bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidant-Free Electrochemical Direct Oxidative Benzyl Alcohols to Benzyl Aldehydes Using Three-Dimensional Printing PPAR Polyoxometalate
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Liu Ran , Lv Xueyan , Jiang Lirong , Tang Silu , Liu Gang , Shen Guodong , Huang Xianqiang , Ma Chen , Yang Bingchuan
Published: September 2023

The oxidation of benzyl alcohols is an important reaction in organic synthesis. Traditional methods for benzyl alcohol oxidation have not been widely utilized due to the use of significant amounts of precious metals and environmentally unfriendly reagents. In recent years, electrocatalytic oxidation has gained significant attention, particularly electrochemical anodic oxidation, which offers a sustainable alternative for oxidation without the need for external oxidants or reducing agents. Here, a copper monosubstituted phosphotungstate-based polyacrylate resins (Cu-LPOMs@PPAR) catalyst has been fabricated with immobilization and recyclability using 3D printing technology that can be successfully applied in the electrocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, achieving atom economy and reducing pollution. In this protocol, we obtain benzaldehyde in good yields with excellent functional group toleration under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions. This strategy could provide a new avenue for heterogeneous catalysts in application for enhancing the efficiency and selectivity of electrocatalytic oxidation processes.
Optical Imaging Opportunities to Inspect the Nature of Cytosolic Iron Pools
Authors: Hider Robert Charles , Pourzand Charareh , Ma Yongmin , Cilibrizzi Agostino
Published: September 2023

The chemical nature of intracellular labile iron pools (LIPs) is described. By virtue of the kinetic lability of these pools, it is suggested that the isolation of such species by chromatography methods will not be possible, but rather mass spectrometric techniques should be adopted. Iron-sensitive fluorescent probes, which have been developed for the detection and quantification of LIP, are described, including those specifically designed to monitor cytosolic, mitochondrial, and lysosomal LIPs. The potential of near-infrared (NIR) probes for in vivo monitoring of LIP is discussed.
A Comprehensive Mini-Review on Lignin-Based Nanomaterials for Food Applications: Systemic Advancement and Future Trends
Authors: Chelliah Ramachandran , Wei Shuai , Vijayalakshmi Selvakumar , Barathikannan Kaliyan , Sultan Ghazala , Liu Shucheng , Oh Deog-Hwan
Published: September 2023

The shift to an environmentally friendly material economy requires renewable resource exploration. This shift may depend on lignin valorization. Lignin is an aromatic polymer that makes up one-third of total lingo-cellulosic biomass and is separated into large amounts for biofuel and paper manufacture. This renewable polymer is readily available at a very low cost as nearly all the lignin that is produced each year (90–100 million tons) is simply burned as a low-value fuel. Lignin offers potential qualities for many applications, and yet it is underutilized. This Perspective highlights lignin-based material prospects and problems in food packaging, antimicrobial, and agricultural applications. The first half will discuss the present and future studies on exploiting lignin as an addition to improve food packaging’s mechanical, gas, UV, bioactive molecules, polyphenols, and antioxidant qualities. Second, lignin’s antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses will be discussed. In conclusion, lignin agriculture will be discussed in the food industries.
Evaluation of 4-Aminoquinoline Hydrazone Analogues as Potential Leads for Drug-Resistant Malaria
Authors: Magwaza Rachael N. , Abubaker Muna , Hussain Buthaina , Haley Michael , Couper Kevin , Freeman Sally , Nirmalan Niroshini J.
Published: September 2023

The emergence of resistance to first-line antimalarial drugs calls for the development of new therapies for drug-resistant malaria. The efficacy of quinoline-based antimalarial drugs has prompted the development of novel quinolines. A panel of 4-aminoquinoline hydrazone analogues were tested on the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum: IC50 values after a 48 h cycle ranged from 0.60 to 49 µM, while the 72 h cycle ranged from 0.026 to 0.219 μM. Time-course assays were carried out to define the activity of the lead compounds, which inhibited over 50% growth in 24 h and 90% growth in 72 h. Cytotoxicity assays with HepG2 cells showed IC50 values of 0.87–11.1 μM, whereas in MDBK cells, IC50 values ranged from 1.66 to 11.7 μM. High selectivity indices were observed for the lead compounds screened at 72 h on P. falciparum. Analyses of stage specificity revealed that the ring stages of the parasite life cycle were most affected. Based on antimalarial efficacy and in vitro safety profiles, lead compound 4-(2-benzylidenehydrazinyl)-6-methoxy-2-methylquinoline 2 was progressed to drug combination studies for the detection of synergism, with a combinatory index of 0.599 at IC90 for the combination with artemether, indicating a synergistic antimalarial activity. Compound 2 was screened on different strains of P. falciparum (3D7, Dd2), which maintained similar activity to K1, suggesting no cross-resistance between multidrug resistance and sensitive parasite strains. In vivo analysis with 2 showed the suppression of parasitaemia with P. yoelii NL (non-lethal)-treated mice (20 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg).
Long-Term Characterization of Oxidation Processes in Graphitic Carbon Nitride Photocatalyst Materials via Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Kobeleva Elizaveta , Shabratova Ekaterina , Azoulay Adi , MacQueen Rowan W. , Karjule Neeta , Shalom Menny , Lips Klaus , McPeak Joseph E.
Published: September 2023

Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) materials have been shown to efficiently perform light-induced water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and environmental remediation in a cost-effective way. However, gCN suffers from rapid charge-carrier recombination, inefficient light absorption, and poor long-term stability which greatly hinders photocatalytic performance. To determine the underlying catalytic mechanisms and overall contributions that will improve performance, the electronic structure of gCN materials has been investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Through lineshape analysis and relaxation behavior, evidence of two independent spin species were determined to be present in catalytically active gCN materials. These two contributions to the total lineshape respond independently to light exposure such that the previously established catalytically active spin system remains responsive while the newly observed, superimposed EPR signal is not increased during exposure to light. The time dependence of these two peaks present in gCN EPR spectra recorded sequentially in air over several months demonstrates a steady change in the electronic structure of the gCN framework over time. This light-independent, slowly evolving additional spin center is demonstrated to be the result of oxidative processes occurring as a result of exposure to the environment and is confirmed by forced oxidation experiments. This oxidized gCN exhibits lower H2 production rates and indicates quenching of the overall gCN catalytic activity over longer reaction times. A general model for the newly generated spin centers is given and strategies for the alleviation of oxidative products within the gCN framework are discussed in the context of improving photocatalytic activity over extended durations as required for future functional photocatalytic device development.
Urolithins: A Prospective Alternative against Brain Aging
Authors: An Lei , Lu Qiu , Wang Ke , Wang Yousheng
Published: September 2023

The impact of host–microbiome interactions on cognitive health and disease has received increasing attention. Microbial-derived metabolites produced in the gut are one of crucial mechanisms of the gut–brain axis interaction, showing attractive perspectives. Urolithins (Uros) are gut microbial-derived metabolites of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, whose biotransformation varies considerably between individuals and decreases greatly with age. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that Uros may have specific advantages in preventing brain aging including favorable blood–brain barrier permeability, selective brain distribution, and increasingly supporting data from preclinical and clinical studies. However, the usability of Uros in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive. In this review, we aim to present the comprehensive achievements of Uros in age-related brain dysfunctions and neurodegenerative diseases and discuss their prospects and knowledge gaps as functional food, drugs, or biomarkers against brain aging.
Current Applications of Digital PCR in Veterinary Parasitology: An Overview
Authors: Tsokana Constantina N. , Symeonidou Isaia , Sioutas Georgios , Gelasakis Athanasios I. , Papadopoulos Elias
Published: September 2023

Digital PCR (dPCR) is an emerging technology that enables the absolute quantification of the targeted nucleic acids. The body of research on the potential applications of this novel tool is growing in human and veterinary medicine. Most of the research on dPCR applications in veterinary parasitology is concentrated on developing and validating new assays to detect and quantify parasites of great financial impact in the food-producing animal industry. Several studies describe the utility of dPCR for individualized medicine in companion animals. Most frequently, dPCR performance is assessed compared to quantitative PCR or Next Generation Sequencing platforms, while others also compare the accuracy of dPCR with traditional parasitological techniques considered gold standard methods. Other researchers describe dPCR assays for surveillance purposes, species identification, and quantification in mixed parasitic infections, the detection of mutations indicative of anthelmintic resistance, and the identification of new targets for drug development. This review provides an overview of the studies that employed dPCR in investigating animal parasites and parasitic diseases from a veterinary perspective and discusses how this novel technology could advance and facilitate diagnosis, surveillance, and the monitoring of response to treatment, or shed light on current gaps in our knowledge of the epidemiology of significant veterinary parasitic diseases.
Is It Time for Treatment as Prevention of Chronic Hepatitis B?
Authors: Perez-Molina Jose A. , Cancio-Suárez Marta Rosas , Moreno Santiago
Published: September 2023

Hepatitis B is a major global health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Approximately 296 million people are living with chronic HBV, and 1.5 million new infections are detected each year, even though a highly effective vaccine has been available for decades and viral replication and transmission can be contained with the use of drugs. Nucleoside therapy, while not curative in most cases, can control viral replication, improve prognosis, and prevent mother-to-child transmission safely. Current treatment guidelines do not include a significant number of chronically infected patients or pregnant women and are often complex to implement. Since these populations continue to have a detectable HVB viral load, they could perpetuate transmission. Expanding and facilitating treatment indications, including treatment as a public health intervention, could help control the spread of the HBV pandemic, thus bringing us closer to the goal of the United Nations General Assembly for the year 2030.
Diagnostic Significance of Absence of Post-Feeding Contraction of the Gallbladder in Biliary Atresia: Two Case Reports
Authors: Kosuga Masahiko , Fujii Yoshimitsu , Doi Takashi , Kaneko Kazunari , Breugelmans Raoul
Published: September 2023

