bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Regensburg Dental Trauma Registry: Methodical Framework for the Systematic Collection of Dentoalveolar Trauma Data
Authors: Widbiller Matthias , Huppertz Gunnar , Müller Karolina , Koller Michael , Reichert Torsten E. , Buchalla Wolfgang , Smeda Martyna
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are common, particularly in children and adolescents, and require timely, well-documented treatment for optimal long-term functional and esthetic outcomes. Despite their prevalence, comprehensive data on TDI remain limited. The Regensburg Dental Trauma Registry (RDTR) was established to enable structured data collection, documentation and analysis of dentoalveolar trauma cases to improve both research and clinical practice. Methods: The RDTR was developed at the Centre for Dental Traumatology at the University Hospital Regensburg as part of a multi-stage implementation process, which involved creating clinical infrastructure, establishing treatment protocols, providing continuous clinician training, and designing a standardized documentation form to capture essential data, including patient demographics, accident details, clinical assessments, and initial treatment. Data are transferred into a REDCap electronic case report form (eCRF), which is hosted on secure university servers, ensuring efficient administration, controlled access and high data integrity. Quality assurance measures, including automated and manual data checks and regular treatment protocol updates, maintain high data accuracy and consistency. Results: This initial methodological report outlines the systematic approach of the RDTR and its potential to generate large datasets. These will enable in-depth analyses of injury patterns, treatment effectiveness, risk factors, and more. Future expansion includes collaboration with additional university hospitals to broaden the dataset and support multi-center approaches. Conclusions: The RDTR offers a framework for consistent data collection and quality control, laying the foundation for comprehensive analyses that contribute to the development of preventive strategies and treatment protocols.
Clinical Validation of Respiratory Rate Estimation Using Acoustic Signals from a Wearable Device
Authors: Abdulsadig Rawan S. , Devani Nikesh , Singh Sukhpreet , Patel Zaibaa , Pramono Renard Xaviero Adhi , Mandal Swapna , Rodriguez-Villegas Esther
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Respiratory rate (RR) is a clinical measure of breathing frequency, a vital metric for clinical assessment. However, the recording and documentation of RR are considered to be extremely poor due to the limitations of the current approaches to measuring RR, including capnography and manual counting. We conducted a validation of the automatic RR measurement capability of AcuPebble RE100 (Acurable, London, UK) against a gold-standard capnography system and a type-III cardiorespiratory polygraphy system in two independent prospective and retrospective studies. Methods: The experiment for the prospective study was conducted at Imperial College London. Data from AcuPebble RE100 (Acurable, London, UK) and the reference capnography system (Capnostream™35, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) were collected simultaneously from healthy volunteers. The data from a previously published study were used in the retrospective study, where the patients were recruited consecutively from a standard Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) diagnostic pathway in a UK hospital. Overnight data during sleep were collected using the AcuPebble SA100 (Acurable, London, UK) sensor and a type-III cardiorespiratory polygraphy system (Embletta MPR Sleep System, Natus Medical, Pleasanton, CA, USA) at the patients’ homes. Data from 15 healthy volunteers were used in the prospective study. For the retrospective study, 150 consecutive patients had been referred for OSA diagnosis and successfully completed the study. Results: The RR output of AcuPebble RE100 (Acurable, London, UK) was compared against the reference device in terms of the Root Mean Squared Deviation (RMSD), mean error, and standard deviation (SD) of the difference between the paired measurements. In both the prospective and retrospective studies, the AcuPebble RE100 algorithms provided accurate RR measurements, well within the clinically relevant margin of error, typically used by FDA-approved respiratory rate monitoring devices, with the RMSD under three breaths per minute (BPM) and mean errors of 1.83 BPM and 1.4 BPM, respectively. Conclusions: The evaluation results provide evidence that AcuPebble RE100 (Acurable, London, UK) algorithms produce reliable results and are hence suitable for overnight monitoring of RR.
Exploring App-Based Physiotherapy for Somatic Tinnitus: Results from a Pilot Study
Authors: Michiels Sarah , Wölflick Stella , Simões Jorge , Schlee Winfried
Published: November 2024

