bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncogenic Viruses-Encoded microRNAs and Their Role in the Progression of Cancer: Emerging Targets for Antiviral and Anticancer Therapies
Authors: Kandeel Mahmoud
Published: March 2023

Approximately 20% of all cases of human cancer are caused by viral infections. Although a great number of viruses are capable of causing a wide range of tumors in animals, only seven of these viruses have been linked to human malignancies and are presently classified as oncogenic viruses. These include the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Some other viruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are associated with highly oncogenic activities. It is possible that virally encoded microRNAs (miRNAs), which are ideal non-immunogenic tools for viruses, play a significant role in carcinogenic processes. Both virus-derived microRNAs (v-miRNAs) and host-derived microRNAs (host miRNAs) can influence the expression of various host-derived and virus-derived genes. The current literature review begins with an explanation of how viral infections might exert their oncogenic properties in human neoplasms, and then goes on to discuss the impact of diverse viral infections on the advancement of several types of malignancies via the expression of v-miRNAs. Finally, the role of new anti-oncoviral therapies that could target these neoplasms is discussed.
Impact of Plasmonic Nanoparticles on Poikilocytosis and Microrheological Properties of Erythrocytes
Authors: Avsievich Tatiana , Zhu Ruixue , Popov Alexey P. , Yatskovskiy Alexander , Popov Anton A. , Tikhonowsky Gleb , Pastukhov Andrei I. , Klimentov Sergei , Bykov Alexander , Kabashin Andrei , Meglinski Igor
Published: March 2023

Plasmonic nanoparticles (NP) possess great potential in photothermal therapy and diagnostics. However, novel NP require a detailed examination for potential toxicity and peculiarities of interaction with cells. Red blood cells (RBC) are important for NP distribution and the development of hybrid RBC-NP delivery systems. This research explored RBC alterations induced by noble (Au and Ag) and nitride-based (TiN and ZrN) laser-synthesized plasmonic NP. Optical tweezers and conventional microscopy modalities indicated the effects arising at non-hemolytic levels, such as RBC poikilocytosis, and alterations in RBC microrheological parameters, elasticity and intercellular interactions. Aggregation and deformability significantly decreased for echinocytes independently of NP type, while for intact RBC, all NP except Ag NP increased the interaction forces but had no effect on RBC deformability. RBC poikilocytosis promoted by NP at concentration 50 μg mL−1 was more pronounced for Au and Ag NP, compared to TiN and ZrN NP. Nitride-based NP demonstrated better biocompatibility towards RBC and higher photothermal efficiency than their noble metal counterparts.
Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Skeletal Muscle Are Pro-Angiogenic, and the Effect Is Potentiated by Erythropoietin
Authors: Iso Yoshitaka , Usui Sayaka , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the angiogenic potential of skeletal muscle mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (mMSCs). Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α positive mMSCs secreted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor when cultured in an ELISA assay. The mMSC-medium significantly induced endothelial tube formation in an in vitro angiogenesis assay. The mMSC implantation promoted capillary growth in rat limb ischemia models. Upon identifying the erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R) in the mMSCs, we examined how Epo affected the cells. Epo stimulation enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt and STAT3 in the mMSCs and significantly promoted cellular proliferation. Next, Epo was directly administered into the rats’ ischemic hindlimb muscles. PDGFR-α positive mMSCs in the interstitial area of muscles expressed VEGF and proliferating cell markers. The proliferating cell index was significantly higher in the ischemic limbs of Epo-treated rats than in untreated controls. Investigations by laser Doppler perfusion imaging and immunohistochemistry demonstrated significantly improved perfusion recovery and capillary growth in the Epo-treated groups versus the control groups. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that mMSCs possessed a pro-angiogenic property, were activated by Epo, and potentially contributed to capillary growth in skeletal muscle after ischemic injury.
Platinum(IV)-Loaded Degraded Glycol Chitosan as Efficient Platinum(IV) Drug Delivery Platform
Authors: Lerchbammer-Kreith Yvonne , Sommerfeld Nadine S. , Cseh Klaudia , Weng-Jiang Xian , Odunze Uchechukwu , Schätzlein Andreas G. , Uchegbu Ijeoma F. , Galanski Mathea S. , Jakupec Michael A. , Keppler Bernhard K.
Published: March 2023

