 99.99% at 850 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C, respectively. At 850 °C, the alloy contained numerous pores, leading to low density, while at 900 °C, full densification was achieved, resulting in a bimodal microstructure comprising 20% primary α phase (average size: 2.74 μm) and 80% transformed β phase (average lamellar width: 0.88 μm). Nanoscale equiaxed α phase (375 nm) and dispersed nanoscale β phase (80 nm) were observed within the lamellar structure. A distinct L-phase interfacial layer (50–100 nm) was identified at the α/β interfaces with a specific orientation relationship. At 1000 °C, the microstructure transformed into a fully lamellar structure with wider lamellae (1.99 μm), but mechanical properties declined due to coarsening. The alloy sintered at 900 °C exhibited the best properties, with a tensile strength of 989 ± 10 MPa at room temperature and 632 ± 10 MPa at 600 °C, along with elongations of 9.2 ± 0.5% and 13.0 ± 0.5%, respectively. These results highlight the importance of optimizing sintering temperature to balance densification and microstructural refinement for enhanced mechanical performance.
The Effect of Anxiety and Nutritional Habits on the Body Distortion of Athletes
Authors: Ramírez-Goerke Maria Isabel , Tornero-Aguilera José Francisco , Martín-Rodríguez Alexandra , Clemente-Suárez Vicente Javier
Published: February 2025

Background: Anxiety disorders have been rising globally, particularly among adolescents and women. However, the relationship between diet, psychological traits, and anxiety levels in athletes remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the nutritional and psychological differences between athletes with varying anxiety levels, hypothesizing that higher anxiety correlates with unhealthier dietary habits, greater body distortion, and less adaptive psychological profiles. Methods: A total of 58 athletes (23 women, 35 men), aged 18 to 45 years (mean age = 30.2 years), participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using validated online questionnaires, including the Big Five Inventory, Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), as well as surveys assessing nutritional habits and physical activity levels. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (v24.0), with independent t-tests to compare differences between higher and lower anxiety groups (p < 0.05). Results: It has beenindicated that higher anxiety was associated with greater neuroticism, lower psychological flexibility, and higher eating disorder symptomatology, while better sleep quality and psychological profiles correlated with lower anxiety levels. Additionally, athletes who cooked their own meals exhibited higher anxiety, whereas greater water intake and whole grain consumption were linked to lower anxiety. More frequent and intense training, particularly weight training, was also associated with reduced anxiety. Conclusion: This study concludes that anxiety in athletes is influenced by multiple lifestyle factors, including sleep quality, dietary habits, psychological traits, and exercise patterns. These findings emphasize the need for holistic approaches integrating nutrition, psychological interventions, and structured physical training to manage anxiety in athletes.
Unraveling Infant Feeding Practices Among Syrian Refugees in Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Erat Nergiz Meryem , Yalçın Sıddika Songül , Yalçın Suzan
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Refugee children are vulnerable in many respects. Determining their nutritional characteristics can guide the interventions that need to be developed. We aimed to determine the infant feeding characteristics of Syrian refugee mothers. Methods: Syrian health care workers administered a survey file to Syrian mothers (n = 210) having a child under two years of age in 39 refugee health centers from five provinces. Analysis for association was conducted using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: The mean (±SD) age was 27.1 ± 6.3 years for mothers and 11.0 ± 6.2 months for infants. Thirty percent of the children had prelacteal feeding, most frequently sugary water, formula, and anise. Of all, 69% continued to be breastfed; 86% in 0–5-month-old babies and 36% in 16–23-month-old infants. Of 16–23-month-old children, 40% had not eaten any fruit and vegetables rich in vitamin A before. Multivariate analysis revealed that prelacteal feeding was associated with bottle feeding and not having lactation counseling support in the prenatal and postnatal periods (AOR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.35–5.10; AOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.33–5.84). Being still-breastfed was associated with younger age (0–5 months old) and not using feeding bottles (AOR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.47–10.10; AOR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.35–5.21, respectively). Conclusion: Prelacteal feeding, sugary water consumption, bottle feeding, and limited dietary diversity were identified as significant nutritional issues among Syrian infants. In addition to lactation counseling, there is a need for culturally appropriate education on complementary feeding and healthy child nutrition for pregnant mothers and those with children under two years of age.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin-Based Nanoparticles Containing α-Linolenic Acid in a Model of Psoriasis In Vitro
Authors: Serini Simona , Trombino Sonia , Cassano Roberta , Marino Mariapaola , Calviello Gabriella
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives. Psoriasis is a common chronic skin inflammatory disorder pathogenetically associated with genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. The hallmarks of psoriatic lesions include sustained inflammation related to alterations in the innate and adaptive immune response, uncontrolled keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and death, as well as dysregulated crosstalk between immune cells and keratinocytes. In search of novel therapeutic strategies based on the use of natural products and dietary components to combine to the available conventional and innovative therapeutics, we explored the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of Curcumin (CU)-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) carrying the omega-3 fatty acid linolenic acid (LNA) in an in vitro model of psoriasis that had been previously constructed and characterized by us. Methods. This in vitro model consists of differentiated in vitro THP-1 macrophages (Mφs) and NCTC-2544 keratinocytes exposed or not to conditioned medium (CM) from Mφs treated with the Toll-like receptor-7 ligand imiquimod (IMQ). Results. In Mφs, the treatment with CU-LNA-SLNs inhibited the IMQ-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-23, IL-8, IL-6: 43%, 26.5% and 73.7% inhibition, respectively, vs IMQ-treated Mφs), as well as the hyperproliferative response (12.8% inhibition vs IMQ-treated Mφs) and the increase in cell death observed in keratinocytes treated with Mφ-derived CM (64.7% inhibition). Moreover, in the same conditions, CU-LNA-SLNs reverted to control levels of the increased keratinocyte expression of two markers of ferroptosis, a form of death recently involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (TFRC and MDA: 13.4% and 56.1% inhibition, respectively). Conclusions. These results suggest that CU-LNA-SLNs could inhibit psoriatic inflammation, as well as the hyperproliferation and death of keratinocytes in psoriatic lesions, and could be considered as a new possible therapeutic strategy for psoriasis to be further evaluated for the topic treatment of psoriatic skin in vivo.
Pleurotus eryngii Mushrooms Fermented with Human Fecal Microbiota Protect Intestinal Barrier Integrity: Immune Modulation and Signalling Pathways Counter Deoxycholic Acid-Induced Disruption in Healthy Colonic Tissue
Authors: Kerezoudi Evangelia N. , Zervakis Georgios I. , Pletsa Vasiliki , Kyriacou Adamantini , Brummer Robert J. , Rangel Ignacio
Published: February 2025

