bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision of Fungal Resistance Test Method for Cereal Husk-Reinforced Composite Construction Profiles Considering Mycelium Removal Techniques
Authors: Sudoł Ewa , Szewczak Ewa , Goron Mariia , Kozikowska Ewelina
Published: January 2025

Many test methods used in the assessment of construction products are characterised by poor precision, which is reflected in the discrepancies of results obtained by different laboratories. The test procedure for fungal resistance of natural particle-reinforced composite construction profiles has not been fully specified, which may lead to such discrepancies and erroneous utility assessment. In this study, the precision of the method and the influence of the mycelium removal on the fungal resistance were assessed based on the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity test results obtained for millet- and oat husk-reinforced PVC composites exposed to Coniophora puteana. The study revealed low precision of the test method, the coefficient of variation, in which, based on the standard deviation of interlaboratory reproducibility for one of the tested composites, was even higher than 20%. Additionally, it was found that the method of mycelium removal can significantly (at the level of 16% difference between flexural strength results) affect the resistance test results. This indicates the need to modify the test method and clearly specify the recommended method of cleaning samples after exposure to fungi.
Effect of Gradient Transition Layer on the Cracking Behavior of Ni60B (NiCrBSi) Coatings by Laser Cladding
Authors: Sun Qi , Bi Weiming , Yao Shan , Zhu Wenxu , Ma Wenjian , Hu Bing , Bao Cuimin , Zhang Yong , Niu Fangyong
Published: January 2025

Laser cladding technology is an effective method for producing wear-resistant coatings on damaged substrates, improving both wear and corrosion resistance, which extends the service life of components. However, the fabrication of hard and brittle materials is highly susceptible to the problem of cracking. Using gradient transition layers is an effective strategy to mitigate the challenge of achieving crack-free laser-melted wear-resistant coatings. This study presents the cracking issue of laser cladding Ni60B (NiCrBSi) coatings on 38CrMoAl (18CrNiMo7-6) steel by designing a gradient transition layer infused with varying amounts of Ni powder. We examine how different levels of Ni doping in the transition layer influence the fabrication of the Ni60B coating. The results indicate that the cracking mechanism of Ni60B is primarily due to the brittleness and hardness of the fusion cladding layer, which can result in cold cracks under residual tensile stress. Increasing the nickel content in the transition layer reduces the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the cladding layer and the substrate. Additionally, the nickel in the transition layer permeates the cladding layer due to the laser remelting effect. The physical phase within the cladding layer transitions from the initial CrB, M7C3, and γ-Ni solid solution to γ-Ni solid solution and Ni-B-Si eutectic, with a small amount of boride and carbide hard phases. As the nickel doping in the transition layer increases, the proportion of the toughness phase dominated by Ni elements significantly rises, leading to a decrease in the hardness of the fused cladding layer. However, the average hardness of the fusion cladding layer in crack-free samples was measured at 397.5 ± 5.7 HV0.2, which is 91% higher than that of the substrate.
Deep Eutectic Solvent-Assisted Synthesis of Ni–Graphene Composite Supported on Screen-Printed Electrodes for Biogenic Amine Detection
Authors: Levshakova Aleksandra , Kaneva Maria , Ninayan Ruzanna , Borisov Evgenii , Satymov Evgenii , Shmalko Alexander , Logunov Lev , Kuchmizhak Aleksandr , Kulchin Yuri N. , Manshina Alina , Khairullina Evgeniia
Published: January 2025

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have emerged as versatile, sustainable media for the synthesis of nanomaterials due to their low toxicity, tunability, and biocompatibility. This study develops a one-step method to modify commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPE) using laser-induced pyrolysis of DES, consisting of choline chloride and tartaric acid with dissolved nickel acetate and dispersed graphene. The electrodes were patterned using a 532 nm continuous-wave laser for the in situ formation of Ni nanoparticles decorated on graphene sheets directly on the SPE surface (Ni-G/SPE). The synthesis parameters, specifically laser power and graphene concentration, were optimized using the Nelder–Mead method to produce modified Ni-G/SPEs with maximized electrochemical response to dopamine. Electrochemical characterization of the developed sensor by differential pulse voltammetry revealed its broad linear detection range from 0.25 to 100 μM and high sensitivity with a low detection limit of 0.095 μM. These results highlight the potential of laser-assisted DES synthesis to advance electrochemical sensing technologies, particularly for the detection of biogenic amines.
In Situ EBSD Observation and Numerical Simulation of Microstructure Evolution and Strain Localization of DP780 Dual-Phase Steel
Authors: Ren Yupeng , Li Shengci , Feng Shaohua , Li Yang , Yuan Changwang
Published: January 2025