A new class of anticancer prodrugs was designed by combining the cytotoxicity of platinum(IV) complexes and the drug carrier properties of glycol chitosan polymers: Unsymmetrically carboxylated platinum(IV) analogues of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, namely (OC-6-44)-acetatodiammine(3-carboxypropanoato)dichloridoplatinum(IV), (OC-6-44)-acetaodiammine(3-carboxypropanoato)(cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato)platinum(IV) and (OC-6-44)-acetato(3-carboxypropanoato)(1R,2R-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine)oxalatoplatinum(IV) were synthesised and conjugated via amide bonding to degraded glycol chitosan (dGC) polymers with different chain lengths (5, 10, 18 kDa). The 15 conjugates were investigated with 1H and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy, and average amounts of platinum(IV) units per dGC polymer molecule with ICP-MS, revealing a range of 1.3–22.8 platinum(IV) units per dGC molecule. Cytotoxicity was tested with MTT assays in the cancer cell lines A549, CH1/PA-1, SW480 (human) and 4T1 (murine). IC50 values in the low micromolar to nanomolar range were obtained, and higher antiproliferative activity (up to 72 times) was detected with dGC-platinum(IV) conjugates in comparison to platinum(IV) counterparts. The highest cytotoxicity (IC50 of 0.036 ± 0.005 µM) was determined in CH1/PA-1 ovarian teratocarcinoma cells with a cisplatin(IV)–dGC conjugate, which is hence 33 times more potent than the corresponding platinum(IV) complex and twice more potent than cisplatin. Biodistribution studies of an oxaliplatin(IV)–dGC conjugate in non-tumour-bearing Balb/C mice showed an increased accumulation in the lung compared to the unloaded oxaliplatin(IV) analogue, arguing for further activity studies.
225Ac-Labeled Somatostatin Analogs in the Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors: From Radiochemistry to Clinic
Authors: Rubira Léa , Deshayes Emmanuel , Santoro Lore , Kotzki Pierre Olivier , Fersing Cyril
Published: March 2023

The widespread use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) represents a major therapeutic breakthrough in nuclear medicine, particularly since the introduction of 177Lu-radiolabeled somatostatin analogs. These radiopharmaceuticals have especially improved progression-free survival and quality of life in patients with inoperable metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors expressing somatostatin receptors. In the case of aggressive or resistant disease, the use of somatostatin derivatives radiolabeled with an alpha-emitter could provide a promising alternative. Among the currently available alpha-emitting radioelements, actinium-225 has emerged as the most suitable candidate, especially regarding its physical and radiochemical properties. Nevertheless, preclinical and clinical studies on these radiopharmaceuticals are still few and heterogeneous, despite the growing momentum for their future use on a larger scale. In this context, this report provides a comprehensive and extensive overview of the development of 225Ac-labeled somatostatin analogs; particular emphasis is placed on the challenges associated with the production of 225Ac, its physical and radiochemical properties, as well as the place of 225Ac–DOTATOC and 225Ac–DOTATATE in the management of patients with advanced metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Dendrimers and Derivatives as Multifunctional Nanotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Moreira Débora A. , Santos Sofia D. , Leiro Victoria , Pêgo Ana P.
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia. It affects more than 30 million people worldwide and costs over US$ 1.3 trillion annually. AD is characterized by the brain accumulation of amyloid β peptide in fibrillar structures and the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in neurons, both leading to toxicity and neuronal death. At present, there are only seven drugs approved for the treatment of AD, of which only two can slow down cognitive decline. Moreover, their use is only recommended for the early stages of AD, meaning that the major portion of AD patients still have no disease-modifying treatment options. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient therapies for AD. In this context, nanobiomaterials, and dendrimers in particular, offer the possibility of developing multifunctional and multitargeted therapies. Due to their intrinsic characteristics, dendrimers are first-in-class macromolecules for drug delivery. They have a globular, well-defined, and hyperbranched structure, controllable nanosize and multivalency, which allows them to act as efficient and versatile nanocarriers of different therapeutic molecules. In addition, different types of dendrimers display antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-prion, and most importantly for the AD field, anti-amyloidogenic properties. Therefore, dendrimers can not only be excellent nanocarriers, but also be used as drugs per se. Here, the outstanding properties of dendrimers and derivatives that make them excellent AD nanotherapeutics are reviewed and critically discussed. The biological properties of several dendritic structures (dendrimers, derivatives, and dendrimer-like polymers) that enable them to be used as drugs for AD treatment will be pointed out and the chemical and structural characteristics behind those properties will be analysed. The reported use of these nanomaterials as nanocarriers in AD preclinical research is also presented. Finally, future perspectives and challenges that need to be overcome to make their use in the clinic a reality are discussed.
Solid Phase-Based Microextraction Techniques in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Soares Sofia , Rosado Tiago , Barroso Mário , Gallardo Eugenia
Published: March 2023

Therapeutic drug monitoring is an established practice for a small group of drugs, particularly those presenting narrow therapeutic windows, for which there is a direct relationship between concentration and pharmacological effects at the site of action. Drug concentrations in biological fluids are used, in addition to other clinical observation measures, to assess the patient’s status, since they are the support for therapy individualization and allow assessing adherence to therapy. Monitoring these drug classes is of great importance, as it minimizes the risk of medical interactions, as well as toxic effects. In addition, the quantification of these drugs through routine toxicological tests and the development of new monitoring methodologies are extremely relevant for public health and for the well-being of the patient, and it has implications in clinical and forensic situations. In this sense, the use of new extraction procedures that employ smaller volumes of sample and organic solvents, therefore considered miniaturized and green techniques, is of great interest in this field. From these, the use of fabric-phase extractions seems appealing. Noteworthy is the fact that SPME, which was the first of these miniaturized approaches to be used in the early ‘90s, is still the most used solventless procedure, providing solid and sound results. The main goal of this paper is to perform a critical review of sample preparation techniques based on solid-phase microextraction for drug detection in therapeutic monitoring situations.
Pharmacists’ Mental Health during the First Two Years of the Pandemic: A Socio-Ecological Scoping Review
Authors: Ishaky Liam , Sivanthan Myuri , Tadrous Mina , Nowrouzi-Kia Behdin , McCarthy Lisa , Papadopoulos Andrew , Gohar Basem
Published: March 2023

