bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Methods for Applying Cucurbit[6]uril to Hydroxyapatite for the Morphological Tuning of Its Surface in the Process of Obtaining Composite Materials
Authors: Burkhanbayeva Tolkynay , Ukhov Arthur , Assylbekova Dina , Mussina Zukhra , Kurzina Irina , Abilkasova Sandugash , Bakibaev Abdigali , Issabayeva Manar , Yerkassov Rakhmetulla , Shaikhova Zhanat
Published: October 2024

In this work, composite materials were obtained for the first time using various methods and the dependences of the resulting surface morphologies were investigated. This involves modifying the surface with cucurbit[n]urils, which are highly promising macrocyclic compounds. The process includes applying cucurbit[6]uril to the hydroxyapatite surface in water using different modification techniques. The first method involved precipitating a dispersion of CB[6] in undissolved form in water. The second method involved using fully dissolved CB[6] in deionized water, after which the composite materials were dried to constant weight. The third method involved several steps: first, CB[6] was dissolved in deionized water, then, upon heating, a dispersion of CB[6] was formed on the surface of HA. The fourth method involved using ultrasonic treatment. All four methods yielded materials with different surface morphologies, which were studied and characterized using techniques such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on these results, it is possible to vary the properties and surface morphology of the obtained materials. Depending on the method of applying CB[6] to the surface and inside the HA scaffold, it is possible to adjust the composition and structure of the target composite materials. The methods for applying CB[6] to the hydroxyapatite surface enhance its versatility and compatibility with the body’s environment, which is crucial for developing new functional composite materials. This includes leveraging supramolecular systems based on the CB[n] family. The obtained results can be used to model the processes of obtaining biocomposite materials, as well as to predict the properties of future materials with biological activity.
Fabrication and Characterization of Flexible CuI-Based Photodetectors on Mica Substrates by a Low-Temperature Solution Process
Authors: Tsay Chien-Yie , Chen Yun-Chi , Tsai Hsuan-Meng , Liao Kai-Hsiang
Published: October 2024

Both CuI and CuI:Zn semiconductor thin films, along with MSM-structured UV photodetectors, were prepared on flexible mica substrates at low temperature (150 °C) by a wet chemical method. The two CuI-based films exhibited a polycrystalline phase with an optical bandgap energy close to 3.0 eV. Hall effect measurements indicated that the CuI thin film sample had p-type conductivity, while the CuI:Zn thin film sample exhibited n-type conductivity, with the latter showing a higher carrier mobility of 14.78 cm2/Vs compared to 7.67 cm2/Vs for the former. The I-V curves of both types of photodetectors showed asymmetric rectification characteristics with rectification ratios at ±3 V of 5.23 and 14.3 for the CuI and CuI:Zn devices, respectively. Flexible CuI:Zn devices exhibited significantly better sensitivity, responsivity, and specific detectivity than CuI devices both before and after static bending tests. It was found that, while the optoelectronic performance of flexible CuI-based photodetectors degraded under tensile stress during static bending tests, they still exhibited good reproducibility and repeatability in their photoresponses.
Structural and Chemical Analysis of Three Regions of Bamboo (Phyllostachys Edulis)
Authors: Gu Shaohua , Lourenço Ana , Wei Xin , Gominho Jorge , Wang Ge , Cheng Haitao
Published: October 2024

This study focuses on three different regions of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): an inner layer (IB), middle layer (MB), and outer layer (OB), to comprehensively characterize the structural features, chemical composition (ash, extractives and lignin contents), and the lignin monomeric composition as determined by analytical pyrolysis. The results show that bamboo presents a gradient structure. From the IB to OB, the vascular bundle density and fiber sheath ratio increase, the porosity decreases (from 45.92% to 18.14%), and the vascular bundle diameter–chord ratio increases (from 0.85 to 1.48). In terms of chemical composition, the ash, extractives, and acid-soluble lignin content gradually decrease from IB to OB. The holocellulose content follows the trend: MB (66.3%) > OB (65.9%) > IB (62.8%), while the acid-insoluble lignin content exhibits the opposite trend: IB (22.6%) > OB (17.8%) > MB (17.7%). Pyrolysis products reveal the diversity of carbohydrates and lignin derivatives, with a lignin monomeric composition rich in syringyl and guaiacyl units and lower amounts of H-units: the IB has an H:G:S relation of 18:26:55, while 15:27:58 is the ratio for the MB and 15:40:45 for the OB; S/G ratio values were, respectively, 1.22, 1.46, and 0.99. A comprehensive analysis highlights significant gradient variations in the structure and chemistry of bamboo, providing robust support for the classification and refinement methods of bamboo residues for potential applications.
A Projection-Type Implicit Algorithm for Finding a Common Solution for Fixed Point Problems and Variational Inequality Problems
Authors: Berinde Vasile
Published: October 2024