To reveal the microstructural evolution and stress–strain distribution of 780 MPa-grade ferrite/martensite dual-phase steel during a uniaxial tensile deformation process, the plastic deformation behavior under uniaxial tension was studied using in situ EBSD and crystal plastic finite element method (CPFEM). The results showed that the geometrically necessary dislocations (GND) in ferrite accumulated continuously, which is conducive to the formation of grain boundaries, but the texture distribution did not change significantly. The average misorientation angle decreased and the proportion of low-angle grain boundaries increased with the increase of strain. At high strain, the plastic deformation mainly occurred in the soft ferrite region within a 45° distribution from the loading direction. In the undeformed state, the texture of the dual-phase steel was characterized by α-fibers and γ-fibers. Interfacial debonding was caused by the accumulation of geometrically necessary dislocations. The fracture morphologies showed that the specimens had typical ductile fracture characteristics.
Metallic Ion Release Behaviors from Cobalt–Chromium Alloys Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing with Mechanical Grinding in an Acidic Saline Solution
Authors: Sakurai Naoto , Sawada Tomofumi , Kuwajima Yukinori , Yamanaka Kenta , Nomura Naoyuki , Kasahara Masaaki , Chiba Akihiko , Satoh Kazuro , Takemoto Shinji
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to investigate the release of metallic ions from cobalt–chromium (Co-Cr) alloys fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) for comparison with dental casting. Co-Cr alloys were fabricated via AM using selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM) in powder-bed fusion. Polished and mechanically ground specimens were prepared. Each specimen was analyzed using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). Each specimen was immersed in an acidic saline solution for 7 days in accordance with ISO 10271: 2020. The EPMA indicated the segregation of some elements in the as-prepared SLM and EBM specimens, whereas the polished and ground specimens exhibited a homogenous elemental distribution. The total amount of ion release from the SLM and EBM specimens was confirmed to be less than 7 μg/cm2, which was less than 42 μg/cm2 for the cast specimen. The polished and ground specimens exhibited an even lower ion release than the as-prepared specimens. The amount of ions released from the Co-Cr alloy was less than the 200 μg/cm² requirement of ISO 22674: 2022. Co-Cr alloys fabricated by SLM and EBM could provide superior corrosion resistance to cast specimens. AM could be a valuable method for fabricating appliances and denture frameworks in dentistry.
Estimation for Two Sensitive Variables Using Randomization Response Model Under Stratified Random Sampling
Authors: Lee Gi-Sung , Hong Ki-Hak , Kim Sung-Hwan , Son Chang-Kyoon
Published: January 2025

When direct survey are about sensitive characteristics such as addiction to drugs, alcoholism, proneness to tax invasion and sexual violence, nonresponse bias and response bias become serious problems because people oftentimes do not wish to give true information. In this study, when the population is composed of strata such as gender, region, age group, we consider the simple model and crossed model by applying stratified random sampling which can estimate not only the domain population proportion but also the whole population proportion for two sensitive attributes such as drug use and sexual violence in the same time. In addition, when the size of each population stratum is unknown in stratified random sampling, we propose the simple model and crossed model by using stratified double sampling method. In each proposed survey design, the sample allocation of each stratum is dealt with in consideration of proportional allocation and optimal one. We compare the efficiency between the simple model and the crossed model according to the proposed stratified random sampling design.
Improved Sampled-Data Consensus Control for Multi-Agent Systems via Delay-Incorporating Looped-Functional
Authors: Nguyen Khanh Hieu , Kim Sung Hyun
Published: January 2025

This paper addresses the problem of achieving consensus control for homogeneous multi-agent systems (MASs) under aperiodic sampled data and communication delays. By incorporating additional delay information, this paper introduces two novel delay-incorporating integral terms, an enhanced two-sided looped functional, and a novel discontinuous function to further exploit system state responses observed during sampling and data transmission. In addition, this paper introduces two additional zero equalities to derive less conservative stability and stabilization conditions. Based on these, sufficient conditions for guaranteeing consensus in MASs under this context are derived as linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are validated through a numerical example.
The Role of Butirprost® as an Adjuvant in Enhancing the Effect of Antibiotics in Patients Affected by Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: A Randomized Prospective Trial
Authors: Crocetto Felice , Calogero Armando , Santangelo Michele , Fernicola Agostino , Varlese Filippo , Mirto Benito Fabio , Machiella Fabio , Falcone Alfonso , Pagano Giovanni , Dinacci Fabrizio , Giampaglia Gaetano , Varriale Domenico , Trama Francesco , Iaconis Salvatore , Del Giudice Francesco , Busetto Gian Maria , Ferro Matteo , Lasorsa Francesco , Lucarelli Giuseppe , Imbimbo Ciro , Barone Biagio
Published: January 2025

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by pain and urinary symptoms, often with negative bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions. It affects young and older men bimodally and impacts quality of life (QoL) significantly. Background and Objectives: Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but a multimodal approach with additional nutraceuticals may enhance outcomes. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Butirprost® in association with fluoroquinolones in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with prostatitis (positive Meares–Stamey test and symptom duration > 3 months) at the University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy, from March 2024 to July 2024 were included in this study. All patients underwent bacterial cultures. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A received antibiotics plus Butirprost® (sodium hyaluronate plus Plantago major) for one month, while Group B received antibiotics alone. International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 15 and 30 days. Results: Out of 60 patients (Group A: 30, Group B: 30), Group A showed significant improvement in IPSS and NIH-CPSI scores at 15 and 30 days compared to Group B. Notable improvements were observed in pain, urinary symptoms, and QoL. Conclusions: The administration of Butirprost® along with fluoroquinolones resulted in a significant improvement in pain, urinary symptoms, and quality of life along with improvements in both IPSS and NIH-CPSI scores, in patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis compared with fluoroquinolones alone.
Artemia Nauplii Enriched with Soybean Lecithin Enhances Growth Performance, Intestine Morphology, and Desiccation Stress Resistance in Yellow Drum (Nibea albiflora) Larvae
Authors: Zhou Zhenya , Zhang Pian , Tan Peng , Chen Ruiyi , Hu Weihua , Wang Ligai , Zhang Yuming , Xu Dongdong
Published: January 2025