Healthcare workers have been under a great deal of stress and have been experiencing burnout throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these, healthcare workers are pharmacists who have been instrumental in the fight against the pandemic. This scoping review examined the impact of the pandemic on pharmacists’ mental health and their antecedents using three databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO). Eligible studies included primary research articles that examined the mental health antecedents and outcomes among pharmacists during the first two years of the pandemic. We used the Social Ecological Model to categorize antecedents per outcome. The initial search yielded 4165 articles, and 23 met the criteria. The scoping review identified pharmacists experiencing poor mental health during the pandemic, including anxiety, burnout, depression, and job stress. In addition, several individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy-level antecedents were identified. As this review revealed a general decline in pharmacists’ mental health during the pandemic, further research is required to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on pharmacists. Furthermore, we recommend practical mitigation strategies to improve pharmacists’ mental health, such as implementing crisis/pandemic preparedness protocols and leadership training to foster a better workplace culture.
Educating for Virtuous Intellectual Character and Valuing Truth
Authors: Pritchard Duncan
Published: March 2023

This paper explores the thesis that the overarching goal of education is to cultivate virtuous intellectual character. It is shown how finally valuing the truth is central to this theory on account of how such valuing is pivotal to intellectual virtues. This feature of the proposal might be thought to be problematic for a number of reasons. For example, it could be argued that truth is not valuable, that insisting on valuing the truth in educational contexts could be politically dubious, or that there is something unduly prescriptive about an educational methodology that has this component. It is argued, however, that many of these grounds for concern are not sound on closer inspection. Properly understood, educating for virtuous intellectual character, even once the truth-valuing aspect of this thesis is made explicit, should not be a contentious proposal.
Review of the “Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Sex and Sexuality”
Authors: Halwani Raja
Published: March 2023

This paper is a review essay of the recently published Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Sex and Sexuality, edited by Brian D. Earp, Clare Chambers, and Lori Watson (2022). The anthology consists of an introduction and 40 essays, and it has eight parts: (I) What Is Sex? Is Sex Good?; (II) Sexual Orientations; (III) Sexual Autonomy and Consent; (IV) Regulating Sexual Relationships; (V) Pathologizing Sex and Sexuality; (VI) Contested Desires; (VII) Objectification and Commercialized Sex; and (VIII) Technology and the Future of Sex. The anthology contains essays mostly by philosophers and a few by non-philosophers (which can be a double-edged sword for a philosophy book). Some essays survey a topic, while others defend specific theses. I argue that the quality of the essays varies, but that all are thought-provoking. Although the essays that deal with sexual orientation and race tend to be on the weaker side, those that deal with technology, objectification, incest, pedophilia, sex work, and the regulation of relationships are on the strong side.
Genome-Wide Identification of the U-Box E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) and Its Expression Analysis in Response to Cold Stress and Pathogen Infection
Authors: Wang Peiwen , Zhu Lin , Li Ziheng , Cheng Mozhen , Chen Xiuling , Wang Aoxue , Wang Chao , Zhang Xiaoxuan
Published: March 2023

Plant U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases (PUBs) play an important role in growth, development, and stress responses in many species. However, the characteristics of U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase genes in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) are still unclear. Here, we carry out the genome-wide analysis of U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase genes in cabbage and identify 65 Brassica oleracea var. capitata U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase (BoPUB) genes in the cabbage genome. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that all 65 BoPUB genes are grouped into six subfamilies, whose members are relatively conserved in the protein domain and exon-intron structure. Chromosomal localization and synteny analyses show that segmental and tandem duplication events contribute to the expansion of the U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase gene family in cabbage. Protein interaction prediction presents that heterodimerization may occur in BoPUB proteins. In silico promoter analysis and spatio-temporal expression profiling of BoPUB genes reveal their involvement in light response, phytohormone response, and growth and development. Furthermore, we find that BoPUB genes participate in the biosynthesis of cuticular wax and in response to cold stress and pathogenic attack. Our findings provide a deep insight into the U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase gene family in cabbage and lay a foundation for the further functional analysis of BoPUB genes in different biological processes.
Does Potassium Modify the Response of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) to Long-Term Salinity?
Authors: Bandurska Hanna , Breś Włodzimierz , Zielezińska Małgorzata , Mieloszyk Elżbieta
Published: March 2023

