bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Locked Nucleic Acid Oligonucleotides Facilitate RNA•LNA-RNA Triple-Helix Formation and Reduce MALAT1 Levels
Authors: Shivakumar Krishna M. , Mahendran Gowthami , Brown Jessica A.
Published: January 2024

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and multiple endocrine neoplasia-β (MENβ) are two long noncoding RNAs upregulated in multiple cancers, marking these RNAs as therapeutic targets. While traditional small-molecule and antisense-based approaches are effective, we report a locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based approach that targets the MALAT1 and MENβ triple helices, structures comprised of a U-rich internal stem-loop and an A-rich tract. Two LNA oligonucleotides resembling the A-rich tract (i.e., A9GCA4) were examined: an LNA (L15) and a phosphorothioate LNA (PS-L15). L15 binds tighter than PS-L15 to the MALAT1 and MENβ stem loops, although both L15 and PS-L15 enable RNA•LNA-RNA triple-helix formation. Based on UV thermal denaturation assays, both LNAs selectively stabilize the Hoogsteen interface by 5–13 °C more than the Watson–Crick interface. Furthermore, we show that L15 and PS-L15 displace the A-rich tract from the MALAT1 and MENβ stem loop and methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16) from the METTL16-MALAT1 triple-helix complex. Human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cells transfected with LNAs have 2-fold less MALAT1 and MENβ. This LNA-based approach represents a potential therapeutic strategy for the dual targeting of MALAT1 and MENβ.
Clinical Application of Liquid Biopsy in Pancreatic Cancer: A Narrative Review
Authors: Ramírez-Maldonado Elena , López Gordo Sandra , Major Branco Rui Pedro , Pavel Mihai-Calin , Estalella Laia , Llàcer-Millán Erik , Guerrero María Alejandra , López-Gordo Estrella , Memba Robert , Jorba Rosa
Published: January 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma contributes significantly to global cancer-related deaths, featuring only a 10% survival rate over five years. The quest for novel tumor markers is critical to facilitate early diagnosis and tailor treatment strategies for this disease, which is key to improving patient outcomes. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, these markers have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in early identification, continuous monitoring, and prediction of its prognosis and have led to better patient outcomes. Nowadays, biopsy specimens serve to ascertain diagnosis and determine tumor type. However, liquid biopsies present distinct advantages over conventional biopsy techniques. They offer a noninvasive, easily administered procedure, delivering insights into the tumor’s status and facilitating real-time monitoring. Liquid biopsies encompass a variety of elements, such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, microRNAs, circulating RNA, tumor platelets, and tumor endothelial cells. This review aims to provide an overview of the clinical applications of liquid biopsy as a technique in the management of pancreatic cancer.
What Can Inflammation Tell Us about Therapeutic Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease?
Authors: Xue Jinsong , Tao Keju , Wang Weijia , Wang Xiaofei
Published: January 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with a complicated etiology and pathogenesis. α-Synuclein aggregation, dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss, mitochondrial injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation are involved in the process of PD. Neuroinflammation has been recognized as a key element in the initiation and progression of PD. In this review, we summarize the inflammatory response and pathogenic mechanisms of PD. Additionally, we describe the potential anti-inflammatory therapies, including nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome inhibition, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) inhibition, microglia inhibition, astrocyte inhibition, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibition, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, targeting the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent pathway, targeting α-synuclein, targeting miRNA, acupuncture, and exercise. The review focuses on inflammation and will help in designing new prevention strategies for PD.
High-Throughput Synthesis of Nanogap-Rich Gold Nanoshells Using Dual-Channel Infusion System
Authors: Kim Yoon-Hee , Cho Hye-Seong , Yoo Kwanghee , Ham Kyeong-Min , Kang Homan , Pham Xuan-Hung , Jun Bong-Hyun
Published: January 2024

Gold nanoshells have been actively applied in industries beyond the research stage because of their unique optical properties. Although numerous methods have been reported for gold nanoshell synthesis, the labor-intensive and time-consuming production process is an issue that must be overcome to meet industrial demands. To resolve this, we report a high-throughput synthesis method for nanogap-rich gold nanoshells based on a core silica support (denoted as SiO2@Au NS), affording a 50-fold increase in scale by combining it with a dual-channel infusion pump system. By continuously dropping the reactant solution through the pump, nanoshells with closely packed Au nanoparticles were prepared without interparticle aggregation. The thickness of the gold nanoshells was precisely controlled at 2.3–17.2 nm by regulating the volume of the reactant solution added dropwise. Depending on the shell thickness, the plasmonic characteristics of SiO2@Au NS prepared by the proposed method could be tuned. Moreover, SiO2@Au NS exhibited surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity comparable to that of gold nanoshells prepared by a previously reported low-throughput method at the same reactant ratio. The results indicate that the proposed high-throughput synthesis method involving the use of a dual-channel infusion system will contribute to improving the productivity of SiO2@Au NS with tunable plasmonic characteristics.
Stress, Allostatic Load, and Neuroinflammation: Implications for Racial and Socioeconomic Health Disparities in Glaucoma
Authors: McDermott Colleen E. , Salowe Rebecca J. , Di Rosa Isabel , O’Brien Joan M.
Published: January 2024

