bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluate Human Perception of the Built Environment in the Metro Station Area
Authors: Gao Wei , Sun Xiaoli , Zhao Mei , Gao Yong , Ding Haoran
Published: January 2024

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has become a dominant form of spatial planning and land use in large cities internationally. As the intersections of urban space and rail transportation, metro station areas play a key public service function in the lives of city residents. Based on the “5D” index and Node-Place theory in the metro station area, current research on the built environment in metro station areas focuses on improving the economic and transportation efficiency while neglecting public perception of the construction of station space. Sentiments, as an important part of the individual’s perception, are closely related to the built environment. Therefore, this study takes 187 metro stations within the fifth ring road of Beijing, China, as an example and extracts public sentiment information from social media data using a wide range of natural language processing techniques to quantitatively analyze the distribution of the public’s sentiment characteristics (including intensity, polarity, and category) in the metro station area and deeply explores the spatial correlation with the distribution of the objective built environment elements. The study shows that influenced by the spatial design of the metro station, density, land use functions, etc., the sentiment intensity of the station area within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing is “strong in the east and weak in the west, strong in the north and weak in the south”, and the sentiment polarity has the characteristic of gradually negative from inside to outside in a circular pattern. Synthesizing the sentiment perception in the metro station area, our study further divided the Beijing metro station area into four major categories and eight specific subtypes.
Eco-Innovative UHPC—Enhancing Sustainability, Workability, and Ductility with Recycled Glass Cullet Powder and Plastic Bottle Hybrid Fibers
Authors: Khan Mohammad Iqbal , Fares Galal , Abbas Yassir M. , Alqahtani Fahad K.
Published: January 2024

Utilizing waste materials in producing ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) represents a highly effective approach to creating environmentally sustainable concrete using renewable resources. This study focused on incorporating ground glass cullet (GP) at various replacement levels in UHPC production. Additionally, plastic bottle fibers (PBFs) were derived from discarded plastic bottles and employed in the mix. The replacement levels for GP spanned from 0% to 40%. Single-use plastic bottles were transformed into strip fibers, both with and without the inclusion of microsteel fibers, at varying contents of 1.1% and 2.2% (volume-based). A single-fiber test was conducted on PBFs under different strain rates. The introduction of optimal GP content had a profound positive iMPact on compressive strength. Incorporating 2.2% plastic strips induced strain hardening behavior, while further inclusion of microsteel fibers resulted in substantial enhancements in mechanical properties. Two types of microsteel fibers were employed, characterized by different aspect ratios of 65 and 100. The optimum GP content was identified as 10%. Moreover, the UHPC mix achieved superior compressive strength, exceeding 140 MPa when composed of 1.3% (volume-based) microsteel fibers with an aspect ratio of 65 and 2.2% PBF (volume-based). Notably, mixtures featuring microsteel fibers with a higher aspect ratio demonstrated the highest flexural strength, exceeding 8000 N in the presence of 2.2% PBF. Longer microsteel fibers exhibited adequate slip properties, facilitating strain transfer and achieving a strain-hardening response in conjunction with plastic bottle fibers. These findings illuminate the potential for harnessing hazardous waste materials to improve the performance and sustainability of UHPC formulations.
Investigating the Impact of Substrate Preheating on the Thermal Flow and Microstructure of Laser Cladding of Nickel-Based Superalloy
Authors: Jin Zhibo , Kong Xiangwei , Ma Liang
Published: January 2024

The preheating of the substrate in laser additive superalloys can reduce residual stress and minimize cracking. However, this preheating process can lead to changes in the heat transfer conditions, ultimately affecting the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. In order to explore the influence of substrate preheating on the formation of laser cladding, this research focuses on investigating the characteristics of Inconel 718, a nickel-based superalloy, as the subject of study. To simulate the temperature and flow field of laser cladding, a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is employed. By varying the initial preheating conditions, an investigation is conducted into the distribution of the temperature field under different parameters. This leads to the acquisition of varying temperature gradients, G, and solidification speeds, R. Subsequently, an analysis is carried out on both the flow field and solidification microstructure in the melt pool. The results demonstrate that the preheating of the substrate results in a slower cooling rate, ultimately leading to the formation of a coarser microstructure.
Dynamic Malware Mitigation Strategies for IoT Networks: A Mathematical Epidemiology Approach
Authors: Casado-Vara Roberto , Severt Marcos , Díaz-Longueira Antonio , Rey Ángel Martín del , Calvo-Rolle Jose Luis
Published: January 2024

With the progress and evolution of the IoT, which has resulted in a rise in both the number of devices and their applications, there is a growing number of malware attacks with higher complexity. Countering the spread of malware in IoT networks is a vital aspect of cybersecurity, where mathematical modeling has proven to be a potent tool. In this study, we suggest an approach to enhance IoT security by installing security updates on IoT nodes. The proposed method employs a physically informed neural network to estimate parameters related to malware propagation. A numerical case study is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation strategy, and novel metrics are presented to test its efficacy. The findings suggest that the mitigation tactic involving the selection of nodes based on network characteristics is more effective than random node selection.
Pricing of Al-Urbun and a Class of Al-Istijrar Islamic Contracts under the Black–Scholes Framework
Authors: Goard Joanna , AbaOud Mohammed
Published: January 2024