The inherent deficiency of phospholipids in Artemia limits its nutritional value as live prey for marine fish larvae. In our previous study, we optimized a phospholipid enrichment method by incubating Artemia nauplii with 10 g of soybean lecithin per m3 of seawater for 12 h, significantly enhancing their phospholipid content. Purpose: The present study evaluated the impact of this enrichment on yellow drum (Nibea albiflora) larvae, focusing on growth performance, intestinal morphology, body composition, weaning success, and desiccation stress resistance. Methods: The larvae (12 days post-hatching, dph) were fed either soybean lecithin-enriched (SL group) or newly hatched (NH group) Artemia nauplii for 10 days. Results: By the end of the experiment, the SL group exhibited a markedly greater body weight and standard length compared to the NH group (p < 0.05). This growth improvement was due to enhanced intestinal morphology, characterized by a significantly higher mucosal fold height, microvillus density, and microvillus length (p < 0.05). Intestinal RNA sequencing identified 160 upregulated and 447 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the SL group compared to the NH group. Soybean lecithin enrichment reduced the expression of lipogenesis-related genes (fasn, scd, elovl1) while upregulating lipid catabolism genes (ppara, cpt1, cpt2), indicating increased lipid breakdown and energy production. After a 5-day weaning period onto a commercial microdiet, the SL group continued to show significantly superior growth performance. In an afterward desiccation stress test, larvae from the SL group demonstrated significantly higher survival rates, potentially due to the decreased expression of intestinal cytokine genes (ccl13, mhc1, mhc2) observed in the RNA-seq analysis. Conclusions: This study highlights that feeding soybean lecithin-enriched Artemia nauplii enhances growth performance and desiccation stress in yellow drum larvae by promoting lipid catabolism, improving intestinal structure, and regulating immune responses.
Design and Study of a Novel P-Type Junctionless FET for High Performance of CMOS Inverter
Authors: Wang Bin , Tang Ziyuan , Song Yuxiang , Liu Lu , Yang Weitao , Wu Longsheng
Published: January 2025

In this paper, a novel p-type junctionless field effect transistor (PJLFET) based on a partially depleted silicon-on-insulator (PD-SOI) is proposed and investigated. The novel PJLFET integrates a buried N+-doped layer under the channel to enable the device to be turned off, leading to a special work mechanism and optimized performance. Simulation results show that the proposed PJLFET demonstrates an Ion/Ioff ratio of more than seven orders of magnitude, with Ion reaching up to 2.56 × 10−4 A/μm, Ioff as low as 3.99 × 10−12 A/μm, and a threshold voltage reduced to −0.43 V, exhibiting excellent electrical characteristics. Furthermore, a new CMOS inverter comprising a proposed PJLFET and a conventional NMOSFET is designed. With the identical geometric dimensions and gate electrode, the pull-up and pull-down driving capabilities of the proposed CMOS are equivalent, showing the potential for application in high-performance chips in the future.
Vaginal Dysbiosis in Infertility: A Comparative Analysis Between Women with Primary and Secondary Infertility
Authors: Cortés-Ortíz Iliana Alejandra , Acosta-Altamirano Gustavo , Nambo-Venegas Rafael , Pineda-Migranas Jesús Alejandro , Ríos-Hernández Oscar Giovanni , García-Moncada Eduardo , Bonilla-Cortés Alejandra Yareth , Sierra-Martínez Mónica , Bravata-Alcántara Juan Carlos
Published: January 2025

Infertility, both primary and secondary, is strongly influenced by microbiological factors, with the vaginal microbiota playing a key role in reproductive health. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the vaginal microbiota of 136 Mexican women diagnosed with infertility—primary (n = 58) and secondary (n = 78)—by evaluating the presence of pathogenic bacterial species and their associations with infertility conditions. Methods: Samples were obtained through cervical swabs, and microorganism identification was performed using qPCR techniques. Results: Analysis revealed a positive correlation between increased age and the likelihood of primary infertility, as well as a negative correlation with secondary infertility. Significant differences in microbial composition were also observed between the two infertility groups. Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus gasseri were dominant in women with primary infertility, in addition to a high prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis and Fannyhessea vaginae. Additionally, correlations were found between the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and sexually transmitted bacteria, as well as Gardnerella vaginalis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the composition of the vaginal microbiota may play a decisive role in infertility, highlighting the need for personalized therapeutic strategies based on microbial profiles.
Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Analysis to Study the Relationship Between Human Skin Microbiota and Radiation-Induced Skin Toxicity
Authors: Chen Hui , Xia Xiaojie , Shi Kexin , Xie Tianyi , Sun Xinchen , Xu Zhipeng , Ge Xiaolin
Published: January 2025