This paper deals with the problem of finding a common solution for a fixed point problem for strictly pseudocontractive mappings and for a certain variational inequality problem. We propose a projection-type implicit averaged algorithm and establish the strong convergence of the sequences generated by this method to the common solution for the fixed point problem and the variational inequality problem. In order to illustrate the feasibility of the hypotheses and the superiority of our theoretical results over the existing literature, an example is also presented.
Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning-Based Intrusion Detection Technique for Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Mahmud Syeda Aunanya , Islam Nazmul , Islam Zahidul , Rahman Ziaur , Mehedi Sk. Tanzir
Published: October 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized various industries, but the increased dependence on all kinds of IoT devices and the sensitive nature of the data accumulated by them pose a formidable threat to privacy and security. While traditional IDSs have been effective in securing critical infrastructures, the centralized nature of these systems raises serious data privacy concerns as sensitive information is sent to a central server for analysis. This research paper introduces a Federated Learning (FL) approach designed for detecting intrusions in diverse IoT networks to address the issue of data privacy by ensuring that sensitive information is kept in the individual IoT devices during model training. Our framework utilizes the Federated Averaging (FedAvg) algorithm, which aggregates model weights from distributed devices to refine the global model iteratively. The proposed model manages to achieve above 90% accuracies across various metrics, including precision, recall, and F1 score, while maintaining low computational demands. The results show that the proposed system successfully identifies various types of cyberattacks, including Denial-of-Service (DoS), Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), data injection, ransomware, and several others, showcasing its robustness. This research makes a great advancement to the IDSs by providing an efficient and reliable solution that is more scalable and privacy friendly than any of the existing models.
Information–Theoretic Analysis of Visibility Graph Properties of Extremes in Time Series Generated by a Nonlinear Langevin Equation
Authors: Telesca Luciano , Czechowski Zbigniew
Published: October 2024

In this study, we examined how the nonlinearity α of the Langevin equation influences the behavior of extremes in a generated time series. The extremes, defined according to run theory, result in two types of series, run lengths and surplus magnitudes, whose complex structure was investigated using the visibility graph (VG) method. For both types of series, the information measures of the Shannon entropy measure and Fisher Information Measure were utilized for illustrating the influence of the nonlinearity α on the distribution of the degree, which is the main topological parameter describing the graph constructed by the VG method. The main finding of our study was that the Shannon entropy of the degree of the run lengths and the surplus magnitudes of the extremes is mostly influenced by the nonlinearity, which decreases with with an increase in α. This result suggests that the run lengths and surplus magnitudes of extremes are characterized by a sort of order that increases with increases in nonlinearity.
A Graph-Refinement Algorithm to Minimize Squared Delivery Delays Using Parcel Robots
Authors: Gnegel Fabian , Schaudt Stefan , Clausen Uwe , Fügenschuh Armin
Published: October 2024

In recent years, parcel volumes have reached record highs, prompting the logistics industry to explore innovative solutions to meet growing demand. In densely populated areas, delivery robots offer a promising alternative to traditional truck-based delivery systems. These autonomous electric robots operate on sidewalks and deliver time-sensitive goods, such as express parcels, medicine and meals. However, their limited cargo capacity and battery life require a return to a depot after each delivery. This challenge can be modeled as an electric vehicle-routing problem with soft time windows and single-unit capacity constraints. The objective is to serve all customers while minimizing the quadratic sum of delivery delays and ensuring each vehicle operates within its battery limitations. To address this problem, we propose a mixed-integer quadratic programming model and introduce an enhanced formulation using a layered graph structure. For this layered graph, we present two solution approaches based on relaxations that reduce the number of nodes and arcs compared to the expanded formulation. The first approach, Iterative Refinement, solves the current relaxation to optimality and refines the graph when the solution is infeasible for the expanded formulation. This process continues until a proven optimal solution is obtained. The second approach, Branch and Refine, integrates graph refinement into a branch-and-bound framework, eliminating the need for restarts. Computational experiments on modified Solomon instances demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution approaches, with Branch and Refine consistently outperforming Iterative Refinement across all tested parameter configurations.
Solitonic Analysis of the Newly Introduced Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Dynamical Equations in Fluid Mediums
Authors: Alshehri Mohammed N. , Althobaiti Saad , Althobaiti Ali , Nuruddeen Rahmatullah Ibrahim , Sambo Halliru S. , Aljohani Abdulrahman F.
Published: October 2024

The emergence of higher-dimensional evolution equations in dissimilar scientific arenas has been on the rise recently with a vast concentration in optical fiber communications, shallow water waves, plasma physics, and fluid dynamics. Therefore, the present study deploys certain improved analytical methods to perform a solitonic analysis of the newly introduced three-dimensional nonlinear dynamical equations (all within the current year, 2024), which comprise the new (3 + 1) Kairat-II nonlinear equation, the latest (3 + 1) Kairat-X nonlinear equation, the new (3 + 1) Boussinesq type nonlinear equation, and the new (3 + 1) generalized nonlinear Korteweg–de Vries equation. Certainly, a solitonic analysis, or rather, the admittance of diverse solitonic solutions by these new models of interest, will greatly augment the findings at hand, which mainly deliberate on the satisfaction of the Painleve integrability property and the existence of solitonic structures using the classical Hirota method. Lastly, this study is relevant to contemporary research in many nonlinear scientific fields, like hyper-elasticity, material science, optical fibers, optics, and propagation of waves in nonlinear media, thereby unearthing several concealed features.
Magnetohydrodynamic Motions of Oldroyd-B Fluids in Infinite Circular Cylinder That Applies Longitudinal Shear Stresses to the Fluid or Rotates Around Its Axis
Authors: Vieru Dumitru , Fetecau Constantin , Ismail Zulkhibri
Published: October 2024