Islamic financial contracts necessarily need to abide by Shariah principles. As such, some contracts have been introduced for risk-hedging real transactions that differ from those seen in conventional financial markets. In this paper, we examine two such products, Al-Urbun and Al-Istijrar, and determine fair prices for both the Al-Urbun and a class of Al-Istijrar under the Black–Scholes framework.
A New Notion of Fuzzy Function Ideal Convergence
Authors: Georgiou Dimitrios , Prinos Georgios
Published: January 2024

P.M. Pu and Y.M. Liu extended Moore-Smith’s convergence of nets to fuzzy topology and Y.M. Liu provided analogous results to J. Kelley’s classical characterization theorem of net convergence by introducing the notion of fuzzy convergence classes. In a previous paper, the authors of this study provided modified versions of this characterization by using an alternative notion of convergence of fuzzy nets, introduced by B.M.U. Afsan, named fuzzy net ideal convergence. Our main scope here is to generalize and simplify the preceding results. Specifically, we insert the concept of a fuzzy function ideal convergence class, L, on a non-empty set, X, consisting of triads (f,e,I), where f is a function from a non-empty set, D, to the set FP(X) of fuzzy points in X, which we call fuzzy function, e∈FP(X), and I is a proper ideal on D, and we provide necessary and sufficient conditions to establish the existence of a unique fuzzy topology, δ, on X, such that (f,e,I)∈L iff fI-converges to e, relative to the fuzzy topology δ.
Antioxidant, Antibacterial Properties of Novel Peptide CP by Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Chromis notata By-Products and Its Efficacy on Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Hwang Jin-Woo , Lee Sung-Gyu , Kang Hyun
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effects of a novel peptide (CP) derived from a Chromis notata by-product hydrolysate. Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Neutrase, and Protamex enzymes were used to hydrolyze the C. notata by-product protein, and the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical-scavenging activity was measured. Alcalase hydrolysate exhibited the highest ABTS radical-scavenging activity, leading to the selection of Alcalase for further purification. The CHAO-1-I fraction, with the highest ABTS activity, was isolated and further purified, resulting in the identification of the peptide CP with the amino acid sequence Ala-Gln-Val-Met-Lys-Leu-Pro-His-Arg-Met-Gln-His-Ser-Gln-Ser. CP demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, inhibiting its growth. In a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin model in mice, CP significantly alleviated skin lesions, reduced epidermal and dermal thickness, and inhibited mast cell infiltration. Moreover, CP suppressed the elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the plasma of DNCB-induced mice. These findings highlight the potential of CP as a therapeutic agent for AD and suggest a novel application of this C. notata by-product in the fish processing industry.
Assessing the Therapeutic Impacts of HAMLET and FOLFOX on BRAF-Mutated Colorectal Cancer: A Study of Cancer Cell Survival and Mitochondrial Dynamics In Vitro and Ex Vivo
Authors: Žilinskas Justas , Stukas Darius , Jasukaitienė Aldona , Žievytė Inga , Balion Zbigniev , Šapauskienė Jurgita , Banienė Rasa , Paužas Henrikas , Lizdenis Paulius , Čėsna Vaidotas , Dambrauskas Žilvinas , Gulbinas Antanas , Tamelis Algimantas
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health challenge. The BRAF V600E mutation, found in 8–12% of CRC patients, exacerbates this by conferring poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. Our study focuses on the efficacy of the HAMLET complex, a molecular substance derived from human breast milk, on CRC cell lines and ex vivo biopsies harboring this mutation, given its previously observed selective toxicity to cancer cells. Materials and Methods: we explored the effects of combining HAMLET with the FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen on CRC cell lines and ex vivo models. Key assessments included cell viability, apoptosis/necrosis induction, and mitochondrial function, aiming to understand the mutation-specific resistance or other cellular response mechanisms. Results: HAMLET and FOLFOX alone decreased viability in CRC explants, irrespective of the BRAF mutation status. Notably, their combination yielded a marked decrease in viability, particularly in the BRAF wild-type samples, suggesting a synergistic effect. While HAMLET showed a modest inhibitory effect on mitochondrial respiration across both mutant and wild-type samples, the response varied depending on the mutation status. Significant differences emerged in the responses of the HT-29 and WiDr cell lines to HAMLET, with WiDr cells showing greater resistance, pointing to factors beyond genetic mutations influencing drug responses. A slight synergy between HAMLET and FOLFOX was observed in WiDr cells, independent of the BRAF mutation. The bioenergetic analysis highlighted differences in mitochondrial respiration between HT-29 and WiDr cells, suggesting that bioenergetic profiles could be key in determining cellular responses to HAMLET. Conclusions: We highlight the potential of HAMLET and FOLFOX as a combined therapeutic approach in BRAF wild-type CRC, significantly reducing cancer cell viability. The varied responses in CRC cell lines, especially regarding bioenergetic and mitochondrial factors, emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach considering both genetic and metabolic aspects in CRC treatment strategies.
Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications of Cretaceous Nb-Enriched Mafic Dykes in the East Kunlun Orogen, Northern Tibet Plateau: Constraints from Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd Isotopes
Authors: Chu Zhiqiang , Zhou Hu , Wang Mingchi , Zhou Jiaming , Xiong Fuhao
Published: January 2024