Radiation-induced skin toxicity, resulting from ionizing or nonionizing radiation, is a common skin disorder. However, the underlying relationship between skin microbiota and radiation-induced skin toxicity remains largely unexplored. Herein, we uncover the microbiota–skin interaction based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) featuring 150 skin microbiota and three types of skin microenvironment. Summary datasets of human skin microbiota were extracted from the GWAS catalog database, and summary datasets of radiation-induced skin toxicity from the FinnGen biobank. Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was leveraged to sort out the causal link between skin microbiota and radiation-induced skin toxicity. We identified 33 causal connections between human skin microbiota and radiation-induced skin toxicity, including 19 positive and 14 negative causative directions. Among these potential associations, the genus Staphylococcus could serve as a common risk factor for radiation-induced skin toxicity, especially for radiodermatitis. And Streptococcus salivarius was identified as a potential protective factor against radiation-induced skin toxicity. Additional analysis indicated no pleiotropy, heterogeneity, or reverse causal relationship in the results. We comprehensively assessed potential associations of skin microbiota with radiation-induced skin toxicity and identified several suggestive links. Our results provide promising targets for the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced skin toxicity.
5-Aminopyrazole Dimerization: Cu-Promoted Switchable Synthesis of Pyrazole-Fused Pyridazines and Pyrazines via Direct Coupling of C-H/N-H, C-H/C-H, and N-H/N-H Bonds
Authors: Chai Yi-Xin , Ren Jun-Jie , Li Yi-Ming , Bai Yi-Cheng , Zhang Qing-Qing , Zhao Yi-Zhen , Yang Xue , Zhang Xiao-Han , Zhang Xin-Shuang , Wu An-Xin , Zhu Yan-Ping , Sun Yuan-Yuan
Published: January 2025

A Cu-promoted highly chemoselective dimerization of 5-aminopyrazoles to produce pyrazole-fused pyridazines and pyrazines is reported. The protocol generates switchable products via the direct coupling of C-H/N-H, C-H/C-H and N-H/N-H bonds, with the merits of broad substrate scope and high functional group compatibility. Gram-scale experiments demonstrated the potential applications of this reaction. Moreover, the preliminary fluorescence results uncovered that dipyrazole-fused pyridazines and pyrazines may have some potential applications in materials chemistry.
Two Cysteines in Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein Make Differential Contributions to Structural Dynamics In Vitro
Authors: Cho Hyun Sang , Mazid Mohammad Faysal Al , Lee Eun-Young , Rayhan Md Abu , Kim Hyoun Sook , Lee Byung Il , You Hye Jin
Published: January 2025

As a scaffolding protein, Raf kinase binding protein (RKIP) is involved in a variety of cellular pathways, including the Raf–MEK–ERK-cascade. It acts as a negative regulator by binding to its partners, making it an attractive target in the development of therapeutic strategies for cancer. Despite its structural stability as a monomer, RKIP may form a dimer, resulting in the switching of binding partners. It is still unclear how RKIP switches between monomeric and dimeric forms. Here, we identified the role of cysteine 133 in RKIP structural dynamics using recombinant human RKIP (rhRKIP) proteins purified from Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. Mutation of alanine or serine instead of cysteine in RKIP proteins did not affect the biochemical characteristics, while dynamic light scattering and liquid chromatography (LC) quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) suggested distinct peaks in solution, which were identified via LC–MS/MS analyses, and further clarified the role of cysteine in RKIP dimerization. rhRKIP dimer formation was abrogated by a 32-aa peptide mimicking the region between two RKIP proteins for dimerization. In addition, the 32-aa peptide and its short derivatives were investigated for effects on cancer cell viability. Taken together, our findings suggest that it may be possible to regulate RKIP function by controlling its dynamics with reducing agents, which could aid the targeting of cancer cells.
Investigating the Effect and Potential Mechanism of Rhamnetin 3-O-α-Rhamnoside on Acute Liver Injury In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Deng Dandan , Zhao Borong , Yang Hong , Wang Songsong , Geng Ziying , Zhou Jiangtao , Yang Guane , Han Liwen
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Rhamnetin 3-O-α-rhamnoside (ARR) is a major flavonoid of the herb Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav., which has been used for treating liver diseases in China. However, the protective effect of ARR on the liver has not been reported. Methods: Zebrafish larvae were used as a visual animal model, and liver injury was induced by thioacetamide (TAA) for an acute liver injury (ALI) model. The hepatoprotective activity of ARR was evaluated by assessing liver morphology, liver function indices, oxidative stress, and the mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes in the zebrafish model. Additionally, the ROS level, inflammatory factors, and protein expression related to the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway were measured to investigate a potential mechanism of ARR in HepG2 cells. Results: ARR ameliorated TAA-induced growth retardation, reduced liver injury phenotypes, and decreased oxidative stress in the zebrafish. ARR was also able to lower ROS levels in HepG2 cells, effectively inhibit the overactivation of the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway in pathological conditions, inhibit NF-κB p65 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, and reduce the release of intracellular inflammatory factors. Conclusions: ARR showed significant protective activity against TAA-induced liver injury in in vivo and in vitro models, and its potential mechanism was closely related to the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Sustainable Skincare Innovation: Cork Powder Extracts as Active Ingredients for Skin Aging
Authors: Silva Ana , Pinto Cláudia , Cravo Sara , Mota Sandra , Rego Liliana , Ratanji Smeera , Quintas Clara , Silva Joana Rocha e , Afonso Carlos , Tiritan Maria Elizabeth , Cidade Honorina , Cruz Teresa , Almeida Isabel F.
Published: January 2025