Background: Somatic tinnitus (ST) is a type of tinnitus that is influenced by changes in somatosensory input from the cervical spine or temporomandibular area. Although traditional physiotherapy has been shown to reduce ST symptoms, in-clinic treatment is not always available, and adherence to home exercise programs is often low. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an app-based physiotherapy program to enhance the compliance and availability of treatment for ST patients. Methods: This pilot randomised controlled trial included 38 adult patients with chronic somatic tinnitus. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving a 9-week app-based cervical spine exercise program or a control group. The primary outcome was tinnitus distress measured using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). As a secondary outcome we used the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (Mini-TQ). Results: Participants in the treatment group showed significant reductions in tinnitus distress, with a large effect size for both the THI and Mini-TQ groups (Cohen’s d = 1.71 and 1.02, respectively). The control group showed no significant changes. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that an app-based physiotherapy intervention is a feasible and effective treatment for ST. Further research with larger sample sizes and comparisons to traditional in-clinic treatments is needed to confirm these findings. Additional studies on personalised treatment might further improve the treatment.
Discrepancies in Subjective Perceptions of Hydrocephalus Management and Self-Reported Outcomes
Authors: Zipfel Julian , Filip Zoltan , Kohlmann-Dell’Acqua Cristina , Noell Susan , Trakolis Leonidas
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Despite surgical interventions with advances in endoscopic procedures as well as shunt technologies, the quality of life in patients with hydrocephalus can be poor. Clinical experience suggests discrepancies between objective measures of treatment success and subjective patient satisfaction. With this study, we retrospectively investigated patients’ knowledge of their treatment as well as their satisfaction with received interventions. Methods: Retrospective analysis of self-reporting forms, routinely handed out in the hydrocephalus clinic of a tertiary neurosurgical center, was performed. Clinical data were gathered between 1 January 2020 and 31 March 2023. Correlation of self-reporting forms and available clinical data was performed. Results: A total of 261 forms from 215 patients were obtained. The mean age at visit was 57.5 ± 18.5 years (range 19–88). The most common pathology was normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH, 31.6%); 31.2% had an occlusive etiology, 22.3% posthemorrhagic, 9.8% benign intracranial hypertension and 5.1% another pathology. Overall, 53% of patients (n = 114) indicated the correct therapy on the self-reporting forms (χ2 (56) = 100.986, p < 0.001). Symptoms and subjective benefit did not differ in the different types of provided therapy. Conclusions: Merely half of the patients with hydrocephalus are able to correctly indicate the treatment they had received. The type of shunt valve did not affect the rate of self-reported symptoms. The symptoms and subjective benefits did not differ in the different types of provided therapy. Poor patient knowledge could correlate with poor self-reported quality of life. Medical professionals should emphasize and advocate for better patient education.
Exploring the Link Between Vitamin B Levels and Metabolic Syndrome Risk: Insights from a Case-Control Study in Kazakhstan
Authors: Nurtazina Alma , Voitsekhovskiy Ivan , Toishimanov Maxat , Dautov Daulet , Karibayev Kairat , Smail Yerbol , Rakhyzhanova Saule , Adilgozhina Saltanat , Kanapiyanov Bakyt , Myrzabayeva Nurgul , Bapayeva Magripa , Dyussupov Altay
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a collection of metabolic disorders that include insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The prevalence of MS affects 20–30% of adults worldwide, leading to serious health, social, and economic issues. Mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and altered dynamics, plays a pivotal role in MS by impairing glucose oxidation. B vitamins are crucial for optimal mitochondrial function and overall metabolic processes, particularly within the context of MS. This study aims to investigate the associations between plasma concentrations of B vitamins and the risk of MS within the Kazakh population. Methods: In this case-control study, biochemistry measurements included serum fasting glucose, HbA1c, creatinine, and lipid profile parameters. The sample comprised individuals who agreed to participate in the investigation and at the Semey polyclinic between December 2022 to March 2024. A total of 190 Kazakhs aged 35–65 years old, including 104 subjects with MS and 86 without MS, took part in the study. Results: In a comparative analysis of serum vitamin B levels against established reference ranges, the following results were observed: 95% of participants exhibited vitamin B2 levels at the lower limit of normal, while 4.59% were classified as low. For vitamin B3, 95.77% showed low levels, with only 4.23% in the normal range. Vitamin B6 levels were low in 76.02% of participants. In contrast, 92.82% had normal serum levels of vitamin B9. Regarding vitamin B12, 38.82% had normal levels, 59.41% had elevated levels, and 1.76% were classified as low. Among the evaluated vitamins, only vitamin B2 showed a significant correlation with the risk of developing MS, with an OR of 1.79 (95% CI 1.003, 3.19, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Relatively elevated serum levels of vitamin B2 at the lower limit of the normal range are associated with a 1.8-fold increased risk of developing MS.
Evaluation of Gas Hydrate Saturation Based on Joint Acoustic–Electrical Properties and Neural Network Ensemble
Authors: Xing Donghui , Lu Hongfeng , Xing Lanchang , Xu Chenlu , Du Jinwen , Ge Xinmin , Chen Qiang
Published: November 2024

Natural gas hydrates have great strategic potential as an energy source and have become a global energy research hotspot because of their large reserves and clean and pollution-free characteristics. Hydrate saturation affecting the electrical and acoustic properties of sediments significantly is one of the important parameters for the quantitative evaluation of natural gas hydrate reservoirs. The accurate calculation of hydrate saturation has guiding significance for hydrate exploration and development. In this paper, experiments regarding methane hydrate formation and dissociation in clay-bearing sediments were carried out based on the Ultrasound Combined with Electrical Impedance (UCEI) system, and the measurements of the joint electrical and acoustic parameters were collected. A machine learning (ML)-based model for evaluating hydrate saturation was established based on electrical–acoustic properties and a neural network ensemble. It was demonstrated that the average relative error of hydrate saturation calculated by the ML-based model is 0.48%, the average absolute error is 0.0005, and the root mean square error is 0.76%. The three errors of the ensemble network are lower than those of the Archie formula and Lee weight equation. The ML-based modeling method presented in this paper provides insights into developing new models for estimating the hydrate saturation of reservoirs.
Marine Trajectory Reconstruction Method Based on Navigation State Recognition and Bi-Directional Kinematic Interpolation
Authors: Liu Yifei , Shi Zhangsong , Fu Bing , Xu Huihui , Wu Hao
Published: November 2024