Background: This study explores the potential of the Pleurotus eryngii mushroom fermentation supernatant (FS-PEWS) as an intervention for mitigating sodium deoxycholate (SDC)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation. Methods: FS-PEWS was assessed for its protective effects against SDC-induced barrier dysfunction and inflammation using an in vitro Caco-2 cell model and ex vivo colonic biopsies from healthy adult donors, where barrier integrity, permeability, immunomodulation and receptor-mediated pathways were evaluated. Results: In Caco-2 cells, SDC exposure downregulated ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 expression, with FS-PEWS restoring ZO-1 and claudin-1 levels while maintaining cell viability. In colonic biopsies from healthy adults, FS-PEWS maintained tissue integrity and selectively mitigated transcellular permeability without affecting paracellular permeability when combined with the stressor. Additionally, FS-PEWS exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β and modulating receptor-mediated pathways, i.e., TLR-4, dectin-1. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential of FS-PEWS to sustain intestinal barrier function and modulate immune responses under stress, highlighting its therapeutic potential for managing gut barrier dysfunction and inflammation associated with microbial metabolite-induced disruptions.
Clinical Pharmacology of Bulevirtide: Focus on Known and Potential Drug–Drug Interactions
Authors: Billi Martina , Soloperto Sara , Bonora Stefano , D’Avolio Antonio , De Nicolò Amedeo
Published: February 2025