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, and its pathophysiology includes neuroinflammatory changes. The present therapies for glaucoma target pressure-lowering mechanisms with limited success, making neuroinflammation a target for future interventions. This review summarizes the neuroinflammatory pathways seen in glaucoma and their interplay with stress. Glucocorticoids have been shown to activate proinflammatory glial cells, contributing to the neuroinflammation in glaucoma. Glucocorticoids have also been shown to increase the IOP directly. Stress-associated autonomic dysfunction can affect the vascular homeostasis in the retina and create oxidative stress. Diabetes, hyperglycemic-mediated endothelial damage, and vascular inflammation also play important roles in the neuroinflammation in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Psychosocial stress has been implicated in an increased IOP and glaucoma outcomes. People who experience maladaptive chronic stress suffer from a condition known as allostatic load, which describes pathologic neuroendocrine dysregulation. The effects of allostatic load and chronic stress have been studied in patients affected by a lower socioeconomic status (SES) and marginalized racial identities. A lower SES is associated with higher rates of glaucoma and also affects the access to care and screening. Additionally, people of African ancestry are disproportionately affected by glaucoma for reasons that are multifactorial. In conclusion, this review explores neuroinflammation in glaucoma, highlighting opportunities for future investigation.
TEMINET: A Co-Informative and Trustworthy Multi-Omics Integration Network for Diagnostic Prediction
Authors: Luo Haoran , Liang Hong , Liu Hongwei , Fan Zhoujie , Wei Yanhui , Yao Xiaohui , Cong Shan
Published: January 2024

Advancing the domain of biomedical investigation, integrated multi-omics data have shown exceptional performance in elucidating complex human diseases. However, as the variety of omics information expands, precisely perceiving the informativeness of intra- and inter-omics becomes challenging due to the intricate interrelations, thus presenting significant challenges in the integration of multi-omics data. To address this, we introduce a novel multi-omics integration approach, referred to as TEMINET. This approach enhances diagnostic prediction by leveraging an intra-omics co-informative representation module and a trustworthy learning strategy used to address inter-omics fusion. Considering the multifactorial nature of complex diseases, TEMINET utilizes intra-omics features to construct disease-specific networks; then, it applies graph attention networks and a multi-level framework to capture more collective informativeness than pairwise relations. To perceive the contribution of co-informative representations within intra-omics, we designed a trustworthy learning strategy to identify the reliability of each omics in integration. To integrate inter-omics information, a combined-beliefs fusion approach is deployed to harmonize the trustworthy representations of different omics types effectively. Our experiments across four different diseases using mRNA, methylation, and miRNA data demonstrate that TEMINET achieves advanced performance and robustness in classification tasks.
Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ and Nociceptin Opioid Peptide Receptor Expression within 24 Hours
Authors: Al Yacoub Omar N. , Zhang Yong , Patankar Panini S. , Standifer Kelly M.
Published: January 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability around the world, for which no treatment has been found. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor are rapidly increased in response to fluid percussion, stab injury, and controlled cortical impact (CCI) TBI. TBI-induced upregulation of N/OFQ contributes to cerebrovascular impairment, increased excitotoxicity, and neurobehavioral deficits. Our objective was to identify changes in N/OFQ and NOP receptor peptide, protein, and mRNA relative to the expression of injury markers and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 24 h following mild (mTBI) and moderate TBI (ModTBI) in wildtype (WT) and NOP receptor-knockout (KO) rats. N/OFQ was quantified by radioimmunoassay, mRNA expression was assessed using real-time PCR and protein levels were determined by immunoblot analysis. This study revealed increased N/OFQ mRNA and peptide levels in the CSF and ipsilateral tissue of WT, but not KO, rats 24 h post-TBI; NOP receptor mRNA increased after ModTBI. Cofilin-1 activation increased in the brain tissue of WT but not KO rats, ERK activation increased in all rats following ModTBI; no changes in injury marker levels were noted in brain tissue at this time. In conclusion, this study elucidates transcriptional and translational changes in the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system relative to TBI-induced neurological deficits and initiation of signaling cascades that support the investigation of the NOP receptor as a therapeutic target for TBI.
Physicochemical Characteristics of Porous Starch Obtained by Combined Physical and Enzymatic Methods, Part 1: Structure, Adsorption, and Functional Properties
Authors: Sujka Monika , Wiącek Agnieszka Ewa
Published: January 2024