Two classes of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) motions of the incompressible Oldroyd-B fluids through an infinite cylinder are analytically investigated. General expressions are firstly established for shear stress and velocity fields corresponding to the motion induced by longitudinal shear stress on the boundary. For validation, the expression of the shear stress is determined by two different methods. Using an important remark regarding the governing equations for shear stress and fluid velocity corresponding to the two different motions, this expression is then used to provide the dimensionless velocity field of the MHD motion of the same fluids generated by a cylinder that rotates around its symmetry axis. Obtained results can generate exact solutions for any motion of this kind of Oldroyd-B fluids. Consequently, both types of motions are completely solved. For illustration, some case studies are considered, and adequate velocity fields are provided. The steady-state components of these velocities are presented in different forms whose equivalence is graphically proved. The influence of the magnetic field on the fluid behavior is graphically investigated. It was found that the fluid flows slower, and a steady state is earlier reached in the presence of a magnetic field. The fluid behavior when shear stress is given on the boundary is also investigated.
Prediction of Cognitive Impairment Using Sleep Lifelog Data and LSTM Model
Authors: Hong Junhee , Seol Youngjin , Lee Seunghyun , Yoon Janghyeok , Lee Jiho , Park Ki-Su , Ha Ji-Wan
Published: October 2024

Rapid elderly population growth has increased the number of patients with cognitive impairment (CI). Early detection and ongoing medical treatment can slow CI progression and significantly reduce the cost of managing patients. However, distinguishing CI from natural cognitive decline associated with aging is challenging. Previous studies conducted to identify patients with CI using lifelog data did not consider changes in lifelog data over time because each data point was learned individually. This study introduces a model that predicts patients with CI based on sleep lifelog data and analyzes significant sleep factors that influence cognitive decline. This study followed three steps: (1) collecting sleep lifelog data from elderly Korean people and reconstructing sleep lifelog data as time-series data; (2) building a model to classify CI using a time series of sleep lifelog data and a long short-term memory model; and (3) identifying sleep factors that influence the onset of CI using an explainable AI algorithm. The proposed CI classification model achieved a sensitivity of 0.89, a specificity of 0.80, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. This study will facilitate the noninvasive screening, diagnosis, and continuous monitoring of CI in the elderly.
Comparative Analysis of NURBS and Finite Element Method in Computational Fluid Dynamics Applications: Case Study on NACA 2412 Airfoil Aerodynamics
Authors: Guendaoui Sohaib , Ouadefli Lahcen El , El Akkad Abdeslam , Elkhalfi Ahmed , Vlase Sorin , Scutaru Maria Luminița
Published: October 2024

In this research, an attempt was made to employ the Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) method for a challenging computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problem of aerodynamics around NACA 2412 airfoils. The comparison was carried out thoroughly by using the same boundary conditions and geometry, comparing NURBS to standard FEM implementations. Our study was interested in demonstrating the foreseeable functionalities of NURBS for solving complex CFD problems and conducting a comparative effectiveness performance evaluation between them with traditional FEM methodologies.
Short-Term Irradiance Prediction Based on Transformer with Inverted Functional Area Structure
Authors: Zhuang Zhenyuan , Wang Huaizhi , Yu Cilong
Published: October 2024

Solar irradiance prediction is a crucial component in the application of photovoltaic power generation, playing a vital role in optimizing energy production, managing energy storage, and maintaining grid stability. This paper proposes an irradiance prediction method based on a functionally structured inverted transformer network, which maintains the channel independence of each feature in the model input and extracts the correlations between different features through an Attention mechanism, enabling the model to effectively capture the relevant information between various features. After the channel mixing of different features is completed through the Attention mechanism, a linear network is used to predict the irradiance sequence. A data processing method tailored to the prediction model used in this paper is designed, which employs a comprehensive data preprocessing approach combining mutual information, multiple imputation, and median filtering to optimize the raw dataset, enhancing the overall stability and accuracy of the prediction project. Additionally, a Dingo optimization algorithm suitable for the self-tuning of deep learning model hyperparameters is designed, improving the model’s generalization capability and reducing deployment costs. The artificial intelligence (AI) model proposed in this paper demonstrates superior prediction performance compared to existing common prediction models in irradiance data forecasting and can facilitate further applications of photovoltaic power generation in power systems.
New Fermatean Fuzzy Distance Metric and Its Utilization in the Assessment of Security Crises Using the MCDM Technique
Authors: Ejegwa Paul Augustine , Anum Manasseh Terna , Kausar Nasreen , Nwokoro Chukwudi Obinna , Aydin Nezir , Yu Hao
Published: October 2024