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective virus requiring co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to replicate, occurring in 5% of HBV+ patients. Bulevirtide (BLV) is now the first-in-class specific anti-HDV agent, inhibiting HDV binding to NTCP, with good tolerability and good virological and biochemical response rates. Currently, little is known about its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD), as well as potential drug-drug interaction (DDI) profile. In this work we provide a systematic review of the current knowledge on these aspects. Methods: A literature review of PK, PD and DDI profiles of BLV was conducted from Pubmed and EMA websites. Experimentally tested interactions and hypothetical mechanisms of interaction were evaluated, mostly focusing on usually co-administered anti-infective agents and other drugs interacting on NTCP. Results: BLV shows non-linear PK, due to target-mediated drug disposition, so its PK as well as PD is expected to be influenced by interactions of other drugs with NTCP, while it is not substrate of CYPs and ABC transporters. In-vivo investigated DDIs showed no clinically relevant interactions, but a weak inhibitory effect was suggested on CYP3A4 in a work when used at high doses (10 mg instead of 2 mg). In vitro, a weak inhibitory effect on OATP transporters was observed, but at much higher concentrations than the ones expected in vivo. Conclusions: The drug-drug interaction potential of BLV can be considered generally very low, particularly at the currently approved dose of 2 mg/day. Some attention should be paid to the coadministration of drugs with known binding and/or inhibition of NTCP.
Phytoactive-Loaded Lipid Nanocarriers for Simvastatin Delivery: A Drug Repositioning Strategy Against Lung Cancer
Authors: Gambaro Rocío , Chain Cecilia Y. , Scioli-Montoto Sebastian , Moreno Ailin , Huck-Iriart Cristián , Ruiz María Esperanza , Cisneros José S. , Lamas Diego G. , Tau Julia , Gehring Stephan , Islan Germán A. , Rodenak-Kladniew Boris
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Drug repurposing explores new applications for approved medications, such as simvastatin (SV), a lipid-lowering drug that has shown anticancer potential but is limited by solubility and side effects. This study aims to enhance SV delivery and efficacy against lung cancer cells using bioactive lipid nanoparticles formulated with plant-derived monoterpenes as both nanostructuring agents and anticancer molecules. Methods: Lipid nanoparticles were produced by ultrasonication and characterized for morphology, size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index (PDI). Monoterpenes (linalool-LN-, limonene, 1,8-cineole) or Crodamol® were used as liquid lipids. Encapsulation efficiency (EE), release profiles, stability, biocompatibility, protein adsorption, cytotoxicity, and anticancer effects were evaluated. Results: The nanoparticles exhibited high stability, size: 94.2 ± 0.9–144.0 ± 2.6 nm, PDI < 0.3, and zeta potential: −4.5 ± 0.7 to −16.3 ± 0.8 mV. Encapsulation of SV in all formulations enhanced cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells, with NLC/LN/SV showing the highest activity and being chosen for further investigation. Sustained SV release over 72 h and EE > 95% was observed for NLC/LN/SV. SAXS/WAXS analysis revealed that LN altered the crystallographic structure of nanoparticles. NLC/LN/SV demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and developed a thin serum protein corona in vitro. Cellular studies showed efficient uptake by A549 cells, G0/G1 arrest, mitochondrial hyperpolarization, reactive oxygen species production, and enhanced cell death compared to free SV. NLC/LN/SV more effectively inhibited cancer cell migration than free SV. Conclusions: NLC/LN/SV represents a promising nanocarrier for SV repurposing, combining enhanced anticancer activity, biocompatibility, and sustained stability for potential lung cancer therapy.
Thinning Intensity Enhances Soil Multifunctionality and Microbial Residue Contributions to Organic Carbon Sequestration in Chinese Fir Plantations
Authors: He Ting , Lei Junjie , Peng Yuanying , Wang Ruihui , Chen Xiaoyong , Liu Zongxin , Gao Xiaoqian , Dang Peng , Yan Wende
Published: February 2025

Soil multifunctionality is essential for the enhancement of soil carbon sequestration, but disturbances such as thinning practices can influence soil microbial activity and carbon cycling. Microbial residues, particularly microbial residue carbon (MRC), are important contributors to soil organic carbon (SOC), but the effects of thinning intensity on MRC accumulation remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of four thinning treatments—control (CK, 0%), light-intensity thinning (LIT, 20%), medium-intensity thinning (MIT, 30%), and high-intensity thinning (HIT, 45%)—on soil multifunctionality in Chinese fir plantations five years after thinning. Soil nutrient provision, microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and microbial residue carbon were assessed. The results showed that thinning intensity significantly affected soil nutrient provision and microbial biomass, with MIT and HIT showing higher nutrient levels than CK and LIT. Specifically, MIT’s and HIT’s total nutrient provision increased by 0.04 and 0.15 compared to that of CK. Enzyme activity was highest in LIT (+0.89), followed by MIT (+0.07), with HIT showing a decline (−0.84). Microbial biomass, including bacterial PLFAs (B-PLFAs), fungal PLFAs (F-PLFAs), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and nitrogen (MBN), was highest in CK and MIT, and lowest in HIT, with MIT showing a 0.13 increase compared to CK. Microbial residue carbon (MRC) accumulation was positively correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC). The highest MRC content in the 0–20 cm soil layer was observed in MIT and CK (10.46 and 11.66 g/kg, respectively), while the MRC in LIT and HIT was significantly lower, reduced by 24% and 12%, respectively. These findings highlight the significant role of thinning intensity in microbial activity and carbon cycling. Medium-intensity thinning (MIT, 30%) was identified as the most effective approach for promoting microbial biomass and enhancing carbon cycling in Chinese fir forest soils, making it an optimal approach for forest management aimed at increasing soil carbon sequestration.
Responses of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Communities to Long-Term Mining and Passive Restoration
Authors: Utge Perri Sofía Yasmín , Valerga Fernández María Victoria , Scotti Adalgisa , Colombo Roxana Paula , González Florencia , Valenzuela Lautaro , Godeas Alicia Margarita , Silvani Vanesa Analía
Published: February 2025