Ultrasonography is an essential part of the diagnostic process of biliary atresia (BA). The characteristic findings of BA include a hilar hyperechoic zone, the triangular cord sign (TCS), an absence of gallbladder contraction after feeding, and gallbladder atrophy. However, approximately 10% of patients with BA have a normal gallbladder. We herein present two cases of BA with normal morphology of the gallbladder as shown by ultrasonography. In the first case, the patient was positive for the TCS, negative for gallbladder atrophy, and positive for contraction of the gallbladder after feeding; the final diagnosis was hilar obstructive BA complicated by pancreaticobiliary maljunction. In the second case, the patient was positive for the TCS, negative for gallbladder atrophy, and negative for contraction of the gallbladder after feeding; the patient also had common bile duct obstruction and stenosis of the hepatic duct in the hilar region. Based on these two cases, we conclude that gallbladder findings are not diagnostic for BA because in some types, the gallbladder may be normal in morphology and even have the capacity for contraction after feeding.
Spectral Image Reconstruction Using Recovered Basis Vector Coefficients
Authors: Xu Wei , Wei Liangzhuang , Yi Xiangwei , Lin Yandan
Published: September 2023

Spectral imaging plays a crucial role in various fields, including remote sensing, medical imaging, and material analysis, but it often requires specialized and expensive equipment, making it inaccessible to many. Its application is also limited by the interdependent constraints of temporal, spatial, and spectral resolutions. In order to address these issues, and thus, obtain high-quality spectral images in a time-efficient and affordable manner, we proposed one two-step method for spectral image reconstruction from easily available RGB images under the down-sampling schemes. Specifically, we investigated how RGB values characterize spectral reflectance and found that, compared to the intuitive and straightforward RGB images themselves, their corresponding basis vector coefficients can represent the prior information of spectral images more explicitly and are better suited for spectral image reconstruction tasks. Thus, we derived one data-driven algebraic method to recover the corresponding basis vector coefficients from RGB images in an analytical form and then employed one CNN-based neural network to learn the patch-level mapping from the recovered basis vector coefficients to spectral images. To evaluate the effect of introducing the basis vector coefficient recovery step, several CNNs which typically perform well in spectral image reconstruction are chosen as benchmarks to compare the variation in reconstruction performance. Experimental results on a large public spectral image dataset and our real-world dataset demonstrate that compared to the unaltered version, those CNNs guided by the recovered basis vector coefficients can achieve significant performance improvement in the reconstruction accuracy. Furthermore, this method is plug-and-play, with very little computational performance consumption, thus maintaining a high speed of calculation.
Advancing the Conservation and Utilization of Barley Genetic Resources: Insights into Germplasm Management and Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Visioni Andrea , Basile Boris , Amri Ahmed , Sanchez-Garcia Miguel , Corrado Giandomenico
Published: September 2023

Barley is a very important crop particularly in marginal dry areas, where it often serves as the most viable option for farmers. Additionally, barley carries great significance in the Western world, serving not only as a fundamental crop for animal feed and malting but also as a nutritious food source. The broad adaptability of barley and its ability to withstand various biotic and abiotic stresses often make this species the sole cereal that can be cultivated in arid regions. The collection and utilization of barley genetic resources are crucial for identifying valuable traits to enhance productivity and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. This review aims to provide an overview of the management and exploitation of barley genetic resources. Furthermore, the review explores the relationship between gene banks and participatory breeding, offering insights into the diversity and utilization of barley genetic resources through some examples such as the initiatives undertaken by ICARDA. Finally, this contribution highlights the importance of these resources for boosting barley productivity, addressing climate change impacts, and meeting the growing food demands in a rapidly changing agriculture. The understanding and utilizing the rich genetic diversity of barley can contribute to sustainable agriculture and ensure the success of this vital crop for future generations globally.
Chemical Profiling and Antioxidant and Anti-Amyloid Capacities of Salvia fruticosa Extracts from Greece
Authors: Ververis Antonis , Kyriakou Sotiris , Ioannou Kristia , Chatzopoulou Paschalina S. , Panayiotidis Mihalis I. , Plioukas Michael , Christodoulou Kyproula
Published: September 2023