The problem of insecurity is a global phenomenon that has several forms like terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, etc. Insecurity has taken hold in the Sub-Saharan Region of West Africa, especially in Nigeria, for over two decades. Nigeria’s security crisis is more pronounced in the Northern Region, with a new wave in the North-Central Region of Nigeria. It is herculean to assess insecurity in the North-Central Region of Nigeria because of the region’s fuzzy or imprecise nature of insecurity. This constitutes the rationale for deploying the Fermatean fuzzy technique to assess insecurity due to the capacity of the Fermatean fuzzy scheme to handle imprecision. To this end, a new Fermatean fuzzy distance metric is presented to evaluate insecurity in the North-Central Region of Nigeria using a multi-criteria decision-making technique. To express the logic for creating the new Fermatean fuzzy distance metric, some existing Fermatean fuzzy distance metrics are discussed, along with their drawbacks. The mathematical properties of the new technique are discussed, and the new method is applied computationally to assess insecurity in the North-Central Region of Nigeria. The data for the security assessment are collected via Fermatean fuzzy linguistic variables using the opinions of security experts and analyzed using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution, which is a commonly used multi-criteria decision-making method. Finally, the numerical validity of the new technique is expressed with comparative results, and the finding shows the benefit of the new distance approach over the existing methodologies. The outcome of the work will provide reliable traveling advisories for safe voyages within the region.
Polynomials Counting Nowhere-Zero Chains Associated with Homomorphisms
Authors: Kochol Martin
Published: October 2024

A regular matroid M on a finite set E is represented by a totally unimodular matrix. The set of vectors from ZE orthogonal to rows of the matrix form a regular chain group N. Assume that ψ is a homomorphism from N into a finite additive Abelian group A and let Aψ[N] be the set of vectors g from (A−0)E, such that ∑e∈Eg(e)·f(e)=ψ(f) for each f∈N (where · is a scalar multiplication). We show that |Aψ[N]| can be evaluated by a polynomial function of |A|. In particular, if ψ(f)=0 for each f∈N, then the corresponding assigning polynomial is the classical characteristic polynomial of M.
Dynamics of a Price Adjustment Model with Distributed Delay
Authors: Guerrini Luca , Anokye Martin , Sackitey Albert L. , Amoah-Mensah John
Published: October 2024

This paper deals with the stability and occurrence of Hopf bifurcation of a distributed delay differential cobweb model using the chain trick technique. This is a generalized form of the fixed delay cobweb model to which it is compared using the same parameter values. The results from the delay distribution showed that whenever less weight (γ=0.146) is put on past prices, the current equilibrium price is adjusted upwards while the reverse is observed when a higher weight (γ=0.186) is put on the previous price. It is also observed that if the initial price is set below/above the equilibrium price, the price adjustment either affects the consumers or benefits the suppliers. However, the fixed delay cobweb model does not display the consumers or suppliers benefits of the price dynamics in either direction. These are unique, underlying patterns in price dynamics discovered when using a distributed delay model compared to traditional fixed delay cobweb models. Furthermore, our model challenges the traditional cobweb model’s requirement for divergence, as it is based on the weight assigned to past prices rather than the relationship between the elasticities of supply and demand, which is the determining factor in the classical model. Based on these insights, we recommend that future price adjustment models incorporate distributed delays, as they reveal more intricate price dynamics and provide a more comprehensive understanding of market behavior than fixed delay models.
Anti-Photoaging Effects of Antioxidant Peptide from Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) in In Vivo and In Vitro Models
Authors: Yang Fengqi , Yang Yang , Xiao Dandan , Kim Poongho , Lee Jihee , Jeon You-Jin , Wang Lei
Published: October 2024

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to photoaging, which contributes to skin damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant peptide (SHP2) purified from seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) alcalase hydrolysate on UVB-irradiated skin damage in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and a zebrafish model. The data revealed that SHP2 significantly enhanced cell viability by attenuating apoptosis through the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, SHP2 effectively inhibited ROS, improved collagen synthesis, and suppressed the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. SHP2 restored the protein levels of HO-1, Nrf2, and SOD, while decreasing Keap1 expression in UVB-treated HDF, indicating stimulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo study conducted in zebrafish confirmed that SHP2 inhibited photoaging by reducing cell death through the suppression of ROS generation and lipid peroxidation. Particularly, 200 µg/mL of SHP2 exerted a remarkable anti-photoaging effect on both in vitro and in vivo models. These results demonstrate that SHP2 possesses antioxidant properties and regulates skin photoaging activities, suggesting that SHP2 may have the potential for use in the development of cosmetic products.
Maternal and Fetal Outcome of COVID-19 Infection among Pregnant Women
Authors: Khalil Eman M. , Madney Yasmin M. , Hassan Mahmoud , Fahmy Alzhraa M. , Alshammari Saud O. , Alshammari Qamar A. , Abou-Taleb Heba A. , Taha Ahmed A. , Elgendy Marwa O. , Ali Hamada A. A.
Published: October 2024