Porous starch can be applied as an adsorbent and encapsulant for bioactive substances in the food and pharmaceutical industries. By using appropriate modification methods (chemical, physical, enzymatic, or mixed), it is possible to create pores on the surface of the starch granules without disturbing their integrity. This paper aimed to analyze the possibility of obtaining a porous structure for native corn, potato, and pea starches using a combination of ultrasound, enzymatic digestion, and freeze-drying methods. The starch suspensions (30%, w/w) were treated with ultrasound (20 kHz, 30 min, 20 °C), then dried and hydrolyzed with amyloglucosidase (1000 U/g starch, 50 °C, 24 h, 2% starch suspension). After enzyme digestion, the granules were freeze-dried for 72 h. The structure of the native and modified starches were examined using VIS spectroscopy, SEM, ATR-FTIR, and LTNA (low-temperature nitrogen adsorption). Based on the electrophoretic mobility measurements of the starch granules using a laser Doppler velocimeter, zeta potentials were calculated to determine the surface charge level. Additionally, the selected properties such as the water and oil holding capacities, least gelling concentration (LGC), and paste clarity were determined. The results showed that the corn starch was the most susceptible to the combined modification methods and was therefore best suited for the production of porous starch.
The Effect of Ethephon on Ethylene and Chlorophyll in Zoysia japonica Leaves
Authors: Zhang Jiahang , Li Lijing , Zhang Zhiwei , Han Liebao , Xu Lixin
Published: January 2024

Zoysia japonica (Zoysia japonica Steud.) is a kind of warm-season turfgrass with many excellent characteristics. However, the shorter green period and longer dormancy caused by cold stress in late autumn and winter are the most limiting factors affecting its application. A previous transcriptome analysis revealed that ethephon regulated genes in chlorophyll metabolism in Zoysia japonica under cold stress. Further experimental data are necessary to understand the effect and underlying mechanism of ethephon in regulating the cold tolerance of Zoysia japonica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethephon by measuring the enzyme activity, intermediates content, and gene expression related to ethylene biosynthesis, signaling, and chlorophyll metabolism. In addition, the ethylene production rate, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were analyzed. The results showed that ethephon application in a proper concentration inhibited endogenous ethylene biosynthesis, but eventually promoted the ethylene production rate due to its ethylene-releasing nature. Ethephon could promote chlorophyll content and improve plant growth in Zoysia japonica under cold-stressed conditions. In conclusion, ethephon plays a positive role in releasing ethylene and maintaining the chlorophyll content in Zoysia japonica both under non-stressed and cold-stressed conditions.
Morphology and Mechanics of Star Copolymer Ultrathin Films Probed by Atomic Force Microscopy in the Air and in Liquid
Authors: Albonetti Cristiano , Izzo Lorella , Vigliotta Giovanni , Saponetti Matilde Sublimi , Liscio Fabiola , Bobba Fabrizio
Published: January 2024

Star copolymer films were produced by using spin-coating, drop-casting, and casting deposition techniques, thus obtaining ultrathin and thick films, respectively. The morphology is generally flat, but it becomes substrate-dependent for ultrathin films where the planarization effect of films is not efficient. The indentation hardness of films was investigated by Force Volume Maps in both the air and liquid. In the air, ultrathin films are in the substrate-dominated zone and, thus, the elastic modulus E is overestimated, while E reaches its bulk value for drop-casted ultrathin and thick films. In liquid (water), E follows an exponential decay for all films with a minimum soaked time t0 of 0.37 and 2.65 h for ultrathin and drop-casted ultrathin and thick films, respectively. After this time, E saturates to a value on average 92% smaller than that measured in the air due to film swelling. Such results support the role of film morphology in the antimicrobial activity envisaged in the literature, suggesting also an additional role of film hardness.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Shear Performance of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Stirrups
Authors: Zhao Jun , Bao Xiaohu , Yang Shoudi , Wang Zike , He Hongwei , Xu Xiazheng
Published: January 2024

In this paper, the shear behavior of concrete beams reinforced with FRP stirrups is studied. The shear performances of six concrete beams with a size of 150 mm × 300 mm × 3000 mm under four-point loading up to failure were experimentally analyzed. The critical parameters included the shear span to depth ratio (λ) and stirrup spacing (S). The test results revealed that as λ increased from 1 to 2, 3, and 4, the ultimate shear capacity of the beam decreases by 50.5%, 67.7%, and 69.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, as S increased from 100 mm to 150 mm and 200 mm, the ultimate shear capacity decreased by 16.1% and 44.6%, respectively. A new shear capacity calculation model of concrete beam reinforced with FRP stirrups was also proposed, which further considered the shear capacity of the FRP stirrups on the basis of the shear capacity of an RC beam without stirrups using the strut-and-tie model. Finally, the experiment and calculation results of 56 beam specimens reinforced with FRP stirrups extracted from this paper and previous studies were compared using the calculation models proposed in this paper, in order to evaluate the accuracy of these calculation models.
Composition and Element Distribution Mapping of γ′ and γ″ Phases of Inconel 718 by High-Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry
Authors: Buffat Philippe A. , Alexandrou Ioannis , Czyrska-Filemonowicz Aleksandra
Published: January 2024