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors hindering crop production, including ornamental flowering plants. The present study examined the response to salt stress of Zinnia elegans ‘Lilliput’ supplemented with basic (150 mg·dm−3) and enhanced (300 mg·dm−3) potassium doses. Stress was imposed by adding 0.96 and 1.98 g of NaCl per dm−3 of the substrate. The substrate’s electrical conductivity was 1.1 and 2.3 dS·m−1 for lower potassium levels and 1.2 and 2.4 dS·m−1 for higher potassium levels. Salt stress caused a significant and dose-dependent reduction in leaf RWC, increased foliar Na and Cl concentrations, and reduced K. About 15% and 25% of cell membrane injury at lower and higher NaCl doses, respectively, were accompanied by only slight chlorophyll reduction. Salt stress-induced proline increase was accompanied by increased P5CS activity and decreased PDH activity. More than a 25% reduction in most growth parameters at EC 1.1–1.2 dS·m−1 but only a slight decrease in chlorophyll and a 25% reduction in the decorative value (number of flowers produced, flower diameter) only at EC 2.3–2.4 dS·m−1 were found. Salt stress-induced leaf area reduction was accompanied by increased cell wall lignification. An enhanced potassium dose caused a reduction in leaf Na and Cl concentrations and a slight increase in K. It was also effective in membrane injury reduction and proline accumulation. Increasing the dose of potassium did not improve growth and flowering parameters but affected the lignification of the leaf cell walls, which may have resulted in growth retardation. Zinnia elegans ‘Lilliput’ may be considered sensitive to long-term salt stress.
The Effects of Different Molding Orientations, Highly Accelerated Aging, and Water Absorption on the Flexural Strength of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling
Authors: Miura Daisuke , Ishida Yoshiki , Shinya Akikazu
Published: March 2023

Rising prices are currently a problem in the world. In particular, the abnormal increases in the price of metals, which are often used in dental prosthetics, have increased the burden of dental costs on the public. There is therefore an urgent need to develop prosthetic devices made from materials that are not affected by the global situation and that have excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties comparable to those of metals. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a promising alternative to metal in dentistry. This study compared the effects of different molding orientations, highly accelerated aging, and water absorption on the flexural strength of PEEK fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM) and examined its potential for dental applications. The flexural strength of PEEK stacked at 0° to the molding stage (0° PF), with and without highly accelerated aging, was significantly greater than for the other molding orientations. As with PD, the maximum test load for 0° PF was measured without fracture. PEEK stacked at 45° (45° PF) and 90° (90° PF) to the molding stage easily fractured, as the applied load pulled the stacked layers. No statistically significant difference was found between the flexural strength of 45° PF and 90° PF. The flexural strength decreased under all conditions due to defects in the crystal structure of PEEK caused by highly accelerated aging.
Influence of Accelerated Aging on the Fiber-Matrix Adhesion of Regenerated Cellulose Fiber-Reinforced Bio-Polyamide
Authors: Falkenreck Celia Katharina , Gemmeke Nicole , Zarges Jan-Christoph , Heim Hans-Peter
Published: March 2023

With regard to the sustainability and biological origin of plastic components, regenerated cellulose fiber (RCF)-reinforced polymers are expected to replace other composites in the future. For use under severe conditions, for example, as a housing in the engine compartment, the resistance of the composites and the impact on the fiber and fiber-matrix adhesion must be investigated. Composites of bio-polyamide with a reinforcement of 20 wt.% RCF were compounded using a twin-screw extruder. The test specimens were manufactured with an injection molding machine and aged under conditions of high humidity at 90% r. H, a high temperature of 70 °C, and water storage using a water temperature of 23 °C for 504 h. Mechanical tests, single-fiber tensile tests (SFTT), single-fibre pull-out tests (SFPT), and optical characterization revealed significant changes in the properties of the composites. The results of the SFPT show that accelerated aging had a significant effect on the bio-polymer and an even stronger effect on the fiber, as the single-fiber tensile strength decreased by 27.5%. Supplementary notched impact strength tests revealed a correlation of the impact strength and the accelerated aging of the RCF-reinforced composites. In addition, it could be verified that the tensile strength also decreased at about 37% due to the aging effect on the RCF and a lowered fiber-matrix adhesion. The largest aging impact was on the Young’s modulus with a decrease of 45% due to the accelerated aging. In summary, the results show that the strengthening effect with 20 wt.% RCF was highly decreased subsequent to the accelerated aging due to hydrolysis and debonding because of the shrinkage and swelling of the matrix and fiber. These scientific findings are essential, as it is important to ensure that this bio-based material used in the automotive sector can withstand these stresses without severe degradation. This study provides information about the aging behavior of RCF-reinforced bio-based polyamide, which provides fundamental insights for future research.
The Role of Mucoadhesion and Mucopenetration in the Immune Response Induced by Polymer-Based Mucosal Adjuvants
Authors: Vasquez-Martínez Nathaly , Guillen Daniel , Moreno-Mendieta Silvia Andrea , Sanchez Sergio , Rodríguez-Sanoja Romina
Published: March 2023