The trajectory data mining and analysis of maritime targets are of great significance in furthering the construction of maritime traffic facilities, improving the ability of marine supervision and maintaining national marine security. However, due to factors such as detection means and environmental interference, a large number of trajectory data have problems such as large space-time span, uneven sampling, and poor continuity, which seriously restrict the effect of trajectory mining. Therefore, this paper proposes a method of trajectory reconstruction based on navigation state recognition and bidirectional kinematic interpolation. The method mainly includes three steps: (1) data preprocessing, (2) navigation state recognition, and (3) trajectory interpolation. The method can recognize the navigation state of the targets in different segments, and then adaptively select the interpolation method to reconstruct the trajectories, that is, linear interpolation in the straight segments and bidirectional kinematic interpolation in the turning segments. Among them, bidirectional kinematic interpolation uses the cubic Hermite function to nonlinearly fit the acceleration of the interpolation section, and then calculates the velocity and coordinates of the interpolation points by time weighting from the positive and negative directions. The proposed method is verified and analyzed on the contest dataset of “Intelligent classification and recognition of XX trajectories”. Compared with the existing methods, the reconstruction results of the proposed method are closer to the real trajectories, and it can effectively reconstruct the target trajectories with better accuracy and stability. At the same time, the effect of trajectories classification based on the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, which uses trajectories before and after reconstruction, is compared and analyzed. The results show that the model has a higher classification accuracy for reconstructed trajectory, which proves the necessity of trajectory reconstruction.
Energy Management Strategies for Hybrid Propulsion Ferry with Different Battery System Capacities
Authors: Choi Minsoo , Choi Jungho , Sung Dahye , Jung Wongwan
Published: November 2024

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been continuously strengthening environmental regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, which has led to increased attention on hybrid ship propulsion systems combining hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. This study analyzes the energy management strategy of a hybrid ship propulsion system in relation to changes in the battery system’s energy capacity. The target vessel was set as a 500 kW-class ferry operating for 24 h, and the maximum current rate (C-rate) and effects of the equivalence factor, which are key elements of the energy management problem, in relation to changes in energy capacity were investigated. The results show that while changes in the battery system’s energy capacity do not significantly affect the optimal operating point of the hybrid ship propulsion system, they are highly influenced by the response speed of the hydrogen fuel gas supply system and fuel cells, as well as the maximum C-rate required by the battery system. Furthermore, the equivalence factor, one of the key parameters in the optimization problem, tends to vary depending on the degree of charging and discharging, as it affects the equivalent fuel consumption of the battery system.
Trans-Media Motion Control of a Hybrid Aerial Underwater Vehicle Considering Actuator Dynamic Input Saturation
Authors: Wei Tongjin , Bi Yuanbo , Zeng Zheng , Lian Lian , Dan Yangwen
Published: November 2024

Hybrid aerial underwater vehicles (HAUVs) have shown broad development prospects for rapid emergency response and marine scientific observation at the sea–air interface in recent decades. The trans-media motion control problem of HAUV is a special and critical problem in the HAUV field. This paper extracts the key factors of HAUV trans-media motion control: the significant changes in dynamic input saturation of the actuator and hydrodynamic force on the HAUV body during the trans-media process. In response to the issue, this paper firstly established a HAUV trans-media motion model considering actuator dynamic input saturation based on the measured HAUV trans-media test data. Then, this paper developed a control strategy for the priority attitude angle and rear heave during the trans-media process of multi-rotor HAUV, and designed a trans-media motion control algorithm that considers actuator dynamic input saturation and model uncertainty. The stability of the control algorithm was proven through Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, this paper conducted simulation verification on the designed control algorithm, and the results showed that compared with the traditional sliding mode control algorithm, this control algorithm had a significant improvement in the performance of trans-media speed control. The speed overshoot of the traditional sliding mode control algorithm was 4.25 times that of the control algorithm proposed in this paper.
New Contributions on Species Diversity of Genus Hydnum and Lentaria s.l. in China
Authors: Su Linjie , Yu Taijie , Xue Rou , Zhang Wenhao , Xu Chang , Xia Xing , Li Jia , Lei Hanchi , Dong Yang , Zhang Guoli , Tang Liping
Published: November 2024

Southwest China is extremely rich in fungal resources, and a large number of new taxa have been discovered in recent years. In the present study, we examined 26 specimens of the genera Hydnum and Lentaria sensu lato, most of which were obtained in Yunnan Province. Through ITS-nrLSU-tef1 phylogenetic analysis, combined with morphological studies and geographic analyses, five new species were described, viz. H. cremeum (奶油齿菌), H. flavoquamosum (黄鳞齿菌), H. roseoalbum (粉白齿菌), H. roseotangerinum (粉橙齿菌), and L. subalpina (亚高山木瑚菌). Furthermore, we also supplied new information on some known species, including host plants and new distribution records. We re-examined the holotype sequences of two known taxa, H. flabellatum and H. pallidomarginatum, treating H. flabellatum as a synonym of H. pallidomarginatum. Additionally, a key to Lentaria s.l. in China was provided.
Exogenous MnSO4 Improves Productivity of Degenerated Volvariella volvacea by Regulating Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Wang Qiaoli , Wang Wenpei , Wang Yonghui , Yun Jinmin , Zhang Yubin , Zhao Fengyun
Published: November 2024