The main strengthening mechanism for Inconel 718 (IN718), a Ni-based superalloy, is precipitation hardening by γ′ and γ″ particles. It is thus essential, for good alloy performance, that precipitates with the desired chemical composition have adequate size and dispersion. The distribution of the γ′ and γ″ phases and their chemical composition were investigated in the nickel-based Inconel 718 superalloy by taking advantage of the new capabilities of scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry using a windowless multiple detector, a high-brightness Schottky electron gun, and a spherical aberration corrector in the illumination probe optics. A small routine was developed to deconvolute the respective compositions of γ′ and γ″ nanoprecipitates embedded in the γ matrix. Keeping the electron probe current low enough—a few hundred pA—prevented excessive irradiation damage during the acquisition of element maps and brought their spatial resolution down to the atomic column level to track their element compositions. The present results agree with and complement atomic probe tomography observations and Thermo-Calc predictions from the literature. The presence of an Al enrichment at the γ′/γ″ interface—which may control the γ″ phase coarsening—is observed in the last row of Al-Nb-Ti columns along this interface. In addition, a few columns with similar composition changes are found randomly distributed in the γ′ phase.
Effect of Particle Strength on SiCp/Al Composite Properties with Network Architecture Design
Authors: Gao Xiang , Lu Xiaonan , Zhang Xuexi , Qian Mingfang , Li Aibin , Geng Lin , Wang Huan , Liu Cheng , Ouyang Wenting , Peng Hua-Xin
Published: January 2024

Recent works have experimentally proven that metal matrix composites (MMCs) with network architecture present improved strength–ductility match. It is envisaged that the performance of architecturally designed composites is particularly sensitive to reinforcement strength. Here, reinforcing particles with various fracture strengths were introduced in numerical models of composites with network particle distribution. The results revealed that a low particle strength (1 GPa) led to early-stage failure and brittle fracture. Nevertheless, a high particle strength (5 GPa) delayed the failure behavior and led to ductile fracture at the SiC/Al–Al macro-interface areas. Therefore, the ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) of the network SiC/Al composites increased from 290 to 385 MPa, with rising particle strength from 1 to 5 GPa. Based on the composite property, different particle fracture threshold strengths existed for homogeneous (~2.7 GPa) and network (~3.7 GPa) composites. The higher threshold strength in network composites was related to the increased stress concentration induced by network architecture. Unfortunately, the real fracture strength of the commercial SiC particle is 1–2 GPa, implying that it is possible to select a high-strength particle necessary for efficient network architecture design.
Surface Finishing and Coating Parameters Impact on Additively Manufactured Binder-Jetted Steel–Bronze Composites
Authors: Grizzle Andrew C. , Elliott Amy , Klein Kate L. , Tyagi Pawan
Published: January 2024

In this paper, electroless nickel plating is explored for the protection of binder-jetting-based additively manufactured (AM) composite materials. Electroless nickel plating was attempted on binder-jetted composites composed of stainless steel and bronze, resulting in differences in the physicochemical properties. We investigated the impact of surface finishing, plating solution chemistry, and plating parameters to attain a wide range of surface morphologies and roughness levels. We employed the Keyence microscope to quantitatively evaluate dramatically different surface properties before and after the coating of AM composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a wide range of microstructural properties in relation to each combination of surface finishing and coating parameters. We studied chempolishing, plasma cleaning, and organic cleaning as the surface preparation methods prior to coating. We found that surface preparation dictated the surface roughness. Taguchi statistical analysis was performed to investigate the relative strength of experimental factors and interconnectedness among process parameters to attain optimum coating qualities. The quantitative impacts of phosphorous level, temperature, surface preparation, and time factor on the roughness of the nickel-plated surface were 17.95%, 8.2%, 50.02%, and 13.21%, respectively. On the other hand, the quantitative impacts of phosphorous level, temperature, surface preparation, and time factor on the thickness of nickel plating were 35.12%, 41.40%, 3.87%, and 18.24%, respectively. The optimum combination of the factors’ level projected the lowest roughness of Ra at 7.76 µm. The optimum combination of the factors’ level projected the maximum achievable thickness of ~149 µm. This paper provides insights into coating process for overcoming the sensitivity of AM composites in hazardous application spaces via robust coating.
Preparation of Ceramic Fiber Threads with Enhanced Abrasion Resistance Performance
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Hou Feng , Du Haiyan , Yan Liwen , Guo Anran , Ma Xiaohui , Liu Jiachen
Published: January 2024

Ceramic fiber thread is one of the key components in flexible external thermal insulation blankets, and it has been applied in various fields as a flexible ceramic fibrous material with excellent deformability and high-temperature resistance. However, ceramic fiber threads are often subjected to reciprocating friction motion at specific bending angles, making them highly susceptible to abrade and fracture. Enhancing the abrasion resistance performance of ceramic fiber threads under bending conditions is the future trend and remains a significant challenge. Hence, we design and construct a novel polyurethane-modified coating on the ceramic fiber threads to improve their abrasion resistance performance. The effects of the types and concentrations of modifiers on the microstructure, abrasion resistance property, and tensile property of ceramic fiber threads are systematically investigated. The ceramic fiber threads, after modification with hexamethylene diisocyanate waterborne polyurethane (HDI-WPU) with a concentration of 3%, exhibit excellent abrasion resistance properties. The number of friction cycles at fracture of the modified ceramic fiber thread is more than three times, and the tensile strength is more than one and a half times, that of the original ceramic fiber thread, demonstrating the great potential of the HDI-WPU modifier for enhancing the abrasion resistance performance of ceramic fiber threads.
Functionalization of the NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Surface through Innovative Hydroxyapatite/Ag-TiO2 Hybrid Coatings
Authors: Dudek Karolina , Dulski Mateusz , Podwórny Jacek , Kujawa Magdalena , Gerle Anna , Rawicka Patrycja
Published: January 2024