Background: An emerging practice within the concept of circular beauty involves the upcycling of agro-industrial by-products. Cork processing, for instance, yields by-products like cork powder, which presents an opportunity to create value-added cosmetic ingredients. Building upon our previous research, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of hydroalcoholic extracts derived from two distinct cork powders (P0 and P1), in this work, aqueous extracts were prepared and analyzed. The safety and bioactivities of the newly obtained aqueous extracts, as well as the 30% ethanol extracts, previously reported to be the most promising for skin application, were also evaluated. Methods: Aqueous extracts were obtained from cork powders (P0 and P1) and the identification and quantification of some polyphenols was achieved by liquid chromatography (LC). Antioxidant potential was screened by DPPH method and the bioactivity and safety of extracts were further explored using cell-based assays. Results: All extracts exhibited a reduction in age-related markers, including senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity. Additionally, they demonstrated a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the production of several pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Moreover, the extracts upregulated genes and proteins associated with antioxidant activity, such as heme oxygenase 1. The aqueous extract from P1 powder was especially active in reducing pro-inflammatory mediators, namely the Nos2 gene, inducible nitric oxide protein levels, and nitric oxide production. Moreover, it did not induce skin irritation, as assessed by the EpiSkin test, in compliance with the OECD Test Guidelines. Conclusions: Overall, our findings underscore the potential of aqueous extracts derived from cork waste streams to mitigate various hallmarks of skin aging, including senescence and inflammaging, and their suitability for incorporation into cosmetics formulations. These results warrant further exploration for their application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and could foster a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
Production of Malheuran A, a Geranylated Flavonoid with Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, in Hairy Root Cultures of Dalea purpurea
Authors: Sharma Amit Raj , Gajurel Gaurav , Abdel-Karim Salma , Alam Mohammad Abrar , Shields Robert Colquhoun , Medina-Bolivar Fabricio
Published: January 2025

Phenolic compounds, such as stilbenes and flavonoids, from Dalea spp. exhibit diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxicity properties. To this end, the objectives of this study were to establish hairy root cultures of D. purpurea and assess its capacity to produce these bioactive compounds. The co-treatment of the hairy root cultures with the elicitors methyl-β-cyclodextrin, magnesium chloride, methyl jasmonate, and hydrogen peroxide led to the production and secretion of the geranylated flavanone malheuran A, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy analyses. The highest amount (104.3 ± 6.9 mg/L) of malheuran A was detected at 192 h after elicitor treatment. The elicited hairy roots were re-elicited for 192 h with the same combination of elicitors, and they produced a substantial amount of malheuran A (91.9 ± 6.8 mg/L). Malheuran A, purified from extracts of the hairy root culture medium, showed potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. It also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing nitrite production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings show that various elicitor treatments can boost malheuran A production in hairy root cultures, making them a sustainable bioproduction platform for this bioactive specialized metabolite.
Enhancing the Mechanical and Adhesive Properties of Polyurethane Adhesives with Propylene Oxide-Modified Ethylenediamine (PPO-EDA)
Authors: Jang Nam Gyu , Linh Tran Quang , Toan Mai , Kwon Kiok , Shin Seunghan
Published: January 2025

This study explores the use of propylene oxide-modified ethylenediamine (PPO-EDA) as a novel crosslinker and chain extender in polyurethane (PU) adhesives. PPO-EDA was synthesized and compared with N,N’-dimethylethylenediamine (DMEDA) to assess its impact on mechanical properties and adhesion performance. Key parameters such as NCO conversion, tensile strength, and lap shear strength were thoroughly evaluated. The results demonstrated that incorporating PPO-EDA significantly improved NCO conversion and crosslink density, leading to notable enhancements in tensile strength and elastic modulus compared to DMEDA. Lap shear tests further revealed superior adhesion performance in PPO-EDA-modified PU adhesives, particularly on amine silane-treated steel substrates, where lap shear strength consistently outperformed other samples. This improved performance was attributed to PPO-EDA’s dual role as a chain extender and crosslinker, which strengthened the adhesive’s structural integrity. This study underscores the effectiveness of PPO-EDA as a modifier for enhancing both mechanical and adhesive properties in PU-based adhesives, offering a promising solution for optimizing high-performance adhesives in automotive and industrial applications.
Numerical Simulation of Airflow Organization in Vulcanization Tanks for Waste Tires
Authors: Su Tianxi , Ma Yongzhi , Wang Baolin , Luan Xiaowen , Li Hui , Zhang Xuelong
Published: January 2025