There is a magmatic lull period in the East Kunlun orogen (EKO) during the Jurassic to the Cretaceous. However, due to the lack of records of magmatic activity restricts our understanding of the late Mesozoic magmatic-tectonic evolution of the EKO. Herein, an integrated study of geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes were conducted for the Cretaceous mafic dykes in the EKO, Northern Tibet Plateau, to reveal their petrogenesis and geodynamic implications. LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb dating reveals that the studied mafic dykes comprising diabase and diabase porphyry emplaced at ca. 80.9 ± 0.8 Ma. The Cretaceous mafic dykes have low contents of SiO2 (46.36 wt.%~47.40 wt.%) but high contents of MgO (6.79 wt.%~7.38 wt.%), TiO2 (1.91 wt.%~2.13 wt.%), Nb (12.4~18.3 ppm) and Nb/U ratio (31~39), resembling Nb-enriched mafic dykes. They exhibit chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) and primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns, remarkably similar but not identical to the oceanic island basalts (OIB). The moderate REE fractionation ((La/Yb)N = 3.55~5.37), weak negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.87~0.97) and relative enrichment of Rb, Ba, K, as well as high contents of Cr and Ni and slightly depleted Sr-Nd isotopes (εNd(t) = −0.18~1.33), suggest that the studied dykes originate from a partial melting of spinel lherzolite and a little of garnet which was previously modified by subducted sediments. Combined with other evidence, we propose that the studied Cretaceous Nb-enriched mafic dykes in the Northern Tibet Plateau were formed in the intraplate setting, which may be a partial melting of the enriched mantle in the lower lithosphere caused by the activity of the East Kunlun strike-slip fault.
Recovery of Noble Metals (Au, Pt, Ir, and Ta) from Spent Single-Use Medical–Technological Products
Authors: Kokkinos Evgenios , Prochaska Charikleia , Lampou Angeliki , Peleka Effrosyni , Simeonidis Konstantinos , Vourlias Georgios , Zouboulis Anastasios
Published: January 2024

Due to their unique properties, i.e., fluoroscopy response and inertness, noble metals and alloys are present in several widespread medical–technological products, such as catheters, guide-wires, and stents. Despite their value, these products serve as single-use consumables, following a fate of solid waste disposal and loss of their valuable metals. This work studies the development of a treatment methodology to recover noble metals such as Pt, Ir, Au, and Ta from certain commercial products commonly used for medical practices. In particular, a sequence of preliminary pyrolysis, aiming at polymer elimination, as well as an acid digestion step for selective metals dissolution, is suggested. Pyrolysis was capable of enriching samples with the targeted metals, though a small change in their oxidation states was observed. Still, acid digestion was fully able to successfully separate Au using a 50% v/v aqua regia solution for 30 min at room temperature and the Pt/Ir using concentrated aqua regia for 72 h under heating. Dissolution of Ta required a different leaching solution, i.e., a 50% v/v HF/H2SO4 mixture for 10 h under heating. According to the developed method, selective extraction of such noble metals in a concentrated slurry provides a high potential for the complete recovery and valorization of otherwise disposed medical wastes.
Dendrimer Coated Silica as a Sorbent for Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction of Select Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs from Water
Authors: Ścigalski Piotr , Kosobucki Przemysław
Published: January 2024

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been recognized as a potentially serious threat to the natural environment. NSAIDs are popular painkillers, and the main pathway for them to reach natural water is via discharge from wastewater and sewage treatment plants. In order to monitor contamination caused by these drugs, as well as their impact on the environment, a new material based on Silica Gel 60, functionalized with a dendrimeric copolymer of methylamine and 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (named MA-BDDE), was prepared. Initial physicochemical characterization of the MA-BDDE material was carried out using ATR FT-IR spectroscopy as well as solid-state carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy. Its effectiveness at NSAID extraction was evaluated by the application of five select drugs in dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE): aspirin, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and ibuprofen. This was followed by their simultaneous determination using the HPLC-UV/Vis system demonstrating good sensitivity, with limits of detection values within the 63–265 ng mL−1 range. A comparison of the sorption capacity of each pharmaceutical with unmodified base silica showed an at least tenfold increase in capacity after modification. Initial MA-BDDE application in a quick, low-waste extraction procedure of those select NSAIDs from spiked surface water samples yielded promising results for its use as a sorbent, as recovery values of analytes adsorbed from various samples were found to exceed 72%.
Synthesis and Characterization of High-Energy Anti-Perovskite Compounds Cs3X[B12H12] Based on Cesium Dodecahydro-Closo-Borate with Molecular Oxoanions (X− = [NO3]−, [ClO3]− and [ClO4]−)
Authors: Aghaei Hakkak Rouzbeh , Tiritiris Ioannis , Schleid Thomas
Published: January 2024