Mucus is a viscoelastic gel that acts as a protective barrier for epithelial surfaces. The mucosal vehicles and adjuvants need to pass through the mucus layer to make drugs and vaccine delivery by mucosal routes possible. The mucoadhesion of polymer particle adjuvants significantly increases the contact time between vaccine formulations and the mucosa; then, the particles can penetrate the mucus layer and epithelium to reach mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. This review presents the key findings that have aided in understanding mucoadhesion and mucopenetration while exploring the influence of physicochemical characteristics on mucus–polymer interactions. We describe polymer-based particles designed with mucoadhesive or mucopenetrating properties and discuss the impact of mucoadhesive polymers on local and systemic immune responses after mucosal immunization. In future research, more attention paid to the design and development of mucosal adjuvants could lead to more effective vaccines.
The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Lactose-Modified Hyaluronic Acid Molecules on Primary Bronchial Fibroblasts of Smokers
Authors: Donato Alice , Fontana Federico , Venerando Rina , Di Stefano Antonino , Brun Paola
Published: March 2023

The progression of smoking-related diseases is characterized by macrophage-mediated inflammation, which is responsible for an increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and galectins, molecules that bind specifically to β-galactoside sugars. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of a broad selection of differently lactose-modified hyaluronic acids (HA) named HYLACH®, which are able to bind proinflammatory galectins. The best HYLACH ligands for Gal-3 were selected in silico and their activities were tested in vitro on primary human bronchial fibroblasts obtained from smokers and inflamed with the conditioned medium of activated U937 monocytes. Changes in cell viability, ROS generation, proinflammatory mediators, and MMP expression, at both gene and protein levels, were analyzed. The in silico results show that HYLACH with a percentage of lactosylation of 10–40% are the best ligands for Gal-3. The in vitro study revealed that HYLACH compounds with 10, 20, and 40% lactosylation (HYLACH-1-2-3) administrated to inflamed cell cultures counteracted the oxidative damage and restored gene and protein expression for IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, Gal-1, Gal-3, and MMP-3 to near baseline values. The evidence that HYLACH attenuated macrophage-induced inflammation, inhibited MMP expression, and exhibited antioxidative effects provide an initial step toward the development of a therapeutic treatment suitable for smoking-related diseases.
Advances in Electrospun Materials and Methods for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Senthilkumar Sri Harini , Ramasubramanian Brindha , Rao Rayavarapu Prasada , Chellappan Vijila , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: March 2023

Electronic devices commonly use rechargeable Li-ion batteries due to their potency, manufacturing effectiveness, and affordability. Electrospinning technology offers nanofibers with improved mechanical strength, quick ion transport, and ease of production, which makes it an attractive alternative to traditional methods. This review covers recent morphology-varied nanofibers and examines emerging nanofiber manufacturing methods and materials for battery tech advancement. The electrospinning technique can be used to generate nanofibers for battery separators, the electrodes with the advent of flame-resistant core-shell nanofibers. This review also identifies potential applications for recycled waste and biomass materials to increase the sustainability of the electrospinning process. Overall, this review provides insights into current developments in electrospinning for batteries and highlights the commercialization potential of the field.
Information-Based Plastic Material Tracking for Circular Economy—A Review
Authors: Rumetshofer Thomas , Fischer Jörg
Published: March 2023

At the moment, it looks like the plastics recycling industry is skimming only low-hanging fruits of its business. To reach intended targets, a greater effort and disruptive innovations are necessary. Physical- or digital-information-based solutions for tracking plastic material can support the circular economy and help to overcome hurdles along the value chain. In this paper, the scientific literature and initiatives in four different technology areas for information-based tracking solutions are reviewed and analyzed. Physical markers can improve sorting efficiencies on short notice but adhere some technical difficulties. Blockchain as a new concept promises high transparency and security, with the drawbacks of energy-intense verification and technical uncertainties. As a third group, the digital product passport claims a combination of physical and digital solutions with open questions on data ownership. The fourth and last group includes standards and certification systems that aim for maximum consensus with slow market implementation. To enable an integrated circular economy of plastics, plastic material tracking solutions must experience broad acceptance by all players along the value chain in the plastics industry and they should additionally be supported by society.
Mechanism and Kinetics of Interaction of FLiNaK–CeF3 Melt with Water Vapors and Oxygen in the Air Atmosphere
Authors: Zakiryanova Irina D. , Mushnikov Petr N. , Nikolaeva Elena V. , Zaikov Yury P.
Published: March 2023