Currently, in the domestic practice of retreading tires using vulcanization tanks, some tanks exhibit uneven temperature distributions leading to low retreading success rates. To address that, this paper simulated the temperature and velocity fields during the heating process of vulcanization tanks for waste tire retreading. The results indicated that a higher heating power reduces the time required for the vulcanizing agent to reach the vulcanization condition, but it also increases the difference in tire temperature in the tank, with a severely uneven distribution of the temperature field. Subsequently, to improve the uniformity of temperature distribution and enhance the retreading rate of waste tires, this paper proposed two types of orifice plates to adjust the airflow organization. The results show that both the plain orifice plate and the frustum cone orifice plate can enhance the uniformity of the temperature field within the vulcanization tank and reduce the temperature difference between tires. Moreover, at the same heating power, the presence of the orifice plates increases the rate of temperature increase in the tires and the vulcanizing agent compared to the original vulcanization tank, improving the thermal efficiency of the vulcanization tank heater.
A New Low-Cost Piezoelectric Ceramic Strain Detection Method
Authors: Li Yanling , Ma Jun , Fan Zhenhai , Zhang Feng , He Xin , Zhong Meipeng , Zhou Yuqing
Published: January 2025

With the rapid development of the electronic information industry, more and more attention has been paid to piezoelectric ceramic materials, but the electrical properties and characteristics of piezoelectric ceramic materials have problems such as high cost and inconvenient measurement. In this paper, a new method of electroinduced strain measurement of piezoelectric ceramics is proposed, and an innovative measuring device is constructed based on the working mode and testing principle of an optical displacement sensor and piezoelectric ceramics. An optical displacement measuring device with a simple structure, convenient operation, high measurement accuracy, and good cost benefit was designed and manufactured, and the electroinduced strain performance of piezoelectric ceramics was effectively measured. It is verified by experimental analysis that the device can accurately measure the axial displacement of various piezoelectric ceramics, the measurement accuracy is comparable to the existing equipment, the error is less than 10%, and has good stability and repeatability, which provides a reliable technical means for the performance measurement of piezoelectric ceramics.
Simultaneous Optimization of Hydrogen Network with Pressure Swing Absorption Based on Evolutionary Response Surface Method
Authors: Huang Lingjun , Zhu Qingyu , Sun Weiqi , Dou Dongyang , Wang Qili , Liu Guilian
Published: January 2025

The simultaneous optimization of complex process units and hydrogen networks is a significant challenge in refinery hydrogen network integration. To address this, an evolutionary response surface-based collaborative optimization method is proposed, enabling the concurrent optimization of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and the hydrogen network. This method develops a mechanistic model for PSA and alternates between random sampling and evolutionary response surface-based hydrogen network optimization to obtain diverse sampling points and potential optimal solutions. The PSA mechanistic model is then used to compute the accurate output parameters for the sampled points, and these parameters are incorporated into the hydrogen network optimization to obtain precise objective function values. An efficient optimization framework is presented to streamline the process. The proposed method is applied to a refinery hydrogen network integration case study, comprehensively considering both PSA costs and hydrogen utility costs. The results demonstrate that the method is computationally efficient and effectively reduces the refinery’s total annual costs. The accuracy of the optimization results is significantly improved compared to traditional methods, providing an effective solution for the collaborative optimization of the refinery hydrogen network and PSA.
Recycling Cork/PLA Bio-Composites Through Dissolution–Precipitation Method
Authors: Gama Nuno , Godinho Bruno , Barros-Timmons Ana , Ferreira Artur
Published: January 2025

Composites can offer superior properties and versatility but raise environmental concerns due to disposal challenges, even when made from bio-based materials. Hence, in this study, cork/PLA bio-based composites were recycled using dissolution–precipitation principles. First, virgin cork and PLA were extruded to produce cork/PLA bio-composites which were then recycled using dichloromethane to separate the biomass filler from the biopolymer matrix. It was found that 80.9% ± 2.4 of cork and 85.9% ± 5.9 of PLA were successfully recovered, with the recovered materials retaining the same chemical structure as the virgin counterparts. The cork maintained its honeycomb structure after extrusion and recycling, indicating its resistance to the process. As expected, adding cork to PLA reduced the composite’s mechanical performance, but the recovered PLA showed similar mechanical properties to the virgin PLA. Both virgin PLA and composite filaments displayed similar glass transition (Tg) and cold crystallization (Tcrist) temperatures, but the recovered PLA presented slightly lower values, likely due to some PLA degradation. Despite this, all recovered materials exhibited similar thermal stability to their virgin counterparts. Cork is primarily used in the production of cork stoppers, and, hence, its recycling efforts mainly focus on reusing cork from stoppers rather than from composites. Therefore, the recycling process proposed successfully separated cork from PLA composites, with the recovered materials maintaining comparable properties, highlighting the potential for improving the eco-efficiency of composites.
Automated Bitcoin Trading dApp Using Price Prediction from a Deep Learning Model
Authors: Lua Zhi Zhan , Seow Chee Kiat , Chan Raymond Ching Bon , Cai Yiyu , Cao Qi
Published: January 2025