Mining activities cause strong soil alterations, such as heavy metal (HM) pollution, which decreases the diversity of plant communities and rhizospheric microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The polymetallic Paramillos de Uspallata mine in the Andes Mountains, the first mining exploitation in Argentina, provides a unique scenario to study AM fungal resilience after long-term disturbance following over 40 years of inactivity. This study aimed to analyze mycorrhizal status and AM fungal communities in the mine and a nearby unexploited area and to evaluate their associations with soil parameters to elucidate life history strategies. Long-term exposure to elevated Fe, Pb, Zn, and Ag concentrations and high electrical conductivity (EC, 5.46 mS/cm) led to the dominance of Entrophospora infrequens in association with Pappostipa speciosa, demonstrating that this AM species is a stress-tolerant strategist in symbiosis with a pioneer perennial plant, resilient in the most impacted mine areas. In contrast, the unexploited area, with an EC of 0.48 mS/cm and low HM contents, supported competitive and ruderal species, revealing distinct ecological strategies of AM fungi in disturbed versus undisturbed environments. These findings highlight the potential of E. infrequens for bioremediation and ecological restoration in post-mining landscapes.
Exploring the Biochemical Profile of Beta vulgaris L.: A Comparative Study of Beetroots and Swiss Chard
Authors: Almeida Daiana , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , da Silveira Tayse F. F. , Pires Tânia C. S. P. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Fernandes Ângela , Barros Lillian
Published: February 2025

In this study, leaves and roots from three beetroot cultivars (cv. Albina Vereduna (white roots), cv. Burpee’s Golden (golden roots), and cv. Pablo F1 (red roots)), as well as Swiss chard leaves (also known as “rhubarb chard”, or Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens) were evaluated in terms of their chemical profile and bioactive properties. Roots were characterized by high carbohydrate content, which also contributed to greater energy values. In contrast, fibers were the predominant macronutrient in leaves, followed by carbohydrates. In both leaves and roots, the most abundant organic acids were quinic and oxalic, while the major free sugar was sucrose. The profile of fatty acid varied between the studied plant parts, with saturated fatty acids prevailing in root samples, while leaves exhibited higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Regarding phenolic composition, a total of 19 compounds were tentatively identified in leaves (including derivatives of vitexin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and ferulic, sinapic, and p-coumaric acids), while the roots exhibited a less diverse composition, with a total of eight compounds identified (e.g., derivatives of ferulic, sinapic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids). A total of eight betalains were also identified, out of which seven were classified as betacyanins and one as betaxanthin. The leaves of Swiss chard presented compounds from both classes, while the roots and leaves of cv. Pablo F1 were characterized only by the presence of betacyanins, and those of cv. Burpee’s Golden only by betaxanthin. All samples exhibited relevant activity against Y. enterocolitica, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus, although leaf samples demonstrated better antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, beetroot leaves outperformed their corresponding roots in terms of chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity, suggesting their high potential as nutrient-rich and functional ingredients in a diverse and well-balanced diet.
Molecular Dynamics Study on the Nature of near Miscibility and the Role of Minimum Miscibility Pressure Reducer
Authors: Liu Feng , Zhang Shengbing , Zhang Jiale , Liu Zhaolong , Chen Yonghui , Bai Shixun
Published: February 2025