The mechanism and kinetic parameters of the interaction of the FLiNaK–CeF3 melt with water vapors and oxygen in the air atmosphere were determined using Raman and IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and thermodynamic modeling of processes. The presence of the 4CeF3(solution) + 6H2O (gas) + O2(gas) = 4CeO2(solid) + 12HF(gas) reaction, which disturbs the fluoride melt homogeneity, was verified in situ by Raman spectroscopy adopted for high-temperature, chemically aggressive fluoride systems. Based on the obtained spectral data, the type of the kinetic equation, order, and rate constant of the chemical reaction were determined. The concentration of cerium dioxide was found to increase linearly in time and a zero reaction order with respect to CeO2 was detected. The change in the concentration of CeO2 over time at T = 510 °C is described by the equation C = 0.085t; the reaction rate constant is 0.085 mol. %∙min−1. The obtained kinetic parameters may be used to model emergencies related with the depressurization of the coolant circuit or the working area of the molten salt reactor.
Social Jeopardy of Substance Use among Adolescents: A Review to Recognize the Common Risk and Protective Factors at the Global Level
Authors: Das Partha , Das Tanu , Roy Tamal Basu
Published: March 2023

Adolescence is a phase of life between childhood and adulthood marked by rapid biological, social and psychological changes. During this phase, individuals bear a more emotional and curious mind and may engage in risky behaviours. Decades of investigations have revealed that substance use usually begins in adolescence. The main essence of this paper is to carry out an elaborative review of earlier works to recognize familiar risks and protective factors for substance use among adolescents at the global level. Additional emphasis was given to identifying the various statistical modelling approaches, widely used in earlier studies, to promote research methodological issues for future research in this specific domain. Articles published from 1991 to 2021 on adolescent substance use were downloaded, and after carrying out a preliminary full-text review, 50 articles were selected keeping the priority of the aforementioned objectives. After an intensive review, risk factors were identified and clustered around five broad domains such as individual, parental, familial, peer and environmental factors. Protective factors were also categorized under the headings of five broad domains viz. individual, parental, familial, social and interventional. Specific statistical modelling techniques were identified to evaluate the relative risk of specific groups of adolescents being in the clutches of substance use. It is necessary to recognise the potential risk and protective factors and their combined effect on substance use among adolescents to prevent this menace from society. For a better understanding of research about the exact vulnerable age of onset of substance use during the adolescence period, both the orthogonally placed risk and protective factors necessarily need to be distinguished with an attempt to protect adolescents from the further abuse of substances, as recognised by parents and society. To prevent substance use, interventions such as regulating substance price & accessibility, school intervention programs, academic monitoring, social support, clear expectations between parents and child, addressing family trauma, awareness activities, healthy lifestyle habits, mental health support, family health counselling and substance abuse treatment should be implemented.
Land, Work, and Redemption in the Religious-Zionist Philosophy of Isaiah Aviad (Oskar Wolfsberg)
Authors: Mashiach Amir
Published: March 2023

This article seeks to examine R. Dr. Isaiah Aviad’s outlook with regard to the Land of Israel, worldly labor, and redemption, as reflected in his teachings. R. Dr. Isaiah Aviad (Oskar Wolfsberg) (1893–1957) was born in Germany. He was one of religious Zionism’s main thinkers. He was a pediatrician, and since the establishment of Israel served as an Israeli diplomat in Scandinavia and Switzerland. R. Aviad thought that religious Zionism is the complete Judaism, that which combines Torah and labor, spirit, and matter—multi-dimensional. In addition, R. Aviad believed in natural redemption and human effort, linking the redemption to the Land of Israel and to cultivation of the earth. He thought that human activism—i.e., redeeming the soil of the Land of Israel and cultivating it, is a religious precept that will bring about the redemption.
Asymptotic Expected Utility of Dividend Payments in a Classical Collective Risk Process
Authors: Baran Sebastian , Constantinescu Corina , Palmowski Zbigniew
Published: March 2023

We find the asymptotics of the value function maximizing the expected utility of discounted dividend payments of an insurance company whose reserves are modeled as a classical Cramér risk process, with exponentially distributed claims, when the initial reserves tend to infinity. We focus on the power and logarithmic utility functions. We also perform some numerical analysis.
A Spectral–Spatial Transformer Fusion Method for Hyperspectral Video Tracking
Authors: Wang Ye , Liu Yuheng , Ma Mingyang , Mei Shaohui
Published: March 2023

Hyperspectral videos (HSVs) can record more adequate detail clues than other videos, which is especially beneficial in cases of abundant spectral information. Although traditional methods based on correlation filters (CFs) employed to explore spectral information locally achieve promising results, their performances are limited by ignoring global information. In this paper, a joint spectral–spatial information method, named spectral–spatial transformer-based feature fusion tracker (SSTFT), is proposed for hyperspectral video tracking, which is capable of utilizing spectral–spatial features and considering global interactions. Specifically, the feature extraction module employs two parallel branches to extract multiple-level coarse-grained and fine-grained spectral–spatial features, which are fused with adaptive weights. The extracted features are further fused with the context fusion module based on a transformer with the hyperspectral self-attention (HSA) and hyperspectral cross-attention (HCA), which are designed to capture the self-context feature interaction and the cross-context feature interaction, respectively. Furthermore, an adaptive dynamic template updating strategy is used to update the template bounding box based on the prediction score. The extensive experimental results on benchmark hyperspectral video tracking datasets demonstrated that the proposed SSTFT outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in both precision and speed.
Influence of Precipitation Effects Induced by Large-Scale Irrigation in Northwest China on Soil Erosion in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Huang Ya , Zhao Yong , Li Guiping , Yang Jing , Li Yanping
Published: March 2023

Large-scale irrigation can alter the regional water cycle process, which changes the structure and spatiotemporal distribution of local and downwind precipitation, impacting soil erosion in both the irrigated areas and the surrounding regions. However, the effects of large-scale irrigation on soil erosion in downwind vulnerable areas have not been investigated. The study used the high-resolution regional climate model (RegCM4) and the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) to examine the effects of irrigation-induced precipitation in Northwest China on the frequency, distribution, and intensity of precipitation in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) under different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The response characteristics of soil erosion to the irrigation-induced precipitation effects and its relationship with slope, elevation, and land use type were analyzed as well. The results indicate that soil erosion in most regions of the YRB is below moderate, covering 84.57% of the basin. Irrigation leads to a 10% increase in summer precipitation indices (e.g., total wet-day precipitation, consecutive wet days, number of wet days with precipitation ≥ 1 mm, and number of heavy precipitation days with precipitation ≥ 12 mm) in the northwest of the basin. Irrigation also leads to a change in local circulation, resulting in reduced precipitation in the southeast of the basin, particularly under the RCP8.5 scenario. The transformation of erosion intensity between low-grade and high-grade erosion is relatively stable and small under the influence of precipitation. However, soil erosion changes display strong spatial heterogeneity, inter-annual and intra-annual fluctuations, and uncertainties. The findings of this study can be helpful for policymakers and water resource managers to better understand the impacts of large-scale irrigation on the environment and to develop sustainable water management strategies.
Comparative Analysis of Global and Regional Ionospheric Responses during Two Geomagnetic Storms on 3 and 4 February 2022
Authors: Bojilova Rumiana , Mukhtarov Plamen
Published: March 2023

The present work examines the spatial and temporal distribution of positive and negative TEC anomalies on the global and regional scale. To study the local response of the ionosphere, foF2 data from ground ionosonde stations and TEC data from Madrigal and CODE databases have been used. The relative deviation, which also determines the type of TEC response during geomagnetic storms on 3 and 4 February 2022, is considered. In the present study, the regions of positive and negative TEC anomalies and their evolution during storms are examined in detail. As a result of the study, estimates of the following were obtained: (i) the location of the sectors of the polar regions, in where the particle precipitation from the solar wind is observed, (ii) the mid-latitude regions, in which the mechanism of influence of the O/N2 ratio dominates, and (iii) the region around the equator, in which the influence of the electric field dominates. An attempt was made to determine which mechanism of influence of geomagnetic storms on the ionospheric electron density is dominant in different regions. The following main mechanisms are considered: (a) the additional ionization from the particles’ precipitation, (b) the change of the ratio of atomic oxygen (O) to molecular nitrogen (N2) due to the heating of the neutral air, and (c) the influence on the equatorial ionospheric anomaly.
ISTD-PDS7: A Benchmark Dataset for Multi-Type Pavement Distress Segmentation from CCD Images in Complex Scenarios
Authors: Song Weidong , Zhang Zaiyan , Zhang Bing , Jia Guohui , Zhu Hongbo , Zhang Jinhe
Published: March 2023

The lack of large-scale, multi-scene, and multi-type pavement distress training data reduces the generalization ability of deep learning models in complex scenes, and limits the development of pavement distress extraction algorithms. Thus, we built the first large-scale dichotomous image segmentation (DIS) dataset for multi-type pavement distress segmentation, called ISTD-PDS7, aimed to segment highly accurate pavement distress types from natural charge-coupled device (CCD) images. The new dataset covers seven types of pavement distress in nine types of scenarios, along with negative samples with texture similarity noise. The final dataset contains 18,527 images, which is many more than the previously released benchmarks. All the images are annotated with fine-grained labels. In addition, we conducted a large benchmark test, evaluating seven state-of-the-art segmentation models, providing a detailed discussion of the factors that influence segmentation performance, and making cross-dataset evaluations for the best-performing model. Finally, we investigated the effectiveness of negative samples in reducing false positive prediction in complex scenes and developed two potential data augmentation methods for improving the segmentation accuracy. We hope that these efforts will create promising developments for both academics and the industry.
Casual Wage Labour, Food Security, and Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in Malawi
Authors: Gono Hiroko , Takane Tsutomu , Mazibuko Dickson
Published: March 2023

Casual wage labour (known as ganyu in Malawi) is a widely adopted strategy to cope with insufficient income and food production in rural households. Although previous studies have discussed the magnitude of the contribution of ganyu to rural livelihoods, the actual conditions of individual rural households have not been studied in detail. The current research conducted a detailed village-level case study to analyse the relationship between ganyu and rural livelihoods in Malawi. The characteristics of three categories of households were examined: those that engaged in ganyu, those that employed ganyu, and those that engaged in and employed ganyu. The study found that: (1) income from ganyu and its contribution to household food security differed considerably based on age, gender, household circumstances, and local conditions; (2) households that employed ganyu were not necessarily wealthy or achieved self-sufficiency in maize production; and (3) contradictory behaviour of a household to engage in and employ ganyu was a result of the context-specific needs of that household. Rather than viewing ganyu as poorly paid agricultural wage labour, the study propose acknowledging that each household has its own rationale for engaging in or employing ganyu. Such an understanding from a household-level perspective would better inform poverty and food security policies.
An Analysis of the Technology, Service Quality, and Relevance for CSBC Corporation: Taiwan’s Installation of Scrubber Systems
Authors: Ho Tien-Chun , Lee Hsuan-Shih
Published: March 2023

Shipping by sea is the most cost-effective way of shipping globally; yet, ship emissions make up 10% of global emissions. That means ocean freight is key to maintaining the global economy that we are accustomed to and if we do not deal with the emission problems of ships, the global industrial economy of the shipping industry will not be sustainable. In view of the importance of marine environmental conservation, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a comprehensive set of regulations to support the implementation of emission standards for marine fuel oil, limiting sulfur to 0.5% or less. For this paper, a survey was conducted by Taiwanese carriers based on quality management system architectures, to explore the following factors using the Kano two-dimensional quality model, the importance performance analysis (IPA), and the revised decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (RDEMATEL) to define the attributes, importance, satisfaction, and correlation that influence carriers’ choice of installing scrubber. The China Ship Building Corporation, Taiwan (CSBC) is the largest ship builder in Taiwan. Finally, the complete infrastructure is the primary area of service quality improvement for CSBC scrubber installation; the operators’ technical skill is the most influential factor, and shipyard operational efficiency is the main affected factor.
Performance of Statistical and Intelligent Methods in Estimating Rock Compressive Strength
Authors: Zhang Xuesong , Altalbawy Farag M. A. , Gasmalla Tahani A. S. , Al-Khafaji Ali Hussein Demin , Iraji Amin , Syah Rahmad B. Y. , Nehdi Moncef L.
Published: March 2023

This research was conducted to forecast the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rocks via the random forest, artificial neural network, Gaussian process regression, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, simple regression, and multiple linear regression approaches. For this purpose, geo-mechanical and petrographic characteristics of sedimentary rocks in southern Iran were measured. The effect of petrography on geo-mechanical characteristics was assessed. The carbonate and sandstone samples were classified as mudstone to grainstone and calc-litharenite, respectively. Due to the shallow depth of the studied mines and the low amount of quartz minerals in the samples, the rock bursting phenomenon does not occur in these mines. To develop UCS predictor models, porosity, point load index, water absorption, P-wave velocity, and density were considered as inputs. Using variance accounted for, mean absolute percentage error, root-mean-square-error, determination coefficient (R2), and performance index (PI), the efficiency of the methods was evaluated. Analysis of model criteria using multiple linear regression allowed for the development of a user-friendly equation, which proved to have adequate accuracy. All intelligent methods (with R2 > 90%) had excellent accuracy for estimating UCS. The percentage difference of the average of all six intelligent methods with the measured value was equal to +0.28%. By comparing the methods, the accuracy of the support vector machine with radial basis function in predicting UCS was (R2 = 0.99 and PI = 1.92) and outperformed all the other methods investigated.
Modeling Mixed Traffic Flow with Connected Autonomous Vehicles and Human-Driven Vehicles in Off-Ramp Diverging Areas
Authors: Chen Xiangquan , Wu Zhizhou , Liang Yunyi
Published: March 2023

This paper focuses on modeling mixed traffic flow that comprises human-driven vehicles (HV), adaptive cruise control (ACC) vehicles, and cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) vehicles in the off-ramp diverging area. The car-following behaviors of HVs, ACC vehicles, and CACC vehicles are modeled using an intelligent driver model (IDM), ACC car-following model, and CACC car-following model, respectively. The lane-changing behaviors of different types of vehicles in off-ramp diverging areas are modeled using the anticipatory lane change (ALC) model and the mandatory lane change (MLC) model. These models are important for describing the interaction among different types of vehicles in mixed traffic. The safety and efficiency of mixed traffic flow are analyzed by integrating the developed car-following models and lane-changing models in numerical simulation. A one-way, two-lane scenario is established for the simulation. The results reveal that when the proportion of CACC vehicles is about 0.6, the safety and general operating efficiency of mixed traffic flow in the off-ramp area deteriorate significantly. Increasing the conservative MLC zone length can improve the average speed of traffic flow. Guiding drivers in changing lanes is one way to improve the efficiency of traffic flow.