Manganese is one of the trace elements necessary for organisms to maintain normal biological activities and is also a cofactor for manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and manganese peroxidase (MnP). In order to find a simple and effective method to rejuvenate the degenerated V. volvacea strains, we explored the effect of the exogenous addition of MnSO4 on the antioxidant vigour and productivity of degenerated strains of V. volvacea. The results showed that the exogenous MnSO4 had no significant effect on the non-degenerated strain T0, but it could effectively increase the mycelial growth rate, mycelial biomass, and LBL decolouring ability of the degenerated strains T10 and T19, and reduce the production cycle and increased the biological efficiency of T10; it helped the severely degenerated T19 to regrow its fruiting body; and it also significantly increased the viability of the matrix-degrading enzymes such as EG, Lac, Xyl, etc. of T10 and T19. Meanwhile, exogenous MnSO4 significantly increased the activity of GPX, GR, CAT, SOD, and the content of GSH, polyphenols, minerals, and polysaccharides in T10 and T19 strains, which resulted in a significant decrease in the accumulation of ROS, such as O2− and H2O2 in T10 and T19. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between antioxidant activity and the production ability of V. volvacea. This study can provide theoretical reference and technical support for the rejuvenation research of degenerated strains of V. volvacea and other edible fungi.
Urban Semiotics in Bucharest City Center Through the Analysis of Buildings’ Names and Commercial Signs
Authors: Cercleux Andreea-Loreta , Săgeată Radu , Mitrică Bianca , Bogan Elena
Published: November 2024

The present research focuses on buildings’ names and commercial signs analysis as an important component of Bucharest city center semiotics in relation to place identity. Insufficient studies have focused on the direct relationship between commercial signs and place identity, and no scientific approaches in this sense have been identified at Bucharest level. The buildings’ names and commercial signs used as case studies are from the second part of the 19th century until the present. The profound economic and social changes that have taken place in Bucharest during more than 150 years are reflected in the findings. Relying on a complex methodology, a typology framing the case studies identified in the field highlights situations that are not necessarily in accord with the passage of time, but rather with certain city planning decisions and in relation to space use. The novelty of this paper lies in the investigation of some components of Bucharest city center that tend to be forgotten, providing in the end information in relation to their degree of appreciation and therefore preservation, or on the contrary, abandonment and loss. In this complex approach, the role of territorial actors involved in actions such as inventory, framing, and finding preservation solutions is discussed.
“Where the Moose Were”: Fort William First Nation’s Ancestral Land, Two–Eyed Seeing, and Industrial Impacts
Authors: Thapa Keshab , Laforest Melanie , Banning Catherine , Thompson Shirley
Published: November 2024

A two-eyed seeing approach considered Indigenous knowledge and Western science towards eco–health, reconciliation and land back with Fort William First Nation (FWFN) in Ontario, Canada. To map traditional land use, occupancy, and ecological knowledge, we interviewed 49 FWFN members about their hunting, fishing, trapping, plant harvesting, cultural sites, and sacred gatherings on their ancestral land. Their traditional land use and occupancy includes more than 7.5 million ha of their ancestral land. The FWFN members reported many industrial impacts on their reserve and ancestral land. We analyzed the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) change over time on FWFN’s ancestral land and the Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Mill (TBPP)’s National Pollutant Release Inventory data to investigate the FWFN members’ ecohealth concerns. The NDVI analysis revealed large tracts of degraded FWFN’s ancestral land due to logging areas, mining claims, settlements, and paper mills. Mining claims and greenstone belts occupy a quarter of the FWFN members’ ancestral land. The TBPP mill dumped pollution into the Kaministiquia River upstream and upwind of the FWFN community, exposing FWFN members to kilotons of cancerous and other toxic chemicals each year for over a century. Resource extraction and pollution in Northwestern Ontario negatively impacted the human health and ecosystem integrity of FWFN, requiring reconciliation by restoring damaged land and preventing pollution as the starting point for land back. The first step to land back is ending the environmental racism of the TBPP’s pollution directed downstream and downwind of FWFN and protecting ancestral land against logging, mining, and other extractive industries.
Null Subjects in Non-Pro-Drop Languages: The Lens on French
Authors: Frascarelli Mara , Carella Giorgio
Published: November 2024

The contrast between languages such as Italian that allow subjects of tensed sentences to be null (i.e., pro-drop languages) and those like French that do not (i.e., non-pro-drop languages) is a classic issue for comparative syntactic research. Nevertheless, while several studies have been dedicated to pro-drop languages, distinguishing across different types, subject omission in non-pro-drop languages is generally misjudged as a marginal or substandard phenomenon. However, a more careful examination reveals that the occurrence of Null Subjects (NSs) in non-pro-drop languages is associated with distinct semantic and discourse imports. Based on a systematic corpus analysis, this work will confirm that NSs do occur in Colloquial French, especially in the case of expletive subjects. Furthermore, evidence will be provided for a crucial connection between subject omission, expletive types, and the morpho-syntactic categories of person/number for argument pronouns. This pilot work can thus open new perspectives for future research.
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on the Incidence of Peritonsillar Abscess: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kiss Peter , Moser Ulrich , Habenbacher Michael , Walla Katharina , Pock Jakob , Andrianakis Alexandros
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria, like many European countries, implemented lockdown measures to curb viral transmission. These public health interventions, including social distancing and improved hygiene, were anticipated to affect various infectious diseases. This study aimed to assess whether the incidence of peritonsillar abscess, a severe upper respiratory inflammatory disease, decreased during the lockdown period of 2020 compared to previous years. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed all patients diagnosed with peritonsillar abscess from 2010 to 2020 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Graz. Patients were grouped based on the onset of disease into two periods: the lockdown period (16 March–29 May) and the rest of the year = Period 2 (1 January–15 March and 30 May–31 December). The incidence during the lockdown period of 2020 was compared to the incidence in the same timeframe in the previous years from 2010 to 2019 using chi-squared tests and Poisson regression models. Results: A total of 1768 patients (female: 44%, male: 56%; mean age: 34.6 ± 18.4 years) diagnosed with peritonsillar abscess were treated between 2010 and 2020 at the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Graz. The analysis revealed that the proportion of peritonsillar abscesses in Period 1 in 2020 (15/127, 12%) was significantly lower than the mean proportion in Period 1 from 2010 to 2019 (36/164, 22%) (p = 0.004). The incidence rate of peritonsillar abscess cases per year in Period 1 (16 March–29 May) was significantly higher in each previous year from 2010 to 2019 compared to 2020 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown measures contributed to a reduction in the incidence of peritonsillar abscess, highlighting the broader impact of public health interventions on infectious diseases. Further research is needed to explore the effects on other respiratory infections and diseases.
Pancreatitis Secondary to Dyslipidemia: An Understudied Condition
Authors: Jacobs Taylor H. , Wayne Colton D. , Sajankila Nitin , Narayanan Siddharth
Published: November 2024

Dyslipidemia (DL), defined by dysregulated levels of lipids in the bloodstream, is an ever-growing problem in modern society. In addition to those with congenital defects in lipid metabolism, the pervasive nature of high-fat and high-calorie diets in modern industrialized societies has led to a meteoric increase in its incidence. Patients who suffer from this condition subsequently are at a higher risk of developing other co-morbid conditions, most notably diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. This review explores another arguably lesser-known consequence of DL, pancreatitis, which is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. The goal of this article is to review the intersection of these two conditions by briefly highlighting the proposed pathophysiology and exploring the impact of DL (specifically hypertriglyceridemia) on acute, acute recurrent, and chronic pancreatitis. This paper additionally examines the long-term risks of developing pancreatic cancer in patients with pancreatitis secondary to DL and presents unique clinical scenarios that result in DL-associated pancreatitis. Finally, we discuss potential treatment options for hypertriglyceridemia which can potentially mitigate the risk of DL-associated pancreatitis.
Dynamic Analysis of Rumor Spreading Model Based on Three Recovery Modes
Authors: Lu Jingping , Wang Qinlong , Huang Wentao
Published: November 2024

In this paper, an SIR rumor propagation model is established with the three recovery modes that the spreader turns into a stifler under the influence of the spreader, stifler and media nonlinear rumor-refuting mechanism. Firstly, we calculate the basic regeneration number, and we determine the stability of the rumor-free equilibrium and the existence of the rumor-endemic equilibrium. Secondly, by applying the strict symbolic calculation methods of singular quantities, we investigate the Hopf bifurcation at the rumor-endemic equilibrium, and we determine the existence of single and double periodic solutions under certain parameter conditions. Thirdly, we discuss the practical dynamic behaviors of rumors spreading from the perspectives of the basic reproduction number and periodic solutions, especially the correlation between these two and multi-periodic oscillations. To our knowledge, such complex dynamic properties have rarely been analyzed in rumor models.
A Bivariate Extension of Type-II Generalized Crack Distribution for Modeling Heavy-Tailed Losses
Authors: Bae Taehan , Quarshie Hanson
Published: November 2024

As an extension of the (univariate) Birnbaum–Saunders distribution, the Type-II generalized crack (GCR2) distribution, built on an appropriate base density, provides a sufficient level of flexibility to fit various distributional shapes, including heavy-tailed ones. In this paper, we develop a bivariate extension of the Type-II generalized crack distribution and study its dependency structure. For practical applications, three specific distributions, GCR2-Generalized Gaussian, GCR2-Student’s t, and GCR2-Logistic, are considered for marginals. The expectation-maximization algorithm is implemented to estimate the parameters in the bivariate GCR2 models. The model fitting results on a catastrophic loss dataset show that the bivariate GCR2 distribution based on the generalized Gaussian density fits the data significantly better than other alternative models, such as the bivariate lognormal distribution and some Archimedean copula models with lognormal or Pareto marginals.
Fuzzy Subordination Results for Meromorphic Functions Associated with Hurwitz–Lerch Zeta Function
Authors: Ali Ekram E. , Oros Georgia Irina , El-Ashwah Rabha M. , Albalahi Abeer M. , Ennaceur Marwa
Published: November 2024

The notion of the fuzzy set was incorporated into geometric function theory in recent years, leading to the emergence of fuzzy differential subordination theory, which is a generalization of the classical differential subordination notion. This article employs a new integral operator introduced using the class of meromorphic functions, the notion of convolution, and the Hurwitz–Lerch Zeta function for obtaining new fuzzy differential subordination results. Furthermore, the best fuzzy dominants are provided for each of the fuzzy differential subordinations investigated. The results presented enhance the approach to fuzzy differential subordination theory by giving new results involving operators in the study, for which starlikeness and convexity properties are revealed using the fuzzy differential subordination theory.
On the Geometry of Semi-Invariant Submanifolds in (α, p)-Golden Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Hreţcanu Cristina Elena , Druţă-Romaniuc Simona-Luiza
Published: November 2024

The main aim of this paper is to study some properties of submanifolds in a Riemannian manifold equipped with a new structure of golden type, called the (α, p)-golden structure, which generalizes the almost golden structure (for α=1) and the almost complex golden structure (for α=−1). We present some characterizations of isometrically immersed submanifolds in an (α, p)-golden Riemannian manifold, especially in the case of the semi-invariant submanifolds, and we find some conditions for the integrability of the distributions.
MnCl2(C6N10H6): Insights into a Luminescent Transition Metal–Melem Complex
Authors: Bayat Elaheh , Ströbele Markus , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Meyer Hans-Jürgen
Published: November 2024

In this work, the (MnCl2(C6N10H6) complex has been synthesized via solid-state reaction between manganese (II) chloride and melamine in the molar ratio of 1:2. A similar synthesis has been repeated with CoCl2, and FeCl2, resulting in two new metal–melam complexes (FeCl2(C6N11H9) and CoCl2(C6N11H9)). MnCl2(C6N10H6) crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group I2/a. The crystalline powder of MnCl2(C6N10H6) was studied by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis to examine its structure and properties. MnCl2(C6N10H6) also shows good thermal stability up to 370 °C; however, the complete decomposition occurred at 900 °C, yielding Mn7C3. This paper presents an easy synthesis of the first luminescent transition metal–melem complex, providing new insights into the reactivity of melamine at elevated temperatures in the presence of transition metal chlorides.
Novel Benzimidazole-Endowed Chalcones as α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitors: An Insight into Structural and Computational Studies
Authors: Rai Prashasthi V. , Ramu Ramith , Akhileshwari P. , Prabhu Sudharshan , Prabhune Nupura Manish , Deepthi P. V. , Anjana P. T. , Ganavi D. , Vijesh A. M. , Goh Khang Wen , Ahmed Mohammad Z. , Kumar Vasantha
Published: November 2024

In search of novel antidiabetic agents, we synthesized a new series of chalcones with benzimidazole scaffolds by an efficient ‘one-pot’ nitro reductive cyclization method and evaluated their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition studies. The ‘one-pot’ nitro reductive cyclization method offered a simple route for the preparation of benzimidazoles with excellent yield and higher purity compared to the other conventional acid- or base-catalyzed cyclization methods. 1H, 13C NMR, IR, and mass spectrum data were used to characterize the compounds. Single-crystal XRD data confirmed the 3D structure of compound 7c, which was crystalized in the P1¯ space group of the triclinic crystal system. Hirshfeld surface analysis validates the presence of O-H..O, O-H…N, and C-H…O intermolecular hydrogen bonds. From the DFT calculations, the energy gap between the frontier molecular orbitals in 7c was found to be 3.791 eV. From the series, compound 7l emerged as a potent antidiabetic agent with IC50 = 22.45 ± 0.36 µg/mL and 20.47 ± 0.60 µg/mL against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, respectively. The in silico molecular docking studies revealed that compound 7l has strong binding interactions with α-glucosidase and α-amylase proteins. Molecular dynamics studies also revealed the stability of compound 7l with α-glucosidase and α-amylase proteins.
Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of 2D Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers Constructed from Cyclotriphosphazene-Functionlized Hexacarboxylate Ligand
Authors: Jia Qi , Yao Yicheng , Zhu Xiaoming , Wang Juntao , Li Zeyu , Ji Liudi , Hu Peng
Published: November 2024