Gas miscible flooding, especially CO2 miscible flooding, is a key method for enhanced oil recovery. However, the high Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) often makes true-miscible flooding impractical. A number of studies confirm the existence of a near-miscible region that also ensures high recovery. However, the exact boundary for near miscibility remains unclear, with various speculative definitions based on experimental data or by experience. In this work, a molecular-level understanding of miscibility and near miscibility and the role of the MMP reducer are achieved using the molecular dynamics method. It is found that the traditional criterion of interfacial tension being zero is not valid for the molecular dynamics method, and that the interaction energy between oil molecules suggests distinct boundary between near-miscibility and miscibility regimes. MMP reducers were found to bring the two regions closer in terms of energy, rather than actually reducing the MMP.
Acoustic-Based Industrial Diagnostics: A Scalable Noise-Robust Multiclass Framework for Anomaly Detection
Authors: Peng Bo , Li Danlei , Wang Kevin I-Kai , Abdulla Waleed H.
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a framework for anomaly detection in industrial machines with a focus on robust multiclass classification using acoustic data. Many state-of-the-art methods only have binary classification capabilities for each machine, and suffer from poor scalability and noise robustness. In this context, we propose the use of Smoothed Pseudo Wigner–Ville Distribution-based Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (SPWVD-MFCCs) in the framework which are specifically tailored for noisy environments. SPWVD-MFCCs, with better time–frequency resolution and perceptual audio features, improve the accuracy of detecting anomalies in a more generalized way under variable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. This framework integrates a CNN-LSTM model that efficiently and accurately analyzes spectral and temporal information separately for anomaly detection. Meanwhile, the dimensionality reduction strategy ensures good computational efficiency without losing critical information. On the MIMII dataset involving multiple machine types and noise levels, it has shown robustness and scalability. Key findings include significant improvements in classification accuracy and F1-scores, particularly in low-SNR scenarios, showcasing its adaptability to real-world industrial environments. This study represents the first application of SPWVD-MFCCs in industrial diagnostics and provides a noise-robust and scalable method for the detection of anomalies and fault classification, which is bound to improve operational safety and efficiency within complex industrial scenarios.
Towards a Circular Solution for Healthcare Plastic Waste: Understanding the Legal, Operational, and Technological Landscape
Authors: Ganesh Bharghav , Shoaib-ul-Hasan Sayyed , Temsamani Iliass , Salehi Niloufar
Published: February 2025

Plastic waste poses a critical challenge in the healthcare sector due to its predominant reliance on a linear “make-use-dispose” model, where plastics are typically incinerated or landfilled. This study examines Swedish healthcare waste management practices, encompassing Swedish and EU regulatory frameworks, hospital protocols, disinfection methods, and recycling processes. A key barrier to recycling healthcare plastic waste (HCPW) is the uncertainty surrounding effective decontamination. To overcome this, the paper proposes a circular solution involving on-site microwave-assisted disinfection and shredding, followed by chemical recycling through pyrolysis. This approach considers operational, legal, and technological landscapes and underscores the need for a multidisciplinary solution to enable the transition. This paper also presents a stakeholder collaboration and value capture matrix, identifying the shared value in collaboration among key stakeholders, including hospitals and healthcare service providers, on-site disinfection machine manufacturers, waste management firms, and chemical recycling companies, to advance recycling and foster a circular economy for HCPW.
Patterns of Acting Wisely: A Virtue Ethical Approach to the Professional Formation of Christian Teachers
Authors: Kunz Bram
Published: February 2025

Teachers require well-formed characters to practise their profession. Following previous research on the role of virtue in teachers’ professional practice, the author argues that teachers require patterns of wise action. Based on Aristotle’s cardinal virtues and Thomas Aquinas’s theological virtues, he elaborates on how such patterns can emerge in teachers’ professional formation. After considering the possibilities and limitations of practising virtuously and making patterns of wise action, the author proposes a model for empirical research on the role of virtues in teachers’ actions.
SK-TreePCN: Skeleton-Embedded Transformer Model for Point Cloud Completion of Individual Trees from Simulated to Real Data
Authors: Xu Haifeng , Huai Yongjian , Zhao Xun , Meng Qingkuo , Nie Xiaoying , Li Bowen , Lu Hao
Published: February 2025