An increasingly common ailment in elderly persons is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative illness. Present treatment is restricted to alleviating symptoms; hence, there is a requirement to develop an effective approach to AD treatment. Salvia fruticosa (SF) is a medicinal plant with a documented neuroprotective potential. To identify extracts of increased neuroprotectivity, we partitioned the methanolic extract of SF aerial parts from Greece into several fractions, by employing solvents of different polarities. The fractions were chemically identified and evaluated for their antioxidancy and anti-neurotoxic potential against amyloid beta peptides 25–35 (Aβ25–35). Carnosol and carnosic acid were among the prominent compounds, while all partitions showed significant antioxidant capacity, with the diethyl ether and ethyl acetate partitions being the most potent. These, along with the aqueous and the butanolic fractions, demonstrated statistically significant anti-neurotoxic potential. Thus, our findings further validate the neuroprotective potential of SF and support its ethnopharmacological usage as an antioxidant. The particular properties found define SF as a promising source for obtaining extracts or bioactive compounds, possibly beneficial for generating AD-related functional foods or medications. Finally, our results encourage plant extract partitioning for acquiring fractions of enhanced biological properties.
Facile Synthesis of Catechol-Containing Polyacrylamide Copolymers: Synergistic Effects of Amine, Amide and Catechol Residues in Mussel-Inspired Adhesives
Authors: Bonda Lorand , Müller Janita , Fischer Lukas , Löwe Maryna , Kedrov Alexej , Schmidt Stephan , Hartmann Laura
Published: September 2023

The straightforward synthesis of polyamide-derived statistical copolymers with catechol, amine, amide and hydroxy residues via free radical polymerization is presented. In particular, catechol, amine and amide residues are present in natural mussel foot proteins, enabling strong underwater adhesion due to synergistic effects where cationic residues displace hydration and ion layers, followed by strong short-rang hydrogen bonding between the catechol or primary amides and SiO2 surfaces. The present study is aimed at investigating whether such synergistic effects also exist for statistical copolymer systems that lack the sequence-defined positioning of functional groups in mussel foot proteins. A series of copolymers is established and the adsorption in saline solutions on SiO2 is determined by quartz crystal microbalance measurements and ellipsometry. These studies confirm a synergy between cationic amine groups with catechol units and primary amide groups via an increased adsorptivity and increased polymer layer thicknesses. Therefore, the free radical polymerization of catechol, amine and amide monomers as shown here may lead to simplified mussel-inspired adhesives that can be prepared with the readily scalable methods required for large-scale applications.
Construction of Multifunctional Hierarchical Biofilms for Highly Sensitive and Weather-Resistant Fire Warning
Authors: Ma Tongtong , Zhou Qianqian , Liu Chaozheng , Li Liping , Guo Chuigen , Mei Changtong
Published: September 2023

Multifunctional biofilms with early fire-warning capabilities are highly necessary for various indoor and outdoor applications, but a rational design of intelligent fire alarm films with strong weather resistance remains a major challenge. Herein, a multiscale hierarchical biofilm based on lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and TiO2 was developed through a vacuum-assisted alternate self-assembly and dipping method. Then, an early fire-warning system that changes from an insulating state to a conductive one was designed, relying on the rapid carbonization of LCNFs together with the unique electronic excitation characteristics of TiO2. Typically, the L-CNT-TiO2 film exhibited an ultrasensitive fire-response signal of ~0.30 s and a long-term warning time of ~1238 s when a fire disaster was about to occur, demonstrating a reliable fire-alarm performance and promising flame-resistance ability. More importantly, the L-CNT-TiO2 biofilm also possessed a water contact angle (WCA) of 166 ± 1° and an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) as high as 2000, resulting in excellent superhydrophobicity, antifouling, self-cleaning as well as incredible anti-ultraviolet (UV) capabilities. This work offers an innovative strategy for developing advanced intelligent films for fire safety and prevention applications, which holds great promise for the field of building materials.
Silver Nanoparticle–PEDOT:PSS Composites as Water-Processable Anodes: Correlation between the Synthetic Parameters and the Optical/Morphological Properties
Authors: Zappia Stefania , Alloisio Marina , Valdivia Julio Cesar , Arias Eduardo , Moggio Ivana , Scavia Guido , Destri Silvia
Published: September 2023

The morphological, spectroscopic and rheological properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized in situ within commercial PEDOT:PSS formulations, labeled PP@NPs, were systematically investigated by varying different synthetic parameters (NaBH4/AgNO3 molar ratio, PEDOT:PSS formulation and silver and PEDOT:PSS concentration in the reaction medium), revealing that only the reagent ratio affected the properties of the resulting nanoparticles. Combining the results obtained from the field-emission scanning electron microscopy analysis and UV-Vis characterization, it could be assumed that PP@NPs’ stabilization occurs by means of PSS chains, preferably outside of the PEDOT:PSS domains with low silver content. Conversely, with high silver content, the particles also formed in PEDOT-rich domains with the consequent perturbation of the polaron absorption features of the conjugated polymer. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the films deposited on glass from the particle-containing PEDOT:PSS suspensions. The film with an optimized morphology, obtained from the suspension sample characterized by the lowest silver and NaBH4 content, was used to fabricate a very initial prototype of a water-processable anode in a solar cell prepared with an active layer constituted by the benchmark blend poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PC60BM) and a low-temperature, not-evaporated cathode (Field’s metal).
Adsorption of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Microcystins by Virgin and Weathered Microplastics in Freshwater Matrices
Authors: Shi Yucong , Almuhtaram Husein , Andrews Robert C.
Published: September 2023

Microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) both represent persistent groups of environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health risks. Microcystin toxins are produced and stored in the cells of cyanobacteria and may be released into sources of drinking water. Recent concerns have emerged regarding the ability of microplastics to adsorb a range of organic contaminants, including PFAS and microcystins. This study examined the adsorption of two long-chain and two short-chain PFAS, as well as two common microcystins, by both virgin and weathered microplastics in freshwater. Natural weathering of microplastic surfaces may decrease adsorption by introducing hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups. Up to 50% adsorption of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was observed for virgin PVC compared to 38% for weathered PVC. In contrast, adsorption capacities for microcystins by virgin LDPE were approximately 5.0 µg/g whereas no adsorption was observed following weathering. These results suggest that adsorption is driven by specific polymer types and dominated by hydrophobic interactions. This is the first known study to quantify PFAS and microcystins adsorption when considering environmentally relevant concentrations as well as weathered microplastics.
Enhanced Water Sorption Performance of Polyacrylamide & Glass Fiber Paper Composites: Investigation and Comparison of Application in Desiccant Wheels
Authors: Liu Yimo , Liu Zhongbao , Wang Zepeng , Sun Weiming
Published: September 2023

The water sorption and desorption properties of solid adsorbent materials are crucial in rotary dehumidification systems. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and hydrogels are mostly at the laboratory stage due to factors like the synthesis process and yield. In this study, we utilized an eco-friendly and large-scale synthesis method to prepare polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels (yielding approximately 500 mL from a single polymerization). Subsequently, PAM was then coated onto glass fiber paper (GFP), which serves as a commonly employed substrate in desiccant wheels. By incorporating the hygroscopic salt LiCl and optimizing the content of each component, the water sorption performance of the composite was notably improved. The water sorption and desorption performances, as well as cycling stability, were evaluated and compared with composites containing aluminum fumarate, LiCl, and GFP (AlFum-LiCl&GFP). The results revealed that PAM-LiCl&GFP outperformed AlFum-LiCl&GFP in terms of sorption capacity throughout various relative humidity (RH) levels. It achieved a water uptake of 1.06 g·g−1 at 25 °C and 30% RH, corresponding to a water sorption rate coefficient K of 15.32 × 10−4 s−1. Furthermore, the lower desorption temperature (60 °C) resulting in a desorption ratio of 82.6%, along with the excellent cycling stability and effective performance as a desiccant wheel module, provide evidence for the potential application of PAM-LiCl&GFP in desiccant wheels.
Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater Aiming Fertilizer Production: Struvite Precipitation Optimization Using a Sequential Plackett–Burman and Doehlert Design
Authors: Campos Paulo Victor , Angélica Rômulo Simões , Faria Lênio José Guerreiro de , Paz Simone Patrícia Aranha Da
Published: September 2023

The precipitation of struvite from wastewater is a potential alternative for the recovery of nutrients, especially phosphorus, which is an essential macronutrient for agriculture but can be harmful to the environment when improperly disposed of in water bodies. In addition, struvite has elements of great added value for agricultural activity (P, N, and Mg) and is, therefore, considered a sustainable alternative fertilizer. In its formation process, several intervening physicochemical factors may be responsible for the production yield levels. Optimization processes can help to define and direct the factors that truly matter for precipitation. In this context, a sequential design of experiments (DOE) methodology was applied to select and optimize the main struvite precipitation factors in wastewater. Initially, a screening was performed with eight factors with the aid of Plackett–Burman design, and the factors with a real influence on the process were identified. Then, a Doehlert design was used for optimization by applying the response surface methodology and the desirability function. The results were used to identify the optimal points of the pH (10.2), N/P ratio (≥4), and initial phosphorus concentration (183.5 mg/L); these values had a greater effect on phosphorus recovery and the production of struvite, which was confirmed through thermochemical analysis of the decomposition of its structure by differential scanning calorimeter—glass transition temperature (DSC-TG) and phase identification by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The determination of the best synthesis conditions is an enormous contribution to the control of the process because these conditions lead to better yields and higher levels of phosphorus recovery.
Recovering Polyphenols in Aqueous Solutions from Olive Mill Wastewater and Olive Leaf for Biological Applications
Authors: Hernández-Fernández Adrián , Garrido Yolanda , Iniesta-López Eduardo , Pérez de los Ríos Antonia , Quesada-Medina Joaquín , Hernández-Fernández Francisco José
Published: September 2023