Background and Objectives: Pregnant women face an increased risk of experiencing negative consequences due to COVID-19 infection. Our study aimed to identify outcomes for both mothers and fetuses associated with COVID-19 during each trimester, as well as to identify post-COVID symptoms in this population. Materials and Methods: Among the total population, 14 females were infected during the first trimester, 25 during the second, and 66 during the third trimester. Weekly follow-ups were conducted until delivery. Seventy-five females (71.4%; 95% CI:26.9–115.9%) were admitted to the hospital secondary to COVID-19 infection. Maternal hospitalization was independently associated with COVID-19 severity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.6–9.2 at p = 0.002 relative to the reference group (mild infection)) and the presence of dyspnea at initial assessment (aOR = 6.9; 95% CI: 1.7–28.2 at p = 0.007 relative to nondyspneic patients). Results: The duration of hospitalization (mean ± SD) was higher in the third trimester than the first and second trimesters (10.1 ± 0.8 vs. 4.0 ± 1.2 days and 10.1 ± 0.8 vs. 6.2 ± 1.4 days, respectively, at p < 0.05). The number of maternal deaths in the third trimester was higher than in the first and second trimesters (16 (24.2%) vs. no deaths and 16 (24.2%) vs. 1 (4%) deaths, respectively, at p < 0.05). In terms of fetal outcomes, a good fetal condition was more likely if the mother was infected during the first trimester (92.9%) than the second (80%) or third trimesters (66.7%), but the difference was not significant. The percentage of preterm deliveries was insignificantly higher in the second trimester (16%) than the first (7.1%) and third (4.5%) trimesters. Conclusions: The most common post-COVID symptoms included persistent loss of smell, dry eyes, post-partum depression, knee pain, and myalgia. Post-COVID symptoms were more prevalent in patients infected during the third trimester. The adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection for both mother and fetus were more severe in cases where the infection occurred during the third trimester compared to the second and first trimesters. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to precautionary measures against COVID-19, prioritize vaccination, and provide comprehensive care for pregnant mothers.
Evaluation of Wear on Primary Tooth Enamel and Fracture Resistance of Esthetic Pediatric Crowns Manufactured from Different Materials
Authors: Aktaş Nagehan , Bankoğlu Güngör Merve
Published: October 2024

Background and Objectives: Advances in dental materials and CAD-CAM technology have expanded crown options in primary teeth due to their improved appearance and mechanical properties. Thus, this study aimed to assess the enamel wear and fracture resistance of prefabricated, milled, and 3D-printed esthetic pediatric crowns. Materials and Methods: The study involved 60 extracted maxillary second primary molars and 60 3D-printed resin dies, divided into six groups based on different crown materials (n = 10): prefabricated zirconia, prefabricated composite, milled composite, milled resin matrix ceramic, milled PEEK, and 3D-printed resin. Prefabricated crowns were selected after the preparation of the typodont mandibular second primary molar tooth, while milled and 3D-printed crowns were custom produced. The specimens underwent mechanical loading of 50 N at 1.6 Hz for 250,000 cycles with simultaneous thermal cycling. The 3D and 2D wear amounts were evaluated by scanning the specimens before and after aging. Then, the fracture resistance and failure types of the restorations were recorded. Results: The results showed that the milled PEEK group had superior fracture resistance compared to the other groups, while prefabricated zirconia crown group had the lowest value. Milled resin matrix ceramic crown group displayed the lowest 3D wear volume, while 3D-printed crown group showed the highest 2D wear. Conclusions: The restorative material type did not have a significant effect on the wear of primary tooth enamel. The fracture resistance of the tested materials differed according to the material type. Although the milled PEEK group showed the highest fracture resistance, all tested materials can withstand chewing forces in children.
Novel Therapeutic Approach for Obesity: Seaweeds as an Alternative Medicine with the Latest Conventional Therapy
Authors: Yadav Rajesh , Nigam Ankita , Mishra Richa , Gupta Saurabh , Chaudhary Anis Ahmad , Khan Salah-Ud-Din , almuqri Eman Abdullah , Ahmed Zakir Hassain , Rustagi Sarvesh , Singh Deependra Pratap , Kumar Sanjay
Published: October 2024

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide. Common comorbidities related to obesity, significantly polygenic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and heart conditions affect social and monetary systems. Over the past decade, research in drug discovery and development has opened new paths for alternative and conventional medicine. With a deeper comprehension of its underlying mechanisms, obesity is now recognized more as a chronic condition rather than merely a result of lifestyle choices. Nonetheless, addressing it solely through lifestyle changes is challenging due to the intricate nature of energy regulation dysfunction. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six medications for the management of overweight and obesity. Seaweed are plants and algae that grow in oceans, rivers, and lakes. Studies have shown that seaweed has therapeutic potential in the management of body weight and obesity. Seaweed compounds such as carotenoids, xanthophyll, astaxanthin, fucoidans, and fucoxanthin have been demonstrated as potential bioactive components in the treatment of obesity. The abundance of natural seaweed bioactive compounds has been explored for their therapeutic potential for treating obesity worldwide. Keeping this view, this review covered the latest developments in the discovery of varied anti-obese seaweed and its bioactive components for the management of obesity.
Controlled Growth of ZIF-8 Membranes on GO-Coated α-Alumina Supports via ZnO Atomic Layer Deposition for Improved Gas Separation
Authors: Lee Nahyeon , Ahn Yun-Ho , Kim Jaheon , Eum Kiwon
Published: October 2024