Tree structural information is essential for studying forest ecosystem functions, driving mechanisms, and global change response mechanisms. Although current terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can acquire high-precision 3D structural information of forests, mutual occlusion between trees, the scanner’s field of view, and terrain changes make the point clouds captured by laser scanning sensors incomplete, further hindering downstream tasks. This study proposes a skeleton-embedded tree point cloud completion method, termed SK-TreePCN, which recovers complete individual tree point clouds from incomplete scanning data in the field. SK-TreePCN employs a transformer trained on simulated point clouds generated by a 3D radiative transfer model. Unlike existing point cloud completion algorithms designed for regular shapes and simple structures, the SK-TreePCN method addresses structurally heterogeneous trees. The 3D radiative transfer model LESS, which can simulate various TLS data over highly heterogeneous scenes, is employed to generate massive point clouds with training labels. Among the various point cloud completion methods evaluated, SK-TreePCN exhibits outstanding performance regarding the Chamfer distance (CD) and F1 Score. The generated point clouds display a more natural appearance and clearer branches. The accuracy of tree height and diameter at breast height extracted from the recovered point cloud achieved R2 values of 0.929 and 0.904, respectively. SK-TreePCN demonstrates applicability and robustness in recovering individual tree point clouds. It demonstrated great potential for TLS-based field measurements of trees, refining point cloud 3D reconstruction and tree information extraction and reducing field data collection labor while retaining satisfactory data quality.
Storm Surge Risk Assessment Based on LULC Identification Utilizing Deep Learning Method and Multi-Source Data Fusion: A Case Study of Huizhou City
Authors: Yu Lichen , Qin Hao , Wei Wei , Ma Jiaxiang , Weng Yeyi , Jiang Haoyu , Mu Lin
Published: February 2025

Among the frequent natural disasters, there is a growing concern that storm surges may cause enhanced damage to coastal regions due to the increase in climate extremes. It is widely believed that storm surge risk assessment is of great significance for effective disaster prevention; however, traditional risk assessment often relies on the land use data from the government or manual interpretation, which requires a great amount of material resources, labor and time. To improve efficiency, this study proposes a framework for conducting fast risk assessment in a chosen area based on social sensing data and a deep learning method. The coupled Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) and Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model are applied for simulating inundation of five storm surge scenarios. Social sensing data are generated by fusing POI kernel density and night light data through wavelet transform. Subsequently, the Swin Transformer model receives two sets of inputs: one includes social sensing data, Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) and Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI), and the other is Red, Green, Blue bands. The ensembled model can be used for fast land use identification for vulnerability assessment, and the accuracy is improved by 3.3% compared to the traditional RGB input. In contrast to traditional risk assessment approaches, the proposed method can conduct emergency risk assessments within a few hours. In the coast area of Huizhou city, the area considered to be at risk is 135 km2, 89 km2, 82 km2, 72 km2 and 64 km2, respectively, when the central pressure of the typhoon is 880, 910, 920, 930 and 940 hpa. The Daya Bay Petrochemical Zone and central Huangpu waterfront are two areas at high risk. The conducted risk maps can help decision-makers better manage storm surge risks to identify areas at potential risk, prepare for disaster prevention and mitigation.
Optimizing Sensor Data Interpretation via Hybrid Parametric Bootstrapping
Authors: Golovko Victor V.
Published: February 2025

The Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) site in Ontario, Canada, has long been a hub for nuclear research, which has resulted in the accumulation of legacy nuclear waste, including radioactive materials such as uranium, plutonium, and other radionuclides. Effective management of this legacy requires precise contamination and risk assessments, with a particular focus on the concentration levels of fissile materials such as U235. These assessments are essential for maintaining nuclear criticality safety. This study estimates the upper bounds of U235 concentrations. We investigated the use of a hybrid parametric bootstrapping method and robust statistical techniques to analyze datasets with outliers, then compared these outcomes with those derived from nonparametric bootstrapping. This study underscores the significance of measuring U235 for ensuring safety, conducting environmental monitoring, and adhering to regulatory compliance requirements at nuclear legacy sites. We used publicly accessible U235 data from the Eastern Desert of Egypt to demonstrate the application of these statistical methods to small datasets, providing reliable upper limit estimates that are vital for remediation and decommissioning efforts. This method seeks to enhance the interpretation of sensor data, ultimately supporting safer nuclear waste management practices at legacy sites such as CRL.
B2B: Prostate Cancer Summary
Authors: Prakash Gagan , Moore Caroline M. , Bladou Franck , Secco Silvia , Addla Sanjai , Maitre Priyamvada , Rajappa Senthil , Woo Henry , Bolton Damien , Black Peter C. , Tanguay Simon
Published: February 2025