Olive leaf and olive mill wastewater are wastes which are produced in olive industry and can be used to obtain value-added products such as polyphenols. In this work, extracts of polyphenols from olive mill wastewater and olive leaf in an aqueous medium are obtained and their composition in polyphenols were determined and compared with those obtained using the conventional extract agent (methanol–water). The antioxidant capacity of the aqueous extracts of olive mill wastewater and olive leaf were also analysed. It was observed that the olive mill wastewater extracted in water provides a similar content of phenolic compounds in the final extract compared to extraction with methanol–water, with the main polyphenols being hydrotyrosol and tyrosol (20.1 and 6.61 mg gdw−1). In the case of leaf extraction, the methanol-free extract (recovery in water after extraction with methanol–water) had a lower total phenol content compared to the methanolic extract, with the main polyphenol being oleuropein (22.73 and 9.05 mg gdw−1, for the methanol and methanol-free extract, respectively). However, both extracts obtained in aqueous solution present a similar antioxidant capacity at very diluted concentrations of the original extract, with IC50 values (half-maximal antioxidant concentration) of about 20 mg TS L−1. The antioxidant capacity of the extract in aqueous solution facilitates its application as an antioxidant in biological systems, like animal food, where the use of extracts based on organic solvents, like methanol, are not suitable.
Design and Analysis of a Novel Air Bubble Curtain for Mixing and Aeration in Process Vessels
Authors: Chaalal Omar , Mouli R. Madhuranthakam Chandra , Al Hashimi Husain , Chaalal Marouane , Abudaqqa Weam S. K.
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on designing and analyzing a new method for mixing in process vessels. We propose using an air bubble curtain to accomplish the desired mixing. The air bubble curtain used in this study is made of an empty pipe with several holes through which air is pumped, which in turn produces a swarm of bubbles that causes pseudo-turbulent mixing in the tank filled with a liquid solution. A uniform distribution of bubbles within the tank was assured by maintaining a see-saw movement of the air bubble curtain. Mixing inside the tank was quantified by measuring the salt concentration in a laboratory model tank (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm) and a pilot-scale tank (200 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm). The optimal flow rates of air and the mixing time in both tanks that can achieve complete mixing were obtained from the experimental results. The proposed air bubble curtain can be of potential use in wastewater treatment, biotechnology, and aquaculture where turbulent mixing is required with minimum energy dissipation per unit mass.
Transdermal Patches Containing Opioids in the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Pain
Authors: De Marco Iolanda
Published: September 2023

Transdermal delivery is a non-invasive route, used as an alternative to the oral route, to administer drugs through the skin surface. One of the fields in which they are particularly used is that of pain therapy. In this treatment, transdermal patches, particularly those containing opioids, are used to complement or replace orally administered drugs. First-generation patches are constituted by reservoir systems, where the drug is dissolved in a solvent and gelled with a polymer. In contrast, the active principle is incorporated into the polymer adhesive in more recent matrix patches. In this review, the main papers related to the production and employment of transdermal patches containing the two most used opioids, i.e., fentanyl and buprenorphine, have been critically analyzed. From the analysis of the literature, it is possible to deduce that the type of drug and the amount of drug present in the patch must be chosen not according to the origin of the pain but to the age of the patient, the area where the patch is applied, and the frequency at which the patch is replaced.
In Silico Analysis of the MitraClip in a Realistic Human Left Heart Model
Authors: Pasta Salvatore
Published: September 2023

Mitral valve regurgitation is a common heart valve disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter mitral valve repair using the MitraClip device has emerged as a safe and effective alternative for patients unsuitable for conventional surgery. However, the structural and hemodynamic implications of MitraClip implantation in the left ventricle have not been extensively explored. This study aimed to assess the structural and hemodynamic performance of the MitraClip device using a high-fidelity model of the human heart, specifically focusing on a healthy mitral valve geometry. The implantation of the MitraClip device was simulated using the finite element method for structural analysis and the lattice Boltzmann method for computational flow analysis. MitraClip implantation induced geometrical changes in the mitral valve, resulting in local maxima of principal stress in the valve leaflet regions constrained by the device. Hemodynamic assessment revealed slow-moving nested helical flow near the left ventricular wall and high flow velocities in the apex regions. Vorticity analysis indicated abnormal hemodynamic conditions induced by the double-orifice area configuration of the mitral valve after MitraClip implantation. By predicting possible adverse events and complications in a patient-specific manner, computational modeling supports evidence-based decision making and enhances the overall effectiveness and safety of transcatheter mitral valve repairs.
GRI: General Reinforced Imitation and Its Application to Vision-Based Autonomous Driving
Authors: Chekroun Raphael , Toromanoff Marin , Hornauer Sascha , Moutarde Fabien
Published: September 2023

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has been demonstrated to be effective for several complex decision-making applications, such as autonomous driving and robotics. However, DRL is notoriously limited by its high sample complexity and its lack of stability. Prior knowledge, e.g., as expert demonstrations, is often available but challenging to leverage to mitigate these issues. In this paper, we propose General Reinforced Imitation (GRI), a novel method which combines benefits from exploration and expert data and is straightforward to implement over any off-policy RL algorithm. We make one simplifying hypothesis: expert demonstrations can be seen as perfect data whose underlying policy gets a constant high reward. Based on this assumption, GRI introduces the notion of offline demonstration agent. This agent sends expert data which are processed both concurrently and indistinguishably with the experiences coming from the online RL exploration agent. We show that our approach enables major improvements on camera-based autonomous driving in urban environments. We further validate the GRI method on Mujoco continuous control tasks with different off-policy RL algorithms. Our method ranked first on the CARLA Leaderboard and outperforms World on Rails, the previous state-of-the-art method, by 17%.
Editorial for the Special Issue “SAR for Forest Mapping II”
Authors: Martone Michele , Marino Armando
Published: September 2023

As vital natural resources, forests are of extreme importance for all living beings on our planet [...]
The Role of Changbai Mountain in an Extreme Precipitation Event in Liaoning Province, China
Authors: Yang Jing , Huang Ya , Luo Liping , Li Yanping
Published: September 2023

Based on the half-hourly Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) data product (0.1°), the fifth-generation European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting atmospheric reanalysis dataset (ERA5), sounding data, and the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF-ARW), this study explored the developmental process of a typical extreme precipitation event in Liaoning Province on 2 June 2021. This study focused on the impact of Changbai Mountain on this precipitation process and its corresponding physical mechanisms. The research findings revealed that Changbai Mountain significantly affected the precipitation event in three main aspects: blocking drag, forcing uplift, and leeside convergence. The blocking drag caused by the mountain topography led to an extension in the duration of heavy rainfall. The dynamic lifting and leeside convergence associated with the mountainous terrain also substantially increased the amount of precipitation. Furthermore, the topography hindered the movement of the Bohai Bay cold pool and enhanced the intensity of the cold pool, contributing to the sustained extreme precipitation in Liaoning Province. Lastly, the terrain sensitivity experiment demonstrated that when the height of Changbai Mountain was reduced, the convergence uplift, moisture condensation, and cold pool intensity were weakened, leading to significant changes in precipitation intensity and spatial distribution. These findings further confirm the crucial role of Changbai Mountain in the occurrence and development of local precipitation in Liaoning Province.
Spatiotemporal Pattern of Invasive Pedicularis in the Bayinbuluke Land, China, during 2019–2021: An Analysis Based on PlanetScope and Sentinel-2 Data
Authors: Wang Wuhua , Tang Jiakui , Zhang Na , Wang Yanjiao , Xu Xuefeng , Zhang Anan
Published: September 2023

The accurate identification and monitoring of invasive plants are of great significance to sustainable ecological development. The invasive Pedicularis poses a severe threat to native biodiversity, ecological security, socioeconomic development, and human health in the Bayinbuluke Grassland, China. It is imperative and useful to obtain a precise distribution map of Pedicularis for controlling its spread. This study used the positive and unlabeled learning (PUL) method to extract Pedicularis from the Bayinbuluke Grassland based on multi-period Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope remote sensing images. A change rate model for a single land cover type and a dynamic transfer matrix were constructed under GIS to reflect the spatiotemporal distribution of Pedicularis. The results reveal that (1) the PUL method accurately identifies Pedicularis in satellite images, achieving F1-scores above 0.70 and up to 0.94 across all three datasets: PlanetScope data (seven features), Sentinel-2 data (seven features), and Sentinel-2 data (thirteen features). (2) When comparing the three datasets, the number of features is more important than the spatial resolution in terms of use in the PUL method of Pedicularis extraction. Nevertheless, when compared with PlanetScope data, Sentinel-2 data demonstrated a higher level of accuracy in predicting the distribution of Pedicularis. (3) During the 2019–2021 growing season, the distribution area of Pedicularis decreased, and the distribution was mainly concentrated in the northeast and southeast of Bayinbuluke Swan Lake. The acquired spatiotemporal pattern of invasive Pedicularis could potentially be used to aid in controlling Pedicularis spread or elimination, and the methods proposed in this study could be adopted by the government as a low-cost strategy to identify priority areas in which to concentrate efforts to control and continue monitoring Pedicularis invasion.
Res-SwinTransformer with Local Contrast Attention for Infrared Small Target Detection
Authors: Zhao Tianhua , Cao Jie , Hao Qun , Bao Chun , Shi Moudan
Published: September 2023

Infrared small target detection for aerial remote sensing is crucial in both civil and military fields. For infrared targets with small sizes, low signal-to-noise ratio, and little detailed texture information, we propose a Res-SwinTransformer with a Local Contrast Attention Network (RSLCANet). Specifically, we first design a SwinTransformer-based backbone to improve the interaction capability of global information. On this basis, we introduce a residual structure to fully retain the shallow detail information of small infrared targets. Furthermore, we design a plug-and-play attention module named LCA Block (local contrast attention block) to enhance the target and suppress the background, which is based on local contrast calculation. In addition, we develop an air-to-ground multi-scene infrared vehicle dataset based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform, which can provide a database for infrared vehicle target detection algorithm testing and infrared target characterization studies. Experiments demonstrate that our method can achieve a low-miss detection rate, high detection accuracy, and high detection speed. In particular, on the DroneVehicle dataset, our designed RSLCANet increases by 4.3% in terms of mAP@0.5 compared to the base network You Only Look Once (YOLOX). In addition, our network has fewer parameters than the two-stage network and the Transformer-based network model, which helps the practical deployment and can be applied in fields such as car navigation, crop monitoring, and infrared warning.
Multichannel One-Dimensional Data Augmentation with Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Kosasih David Ishak , Lee Byung-Gook , Lim Hyotaek
Published: September 2023