This study presents a novel approach for fabricating ZIF-8 membranes supported on α-alumina hollow fibers through the introduction of a graphene oxide (GO) gutter layer and the application of zinc oxide (ZnO) Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The method successfully addressed key challenges, including excessive precursor penetration and membrane thickness. The introduction of the GO layer and subsequent ZnO ALD treatment significantly reduced membrane thickness to approximately 300 nm and eliminated delamination issues between the GO layer and the alumina support. The optimized membranes demonstrated enhanced propylene permeance, with values approximately three times higher than those of membranes without GO, and achieved higher separation factors, indicating minimal inter-crystalline defects. Notably, the GO layer influenced the microstructure, leading to an increase in permeance with rising temperatures. These findings highlight the potential of this strategy for developing high-performance ZIF-8 membranes for gas separation applications.
Effects of Process Parameters on Microstructure Evolution of Pure Aluminum Target under Clock 135° Collaborative Hot Rolling: A Simulation Study
Authors: Xu Rui , Xu Xin , Ma Shengcan
Published: October 2024

Based on the results of current research and experiments, clock 135° hot rolling has been widely considered to be the preferred method in target rolling. However, it has been found that the process parameters are of vital importance during the rolling. Therefore, this work focuses mainly on the investigation of the effects of the roll speed ratio and offset distance on the microstructure evolution of a pure aluminum (Al) target under clock 135° collaborative hot rolling. Taking the ultra-thick pure Al metal circular billet as a research object, firstly, the evolutionary behavior of the effective strain (ES) and grain refinement for a rolled piece under the clock counterclockwise 135° synchronous and asynchronous (the speed ratios between rollers are set to be 1:1.05, 1:1.1, 1:1.2, respectively) rolling modes has been comparatively studied based on numerical simulation by DEFORM-3D software. It has been shown that a large ES value of 5.835 mm/mm is obtained in the lower surface layer by counterclockwise 135° asynchronous rolling with a roll–speed ratio of 1:1.2. Meanwhile, the average grain size below 80 µm accounts for ~61.8% of the total grains. These results demonstrate that the clock counterclockwise 135° asynchronous rolling method with a roll speed ratio of 1:1.2 should be an ideal strategy in obtaining finer grains. Unfortunately, nevertheless, the maximum degree of the bad plate shape is generated after forging by clock asynchronous rolling with a speed ratio of 1:1.2. As a consequence, clock counterclockwise 135° snake rolling with a 30 mm offset distance was proposed on the basis of a rolling speed ratio of 1:1.2, which perfectly corrected the warping plate shape caused by clock asynchronous rolling. What is more important, the minimum damage value of 1.60 was achieved accordingly. Meanwhile, the ES value increased in the core of the plate for the clock counterclockwise 135° snake rolling with all of the four offset distances compared to clock synchronous rolling. This study should be significantly conducive to guidance on setting process parameters in the industrial production of hot rolling metal or alloy targets.
The Global Trend of Drug Resistant Sites in Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Protein from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Wang Jing , Shen Bei , Yue Lihuan , Xu Huiting , Chen Lingdie , Qian Dan , Dong Wei , Hu Yihong
Published: October 2024

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes highly contagious respiratory disease worldwide, so prevention and control of IAV is extremely important. However, overuse of neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) drugs leads to drug resistance. To explore the up-to-date geographical distribution and evolution of drug-resistant mutations (DRMs) in the NA protein of IAV, 81,492 near full-length NA sequences downloaded from NCBI and GISAID databases, including 34,481 H1N1 and 46,622 H3N2, were processed and analyzed. Our results showed the annual number of NA sequences from 2011 to 2019 continuously increased. Meanwhile, almost 85% of sequences were from developed countries in North America, Europe and Asia. Clustering analysis demonstrated H3N2 varied more than H1N1. Notably, H3N2 exhibited a higher frequency of DRMs than H1N1, with prevailing DRMs mainly located at non-active sites within the NA protein. Phylogenetic analyses showed NA harboring DRMs collected in the same year and from the same location clustered together, which may be related to the local economic level, clinical monitoring of DRMs and research level. Consequently, it is imperative to enhance global surveillance targeting drug resistance in IAV infections which can mitigate the transmission of drug-resistant strains. In summary, our research provides valuable insights for clinical medication while establishing a robust scientific basis for IAV prevention and treatment strategies to improve overall efficacy.
Usefulness of the CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Predicting the Outcome in Subjects Hospitalized with COVID-19—A Subanalysis of the COLOS Study
Authors: Resler Katarzyna , Lubieniecki Pawel , Zatonski Tomasz , Doroszko Adrian , Trocha Malgorzata , Skarupski Marek , Kujawa Krzysztof , Rabczynski Maciej , Kuznik Edwin , Bednarska-Chabowska Dorota , Madziarski Marcin , Trocha Tymoteusz , Sokolowski Janusz , Jankowska Ewa A. , Madziarska Katarzyna
Published: October 2024