Distributed ledger technology (DLT) and cryptocurrency have revolutionized the financial landscape and relevant applications, particularly in investment opportunities. Despite its growth, the market’s volatility and technical complexities hinder widespread adoption. This study proposes a cryptocurrency trading system powered by advanced machine learning (ML) models to address these challenges. By leveraging random forest (RF), long short-term memory (LSTM), and bi-directional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) models, the cryptocurrency trading system is equipped with strong predictive capacity and is able to optimize trading strategies for Bitcoin. The up-to-date price prediction information obtained by the machine learning model is incorporated by custom oracle contracts and is transmitted to portfolio smart contracts. The integration of smart contracts and on-chain oracles ensures transparency and security, allowing real-time verification of portfolio management. The deployed cryptocurrency trading system performs these actions automatically without human intervention, which greatly reduces barriers to entry for ordinary users and investors. The results demonstrate the feasibility of creating a cryptocurrency trading system, with the LSTM model achieving a return on investment (ROI) of 488.74% for portfolio management during the duration of 9 December 2022 to 23 May 2024. The ROI obtained by the LSTM model is higher than the performance of Bitcoin at 234.68% and that of other benchmarking models with RF and Bi-LSTM over the same timeframe. This approach offers significant cost savings, transparent portfolio management, and a trust-free platform for investors, paving the way for broader cryptocurrency adoption. Future work will focus on enhancing prediction accuracy and achieving greater decentralization.
Remote Mapping of Bedrock for Future Cosmogenic Nuclide Exposure Dating Studies in Unvisited Areas of Antarctica
Authors: Adams Jonathan R. , Mason Philippa J. , Roberts Stephen J. , Rood Dylan H. , Smellie John L. , Nichols Keir A. , Woodward John , Johnson Joanne S.
Published: January 2025

Cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating is an important technique for reconstructing glacial histories. Many of the most commonly applied cosmogenic nuclides are extracted from the mineral quartz, meaning sampling of felsic (silica-rich) rock is often preferred to sampling of mafic (silica-poor) rock for exposure dating studies. Fieldwork in remote regions such as Antarctica is subject to time constraints and considerable logistical challenges, making efficient sample recovery critical to successful research efforts. Remote sensing offers an effective way to map the geology of large areas prior to fieldwork and expedite the sampling process. In this study, we assess the viability of multispectral remote sensing to distinguish felsic from mafic rock outcrops at visible-near infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths using both the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and very high-resolution Worldview-3 (WV-3) imagery. We applied a combination of spectral mapping and ground truth from spectral measurements of 17 rock samples from Mount Murphy in the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica. Using this approach, we identified four dominant rock types which we used as a basis for felsic–mafic differentiation: felsic granites and gneisses, and mafic basalts and fragmental hydrovolcanic rocks. Supervised classification results indicate WV-3 performs well at differentiating felsic and mafic rock types and that ASTER, while coarser, could also achieve satisfactory results and be used in concert with more targeted WV-3 image acquisitions. Finally, we present a revised felsic–mafic geological map for Mt Murphy. Overall, our results highlight the potential of spectral mapping for preliminary reconnaissance when planning future cosmogenic nuclide sampling campaigns in remote, unvisited areas of the polar regions.
Harnessing Multi-Source Data and Deep Learning for High-Resolution Land Surface Temperature Gap-Filling Supporting Climate Change Adaptation Activities
Authors: Kustura Katja , Conti David , Sammer Matthias , Riffler Michael
Published: January 2025

Addressing global warming and adapting to the impacts of climate change is a primary focus of climate change adaptation strategies at both European and national levels. Land surface temperature (LST) is a widely used proxy for investigating climate-change-induced phenomena, providing insights into the surface radiative properties of different land cover types and the impact of urbanization on local climate characteristics. Accurate and continuous estimation across large spatial regions is crucial for the implementation of LST as an essential parameter in climate change mitigation strategies. Here, we propose a deep-learning-based methodology for LST estimation using multi-source data including Sentinel-2 imagery, land cover, and meteorological data. Our approach addresses common challenges in satellite-derived LST data, such as gaps caused by cloud cover, image border limitations, grid-pattern sensor artifacts, and temporal discontinuities due to infrequent sensor overpasses. We develop a regression-based convolutional neural network model, trained on ECOSTRESS (ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station) mission data, which performs pixelwise LST predictions using 5 × 5 image patches, capturing contextual information around each pixel. This method not only preserves ECOSTRESS’s native resolution but also fills data gaps and enhances spatial and temporal coverage. In non-gap areas validated against ground truth ECOSTRESS data, the model achieves LST predictions with at least 80% of all pixel errors falling within a ±3 °C range. Unlike traditional satellite-based techniques, our model leverages high-temporal-resolution meteorological data to capture diurnal variations, allowing for more robust LST predictions across different regions and time periods. The model’s performance demonstrates the potential for integrating LST into urban planning, climate resilience strategies, and near-real-time heat stress monitoring, providing a valuable resource to assess and visualize the impact of urban development and land use and land cover changes.
Frequent Glacial Hazard Deformation Detection Based on POT-SBAS InSAR in the Sedongpu Basin in the Himalayan Region
Authors: Li Haoliang , Yang Yinghui , Dong Xiujun , Xu Qiang , Li Pengfei , Zhao Jingjing , Chen Qiang , Hu Jyr-Ching
Published: January 2025