The design and synthesis of novel lanthanide-based coordination polymers (Ln-CPs) from flexible organic ligands is still attractive and challenging. In this work, two isostructural Ln-CPs with a unique 2D network, namely, [Ln2(H3L)2(DMF)]]n (Ln = Dy for 1, Tb for 2) based on a flexible polycarboxylic acid ligand hexakis(4-carboxylato-phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (H6L), have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Significantly, it is the first observation of polycarboxylic acid ligands participating in coordination in the construction of coordination polymers in the form of semi-deprotonation. Magnetic measurements showed the presence of field-induced slow magnetic relaxation in complex 1. The luminescence property of 2 had been studied in the solid state at room temperature.
Facile Hydrothermal Synthesis and Resistive Switching Mechanism of the α-Fe2O3 Memristor
Authors: Yu Zhiqiang , Wang Qingcheng , Jia Jinhao , Kang Wenbo , Ou Meilian , Xu Zhimou
Published: November 2024

Among the transition metal oxides, hematite (α-Fe2O3) has been widely used in the preparation of memristors because of its excellent physical and chemical properties. In this paper, α-Fe2O3 nanowire arrays with a preferred orientation along the [110] direction were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method and annealing treatment on the FTO substrate, and then α-Fe2O3 nanowire array-based Au/α-Fe2O3/FTO memristors were obtained by plating the Au electrodes on the as-prepared α-Fe2O3 nanowire arrays. The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 nanowire array-based Au/α-Fe2O3/FTO memristors have demonstrated stable nonvolatile bipolar resistive switching behaviors with a high resistive switching ratio of about two orders of magnitude, good resistance retention (up to 103 s), and ultralow set voltage (Vset = +2.63 V) and reset voltage (Vreset = −2 V). In addition, the space charge-limited conduction (SCLC) mechanism has been proposed to be in the high resistance state, and the formation and destruction of the conductive channels modulated by oxygen vacancies have been suggested to be responsible for the nonvolatile resistive switching behaviors of the Au/α-Fe2O3/FTO memristors. Our results show the potential of the Au/α-Fe2O3/FTO memristors in nonvolatile memory applications.
Bioactive Compounds of Green Phenolic Extracts Obtained via Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Sideritis Species Grown in Greece
Authors: Bouloumpasi Elisavet , Koskeridou Anna , Irakli Maria , Karioti Anastasia , Tsivelika Nektaria , Chatzopoulou Paschalina
Published: November 2024

The purpose of the present study was to compare the polyphenolic compounds extracted from five Sideritis species grown in Greece; S. scardica, S. clandestina, S. raeseri, S. euboea, and S. syriaca, using the Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) process. To maximize the extraction yield (EY), total phenolic compounds (TPC), hypolaetin (HYP) and isoscutellarein (ISC), derivative contents (target phenolics), the response surface methodology was used for S. scardica. A Box–Behnken design was undertaken to study the effect of ethanol concentration (30–100%), extraction temperature (40–100 °C), and extraction time (5–25 min) on the responses. The optimal MAE parameters were 87.9% (v/v) ethanol, 25 min, and 100 °C. Under these conditions, there was a good agreement between experimental and predicted values, indicating the reliability of the predictions for Sideritis extracts. Phenolic compounds were then extracted under these conditions, from the five Sideritis species under investigation. The TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity based on DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays as well as the phenolic profile of different Sideritis extracts, evaluated via HPLC-DAD-MS, were compared. A similar phenolic profile was observed among the five Sideritis species, with HYP and ISC derivatives showing variations in their contents as a function of Sideritis species. MAE Sideritis extracts could be considered green and natural antioxidants for medicinal, cosmetic, and food purposes, accompanied by sustainable approaches.
How to Evaluate the Chemical Affinity of -OH and -COOH Functional Groups Toward U(VI)
Authors: Cui Xuemei , Xie Xiaoying , Li Yun , Chen Yue , Ma Yan , Yang Shubin
Published: November 2024

Which functional group shows a stronger affinity for U(VI) and can be introduced into material to enhance selective enrichment? This is crucial for U(VI) capture material design and evaluation. Following these questions, we herein compared and analyzed bare graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and carboxylated graphene oxide (GO-COOH) through experimental and theoretical calculations. Experiments show that U(VI) adsorption on GO-COOH (Qm = 344.1 mg/g) mainly occurs via inner-sphere complexation with the C=O group in -COOH. The -COOH group can significantly enhance the enrichment and selectivity of U(VI), and its affinity for U(VI) is greater than that of -OH. There is a strong interaction between [UO2(H2O)10]2+ and -COOH with an interaction energy of 1.13 eV. When U(VI) is adsorbed on GO, the original C-O(H) bond in GO breaks, leading to U(VI) seizing -OH and forming a more stable complex [UO2(H2O)10(OH)]1+. However, the desorption of U(VI) from GO is easier due to the weakened interaction between [UO2(H2O)10(OH)]1+ and GO after the C-O(H) bond breakage. Briefly, the combination of experimental observations and theoretical calculations provides a comprehensive understanding of the affinity and selectivity of -COOH and -OH for U(VI), and highlights the potential of using -COOH functionalization to enhance the U(VI) enrichment and separation performance of materials.
Palladium-Catalyzed Selective Carbonylation Reactions of Ortho-Phenylene Dihalides with Bifunctional N,O-Nucleophiles
Authors: Bede Fanni , Takács Attila , Kollár László , Pongrácz Péter
Published: November 2024