The objective of this research was to develop a surface modification for the NiTi shape memory alloy, thereby enabling its long-term application in implant medicine. This was achieved through the creation of innovative multifunctional hybrid layers comprising a nanometric molecular system of silver-rutile (Ag-TiO2), known for its antibacterial properties, in conjunction with bioactive submicro- and nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp). The multifunctional, continuous, crack-free coatings were produced using the electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) at 20 V/1 min. Structural and morphological analyses through Raman spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided comprehensive insights into the obtained coating. The silver within the layer existed in the form of nanometric silver carbonates (Ag2CO3) and metallic nanosilver. Based on DTA/TG results, dilatometric measurements, and high-temperature microscopy, the heat treatment temperature for the deposited layers was set at 800 °C for 2 h. The procedures applied resulted in the creation of a new generation of materials with a distinct structure compared with the initial nanopowders. The resulting composite layer, measuring 2 μm in thickness, comprised hydroxyapatite (HAp), apatite carbonate (CHAp), metallic silver, silver oxides, Ag@C, and rutile exhibiting a defective structure. This structural characteristic contributes significantly to its heightened activity, influencing both bioactivity and biocompatibility properties.
Biochemical Approach to Poly(Lactide)–Copper Composite—Impact on Blood Coagulation Processes
Authors: Mrozińska Zdzisława , Kudzin Marcin H. , Ponczek Michał B. , Kaczmarek Anna , Król Paulina , Lisiak-Kucińska Agnieszka , Żyłła Renata , Walawska Anetta
Published: January 2024

The paper presents the investigation of the biological properties of Poly(Lactide)—Copper composite material obtained by sputter deposition of copper onto Poly(lactide) melt-blown nonwoven fabrics. The functionalized composite material was subjected to microbial activity tests against colonies of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria, Chaetomium globosum and Candida albicans fungal mold species and biochemical–hematological tests including the evaluation of the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, Prothrombin Time, Thrombin Time and electron microscopy fibrin network imaging. The substantial antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the Poly(Lactide)–Copper composite suggests potential applications as an antibacterial/antifungal material. The unmodified Poly(Lactide) fabric showed accelerated human blood plasma clotting in the intrinsic pathway, while copper plating abolished this effect. Unmodified PLA itself could be used for the preparation of wound dressing materials, accelerating coagulation in the case of hemorrhages, and its modifications with the use of various metals might be applied as new customized materials where blood coagulation process could be well controlled, yielding additional anti-pathogen effects.
Investigating the Influence of Impurity Defects on the Adsorption Behavior of Hydrated Sc3+ on the Kaolinite (001) Surface Using Density Functional Theory
Authors: Wang Kaiyu , Zhao Zilong , Wu Guoyuan , Jiang Dengbang , Lan Yaozhong
Published: January 2024

In natural kaolinite lattices, Al3+ can potentially be substituted by cations such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and Fe3+, thereby influencing its adsorption characteristics towards rare earth elements like Sc3+. Density functional theory (DFT) has emerged as a crucial tool in the study of adsorption phenomena, particularly for understanding the complex interactions of rare earth elements with clay minerals. This study employed DFT to investigate the impact of these three dopant elements on the adsorption of hydrated Sc3+ on the kaolinite (001) Al-OH surface. We discerned that the optimal adsorption configuration for hydrated Sc3+ is Sc(H2O)83+, with a preference for adsorption at the deprotonated Ou sites. Among the dopants, Mg doping exhibited superior stability with a binding energy of −4.311 eV and the most negative adsorption energy of −1104.16 kJ/mol. Both Mg and Ca doping enhanced the covalency of the Al-O bond, leading to a subtle shift in the overall density of states towards higher energies, thereby augmenting the reactivity of the O atoms. In contrast, Fe doping caused a pronounced shift in the density of states towards lower energies. Compared to the undoped kaolinite, Mg and Ca doping further diminished the adsorption energy of hydrated Sc3+ and increased its coordination number, while Fe doping elevated the adsorption energy. This study offers profound insights into understanding the role of dopant elements in the adsorption of hydrated Sc3+ on kaolinite.
Correction: Luo et al. The Effects of Different Anode Positions on the Electrical Properties of Square-Silicon Drift Detector. Micromachines 2022, 13, 1496
Authors: Luo Wei , Wang Longjie , Jia Rui , Tao Ke , Wang Bolong , Ouyang Xiaoping , Li Xing
Published: January 2024

In the original publication [...]
Characterization of a Heterojunction Silicon Solar Cell by Means of Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Aimaganbetov Kazybek , Yerezhep Darkhan , Kishkenebayev Mussabek , Chuchvaga Nikolay , Almas Nurlan , Tokmoldin Serekbol , Tokmoldin Nurlan
Published: January 2024