Data augmentation is one of the most important problems in deep learning. There have been many algorithms proposed to solve this problem, such as simple noise injection, the generative adversarial network (GAN), and diffusion models. However, to the best of our knowledge, these works mainly focused on computer vision-related tasks, and there have not been many proposed works for one-dimensional data. This paper proposes a GAN-based data augmentation for generating multichannel one-dimensional data given single-channel inputs. Our architecture consists of multiple discriminators that adapt deep convolution GAN (DCGAN) and patchGAN to extract the overall pattern of the multichannel generated data while also considering the local information of each channel. We conducted an experiment with website fingerprinting data. The result for the three channels’ data augmentation showed that our proposed model obtained FID scores of 0.005,0.017,0.051 for each channel, respectively, compared to 0.458,0.551,0.521 when using the vanilla GAN.
Advanced Vibration-Based Fault Diagnosis and Vibration Control Methods
Authors: Song Xiaohua , Liu Jing , Xia Min
Published: September 2023

Fault diagnosis and vibration control are the tracking of any aspect of an industry mechanical components’ performance using reliably measured data and analytical simulations in conjunction with the heuristic experience, so that the current and expected future performance of the machine for at least the most critical limit events can be described in a proactive manner [...]
Enhanced Pelican Optimization Algorithm for Cluster Head Selection in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Zhen , Duan Jin , Xu Haobo , Song Xue , Yang Yang
Published: September 2023

In the research of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks, clustering is one of the most commonly used energy-saving methods. However, existing clustering methods face challenges when applied to heterogeneous wireless sensor networks, such as energy balance, node heterogeneity, algorithm efficiency, and more. Among these challenges, a well-designed clustering approach can lead to extended node lifetimes. Efficient selection of cluster heads is crucial for achieving optimal clustering. In this paper, we propose an Enhanced Pelican Optimization Algorithm for Cluster Head Selection (EPOA-CHS) to address these issues and enhance cluster head selection for optimal clustering. This method combines the Levy flight process with the traditional POA algorithm, which not only improves the optimization level of the algorithm, but also ensures the selection of the optimal cluster head. The logistic-sine chaotic mapping method is used in the population initialization, and the appropriate cluster head is selected through the new fitness function. Finally, we utilized MATLAB to simulate 100 sensor nodes within a configured area of 100 × 100 m2. These nodes were categorized into four heterogeneous scenarios: m=0,α=0, m=0.1,α=2, m=0.2,α=3, and m=0.3,α=1.5. We conducted verification for four aspects: total residual energy, network survival time, number of surviving nodes, and network throughput, across all protocols. Extensive experimental research ultimately indicates that the EPOA-CHS method outperforms the SEP, DEEC, Z-SEP, and PSO-ECSM protocols in these aspects.
Early Signatures of Brain Injury in the Preterm Neonatal EEG
Authors: Abbasi Hamid , Battin Malcolm R. , Butler Robyn , Rowe Deborah , Lear Benjamin A. , Gunn Alistair J. , Bennet Laura
Published: September 2023

Reliable prognostic biomarkers are needed to support the early diagnosis of brain injury in extremely preterm infants, and to develop effective neuroprotective protocols that are tailored to the progressing phases of injury. Experimental and clinical research shows that severity of neuronal damage is correlated with changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) after hypoxic-ischemia (HI). We have previously reported that micro-scale sharp-wave EEG waveforms have prognostic utility within the early hours of post-HI recordings in preterm fetal sheep, before injury develops. This article aims to investigate whether these subtle EEG patterns are translational in the early hours of life in clinical recordings from extremely preterm newborns. This work evaluates the existence and morphological similarity of the sharp-waves automatically identified throughout the entire duration of EEG data from a cohort of fetal sheep 6 h after HI (n = 7, at 103 ± 1 day gestation) and in recordings commencing before 6 h of life in extremely preterm neonates (n = 7, 27 ± 2.0 weeks gestation). We report that micro-scale EEG waveforms with similar morphology and characteristics (r = 0.94) to those seen in fetal sheep after HI are also present after birth in recordings started before 6 h of life in extremely preterm neonates. This work further indicates that the post-HI sharp-waves show rapid morphological evolution, influenced by age and/or severity of neuronal loss, and thus that automated algorithms should be validated against such signal variations. Finally, this article discusses the need for more focused research on the early assessment of EEG changes in preterm infants to help determine the timing of brain injury to identify biomarkers that could assist in targeting novel therapies for particular phases of injury.