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions of ortho-phenylene dihalides were studied using aminoethanols as heterobifunctional N,O-nucleophiles. The activity of aryl-iodide and -bromide as well as the chemoselective transformation of amine and hydroxyl functionalities were studied systematically under carbonylation conditions. Aminocarbonylation can be selectively realized under optimized conditions, enabling the formation of amide alcohols, and the challenging alkoxycarbonylation can also be proved feasible, enabling amide-ester production. Intramolecular double carbonylation reaction can be achieved using 1,2-diiodobenzene and amino alcohols featuring secondary amine groups, giving oxazocine derivatives. Useful reaction scope with various amino alcohols was performed with good isolated yields of the targeted compounds. Intramolecular C-O coupling of amide alcohols possessing bromo substituent in adjacent ortho position is also demonstrated as a potential next step in benzoxazepine heterocycle formation.
Body Composition and Dietary Intake of Women Attending an Infertility Clinic—Polish Observational Study
Authors: Szulińska Adriana , Grzechocińska Barbara , Bzikowska-Jura Agnieszka
Published: November 2024

Background and objectives: We aimed to assess the body composition and dietary intake of female patients attending one of the Polish infertility clinics. Additionally, we evaluated if there were any relationships between dietary intake and body composition parameters. Methods: The study involved 51 women who met the inclusion criteria. For the nutritional assessment, we used 3-day dietary records. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and body composition were assessed. The participants were divided into three groups, with low (I, n = 12), normal (II, n = 27), and high (III, n = 12) fat tissue content, and then compared in terms of dietary intake. Results: The lowest protein intake per kilogram of body weight was observed in group III (p < 0.001). In group I, we reported the highest consumption of plant protein in general (p = 0.03) and per kg of body weight (p < 0.001). Higher protein intake per kg body mass was associated with lower values of BMI (r = −0.681; p < 0.001), fat mass (r = −0.641; p < 0.001), waist–hip ratio (r = −0.391; p = 0.005), and abdominal fat index (r = −0.653; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted nutritional counseling focused on optimizing protein intake and emphasizing plant-based sources may improve body composition and potentially support fertility outcomes in women undergoing infertility treatment.
Influence of Changing Weather on Old and New Maize Hybrids: A Case Study in Romania
Authors: Călugăr Roxana Elena , Varga Andrei , Vana Carmen Daniela , Ceclan Loredana Ancuța , Racz Ionuț , Chețan Felicia , Șimon Alina , Popa Călin , Tritean Nicolae , Russu Florin , Ghețe Alexandru Bogdan , Muntean Leon
Published: November 2024

Maize is affected by drought and heat, abiotic stress factors that have been encountered more often in recent years in various parts of Europe. In the area of Turda, Romania, extreme temperatures and heat waves combined with an uneven distribution of precipitation have been recorded that had an unfavorable influence on the maize crop. In this study, the ASI (anthesis-to-silking interval), yield, and stability of 35 old and new maize hybrids created at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda were studied under drought and heat conditions. An increase in temperature was observed during vegetative growth and grain filling, and rainfall was deficient during and after flowering. These conditions had a negative influence on ASI, grain filling, and, indirectly, yield, which varied significantly during the seven experimental years. The five newest hybrids (Turda335, Turda2020, Turda380, Sur18/399, and HST148) stood out, with average yields of over 8400 kg ha−1 in unfavorable years and over 15–16,000 kg ha−1 under favorable conditions. They generally outperformed the mean by 29–33%. In contrast, the old hybrids achieved yields up to 22% lower than the experimental mean. Yield was 43.1% lower in 2022 and 31.8% lower in 2023 compared to the best year (2021).
Structural Similarity-Induced Inter-Component Interaction in Silicone Polymer-Based Composite Sunscreen Film for Enhanced UV Protection
Authors: Chen Yuyan , Xu Hanwen , Liu Yuhang , Fu Qiuting , Zhang Pingling , Zhou Jie , Dong Hongyu , Yan Xiaodong
Published: November 2024

Film-forming agents are key ingredients in achieving long-lasting and effective sun protection by sunscreens. However, studies on the synergistic effects of film-forming agents with different properties as well as the interaction between film-forming agents and powders are scarce, restricting the development of sunscreens with strong ultraviolet (UV)-shielding effects. Herein, we innovatively adopt polysiloxane-15 as the soft film, trimethylsiloxysilicate as the hard film, and vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer as the functional powder to construct a co-assembled sunscreen film, and we investigate the property-enhancing effects of the sunscreen film as well as the interaction between the silicone polymer-based film-forming agents and functional powder therein. The results show that structural similarity is essential to generating film-forming agent–powder interactions, which primarily enhance the Si−O bond binding energy, thereby enhancing the lasting protection effect of sunscreens. In addition, the inter-component interaction of the co-assembled sunscreen film inhibits the agglomeration of sunscreen paste to facilitate the formation of a homogeneous film, endowing the sunscreen with excellent UV protection abilities, with the sun protection factor (SPF) and protection factor of UVA (PFA) values increased by 61.58 and 43.84%, respectively. This work offers novel insights into the optimization of film-forming agent properties and the development of durable and efficient sunscreens.