The 6th Bench-to-Bedside Uro-Oncology: GU Cancers Triad Meeting, organized in conjunction with the 44th Annual Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie, was held on 25 October 2024, in New Delhi, India, and transmitted live on the SIU@U Congress platform [...]
Class and Gender Violence: Understanding a Case of Wealthy (Online) Influencers and Misogyny
Authors: Doiciar Claudia , Crețan Remus
Published: February 2025

Our research examines a unique case of the complex interplay between two wealthy brothers and their actions of gender-based violence. In presenting the case of the Tate brothers, British influencers who settled in Romania, we explore how they gained notoriety through their wealth, their online presence, and controversial ideas that promote misogyny. In a survey involving 56 young and young–mature participants, we highlighted perceptions of the Tate brothers alongside attitudes toward wealth, gender roles and norms, and misogyny. Our findings indicate a predominantly negative sentiment towards the Tate brothers, particularly regarding their wealthy class position and how their class power is unfolded through misogyny in their online presence. This study underscores the urgent need for national and international authorities and NGOs to improve the surveillance of misogynistic men’s discourses and practices to combat violence against women. Additionally, it highlights the importance of increasing awareness about the detrimental consequences of gender inequality created through the triadic nexus of class privilege, masculinity, and misogyny.
Perceptions of Barriers to Inclusion in Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Carrillo-Sierra Sandra-Milena , Pinzón-Ochoa María , Rangel-Pico Angélica-Nohemy , Paris-Pineda Olga María , Gómez Vásquez María Fernanda , Álvarez Anaya William Armando , Rivera-Porras Diego
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of students with disabilities regarding the barriers to inclusion in higher education institutions in northeastern Colombia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 28 students with disabilities, focusing on socio-demographic data and their personal university experiences. The findings revealed that physical and visual impairments were the most common (34.6% each) and the primary barriers were insufficient pedagogical strategies. An association between the type of disability and perceived support was identified. In conclusion, this study enabled the development of a comprehensive model for university inclusion in the northeastern region.
Credit Risk Assessment of Green Supply Chain Finance for SMEs Based on Multi-Source Information Fusion
Authors: Wang Huipo , Liu Meng
Published: February 2025

As an important pillar of the national economy, the green transformation of SMEs is the key to promoting sustainable economic development. However, SMEs generally face issues such as information opacity and high operational risks, which make it difficult for them to obtain traditional financing support, thereby hindering green development. Green Supply Chain Finance has opened up new financing channels for SMEs, but the accuracy of credit risk evaluation remains a bottleneck that limits its widespread application. This paper constructs a credit risk evaluation index system that integrates multiple sources of information, covering factors such as the situations of SMEs themselves, stakeholder feedback, and expert ratings. It compares and analyzes the performance of the genetic algorithm-optimized random forest model (GA-RF), the BP neural network, the support vector machine, and the logistic regression model in credit risk evaluation. The empirical results indicate that the GA-RF model is significantly better than the other models in terms of accuracy, precision, and F1 score, and has the highest AUC value, making it more effective in identifying credit risk. In addition, the GA-RF model reveals that the asset–liability ratio, the time of establishment, the growth rate of operating revenue, the time of collection of accounts receivable, the return on net assets, and daily shipments are the key indicators affecting the credit risk assessment.
Exploring the Relationship Between Accounting Information System (AIS) Quality and Corporate Sustainability Performance Using the IS Success Model
Authors: Wang Xinmiao , Zhu Wenlong
Published: February 2025

An information system (IS) is an organic system that integrates personnel, technology, data, and other resources for information collection, processing, storage, transmission, and utilization, supporting organizational decision making, management, and business development. Against the backdrop of sustainable development being integrated into the strategic goals of enterprises, the impact of accounting information systems (AISs) on corporate sustainability performance has garnered significant attention. This study employs the IS success model as its theoretical underpinning and incorporates both the quality of AISs and sustainability performance into the research framework. Likert scales were adopted to collect data, and structural equation modeling was conducted to test our hypotheses. The findings reveal that information quality and service quality exert a notably positive influence on intention to use and satisfaction. Meanwhile, system quality only positively impacts intention to use. There exists an interactive relationship between intention to use and satisfaction. Satisfaction positively contributes to corporate sustainability performance, whereas intention to use only positively affects environmental performance. This research offers a theoretical foundation and practical guidelines for enterprises aiming to optimize their AISs and enhance sustainability performance.
Sustainable Digital Innovation for Regional Museums Through Cost-Effective Digital Reconstruction and Exhibition Co-Design: A Case Study of the Ryushi Memorial Museum
Authors: Ai Yaotian , Zhu Xinru , Nohara Kayoko
Published: February 2025

While national museums focus on broader national narratives, regional museums function as vital community hubs, establishing deeper local connections and facilitating intimate interactions between local residents and their heritage. These regional museums face dual challenges in their sustainable digital transformation, including the following: technical barriers arising from the high costs of traditional digitization methods like Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and humanistic challenges, including preserving distinctive multi-directional communication and balancing professionalism and authority with collaborative community engagement in the digitization process. This study addresses these challenges through a case study of the Ryushi Memorial Museum in Ota City, Tokyo. We present a comprehensive approach that integrates technical innovation with community engagement, including the following: (1) A cost-effective workflow combining photogrammetry with iPad LiDAR technology for spatial reconstruction, demonstrated through the digital reconstruction of the museum’s Atelier and Jibutsudo (family hall for worshipping Buddha); (2) a new Exhibition Co-Design framework that co-ordinates diverse stakeholders to create digital exhibitions while balancing professional guidance with community participation. Through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews with museum volunteers, we demonstrate how this approach enhances community engagement by enabling volunteers to incorporate their local knowledge into digital exhibitions while maintaining professionalism and authority. This cost-effective model for spatial reconstruction and community-driven digital design can serve as a reference for other regional museums to help them achieve sustainable digital innovation in the digital age.
Evolution of Bioeconomy Models and Computational Process Simulation in the Avocado Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis (2004–2023)
Authors: Alviz-Meza Anibal , González-Delgado Ángel Darío
Published: February 2025

This study analyzes, quantifies, and maps, from a bibliometric perspective, scientific production, bioeconomy and computational simulations regarding avocado use in the timeframe of 2004–2023 in Scopus. To categorize and evaluate the contributions of authors, countries, institutions, and journals, Biblioshiny software in RStudio was used. Their collaborative networks were also visualized using VOSviewer. The analysis reveals an exponential increase in scientific output, especially from 2019 onwards, driven by the growing importance of sustainable avocado use in bioeconomy models. The main findings highlight the valorization of avocado waste for producing biofuels, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. In addition, the use of computational tools such as Aspen Plus, ArcGIS Pro, Unscrambler-X, SIMCA, and DOCK-6 to optimize conversion processes, model climate change effects, perform chemometrics, and conduct multivariate analyses, and molecular docking, respectively, is discussed. This knowledge highlights potential uses of avocado waste and computational modeling tools for stakeholders in the avocado industry, reinforcing their value chain through bioeconomy models and strengthening their competitiveness by promoting more efficient and sustainable processes. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the avocado-based bioeconomy, serving as a reference for future studies that integrate process simulation in the valorization of agro-industrial waste.
Dynamic Point-to-Helical and Point-to-Axial Chirality Transmission and Induction of Optical Activity in Multichromophoric Systems: Basic Principles and Relevant Applications in Chirality Sensing
Authors: Mądry Tomasz , Gajewy Jadwiga , Kwit Marcin
Published: February 2025

The analysis of natural and artificial chiral compounds is vital wherever the nuances in the three-dimensional structure are decisive for the possibility of their further use, e.g., as pharmaceuticals or catalysts. The qualitative determination of the structure of a chiral entity requires either an anomalous scattering of X-ray radiation or chiroptical techniques, of which electronic circular dichroism (ECD) is one of the most useful. Chiroptical sensing that uses stereodynamic probes remains one of the remedies for the problem of the lack of a suitable chromophore in the molecules of the chiral compound. A covalent or non-covalent binding of an ECD-silent chiral molecule (the inducer) to the UV-active chromophoric system (chiroptical probe) led to obtaining complex ECD active at a given spectral region. The transfer of structural information from a permanently chiral inducer molecule to the structurally labile chromophoric system of the probe results in adjusting the latter’s structure to the chiral environment. This contribution focuses on some fundamental aspects of chirality sensing using conformationally labile probes. It discusses the mechanism of action of arbitrarily chosen stereodynamic chirality sensors, with particular emphasis on probes based on di- and triarylmethyl derivatives and biphenyl and its congeners.