Three novel anti-perovskite compounds, formulated as Cs3X[B12H12] (X− = [NO3]−, [ClO3]−, and [ClO4]−), were successfully synthesized through the direct mixing of aqueous solutions containing Cs2[B12H12] and CsX (X−: [NO3]−, [ClO3]−, [ClO4]−), followed by isothermal evaporation. All three compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, exhibiting relatively similar unit-cell parameters (e.g., Cs3[ClO3][B12H12]: a = 841.25(5) pm, b = 1070.31(6) pm, c = 1776.84(9) pm). The crystal structures were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a distorted hexagonal anti-perovskite order for each. Thermal analysis indicated that the placing oxidizing anions X− into the 3 Cs+ + [B12H12]2− blend leads to a reduction in the thermal stability of the resulting anti-perovskites Cs3X[B12H12] as compared to pure Cs2[B12H12], so thermal decomposition commences at lower temperatures, ranging from 320 to 440 °C. Remarkably, the examination of the energy release through DSC studies revealed that these compounds are capable of setting free a substantial amount of energy, up to 2000 J/g, upon their structural collapse under an inert-gas atmosphere (N2). These three compounds represent pioneering members of the first ever anti-perovskite high-energy compounds based on hydro-closo-borates.
Ceratocarpus arenarius: Botanical Characteristics, Proximate, Mineral Composition, and Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Kantureyeva Aigerim , Ustenova Gulbaram , Zvonar Pobirk Alenka , Mombekov Serzhan , Koilybayeva Moldir , Amirkhanova Akerke , Gemejiyeva Nadezhda , Mamurova Assem , Kočevar Glavač Nina
Published: January 2024

Ceratocarpus arenarius (Chenopodiaceae) is an under-investigated annual plant that occurs in dry areas stretching from eastern and south-eastern Europe to East Asia. This article presents the botanical characterization and examination of proximate parameters, minerals and cytotoxic activity of C. arenarius that grows wild in Kazakhstan. The results of morphological analysis using a light microscope, based on cross-sections of stems, roots and leaves, provide the necessary data to develop a regulatory document for this herbal substance as a raw material for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The investigated proximate characteristics included moisture content (6.8 ± 0.28%), ash (5.9 ± 0.40%), fat (12.5 ± 21.28%) and protein (392.85 ± 25.50). The plant is also rich in minerals (mg/100 g dry weight); Na (20.48 ± 0.29), K (302.73 ± 1.15), Zn (4.45 ± 0.35), Fe (1.18 ± 0.03), Cu (0.11 ± 0.02), Mn (0.76 ± 0.01), Ca (131.23 ± 0.09) and Mg (60.69 ± 0.72). The ethanolic extract of C. arenarius showed no acute toxicity against the brine shrimp nauplii.
Unveiling Influence of Dielectric Losses on the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in (Al,Ga)As:Sb Metamaterials
Authors: Ushanov Vitalii I. , Eremeev Sergey V. , Silkin Vyacheslav M. , Chaldyshev Vladimir V.
Published: January 2024

We perform numerical modeling of the optical absorption spectra of metamaterials composed of systems of semimetal antimony nanoparticles embedded into AlxGa1−xAs semiconductor matrices. We reveal a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in these metamaterials, which results in a strong optical extinction band below, near, or above the direct band gap of the semiconductor matrices, depending on the chemical composition of the solid solutions. We elucidate the role of dielectric losses in AlxGa1−xAs, which impact the LSPR and cause non-plasmonic optical absorption. It appears that even a dilute system of plasmonic Sb nanoinclusions can substantially change the optical absorption spectra of the medium.
Pain-Free Alpha-Synuclein Detection by Low-Cost Hierarchical Nanowire Based Electrode
Authors: Di Mari Gisella M. , Scuderi Mario , Lanza Giuseppe , Salluzzo Maria Grazia , Salemi Michele , Caraci Filippo , Bruno Elena , Strano Vincenzina , Mirabella Salvo , Scandurra Antonino
Published: January 2024

Analytical methods for the early detection of the neurodegenerative biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD), α-synuclein, are time-consuming and invasive, and require skilled personnel and sophisticated and expensive equipment. Thus, a pain-free, prompt and simple α-synuclein biosensor for detection in plasma is highly demanded. In this paper, an α-synuclein electrochemical biosensor based on hierarchical polyglutamic acid/ZnO nanowires decorated by gold nanoparticles, assembled as nanostars (NSs), for the determination of α-synuclein in human plasma is proposed. ZnO NSs were prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) and decorated with electrodeposited Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). Then, electro-polymerized glutamic acid was grown and functionalized with anti-α-synuclein. A synergistic enhancement of electrode sensitivity was observed when Au NPs were embedded into ZnO NSs. The analytical performance of the biosensor was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), using the Fe(II)(CN)64−/Fe(III)(CN)63− probe. The charge transfer resistance after α-synuclein recognition was found to be linear, with a concentration in the range of 0.5 pg·mL−1 to 10 pg·mL−1, a limit of detection of 0.08 pg·mL−1, and good reproducibility (5% variation) and stability (90%). The biosensor was also shown to reliably discriminate between healthy plasma and PD plasma. These results suggest that the proposed biosensor provides a rapid, quantitative and high-sensitivity result of the α-synuclein content in plasma, and represents a feasible tool capable of accelerating the early and non-invasive identification of Parkinson’s disease.
Electrochemical Performance of Metal-Free Carbon-Based Catalysts from Different Hydrothermal Carbonization Treatments for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Girimonte Aldo , Stefani Andrea , Mucci Clara , Giovanardi Roberto , Marchetti Andrea , Innocenti Massimo , Fontanesi Claudio
Published: January 2024

This research investigates the difference between products obtained through two hydrothermal carbonization treatments. Our aim is to synthesize metal-free, carbon-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to serve as efficient and cost-effective alternatives to platinum-based catalysts. Catalysts synthesized using the traditional hydrothermal approach exhibit a higher electrocatalytic activity for ORR in alkaline media, despite their more energy-intensive production process. The superior performance is attributed to differences in the particle morphology and the chemical composition of the particle surfaces. The presence of functional groups on the surfaces of catalysts obtained via a traditional approach significantly enhances ORR activity by facilitating deprotonation reactions in an alkaline environment. Our research aims to provide a reference for future investigations, shifting the focus to the fine-tuning of surface chemical compositions and morphologies of metal-free catalysts to enhance ORR activity.
Controlled Crystallinity of a Sn-Doped α-Ga2O3 Epilayer Using Rapidly Annealed Double Buffer Layers
Authors: Kim Kyoung-Ho , Shin Yun-Ji , Jeong Seong-Min , Lee Heesoo , Bae Si-Young
Published: January 2024

Double buffer layers composed of (AlxGa1−x)2O3/Ga2O3 structures were employed to grow a Sn-doped α-Ga2O3 epitaxial thin film on a sapphire substrate using mist chemical vapor deposition. The insertion of double buffer layers improved the crystal quality of the upper-grown Sn-doped α-Ga2O3 thin films by blocking dislocation generated by the substrates. Rapid thermal annealing was conducted for the double buffer layers at phase transition temperatures of 700–800 °C. The slight mixing of κ and β phases further improved the crystallinity of the grown Sn-Ga2O3 thin film through local lateral overgrowth. The electron mobility of the Sn-Ga2O3 thin films was also significantly improved due to the smoothened interface and the diffusion of Al. Therefore, rapid thermal annealing with the double buffer layer proved advantageous in achieving strong electrical properties for Ga2O3 semiconductor devices within a shorter processing time.
Microporous Polymer-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes for the Electrochemical Detection of Metronidazole: Experimental and Theoretical Insights
Authors: Quiroz-Arturo Héctor , Reinoso Carlos , Scherf Ullrich , Palma-Cando Alex
Published: January 2024

The persistence and potential toxicity of emergent pollutants pose significant threats to biodiversity and human health, emphasizing the need for sensors capable of detecting these pollutants at extremely low concentrations before treatment. This study focuses on the development of glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) modified by films of poly-tris(4-(4-(carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)silanol (PTPTCzSiOH), poly-4,4′-Di(carbazol-9-yl)-1,1′-biphenyl (PCBP), and poly-1,3,5-tri(carbazol-9-yl)benzene (PTCB) for the detection of metronidazole (MNZ) in aqueous media. The films were characterized using electrochemical, microscopy, and spectroscopy techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Monomers were electropolymerized through cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. Computational methods at the B3LYP/def2-TZVP level were employed to investigate the structural and electrochemical properties of the monomers. The electrochemical detection of MNZ utilized the linear sweep voltammetry technique. Surface characterization through SEM and XPS confirmed the proper electrodeposition of polymer films. Notably, MPN-GCEs exhibited higher detection signals compared to bare GCEs up to 3.6 times in the case of PTPTCzSiOH-GCEs. This theoretical study provides insights into the structural, chemical, and electronic properties of the polymers. The findings suggest that polymer-modified GCEs hold promise as candidates for the development of electrochemical sensors.
Effectiveness of a Food Supplement Based on Glucomannan, D-Chiro-Inositol, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume and Inulin in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Citarrella Roberto , Chianetta Roberta , Amodeo Simona , Mirarchi Luigi , Licata Anna , Soresi Maurizio , Veronese Nicola , Barbagallo Mario , Giannitrapani Lydia
Published: January 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and abdominal obesity. Given the growing need to investigate food supplements with positive health effects, this study was aimed at testing the benefits of a specific supplement for people with MetS. Fifty-eight subjects with MetS and T2DM or impaired glucose tolerance assuming metformin, were randomly assigned to take a food supplement of glucomannan, D-chiro-inositol, Cinnamomum zeylanicum blume and inulin at a daily fixed dose of 4 g orally for four months. Body weight, waist circumference, plasma lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyc-erides), plasma glycaemic profile and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were measured at baseline and after four months of supplementation. After 16 weeks, in subjects with T2DM or insulin resistance who took the supplement (+ metformin), there was a significant reduction in body weight and BMI (p < 0.0001), serum insulin (p < 0.05) and the HOMA index (p < 0.01), as well as in the lipaemic pattern, with a significant improvement in total serum cholesterol (p < 0.005), triglycerides (p < 0.03) and LDL (p < 0.02). Our study shows that the food supplement tested is a valid and safe alternative therapeutic approach in the management of MetS and all its resulting risk factors, as its efficacy has been demonstrated across anthropometric, glucose, lipid and hepatic parameters.
A Genome-Wide Association Study for Resistance to Tropical Theileriosis in Two Bovine Portuguese Autochthonous Breeds
Authors: Valente Diana , Serra Octávio , Carolino Nuno , Gomes Jacinto , Coelho Ana Cláudia , Espadinha Pedro , Pais José , Carolino Inês
Published: January 2024

The control of Tropical Theileriosis, a tick-borne disease with a strong impact on cattle breeding, can be facilitated using marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using high-density arrays are extremely important for the ongoing process of identifying genomic variants associated with resistance to Theileria annulata infection. In this work, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed in the Portuguese autochthonous cattle breeds Alentejana and Mertolenga. In total, 24 SNPs suggestive of significance (p ≤ 10−4) were identified for Alentejana cattle and 20 SNPs were identified for Mertolenga cattle. The genomic regions around these SNPs were further investigated for annotated genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) previously described by other authors. Regarding the Alentejana breed, the MAP3K1, CMTM7, SSFA2, and ATG13 genes are located near suggestive SNPs and appear as candidate genes for resistance to Tropical Theileriosis, considering its action in the immune response and resistance to other diseases. On the other hand, in the Mertolenga breed, the UOX gene is also a candidate gene due to its apparent link to the pathogenesis of the disease. These results may represent a first step toward the possibility of including genetic markers for resistance to Tropical Theileriosis in current breed selection programs.
Assessment of In Vitro Release Testing Methods for Colloidal Drug Carriers: The Lack of Standardized Protocols
Authors: Gómez-Lázaro Laura , Martín-Sabroso Cristina , Aparicio-Blanco Juan , Torres-Suárez Ana Isabel
Published: January 2024

Although colloidal carriers have been in the pipeline for nearly four decades, standardized methods for testing their drug-release properties remain to be established in pharmacopeias. The in vitro assessment of drug release from these colloidal carriers is one of the most important parameters in the development and quality control of drug-loaded nano- and microcarriers. This lack of standardized protocols occurs due to the difficulties encountered in separating the released drug from the encapsulated one. This review aims to compare the most frequent types of release testing methods (i.e., membrane diffusion techniques, sample and separate methods and in situ detection techniques) in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of each one and of the key parameters that influence drug release in each case.
Benzodiazepine Boom: Tracking Etizolam, Pyrazolam, and Flubromazepam from Pre-UK Psychoactive Act 2016 to Present Using Analytical and Social Listening Techniques
Authors: Mullin Anthony , Scott Mark , Vaccaro Giorgia , Floresta Giuseppe , Arillotta Davide , Catalani Valeria , Corkery John M. , Stair Jacqueline L. , Schifano Fabrizio , Guirguis Amira
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The designer benzodiazepine (DBZD) market continues to expand whilst evading regulatory controls. The widespread adoption of social media by pro-drug use communities encourages positive discussions around DBZD use/misuse, driving demand. This research addresses the evolution of three popular DBZDs, etizolam (E), flubromazepam (F), and pyrazolam (P), available on the drug market for over a decade, comparing the quantitative chemical analyses of tablet samples, purchased from the internet prior to the implementation of the Psychoactive Substances Act UK 2016, with the thematic netnographic analyses of social media content. Method: Drug samples were purchased from the internet in early 2016. The characterisation of all drug batches were performed using UHPLC-MS and supported with 1H NMR. In addition, netnographic studies across the platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, between 2016–2023, were conducted. The latter was supported by both manual and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven thematic analyses, using numerous.ai and ChatGPT, of social media threads and discussions. Results: UHPLC-MS confirmed the expected drug in every sample, showing remarkable inter/intra batch variability across all batches (E = 13.8 ± 0.6 to 24.7 ± 0.9 mg; F = 4.0 ± 0.2 to 23.5 ± 0.8 mg; P = 5.2 ± 0.2 to 11.5 ± 0.4 mg). 1H NMR could not confirm etizolam as a lone compound in any etizolam batch. Thematic analyses showed etizolam dominated social media discussions (59% of all posts), with 24.2% of posts involving sale/purchase and 17.8% detailing new administration trends/poly-drug use scenarios. Artificial intelligence confirmed three of the top five trends identified manually. Conclusions: Purity variability identified across all tested samples emphasises the increased potential health risks associated with DBZD consumption. We propose the global DBZD market is exacerbated by surface web social media discussions, recorded across X and Reddit. Despite the appearance of newer analogues, these three DBZDs remain prevalent and popularised. Reporting themes on harm/effects and new developments in poly-drug use trends, demand for DBZDs continues to grow, despite their potent nature and potential risk to life. It is proposed that greater controls and constant live monitoring of social media user content is warranted to drive active regulation strategies and targeted, effective, harm reduction strategies.
Investigation of Laser-Induced Cavity and Plasma Formation in Water Using Double-Pulse LIBS
Authors: Siemens Michelle , Emde Benjamin , Henkel Marion , Methling Ralf , Franke Steffen , Gonzalez Diego , Hermsdorf Jörg
Published: January 2024

This paper deals with double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) underwater, which is a promising analytical method for elemental analysis in the deep sea up to a water depth of 6000 m. A double-pulse laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm is used, which provides a pulse energy of up to 266 mJ for each laser pulse (in single pulse mode), a pulse width of 5–7 ns and a pulse delay in the range of 0.5 to 20 µs. In the double-pulse LIBS method, the first laser pulse creates a cavity on the material surface, and then the second laser pulse forms the plasma in this cavity. It is expected that the plasma is affected by the cavity’s size and lifetime. For this reason, the influence of focus position, pulse energy and pulse delay on the cavity and plasma formation at shallow water depth has been investigated.
The Development of a Composite Thin Film Barrier of Tungsten Fe3O4-rGO (FerGO) for the Radiation Shielding of Medical Personnel
Authors: Kim Seon-Chil , Hou Jian , Jang Won-Gi , Byun Hong-Sik
Published: January 2024

Tungsten is the most effective eco-friendly material used for radiation shielding in hospitals. However, despite its commendable density and shielding performance, tungsten faces challenges in miscibility with other materials because of its elevated melting point and strength. In this study, to protect medical personnel against scattered rays, which are indirect X-rays, a lightweight material was prepared by mixing graphite oxide material, considering its thinness and flexibility. Tungsten particles were evenly dispersed in the polymer, and nanofibers were prepared using this blended polymer solution via electrospinning. Concurrently, the process technology was explored to craft a thin film sheet and obtain a lead-like shielding effect. A spinning solution was prepared by mixing Fe3O4-rGO (FerGO) and tungsten. At 60 kVp, 0.1 mm was measured as 0.097 mmPb, at 80 kVp, 0.2 mm was measured as 0.196 mmPb, and at 100 kVp, 0.3 mm was measured as 0.279 mmPb, showing similar shielding performance to lead. As density directly affects the shielding effect, graphene oxide played an important role in increasing the density of the material from 1.941 g/cm3 to 2.302 g/cm3. Thus, this study provides an effective process for producing thin film sheets equivalent to lead.
Significantly Enhanced Balance of Dielectric Properties of Polyvinylidene Difluoride Three-Phase Composites by Silver Deposited on K2Ni0.93Ti7.07O16 Hollandite Nanoparticles
Authors: Tsyganov Alexey , Vikulova Maria , Zotov Ilya , Artyukhov Denis , Burmistrov Igor , Gorokhovsky Alexander , Gorshkov Nikolay
Published: January 2024

Three-phase polymer composites are promising materials for creating electronic device components. The qualitative and quantitative composition of such composites has a significant effect on their functional, in particular dielectric properties. In this study, ceramic filler K2Ni0.93Ti7.07O16 (KNTO) with Ag coating as conductive additive (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 wt.%) was introduced into the polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer matrix in amounts of 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30 vol.%. to optimize the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent. The filler was characterized by X-ray phase analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy methods. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss tangent, and conductivity of three-phase composites KNTO@Ag-PVDF were studied in comparison with two-phase composites KNTO-PVDF in the frequency range from 102 Hz to 106 Hz. The dielectric constant values of composites containing 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30 vol.% filler were 12, 13, 17.4, 19.2 for pure KNTO and 13, 19, 25, 31 for KNTO@Ag filler (2.5 wt.%) at frequency 10 kHz. The dielectric loss tangent ranged from 0.111 to 0.340 at a filler content of 7.5 to 30 vol.%. A significantly enhanced balance of dielectric properties of PVDF-based composites was found with K2Ni0.93Ti7.07O16 as ceramic filler for 1 wt.% of silver. Composites KNTO@Ag(1 wt.%)-PVDF can be applied as dielectrics for passive elements of flexible electronics.
Tracing the Evolution of Reviews and Research Articles in the Biomedical Literature: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Abstracts
Authors: Guizzardi Stefano , Colangelo Maria Teresa , Mirandola Prisco , Galli Carlo
Published: January 2024

We previously examined the diachronic shifts in the narrative structure of research articles (RAs) and review manuscripts using abstract corpora from MEDLINE. This study employs Nini’s Multidimensional Analysis Tagger (MAT) on the same datasets to explore five linguistic dimensions (D1–5) in these two sub-genres of biomedical literature, offering insights into evolving writing practices over 30 years. Analyzing a sample exceeding 1.2 million abstracts, we observe a shared reinforcement of an informational, emotionally detached tone (D1) in both RAs and reviews. Additionally, there is a gradual departure from narrative devices (D2), coupled with an increase in context-independent content (D3). Both RAs and reviews maintain low levels of overt persuasion (D4) while shifting focus from abstract content to emphasize author agency and identity. A comparison of linguistic features underlying these dimensions reveals often independent changes in RAs and reviews, with both tending to converge toward standardized stylistic norms.
The Transformation of Hamartiology in Early Christianity: On Augustine’s Interpretation of Romans 5:12
Authors: Wang Zi
Published: January 2024

Starting with Augustine’s controversial translation and interpretation of Romans 5:12, this paper compares Augustine’s and the apostle Paul’s different understandings of “sin”: Paul understands “sin” from the apocalyptic eschatological perspective, and regards “sin” as a cosmic power; Augustine, on the contrary, gradually understood sin as an ontological sin in the discussion of the concept of “original sin”. Through the development and transformation from Paul’s theory of sin to Augustine’s theory of sin, this paper further discusses the interactive relationship between the development of early Christian thought and its social and cultural contexts and tries to outline the path of interweaving biblical text and theological thought in history, particularly to teach how Chinese readers should interact with scriptures in the Chinese context.
Long-Term Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Dust Aerosols in East Asia (2000–2022)
Authors: Wang Yanjiao , Tang Jiakui , Wang Wuhua , Wang Zhao , Wang Jiru , Liang Shunbo , Chu Bowen
Published: January 2024