Impedance spectroscopy provides relevant knowledge on the recombination and extraction of photogenerated charge carriers in various types of photovoltaic devices. In particular, this method is of great benefit to the study of crystalline silicon (c-Si)-based solar cells, a market-dominating commercial technology, for example, in terms of the comparison of various types of c-Si devices. This study investigates the dark and light electrophysical characteristics of a heterojunction silicon solar cell fabricated using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The measurements are performed at various applied biases, enabling the determination of complex resistance, characteristic time, capacitive response and impurity concentration within the semiconductor junction and to correlate them with the device performance. In addition, the impedance spectra of the studied cell were investigated as a function of temperature. Studies of the frequency and temperature dependences of capacitance do not reveal a significant presence of thermally activated centers of free carrier capture, concomitant with a very small value of the activation energy extracted from an Arrhenius-type analysis. This leads to a conclusion that these centers are likely not impactful on the device operation and efficiency.
Nanostructured Oxide (SnO2, FTO) Thin Films for Energy Harvesting: A Significant Increase in Thermoelectric Power at Low Temperature
Authors: Deva Arun Kumar Karuppiah , Valanarasu S. , Capelle Alex , Nar Sibel , Karim Wael , Stolz Arnaud , Aspe Barthélemy , Semmar Nadjib
Published: January 2024

Previous studies have shown that undoped and doped SnO2 thin films have better optical and electrical properties. This study aims to investigate the thermoelectric properties of two distinct semiconducting oxide thin films, namely SnO2 and F-doped SnO2 (FTO), by the nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique. An X-ray diffraction study reveals that the synthesized films exhibit a tetragonal structure with the (200) preferred orientation. The film structural quality increases from SnO2 to FTO due to the substitution of F− ions into the host lattice. The film thickness increases from 530 nm for SnO2 to 650 nm for FTO films. Room-temperature electrical resistivity decreases from (8.96 ± 0.02) × 10−2 Ω·cm to (4.64 ± 0.01) × 10−3 Ω·cm for the SnO2 and FTO thin films, respectively. This is due to the increase in the carrier density of the films, (2.92 ± 0.02) × 1019 cm−3 (SnO2) and (1.63 ± 0.03) × 1020 cm−3 (FTO), caused by anionic substitution. It is confirmed that varying the temperature (K) enhances the electron transport properties. The obtained Seebeck coefficient (S) increases as the temperature is increased, up to 360 K. The synthesized films exhibit the S value of −234 ± 3 μV/K (SnO2) and −204 ± 3 μV/K (FTO) at 360 K. The estimated power factor (PF) drastically increases from ~70 (μW/m·K2) to ~900 (μW/m·K2) for the SnO2 and FTO film, respectively.
2,5-Di-tert-butyl-2,5-diethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyls: Where Is a Reasonable Limit of Sterical Loading for Higher Resistance to Reduction?
Authors: Zhurko Irina F. , Dobrynin Sergey A. , Glazachev Yurii I. , Gatilov Yuri V. , Kirilyuk Igor A.
Published: January 2024

The pyrrolidine nitroxides with four bulky alkyl substituents adjacent to the N–O∙ group demonstrate very high resistance to reduction with biogenic antioxidants and enzymatic systems. This makes them valuable molecular tools for studying the structure and functions of biomolecules directly in a living cell and for functional EPR and NMR tomography in vivo. The first example of highly strained pyrrolidine nitroxides with both ethyl and tert-butyl groups at each of the α-carbon atoms of the nitroxide moiety with cis-configuration of the tert-butyl groups was prepared using a three-component domino reaction of tert-leucine and 2,2-dimethylpentan-3-one with dimethyl fumarate with subsequent conversion of the resulting strained pyrrolidine into 1-pyrroline-1-oxide and addition of EtLi. The nitroxide has demonstrated unexpectedly fast reduction with ascorbate, the rate constant k2 = (2.0 ± 0.1) × 10−3 M−1s−1. This effect was explained by destabilization of the planar nitroxide moiety due to repulsion with the two neighboring tert-butyl groups cis to each other.
A Novel Quercetin Encapsulated Glucose Modified Liposome and Its Brain-Target Antioxidative Neuroprotection Effects
Authors: Chen Jian , Chen Jinxia , Yu Peiyun , Yang Chunyan , Xia Chen , Deng Junlin , Yu Manyou , Xiang Zuoya , Gan Lu , Zhu Boyu , Wu Yong , Yang Xing
Published: January 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are mainly induced by oxidative stress which produces excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Quercetin (QU) is a potent antioxidant with some effects on NDDs. This study prepared and characterized a novel glucose-modified QU liposome (QU–Glu–Lip), aiming not only to overcome QU’s poor water solubility and bioavailability but also to deliver more QU to brain tissue to enhance its neuroprotective effect. QU–Glu–Lip possessed encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 89.9%, homogenous particle sizes (116–124 nm), small PDI value (<0.3), zeta value −1.363 ± 0.437 mV, proper pH and salt stability, and proper cytotoxicity. The glucose-modified liposome penetrated the blood–brain barrier (BBB) mediated via the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and was taken by neuronal cells more efficiently than liposome without glucose, according to bEnd.3 and PC12 cell tests. QU–Glu–Lip attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative damage to PC12 with higher cell viability (88.42%) and lower intracellular ROS compared to that of QU. QU–Glu–Lip had higher brain target ability and delivered more QU to neuronal cells, effectively exerting the antioxidative neuroprotection effect. There is potential for the QU–Glu–Lip application for more effective treatment of NDDs.
Core-Hole Excitation Spectra of the Oxides and Hydrates of Fullerene C60 and Azafullerene C59N
Authors: Li Xiong , Wang Shuyi , Guo Jingdong , Wu Ziye , Guo Changrui , Cai Shaohong , Deng Mingsen
Published: January 2024

The interaction of fullerenes and their derivatives with environmental molecules such as oxygen or water was crucial for the rational design of low-dimensional materials and devices. In this paper, the near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shake-up satellites were employed to distinguish the oxides and hydrates of the fullerene C60 and azafullerene C59N families. The study includes various isomers, such as the open [5,6] and closed [6,6] isomers of C60O, C60H(OH), C60-O-C60, C60H-O-C60H, C59N(OH) and C59N-O-C59N, based on density functional theory. These soft X-ray spectra offered comprehensive insights into the molecular orbitals of these azafullerene molecular groups. The oxygen K-edge NEXAFS, carbon and oxygen K-edge XPS shake-up satellite spectra provided valuable tools for distinguishing oxides or hydrates of fullerene C60 and azafullerene C59N. Our findings could significantly benefit the development of fullerene functional molecular materials and expand the application scope of soft X-ray spectroscopy as a molecular fingerprinting tool for the fullerene family.
Protein Misfolding in Pregnancy: Current Insights, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications for the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
Authors: Medegan Fagla Bani , Buhimschi Irina Alexandra
Published: January 2024

Protein misfolding disorders are a group of diseases characterized by supra-physiologic accumulation and aggregation of pathogenic proteoforms resulting from improper protein folding and/or insufficiency in clearance mechanisms. Although these processes have been historically linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, evidence linking protein misfolding to other pathologies continues to emerge. Indeed, the deposition of toxic protein aggregates in the form of oligomers or large amyloid fibrils has been linked to type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, and, in more recent years, to preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy-specific disorder. While extensive physiological mechanisms are in place to maintain proteostasis, processes, such as aging, genetic factors, or environmental stress in the form of hypoxia, nutrient deprivation or xenobiotic exposures can induce failure in these systems. As such, pregnancy, a natural physical state that already places the maternal body under significant physiological stress, creates an environment with a lower threshold for aberrant aggregation. In this review, we set out to discuss current evidence of protein misfolding in pregnancy and potential mechanisms supporting a key role for this process in preeclampsia pathogenesis. Improving our understanding of this emerging pathophysiological process in preeclampsia can lead to vital discoveries that can be harnessed to create better diagnoses and treatment modalities for the disorder.
Modulation of Host Physiology and Pathophysiology by the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Gray Weston R. , Jacobs Jonathan P.
Published: January 2024

The human gut microbiome is a highly dynamic community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoans that resides within the gastrointestinal tract [...]
The Association between Dietary Pattern, Obesity, and Glycemic Control of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Souza da Cunha Letícia Victoria , Carvalho Ramos Salles de Oliveira Dayan , de Oliveira Cardoso Leticia , Sartorelli Daniela Saes , Xavier Peniche Beatriz , de Araujo Beatriz Bastos , Luescher Jorge Luiz , Silverio Raquel Nascimento Chanca , Davalos Alberto , Padilha Patricia de Carvalho
Published: January 2024

Aims: To evaluate the association between dietary patterns, obesity, and glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015 at a diabetes reference center in Rio de Janeiro. Sociodemographic data and those related to outpatient follow-ups were obtained from the medical records. The assessment of food consumption was performed using a 24 h food recall. Obesity was defined as body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) ≥ +1 z-score. Glycemic control was assessed using glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Dietary patterns were generated by factorial analysis, and each individual’s adherence to these dietary patterns was determined by the factor loadings and then classified into terciles. Results: The study population included 120 children and adolescents, among whom 5 dietary patterns were identified. The prevalence of obesity was 31.7% (n = 38), and 64.2% (n = 77) of the participants had inadequate glycemic control. We observed that individuals with higher adherence to dietary pattern five, characterized by a greater consumption of ultra-processed foods, had higher odds of having higher HbA1c levels (OR = 3.49; 95% CI = 1.18–11.16). Conclusions: Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods can be detrimental to glycemic control in children and adolescents. Thus, food intake monitoring is of paramount importance as part of the multidisciplinary care of patients with T1DM.
Maternal Vitamin C Intake during Pregnancy Influences Long-Term Offspring Growth with Timing- and Sex-Specific Effects in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Coker Sharna J. , Berry Mary J. , Vissers Margreet C. M. , Dyson Rebecca M.
Published: January 2024