The Sedongpu Basin is characterized by frequent glacial debris movements and glacial hazards. To accurately monitor and research these glacier hazards, Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar images observed between 2014 and 2022 were collected to extract surface motion using SBAS-POT technology. The acquired temporal surface deformation and multiple optical remote sensing images were then jointly used to analyze the characteristics of the long-term glacier movement in the Sedongpu Basin. Furthermore, historical meteorological and seismic data were collected to analyze the mechanisms of multiple ice avalanche chain hazards. It was found that abnormal deformation signals of glaciers SDP1 and SDP2 could be linked to the historical ice avalanche disaster that occurred around the Sedongpu Basin. The maximum deformation rate of SDP1 was 74 m/a and the slope cumulative deformation exceeded 500 m during the monitoring period from 2014 to 2022, which is still in active motion at present; for SDP2, a cumulative deformation of more than 300 m was also detected over the monitoring period. Glaciers SDP3, SDP4, and SDP5 have been relatively stable until now; however, ice cracks are well developed in SDP4 and SDP5, and ice avalanche events may occur if these ice cracks continue to expand under extreme natural conditions in the future. Therefore, this paper emphasizes the seriousness of the ice avalanche event in Sedongpu Basin and provides data support for local disaster management and disaster prevention and reduction.
Spatio-Temporal Joint Trajectory Planning for Autonomous Vehicles Based on Improved Constrained Iterative LQR
Authors: Li Qin , He Hongwen , Hu Manjiang , Wang Yong
Published: January 2025

With advancements in autonomous driving technology, the coupling of spatial paths and temporal speeds in complex scenarios becomes increasingly significant. Traditional sequential decoupling methods for trajectory planning are no longer sufficient, emphasizing the need for spatio-temporal joint trajectory planning. The Constrained Iterative LQR (CILQR), based on the Iterative LQR (ILQR) method, shows obvious potential but faces challenges in computational efficiency and scenario adaptability. This paper introduces three key improvements: a segmented barrier function truncation strategy with dynamic relaxation factors to enhance stability, an adaptive weight parameter adjustment method for acceleration and curvature planning, and the integration of the hybrid A* algorithm to optimize the initial reference trajectory and improve iterative efficiency. The improved CILQR method is validated through simulations and real-vehicle tests, demonstrating substantial improvements in human-like driving performance, traffic efficiency improvement, and real-time performance while maintaining comfortable driving. The experiment’s results demonstrate a significant increase in human-like driving indicators by 16.35% and a 12.65% average increase in traffic efficiency, reducing computation time by 39.29%.
FDA-MIMO Radar Rapid Target Localization via Reconstructed Reduce Dimension Rooting
Authors: Wang Cheng , Zheng Zhi , Wang Wen-Qin
Published: January 2025

Frequency diversity array–multiple-input multiple-output (FDA-MIMO) radar realizes an angle- and range-dependent system model by adopting a slight frequency offset between adjacent transmitter sensors, thereby enabling potential target localization. This paper presents FDA-MIMO radar-based rapid target localization via the reduction dimension root reconstructed multiple signal classification (RDRR-MUSIC) algorithm. Firstly, we reconstruct the two-dimensional (2D)-MUSIC spatial spectrum function using the reconstructed steering vector, which involves no coupling of direction of arrival (DOA) and range. Subsequently, the 2D spectrum peaks search (SPS) is converted into one-dimensional (1D) SPS to reduce the computational complexity using a reduction dimension transformation. Finally, we conduct polynomial root finding to further eliminate computational costs, in which DOA and range can be rapidly estimated without performance degradation. The simulation results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed RDRR-MUSIC algorithm over the conventional 2D-MUSIC algorithm and reduced-dimension (RD)-MUSIC algorithm.
Influence of Initial Gap, Voltage, and Additives on Zinc Microcolumn Morphology by Local Electrochemical Deposition
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Fuliang
Published: January 2025

Local electrochemical deposition (LECD) is an innovative additive manufacturing technology capable of achieving precise deposition of metallic microstructures. This study delves into the ramifications of pivotal operational parameters—namely, the initial electrode gap, deposition voltage, and additive concentration—on the morphology of zinc microcolumns fabricated through LECD. A holistic approach integrating experimental methodologies with finite element simulations was adopted to scrutinize the influence of these variables on the microcolumns’ dimensions, surface morphology, and structural integrity. The findings reveal that augmenting the initial electrode gap results in microcolumns with larger diameters. Conversely, the deposition voltage primarily modulates the formation rate without exerting a notable impact on the columns’ dimensional attributes. The incorporation of additives enhances surface smoothness and diminishes column diameters; however, an overabundance of additives adversely affects the overall microstructure. Optimal parameters for the production of high-quality zinc microcolumns were determined to be a deposition voltage of 3.4 V and an electrode gap of 10 μm. These discoveries contribute pivotal insights for the refinement of LECD processes, with particular relevance to biomedical applications, such as the development of zinc-based bioabsorbable materials for orthopedic implants and cardiovascular devices.