The Taklamakan Desert Region (TDR) and the Gobi Desert Region (GDR) in East Asia significantly impact air quality, human health, and climate through dust aerosols. Utilizing the MERRA-2 dataset’s long-term dust aerosol optical depth (DAOD) at 550 nm from 2000 to 2022, we systematically monitored the spatiotemporal dynamics of DAOD. Our analysis covered annual, seasonal, and monthly scales, employing geographical detector analyses to investigate the impact of eight factors on DAOD distribution. Over the 23-year period, the interannual variability in DAOD across East Asia was not pronounced, but a discernible decreasing trend was observed, averaging an annual decrease of −0.0002. The TDR had higher DAOD values (0.337) than the GDR (0.103). The TDR showed an average annual increase of 0.004, while the GDR exhibited an average annual decrease of −0.0003. The spatial distribution displayed significant seasonal variations, with peak values in spring, although the peak months varied between the TDR and GDR. The driving factor analysis revealed that relative humidity and soil moisture significantly impacted the DAOD spatial distribution in East Asia, which were identified as common driving factors for both the region and the major dust sources. Complex mechanisms influenced the variation in DAOD, with interactions between variables having a greater impact than individual effects. The geodetector-derived interaction q-value identified the collective impact of soil temperature and relative humidity (0.896) as having the highest impact on the spatial and temporal DAOD distribution. The overall spatial pattern exhibited a nonlinear enhancement trend, with the TDR and GDR showing bilinear enhancement patterns. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing DAOD, offering a theoretical basis for atmospheric pollution control in East Asia.
Integrating Remote Sensing Data and CNN-LSTM-Attention Techniques for Improved Forest Stock Volume Estimation: A Comprehensive Analysis of Baishanzu Forest Park, China
Authors: Wang Bo , Chen Yao , Yan Zhijun , Liu Weiwei
Published: January 2024

Forest stock volume is the main factor to evaluate forest carbon sink level. At present, the combination of multi-source remote sensing and non-parametric models has been widely used in FSV estimation. However, the biodiversity of natural forests is complex, and the response of the spatial information of remote sensing images to FSV is significantly reduced, which seriously affects the accuracy of FSV estimation. To address this challenge, this paper takes China’s Baishanzu Forest Park with representative characteristics of natural forests as the research object, integrates the forest survey data, SRTM data, and Landsat 8 images of Baishanzu Forest Park, constructs a time series dataset based on survey time, and establishes an FSV estimation model based on the CNN-LSTM-Attention algorithm. The model uses the convolutional neural network to extract the spatial features of remote sensing images, uses the LSTM to capture the time-varying characteristics of FSV, captures the feature variables with a high response to FSV through the attention mechanism, and finally completes the prediction of FSV. The experimental results show that some features (e.g., texture, elevation, etc.) of the dataset based on multi-source data feature variables are more effective in FSV estimation than spectral features. Compared with the existing models such as MLR and RF, the proposed model achieved higher accuracy in the study area (R2 = 0.8463, rMSE = 26.73 m3/ha, MAE = 16.47 m3/ha).
Flexible Strain Sensors Based on Bionic Parallel Vein-like Structures for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Yin Boshuo , Liu Furong , Chen Qingyuan , Liu Ming , Wang Feiying
Published: January 2024

In recent years, strain sensors have penetrated various fields. The capability of sensors to convert physical signals into electrical signals is of great importance in healthcare. However, it is still challenging to obtain sensors with high sensitivity, large operating range and low cost. In this paper, a stretchable strain sensor made of a double-layer conductive network, including a biomimetic multilayer graphene-Ecoflex (MLG-Ecoflex) substrate and a multilayer graphene-carbon nanotube (MLG-CNT) composite up-layer was developed. The combined action of the two layers led to an excellent performance with an operating range of up to 580% as well as a high sensitivity (gauge factor (GFmax) of 1517.94). In addition, a pressure sensor was further designed using the bionic vein-like structure with a multi-layer stacking of MLG-Ecoflex/MLG-CNT/MLG-Ecoflex to obtain a relatively high deformation along the direction of thickness. The device presented a high sensing performance (up to a sensitivity of 0.344 kPa−1) capable of monitoring small movements of the human body such as vocalizations and gestures. The good performance of the sensors together with a simple fabrication procedure (flip-molding) make it of potential use for some applications, for example human health monitoring and other areas of human interaction.
A General Scheme of a Branch-and-Bound Approach for the Sensor Selection Problem in Near-Field Broadband Beamforming
Authors: Wielgus Agnieszka , Szlachetko Bogusław
Published: January 2024

This paper is devoted to the sensor selection problem. A broadband receiver beamforming working in a near-field is considered. The system response should be as close as possible to the desired one, which is optimized in the sense of L2 norm. The problem considered is at least NP-hard. Therefore, the branch-and-bound algorithm is developed to solve the problem. The proposed approach is universal and can be applied not only to microphone arrays but also to antenna arrays; that is, the methodology for the generation of consecutive solutions can be applied to different types of sensor selection problems. Next, for a larger microphone array, an efficient metaheuristic algorithm is constructed. The algorithm implemented is a hybrid genetic algorithm based on the ITÖ process. Numerical experiments show that the proposed approach can be successfully applied to the sensor selection problem.