Background: The aim of this study was to see if the CHA2DS2-VASc score (Cardiac failure or dysfunction, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 [Doubled], Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled]—Vascular disease, Age 65–74 and Sex category [Female] score) could have potential clinical relevance in predicting the outcome of hospitalization time, need for ICU hospitalization, survival time, in-hospital mortality, and mortality at 3 and 6 months after discharge home. Materials: A retrospective analysis of 2183 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at the COVID-19 Centre of the University Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, between February 2020 and June 2021, was performed. All medical records were collected as part of the COronavirus in LOwer Silesia—the COLOS registry project. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was applied for all subjects, and the patients were observed from admission to hospital until the day of discharge or death. Further information on patient deaths was prospectively collected following the 90 and 180 days after admission. The new risk stratification derived from differences in survival curves and long-term follow-up of our patients was obtained. Primary outcomes measured included in-hospital mortality and 3-month and 6-month all-cause mortality, whereas secondary outcomes included termination of hospitalization from causes other than death (home discharges/transfer to another facility or deterioration/referral to rehabilitation) and non-fatal adverse events during hospitalization. Results: It was shown that gender had no effect on mortality. Significantly shorter hospitalization time was observed in the group of patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Among secondary outcomes, CHA2DS2-VASc score revealed predictive value in both genders for cardiogenic (5.79% vs. 0.69%; p < 0.0001), stroke/TIA (0.48% vs. 9.92%; p < 0.0001), acute heart failure (0.97% vs. 18.18%; p < 0.0001), pneumonia (43% vs. 63.64%; p < 0.0001), and acute renal failure (7.04% vs. 23.97%; p < 0.0001). This study points at the usefulness of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting the severity of the course of COVID-19. Conclusions: Routine use of this scale in clinical practice may suggest the legitimacy of extending its application to the assessment of not only the risk of thromboembolic events in the COVID-19 cohort.
Flotation of Copper Sulfide Ore Using Ultra-Low Dosage of Combined Collectors
Authors: Geng Qing , Han Guang , Wen Shuming
Published: October 2024

Copper sulfide ores frequently co-occur with pyrite, presenting a significant challenge for their selective separation during beneficiation processes. Despite advancements in flotation technology, there remains a critical need for efficient methods to enhance copper recovery while suppressing pyrite interference, particularly without compromising the associated precious metals such as gold and silver. Current practices often struggle with achieving high selectivity and recovery while maintaining environmental sustainability. Here, we investigate the efficacy of a ternary collector mixture consisting of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (ADD), butyl xanthate (BX), and ethyl xanthate (EX) for the selective flotation of copper sulfide from a complex ore containing 0.79% Cu and associated precious metals (0.233 g/t Au and 5.83 g/t Ag). A combination of lime and hydrogen peroxide as inhibitors was employed to suppress pyrite effectively under alkaline conditions (pH = 11.33). The results demonstrate that the optimized ternary collector system (ADD:BX:EX at a ratio of 1:0.5:0.5) significantly improves the copper grade and recovery at an ultra-low dosage of 10 g/t. The optimized flotation method using the combined collectors and inhibitors effectively separated chalcopyrite from pyrite, achieving a copper concentrate with 20.08% Cu content and a recovery of 87.73%. Additionally, the process yielded notable recoveries of gold (9.22%) and silver (26.66%). These findings advance the field by providing a viable and environmentally conscious approach to the beneficiation of sulfide ores, potentially serving as a blueprint for processing similar mineral deposits while minimizing reagent usage and costs.
Application and Challenge of Metalloporphyrin Sensitizers in Noninvasive Dynamic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Ouyang Jiacheng , Li Dan , Zhu Lizhen , Cai Xiaoyuan , Liu Lanlan , Pan Hong , Ma Aiqing
Published: October 2024

Dynamic tumor therapies (mainly including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT)) offer new approaches to cancer treatment. They are often characterized by their noninvasive nature, high selectivity, and low toxicity. Sensitizers are crucial for dynamic therapy. Developing efficient sensitizers with good biocompatibility and controllability is an important aim in dynamic therapy. Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins attract great attention due to their excellent photophysical properties and low cytotoxicity under non-light. Compared to porphyrins, metalloporphyrins show greater potential for dynamic therapy due to their enhanced photochemical and photophysical properties after metal ions coordinate with porphyrin rings. This paper reviews some metalloporphyrin-based sensitizers used in photo/sonodynamic therapy and combined therapy. In addition, the probable challenges and bottlenecks in clinical translation are also discussed.
GC-MS and PCA Analysis of Fatty Acid Profile in Various Ilex Species
Authors: Zwyrzykowska-Wodzińska Anna , Jarosz Bogdan , Okińczyc Piotr , Szperlik Jakub , Bąbelewski Przemysław , Zadák Zdeněk , Jankowska-Mąkosa Anna , Knecht Damian
Published: October 2024

Natural compounds are important source of desired biological activity which helps to improve nutritional status and brings many health benefits. Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill. which belongs to the family Aquifoliaceae is a plant rich in bioactive substances (polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids) with therapeutic potential including hepatic and digestive disorders, arthritis, rheumatism, and other inflammatory diseases, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia. In terms of phytochemical research I. paraguariensis has been the subject of most intensive investigations among Ilex species. Therefore, we concentrated on other available Ilex varieties and focused on the content of fatty acids of these shrubs. The fatty acid compounds present in Ilex sp. samples were analyzed by GC-MS. 27 different fatty acids were identified in the extracts. The results showed that many constituents with significant commercial or medicinal importance were present in high concentrations. The primary component in all samples was α linolenic acid(18:3 Δ9,12,15). Differences of this component concentration were observed between cultivars and extensively analyzed by PCA, one- way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. Significant correlations between compound concentrations were reported.
Nanostructured Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals Using a Ferroelectric Smectic A Liquid Crystal
Authors: Yamaguchi Masaki , Matsukizono Hiroyuki , Okumura Yasushi , Kikuchi Hirotsugu
Published: October 2024