Our previous work in guinea pigs revealed that low vitamin C intake during preconception and pregnancy adversely affects fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and foetal and neonatal growth in a sex-dependent manner. To investigate the long-term impact on offspring, we monitored their growth from birth to adolescence (four months), recorded organ weights at childhood equivalence (28 days) and adolescence, and assessed physiological parameters like oral glucose tolerance and basal cortisol concentrations. We also investigated the effects of the timing of maternal vitamin C restriction (early vs. late gestation) on pregnancy outcomes and the health consequences for offspring. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were fed an optimal (900 mg/kg feed) or low (100 mg/kg feed) vitamin C diet ad libitum during preconception. Pregnant dams were then randomised into four feeding regimens: consistently optimal, consistently low, low during early pregnancy, or low during late pregnancy. We found that low maternal vitamin C intake during early pregnancy accelerated foetal and neonatal growth in female offspring and altered glucose homeostasis in the offspring of both sexes at an age equivalent to early childhood. Conversely, low maternal vitamin C intake during late pregnancy resulted in foetal growth restriction and reduced weight gain in male offspring throughout their lifespan. We conclude that altered vitamin C during development has long-lasting, sex-specific consequences for offspring and that the timing of vitamin C depletion is also critical, with low levels during early development being associated with the development of a metabolic syndrome-related phenotype, while later deprivation appears to be linked to a growth-faltering phenotype.
Distinct Contributions of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities to Evapotranspiration and Gross Primary Production Variations over Mainland China
Authors: Huang Yingchun , Yang Shengtian , Zhao Haigen
Published: January 2024

In recent decades, China has experienced substantial climate change and significant vegetation greenness due to the extensive implementation of artificial ecological restoration programs. However, the quantitative contributions of climatic and anthropogenic drivers to the national variations in associated evapotranspiration (ET) and gross primary productivity (GPP) over China at different climate zoning sub-regions remain unclear. Based on the analysis of climate factor and vegetation disturbance trends created by anthropogenic activities, this study constructed a remote sensing-based ecological model consisting of Penman–Monteith–Leuning (PML) and light use efficiency (LUE) components. The proposed model simulated the spatiotemporal changes in ET and GPP between 1999 and 2018 over China. The contributions of climatic factors and anthropogenic activities to ET and GPP variations were quantitatively calculated by ridge regression. The results show that (1) both interannual ET and GPP markedly increased, by 1.32 mm yr−1 and 8.01 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively; (2) vegetation changes due to anthropogenic disturbance made the dominant contribution to GPP variations over China, while the dominant factor influencing ET changes differed by sub-region due to the joint effects of vegetation and climate; (3) temperature and precipitation positively affected ET, while wind speed, humidity, and solar radiation negatively contributed to ET in most parts of Mainland China. These findings may provide a workable, scientific reference for further ecological restoration decision-making processes in China.
CO Emissions Associated with Three Major Earthquakes Occurring in Diverse Tectonic Environments
Authors: Cui Yueju , Huang Jianan , Zeng Zhaojun , Zou Zhenyu
Published: January 2024

Significant amounts of gases are emitted from the earth’s crust into the atmosphere before, during, and after major earthquakes. To understand the relationship between gas emissions, earthquakes, and tectonics, we conducted a thorough investigation using satellite data from AQUA AIRS. We focused on three major earthquakes: the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan MW 7.9 earthquake in China’s intra-continental plate, the 26 December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman MW 9.1 earthquake in Indonesia Island, and the 4 April 2010 Baja California MW 7.2 earthquake in Mexico’s active plate margin. Anomalies in the total column (TotCO) and multiple layers (CO VMR) of carbon monoxide were observed along fault zones, with peak values at the epicenter areas. Furthermore, temporal anomalies of TotCO and CO VMR appeared in the month of the Wenchuan earthquake in the intra-continent, three months prior to the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and one month before the Baja California earthquake in the active plate margins, respectively. Notably, the duration of CO anomalies before earthquakes in active plate margins was longer than that in the intra-continental region, and the intensity of the CO anomaly in active plate margins was higher than that in the intra-continental region. The results show a profound correlation with both seismic and tectonic activities, which was particularly evident in the earthquake’s magnitude, rupture length, and the tectonic settings surrounding the epicenter. Furthermore, the type of the fault at which the earthquake occurred also played an important role in these CO anomaly variations. These findings support the identification of earthquake precursors and may help improve our understanding of earthquake forecasting and tectonics.
Rethinking Dignity and Exploitation in Human Trafficking and Sex Workers’ Rights Cases
Authors: Simmons William Paul
Published: January 2024

As forced migration increases dramatically due to such factors as climate change, rising conflict, and authoritarianism, more legal cases on human trafficking and sex work are sure to arise. To date, very few cases on these issues have been decided in international human rights tribunals, and they have been subject to extensive criticism, especially for their conflation of slavery, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and consensual sex work. This article analyzes recent jurisprudence from Europe and Africa to address this conceptual confusion and argue that tribunals must interrogate their use of the terms dignity and exploitation or risk further marginalizing already marginalized people.