Nanostructured polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (nano-PDLCs) are transparent and optically isotropic materials in which submicron-sized liquid crystal (LC) domains are dispersed within a polymer matrix. Nano-PDLCs can induce birefringence by applying an electric field (E-field) based on the reorientation of the LC molecules. If nano-PDLCs are utilized as light-scattering-less birefringence memory materials, it is necessary to suppress the relaxation of the LC molecule orientation after the removal of the E-field. We focused on the ferroelectric smectic A (SmA) phase to suppress the relaxation of LC molecules, owing to its layered structure and high viscosity. Although nano-PDLCs require a strong E-field to reorient their LC molecules because of the anchoring effect at the LC/polymer interface, the required field strength can be reduced using a ferroelectric smectic A (SmAF) LC with a large dielectric constant. In this study, we fabricated a nano-PDLC by shining an ultraviolet light on a mixture comprised an SmAF LC, photocurable monomers, and a photo-initiator. The electro-birefringence effect was evaluated using polarizing optical microscopy. After the removal of the E-field, an enhanced memory effect was observed in the sample using SmAF LC compared with nematic LC-based nano-PDLCs.
Peptide TaY Attenuates Inflammatory Responses by Interacting with Myeloid Differentiation 2 and Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Junyong , Zhou Yichen , Zhang Jing , Tong Yucui , Abbas Zaheer , Zhao Xuelian , Li Zhenzhen , Zhang Haosen , Chen Sichao , Si Dayong , Zhang Rijun , Wei Xubiao
Published: October 2024

A balanced inflammatory response is crucial for the organism to defend against external infections, however, an exaggerated response may lead to detrimental effects, including tissue damage and even the onset of disease. Therefore, anti-inflammatory drugs are essential for the rational control of inflammation. In this study, we found that a previously screened peptide TaY (KEKKEVVEYGPSSYGYG) was able to inhibit the LPS-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory response by decreasing a series of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide (NO). To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we conducted further investigations. Western blot analysis showed that TaY reduced the phosphorylation of key proteins (IKK-α/β, IκB-α,NF-κB (P65)) in the TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway and inhibited the inflammatory response. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations suggested that TaY binds to the hydrophobic pocket of MD2 through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, potentially competing with LPS for MD2 binding. Collectively, TaY is a promising candidate for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against inflammatory disorders.
Density Functional Theory Study on Na+ and K+ Catalysis in the Transformation of Glucose to Fructose and HMF in Hydrothermal Environments
Authors: Gao Long , Chen Qihao , Wang Yanhong , Che Deyong , Sun Baizhong , Guo Shuai
Published: October 2024

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an efficient method for converting biomass into biochar. Hydrochar contains catalytic components such as alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs); however, the mechanisms by which highly active metals such as potassium (K) and sodium (Na) catalyze the conversion of small carbon–water compounds into hydrochar in hydrothermal environments remain unclear. In this study, glucose was used as a small molecule model, and Na+ and K+ were used as catalysts to investigate the catalytic reaction mechanism during the hydrothermal process using density functional theory (DFT). In the presence of different ions at various binding sites, glucose isomerizes into fructose, which subsequently undergoes three consecutive dehydration reactions to form 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The results indicate that the catalytic effectiveness of Na+ and K+ in the isomerization of glucose to fructose is optimal when interacting with specific oxygen sites on glucose. For Na+, the interaction with the O1 and O2 oxygens provides the lowest reaction barrier of 37.16 kcal/mol. For K+, the most effective interactions are with the O3 and O4 oxygens and the O5 and O6 oxygens, resulting in reduced reaction barriers of 54.35 and 31.50 kcal/mol, respectively. Dehydration of fructose to HMF catalyzed by Na+ ions, the catalytic effectiveness at different positions is ranked as O5O6 > O1O5, whereas for K+, the ranking is O1O5 > O5O6. This study explores the catalytic effects of Na+ and K+ at different binding sites on the hydrothermal reactions of glucose at the atomic level, offering theoretical support for designing catalysts for the HTC of sludge.
Organocatalyzed Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions for Synthesis of Dispiro[benzothiophenone-indandione-pyrrolidine] Derivatives
Authors: Liu Hong-Yan , Du Da-Ming
Published: October 2024

An organocatalytic enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reaction involving 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones and N-2,2-difluoroethylbenzothiophenone imines was developed. This approach efficiently afforded dispiro[benzothiophenone-indandione-pyrrolidine]s, featuring three stereocenters, in 84–98% yields with 3–93% ee and 9:1–>20:1 dr. Notably, the method maintained its yield and enantioselectivity integrity even in a gram-scale amplification experiment. For example, the product with substituents on aromatics were obtained in 90% yield with 91% ee and >20:1 dr. Its absolute configuration was established through X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis, and a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed.