bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study on the impact of “IDS + JFCS” complex wetting agent on the characteristics of coal bodies
Authors: Wang Hongyang , Xu Lianman , Qin Zhijiao , Li Xiaoliang , Cao Xuejing , Han Yumiao , Li Siqi , Ma Yufei , Gao Siqi , Du Lei , Yang Fengshuo
Published: March 2024

As China's coal mines have transitioned to deep mining, the ground stress within the coal seams has progressively increased, resulting in reduced permeability and poor wetting ability of conventional wetting agents. Consequently, these agents have become inadequate in fulfilling the requirements for preventing washouts during deep mining operations. In response to the aforementioned challenges, a solution was proposed to address the issues by formulating a composite wetting agent. This composite wetting agent combines a conventional surfactant with a chelating agent called tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (IDS). By conducting a meticulous screening of surfactant monomer solutions, the ideal formulation for the composite wetting agent was determined by combining the monomer surfactant with IDS. Extensive testing, encompassing evaluations of the composite solution's apparent strain, contact angle measurements, and alterations in the oxygenated functional groups on the coal surface, led to the identification of the optimal composition. This composition consisted of IDS serving as the chelating agent and fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (JFCS).Subsequent assessment of the physical and mechanical performance of the coal briquettes treated with the composite wetting agent revealed notable enhancements. These findings signify significant advancements in the field and hold promising implications. Following the application of the composite wetting agent, notable reductions were observed in the dry basis ash and dry basis full sulfur of coal. Additionally, the water content within the coal mass increased significantly, leading to a substantial enhancement in the wetting effect of the coal body. This enhanced wetting effect effectively mitigated the coal body’s inclination towards impact, thereby offering technical support for optimizing water injection into coal seams and preventing as well as treating impact ground pressure.
Explaining the entropy forming ability for carbides with the effective atomic size mismatch
Authors: Kretschmer Andreas , Mayrhofer Paul Heinz
Published: March 2024

To quickly screen for single-phased multi-principal-element materials, a so-called entropy forming ability (EFA) parameter is sometimes used as a descriptor. The larger the EFA, the larger is the propensity to form a single-phase structure. We have investigated this EFA descriptor with atomic relaxations in special-quasi-random structures and discovered that the EFA correlates inversely with the lattice distortion. Large effective atomic size differences lead to multi-phase compounds, and little size differences to single-phase compounds. Instead of configurational entropy, we therefore demonstrate the applicability of the Hume-Rothery rules to phase stability of solid solutions even in compositionally complex ceramics.
Relationship between serum cortisol levels, stereotypies, and the presence of autism spectrum disorder in patients with severe intellectual disability
Authors: Ohtsubo Takeru , Mizoguchi Yoshito , Aita Chie , Imamura Yoshiomi , Kobayashi Momoko , Kunitake Yutaka , Tateishi Hiroshi , Ueno Takefumi , Monji Akira
Published: March 2024

Stereotypies are one of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are common to both ASD and intellectual disability (ID). Previous studies have been inconclusive, with some showing a positive correlation between stereotypies and cortisol, while others have shown a negative correlation. We hypothesised and investigated the presence of ASD as one of the variables involved in this discrepancy. We tested the following hypotheses on serum cortisol in a total of 84 hospitalised patients with severe ID and ASD with severe ID. Hypothesis (1) Higher levels of stereotypies are associated with higher levels of serum cortisol. Hypothesis (2) The presence of ASD will moderate the association between stereotypies and high serum cortisol levels. The results of the analysis supported hypotheses (1) and (2). We also found that in the population with ID, serum cortisol levels were significantly lower in the ASD group compared to the non-ASD group. The present findings that the association between stereotypies and serum cortisol levels in people with severe ID is moderated by the presence of ASD suggest that the stress response system may function differently in people with ID and ASD than in the general population.
Nuciferine reduces vascular leakage and improves cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Xie Wei , Chen Shumin , Wang Wenzhe , Qin Xichun , Kong Chuiyu , Wang Dongjin
Published: March 2024

The destruction of the microvascular structure and function can seriously affect the survival and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nuciferine has a potentially beneficial effect in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, albeit its role in microvascular structure and function during AMI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and the related mechanisms of nuciferine in microvascular injury during AMI. Cardiac functions and pathological examination were conducted in vivo to investigate the effect of nuciferine on AMI. The effect of nuciferine on permeability and adherens junctions in endothelial cells was evaluated in vitro, and the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/AKT pathway (in the presence or absence of PI3K inhibitors) was also analyzed. In vivo results indicated that nuciferine inhibited ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte damage and vascular leakage and improved cardiac function. In addition, the in vitro results revealed that nuciferine could effectively inhibit oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) stimulated breakdown of the structure and function of human coronary microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs). Moreover, nuciferine could significantly increase the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Finally, the inhibitor wortmannin could reverse the protective effect of nuciferine on HCMECs. Nuciferine inhibited AMI-induced microvascular injury by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and protecting the endothelial barrier function in mice.
Choice impulsivity after repeated social stress is associated with increased perineuronal nets in the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Martinez Christopher A. , Pantazopoulos Harry , Gisabella Barbara , Stephens Emily T. , Garteiser Jacob , Del Arco Alberto
Published: March 2024

Repeated stress can predispose to substance abuse. However, behavioral and neurobiological adaptations that link stress to substance abuse remain unclear. This study investigates whether intermittent social defeat (ISD), a stress protocol that promotes drug-seeking behavior, alters intertemporal decision-making and cortical inhibitory function in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Male long evans rats were trained in a delay discounting task (DDT) where rats make a choice between a fast (1 s) small reward (1 sugar pellet) and a large reward (3 sugar pellets) that comes with a time delay (10 s or 20 s). A decreased preference for delayed rewards was used as an index of choice impulsivity. Rats were exposed to ISD and tested in the DDT 24 h after each stress episode, and one- and two-weeks after the last stress episode. Immunohistochemistry was performed in rat’s brains to evaluate perineuronal nets (PNNs) and parvalbumin GABA interneurons (PV) labeling as markers of inhibitory function in mPFC. ISD significantly decreased the preference for delayed large rewards in low impulsive, but not high impulsive, animals. ISD also increased the density of PNNs in the mPFC. These results suggest that increased choice impulsivity and cortical inhibition predispose animals to seek out rewards after stress.
On topological indices and entropy measures of beryllonitrene network via logarithmic regression model
Authors: Yu Guofeng , Siddiqui Muhammad Kamran , Hussain Mazhar , Hussain Nazir , Saddique Zohaib , Petros Fikre Bogale
Published: March 2024

Chemical graph theory, a subfield of graph theory, is used to investigate chemical substances and their characteristics. Chemical graph analysis sheds light on the connection, symmetry, and reactivity of molecules. It supports chemical property prediction, research of molecular reactions, drug development, and understanding of molecular networks. A crucial part of computational chemistry is chemical graph theory, which helps researchers analyze and manipulate chemical structures using graph algorithms and mathematical models. Beryllonitrene , a compound of interest due to its potential applications in various fields, is examined through the lens of graph theory and mathematical modeling. The study involves the calculation and interpretation of topological indices and graph entropy measures, which provide valuable insights into the structural and energetic properties of Beryllonitrene’s molecular graph. Logarithmic regression models are employed to establish correlations between these indices, entropy, and other relevant molecular attributes. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of Beryllonitrene’s complex characteristics, facilitating its potential applications in diverse scientific and technological domains. In this study, degree-based topological indices $$\text{TI}$$
TI
are determined, as well as the entropy of graphs based on these $$\text{TI}$$
TI
.
Evaluation of healthcare-related factors influencing mental health of Taiwanese citizens among different age groups
Authors: Tien Yun-Hsiang , Huang Jingchi
Published: March 2024

The issue of mental health has gained heightened recognition as a significant public health concern due to its potential to significantly impact various aspects of individuals’ lives. Numerous factors may influence mental health, and this study seeks to investigate and compare potential healthcare-related factors that affect the mental health of Taiwanese individuals across different age groups. Data for this study were taken from the Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS), conducted in 2021. Descriptive statistics were calculated to compare the three age groups. Then, multiple regression models were constructed with mental health conditions as the dependent variable and demographics and other key healthcare-related components as independent variables, respectively. Results showed that, among the three age groups, the middle-aged adults had the highest BMI, and the older adults had significantly better mental health. As compared with the other age groups, the older adults had significantly better perceptions of fair distribution of healthcare resources, and their trust in the healthcare system was the highest. With regard to searching for online healthcare information, the frequency reported by the older adults was the lowest. The regression model showed that, religious belief, trust in the healthcare system and searching for online healthcare information were significantly associated with mental health of middle-aged adults. In the younger group, searching for online healthcare information was significantly negatively associated with mental health. The study’s findings provide insight into how to provide Taiwanese citizens of different age groups with proper and targeted mental health promotion activities.
Loss-of-function mutations are main drivers of adaptations during short-term evolution
Authors: Klim Joanna , Zielenkiewicz Urszula , Kaczanowski Szymon
Published: March 2024

We noticed that during short-term experimental evolution and carcinogenesis, mutations causing gene inactivation (i.e., nonsense mutations or frameshifts) are frequent. Our meta-analysis of 65 experiments using modified dN/dS statistics indicated that nonsense mutations are adaptive in different experimental conditions and we empirically confirmed this prediction. Using yeast S. cerevisiae as a model we show that fixed or highly frequent gene loss-of-function mutations are almost exclusively adaptive in the majority of experiments.
A comprehensive computational study to explore promising natural bioactive compounds targeting glycosyltransferase MurG in Escherichia coli for potential drug development
Authors: Shtaiwi Amneh , Khan Shafi Ullah , Khedraoui Meriem , Alaraj Mohd , Samadi Abdelouahid , Chtita Samir
Published: March 2024

Peptidoglycan is a carbohydrate with a cross-linked structure that protects the cytoplasmic membrane of bacterial cells from damage. The mechanism of peptidoglycan biosynthesis involves the main synthesizing enzyme glycosyltransferase MurG, which is known as a potential target for antibiotic therapy. Many MurG inhibitors have been recognized as MurG targets, but high toxicity and drug-resistant Escherichia coli strains remain the most important problems for further development. In addition, the discovery of selective MurG inhibitors has been limited to the synthesis of peptidoglycan-mimicking compounds. The present study employed drug discovery, such as virtual screening using molecular docking, drug likeness ADMET proprieties predictions, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, to identify potential natural products (NPs) for Escherichia coli. We conducted a screening of 30,926 NPs from the NPASS database. Subsequently, 20 of these compounds successfully passed the potency, pharmacokinetic, ADMET screening assays, and their validation was further confirmed through molecular docking. The best three hits and the standard were chosen for further MD simulations up to 400 ns and energy calculations to investigate the stability of the NPs-MurG complexes. The analyses of MD simulations and total binding energies suggested the higher stability of NPC272174. The potential compounds can be further explored in vivo and in vitro for promising novel antibacterial drug discovery.
Darier disease is associated with neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy
Authors: Curman Philip , Jebril William , Larsson Henrik , Bachar-Wikstrom Etty , Cederlöf Martin , Wikstrom Jakob D.
Published: March 2024

Darier disease (DD) is a rare monogenetic skin disorder with limited data on its potential association with neurological disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association between DD and neurological disorders, specifically Parkinson's disease, dementias, and epilepsy. Using Swedish national registers in a period spanning between 1977 and 2013, 935 individuals with DD were compared with up to 100 comparison individuals each, randomly selected from the general population based on birth year, sex, and county of residence at the time of the first diagnosis of DD. Individuals with DD had increased risks of being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (RR 2.1, CI 1.1; 4.4), vascular dementia (RR 2.1, CI 1.0; 4.2), and epilepsy, (RR 2.5, CI 1.8; 3.5). No association of DD with other dementias were detected. This study demonstrates a new association between DD and neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy, underlining the need for increased awareness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and further research to understand the underlying mechanisms. Early identification and management of neurological complications in DD patients could improve treatment strategies and patient outcomes. The findings also highlight the role of SERCA2 in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, offering new targets for future research and potentials for novel treatments.
Droplet dynamics affecting the shape of patterns formed spontaneously by transforming UV-curable emulsions
Authors: Inaba Yoshimi , Yanagisawa Takayuki
Published: March 2024

Forming large pitch and depth patterns spontaneously based on a bottom–up approach is a challenging task but with great industrial value. It is possible to spontaneously form an uneven (concave–convex) patterns with submillimeter-to-millimeter-scale pitches and depths by the direct pattern exposure of a UV-curable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion liquid film. UV irradiation generates a latent pattern of a cured particle aggregation in the liquid film, and an uneven structure is spontaneously formed during the subsequent drying process. This process does not require any printing and embossing plates or development process. In this report, we presented an example of unevenness formation with a maximum pattern depth of approximately 0.4 mm and a maximum pitch width of 5 mm. The patterns formed by this method have raised edges in the exposed areas and fogging in unexposed areas. The pattern shapes become conspicuous under overexposure conditions, but the formation mechanism has not yet been understood in detail and needs to be investigated. In this study, we focused on the exposure process and clarified the mechanism of pattern formation by analyzing the dynamics of emulsion droplets in the medium by an in situ microscopy observation method. As a result, we found that the fogging was mainly caused by light leakage from the exposed area, and the raised pattern edges were caused by droplets transported from the unexposed area to the exposed area. Furthermore, the convection caused by the heat generated from polymerization is a determining factor affecting all these phenomena. By controlling the pattern shape related to convection utilizing direct projection exposure, we showed an example of eliminating raised pattern edges with a height difference of approximately 0.1 mm. By devising and selecting exposure methods, we can expand the range of design applications such as interior decorative patterns.
Antioxidant production promotes defense mechanism and different gene expression level in Zea mays under abiotic stress
Authors: Ali Qurban , Sami Adnan , Haider Muhammad Zeshan , Ashfaq Muhammad , Javed Muhammad Arshad
Published: March 2024

The growth and productivity of maize are severely affected by soil salinity. The crucial determinants for the future performance of plants are productive for seed germination and seedling establishment; however, both stages are liable to soil salinity. For grain, maize is an economically significant crop sensitive to abiotic stresses. However, little is known about defense responses by the salinity-induced antioxidant and oxidative stress in maize. In our work, the commercially available maize variety Raka-Poshi was grown in pots for 30 days under greenhouse conditions. To evaluate the salt-induced oxidative/antioxidant responses in maize for salt stress 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mM concentrations, treatments were provided using sodium chloride (NaCl). All the biochemical indices were calculated under all NaCl concentrations, while drought was induced by up to 50% irrigation water. After 30 days of seed germination, the maize leaves were collected for the measurement of lipid peroxidase or malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipoxygenase (LOX), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The results revealed a 47% reduction under 150 mM NaCl and 50% drought stress conditions. The results have shown that the successive increase of NaCl concentrations and drought caused an increase in catalase production. With successive increase in NaCl concentration and drought stress, lower levels of H2O2, SOD, and MDA were detected in maize leaves. The results regarding the morphology of maize seedlings indicated a successive reduction in the root length and shoot length under applications of salt and drought stress, while root-to-shoot weights were found to be increased under drought stress and decreased under salt stress conditions During gene expression analysis collectively indicate that, under drought stress conditions, the expression levels of all nine mentioned enzyme-related genes were consistently downregulated.
Interrogation of RNA-protein interaction dynamics in bacterial growth
Authors: Monti Mie , Herman Reyme , Mancini Leonardo , Capitanchik Charlotte , Davey Karen , Dawson Charlotte S , Ule Jernej , Thomas Gavin H , Willis Anne E , Lilley Kathryn S , Villanueva Eneko
Published: March 2024

Characterising RNA–protein interaction dynamics is fundamental to understand how bacteria respond to their environment. In this study, we have analysed the dynamics of 91% of the Escherichia coli expressed proteome and the RNA-interaction properties of 271 RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) at different growth phases. We find that 68% of RBPs differentially bind RNA across growth phases and characterise 17 previously unannotated proteins as bacterial RBPs including YfiF, a ncRNA-binding protein. While these new RBPs are mostly present in Proteobacteria, two of them are orthologs of human mitochondrial proteins associated with rare metabolic disorders. Moreover, we reveal novel RBP functions for proteins such as the chaperone HtpG, a new stationary phase tRNA-binding protein. For the first time, the dynamics of the bacterial RBPome have been interrogated, showcasing how this approach can reveal the function of uncharacterised proteins and identify critical RNA–protein interactions for cell growth which could inform new antimicrobial therapies.
Janus hydrogels: merging boundaries in tissue engineering for enhanced biomaterials and regenerative therapies
Authors: Jiang Yingxue , Zhu Chenhui , Ma Xiaoxuan , Fan Daidi
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the design and synthesis of Janus hydrogels have advanced significantly, overcoming single-performance material limitations and broadening applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Comparative analysis of the insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and agro-morphological characteristics of maize using non-biogenic and biogenic ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Aisvarya S. , Kalyanasundaram M. , Kannan M. , Arunkumar P. , Preetha S. , Elango K. , Govindaraju K.
Published: March 2024

Utilizing environmentally friendly nanomaterials to address insect pests and promote plant growth is imperative.
Purification of As(iii) through oxidation of siderite and As(iii) by dissolved oxygen: behavior and mechanism
Authors: Yu Wenting , Gao Zhipeng , Guo Huaming
Published: March 2024

Siderite oxidation can be achieved with dissolved oxygen (DO), which would control the oxidation and the fate of As(iii), but the interaction mechanism between siderite and As(iii) with the presence of DO needs more investigation.
Sulfur substitution in Fe-MOF-74: implications for electrocatalytic CO2 and CO reduction from an ab initio perspective
Authors: McCarver Gavin A. , Yildirim Taner , Zhou Wei
Published: March 2024

Employing first-principles methods, we investigated the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 and CO on two Fe-based MOFs: Fe2DOBDC and Fe2DSBDC.
Unusual redox stability of pentavalent uranium with hetero-bifunctional phosphonocarboxylate: insight into aqueous speciation
Authors: Srivastava Ashutosh , Ali Sk. Musharaf , Dumpala Rama Mohan Rao , Kumar Sumit , Kumar Pranaw , Rawat Neetika , Mohapatra P. K.
Published: March 2024

The +5 state is an unusual oxidation state of uranium due to its instability in the aqueous phase. However, it is redox stable with PCs.
Activating a high-spin iron(ii) complex to thermal spin-crossover with an inert non-isomorphous molecular dopant
Authors: Halcrow Malcolm A. , Vasili Hari Babu , Pask Christopher M. , Kulak Alexander N. , Cespedes Oscar
Published: March 2024

[Fe(bpp)2][ClO4]2 (bpp = 2,6-bis{pyrazol-1-yl}pyridine; monoclinic, C2/c) is high-spin between 5–300 K, and crystallises with a highly distorted molecular geometry that lies along the octahedral–trigonal prismatic distortion pathway.
Catalytic dinitrogen reduction to hydrazine and ammonia using Cr(N2)2(diphosphine)2 complexes
Authors: Beasley Charles H. , Duletski Olivia L. , Stankevich Ksenia S. , Arulsamy Navamoney , Mock Michael T.
Published: March 2024

Cr(N2)2(diphosphine)2 complexes catalyze the reduction of dinitrogen at room temperature using SmI2 and ethylene glycol or H2O to form hydrazine and ammonia.
N-Type polymeric mixed conductors for all-in-one aqueous electrolyte gated photoelectrochemical transistors
Authors: Almulla Latifah , Druet Victor , E. Petoukhoff Christopher , Shan Wentao , Alshehri Nisreen , Griggs Sophie , Wang Yazhou , Alsufyani Maryam , Yue Wan , McCulloch Iain , Laquai Frédéric , Inal Sahika
Published: March 2024

An n-type organic photoelectrochemical transistor produces large and reversible current changes in response to light-intensity variations in aqueous electrolytes. A long exciton lifetime of the n-type gate ensures a high photovoltage response.
Additive-free oxychlorination of unsaturated C–C bonds with tert-butyl hypochlorite and water
Authors: Shen Duyi , Sun Chaoyue , Han Yun , Luo Zhen , Ren Ting , Zhang Qin , Huang Wenting , Xie Jianru , Jia Ying , Chao Mianran
Published: March 2024

A facile oxychlorination of various alkynes and alkenes with tBuOCl as an alternative chlorine source and H2O as a green oxygen source.
Controlling the structural and adsorption features of polyoxovanadate-based metal–organic clusters by adjustable template effect
Authors: Wang Yan-Hu , Tong Ke-Wei , Chen Chao-Qin , Du Jing , Yang Guo-Ping , Yang Peng
Published: March 2024

An adjustable template effect was employed to activate the evolution of polyoxovanadate-based metal–organic clusters, resulting in unprecedented structural archetypes as well as customized dye and iodine adsorption features.
Palladium-catalyzed [4 + 4] cycloaddition of 2-pyrones with 2-alkylidenetrimethylene carbonates: access to bridged eight-membered oxygen heterocycles
Authors: Lin Huawei , Mao Biming , Han Bing , Luo Jiayi , Ge Yanqing , Zhang Xuerui , Wang Chang , Guo Hongchao , Yuan Chunhao
Published: March 2024

A novel palladium-catalyzed [4 + 4] cycloaddition of 2-pyrones with 2-alkylidenetrimethylene carbonates has been developed for the synthesis of bridged eight-membered oxygen heterocycles in good yields and with excellent stereoselectivities.
Selective electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural at low working potentials promoted by 3D hierarchical Cu(OH)2@Ni3Co1-layered double hydroxide architecture with oxygen vacancies
Authors: Wu Qian , Xu Yanqi , Li Cunjun , Zhu Wenfeng , Wang Hai , Wang Xinyu , Qin Aimiao , Qin Haiqing , Wang Linjiang
Published: March 2024

An effective and stable catalyst with 3D hierarchical architecture was synthesized by electrodepositing Ni3Co1-LDH nanosheets on copper foam-supported Cu(OH)2 nanorods. The catalyst can be used to prepare FDCA continuously, showing great potential in the electrochemical conversion of biomass.
Development of enduring interstitial defects in Mg-doped CuO thin films
Authors: Prakash Adithya , Mishra Vikash , Mahesha M. G.
Published: March 2024

Magnesium doping in spray deposited copper oxide thin films enhanced the stable oxygen interstitial defects. It improved the electrical properties while sustaining the favourable optical properties that suit solar cell absorber layer applications.
Unlocking the synergetic potential of cobalt iron phosphate and multiwalled carbon nanotube composites towards supercapacitor application
Authors: Deshmukh Tushar B. , Mendhe Avinash C. , Padwal Chinmayee , Dubal Deepak , Kim Dae-Young , Sankapal Babasaheb R.
Published: March 2024

Exploring non-toxic, multiple oxidation state iron phosphate (Co3Fe4(PO4)6) anchored MWCNTs with blossomed micro platelets surface architecture as a supercapacitive electrode and design of a large-scale (10 × 4 cm2) symmetric device powering a DC fan.
Performance of environmentally friendly, liquid-infused coatings against biofouling: evaluation of macrofouling and microbially induced corrosion in freshwater environments
Authors: Walter Teresa , Langbein Manuela , Blenk Patrik , Tesler Alexander B. , Prado Lucia H. , Bornstein Dan , Virtanen Sannakaisa , Castiglione Kathrin , Vogel Nicolas
Published: March 2024

The performance of liquid-infused coatings based on sustainable or non-toxic materials and energy-efficient fabrication against biofouling is investigated in laboratory and field studies.
Correction: In situ formation of J-aggregate in the tumor microenvironment using acidity responsive polypeptide nanoparticle encapsulating galactose-conjugated BODIPY dye for NIR-II phototheranostics
Authors: Dang Huiping , Yin Dalong , Tian Youliang , Cheng Quan , Teng Changchang , Xu Yixuan , Yan Lifeng
Published: March 2024

Correction for ‘In situ formation of J-aggregate in the tumor microenvironment using acidity responsive polypeptide nanoparticle encapsulating galactose-conjugated BODIPY dye for NIR-II phototheranostics’ by Huiping Dang et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, 10, 5279–5290, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2TB00705C.
Flexible transparent Ag NW micromesh electrode with enhanced electrical and thermal properties for multifunctional smart panel applications
Authors: Fu Zhiwei , Zhu He , Sun Xin , Yao Jikai , Dai Ziyi , Cai Rong , Qian Kai
Published: March 2024

With the advent of next-generation smart panels, it is highly desirable to integrate multiple functions for application in intelligent buildings, human–machine interfaces, art exhibitions, etc.
Improved organs at risk segmentation based on modified U‐Net with self‐attention and consistency regularisation
Authors: Manko Maksym , Popov Anton , Gorriz Juan Manuel , Ramirez Javier
Published: March 2024

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, with radiotherapy as one of the treatment options. Radiotherapy planning starts with delineating the affected area from healthy organs, called organs at risk (OAR). A new approach to automatic OAR segmentation in the chest cavity in Computed Tomography (CT) images is presented. The proposed approach is based on the modified U‐Net architecture with the ResNet‐34 encoder, which is the baseline adopted in this work. The new two‐branch CS‐SA U‐Net architecture is proposed, which consists of two parallel U‐Net models in which self‐attention blocks with cosine similarity as query‐key similarity function (CS‐SA) blocks are inserted between the encoder and decoder, which enabled the use of consistency regularisation. The proposed solution demonstrates state‐of‐the‐art performance for the problem of OAR segmentation in CT images on the publicly available SegTHOR benchmark dataset in terms of a Dice coefficient (oesophagus—0.8714, heart—0.9516, trachea—0.9286, aorta—0.9510) and Hausdorff distance (oesophagus—0.2541, heart—0.1514, trachea—0.1722, aorta—0.1114) and significantly outperforms the baseline. The current approach is demonstrated to be viable for improving the quality of OAR segmentation for radiotherapy planning.
Enabling pandemic‐resilient healthcare: Narrowband Internet of Things and edge intelligence for real‐time monitoring
Authors: Islam Md Motaharul , Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Islam Shayla , Balfaqih Mohammed , Alzahrani Ahmed Ibrahim , Alalwan Nasser , Safie Nurhizam , Bhuiyan Zaheed Ahmed , Thakkar Rahul , Ghazal Taher M.
Published: March 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) in deploying robotic sprayers for pandemic‐associated disinfection and monitoring has garnered significant attention in recent research. The authors introduce a novel architectural framework designed to interconnect smart monitoring robotic devices within healthcare facilities using narrowband Internet of Things (NB‐IoT) technology. The core objective is establishing a seamless data transmission pipeline that bridges these devices with the nearest base station. The associated data is routed directly from the edge computing infrastructure to the Cloud storage. The proposed architecture increases data security and optimises system performance by avoiding dependencies on central data centres. The critical components of this system allow the edge node to transmit data to the cloud, where primary data processing and analysis occur. The selection of NB‐IoT as the underlying protocol facilitates real‐time data collection and monitoring in healthcare with boosted capacity and coverage, extended battery life, and cost efficiency.
Development of a novel signal restoration algorithm to eliminate the distorted components in space charge measurement excited by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Qi Tianrun , Ren Hanwen , Gao Haoyu , Li Qingmin , Ma Yidan , Ma Yiqun , Xiao Tao
Published: March 2024

For the space charge measurement method with optical excitation for electrical insulation, the distortion of the excitation laser on the measurement signal and the accumulation of space charge have not been discussed before. Both experiment and simulation results show that three types of distorted components introduced by optical excitation can lead to distortion of the upper interface signal. Further, the factors causing distortion of the measured signal and the formation mechanism are analysed. A virtual electrode potential compensation method and a distorted component extraction method are proposed. Meanwhile, an attenuation restoration and charge conversion correction factor is introduced, leading to a novel signal processing algorithm adapted to space charge optical measurement methods. Compared with the traditional algorithm, the novel algorithm has an error of less than 1% in the calculation of charge and electric field strength, with an increase in accuracy of 47.7% and 9.81%, respectively. By applying the novel restoration algorithm, the comparison shows that the space charge accumulation does not change significantly under laser irradiation, verifying the reliability of the optical excitation. The given algorithm can provide a theoretical and technical foundation for the realisation of the optical measurement method for space charge.
A novel linear regression density peak clustering‐based transmission line protection for line‐commuted converter‐voltage source converter hybrid high voltage direct current system
Authors: Lei Shunguang , Shu Hongchun , Li Zhimin , Hu Yinan , Tian Xincui , Liu Taiwen
Published: March 2024

Line‐commuted converter (LCC)–voltage source converter (VSC) hybrid high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is an innovative technology, the existing LCC and VSC protection require setting, and it is difficult to be directly applied in the LCC–VSC hybrid HVDC, which is a serious problem in practical engineering. A novel linear regression density peak clustering (LRDPC) approach is introduced for transmission line protection. LRDPC employs Least Squares linear regression to compute the fault current slope, followed by density peak clustering for fault type identification. The proposed protection structure is straightforward and setting‐less, eliminating the need for fault pole selection elements and classification thresholds. Validation on the Kun‐Liu‐Long LCC–VSC HVDC RTDS system demonstrates the method's effectiveness in identifying diverse faults under varying conditions, including fault types, locations, resistances, and signal‐to‐noise ratios. Notably, it remains robust against fault impedance (600 Ω) and noise interference (20 dB).
Two‐stage demand‐side management in energy flexible residential buildings
Authors: Fotouhi Ghazvini Mohammad Ali , Antoniadou‐Plytaria Kyriaki , Steen David , Tuan Le Anh
Published: March 2024

In this study, an optimisation model is developed for two‐stage energy management of a residential building to minimise energy cost under monthly power‐based tariffs for peak demand and time‐variable electricity prices. The expected peak demand is determined in the first stage, and then the energy management system minimizes energy costs during the second stage. The second stage's optimisation problem is solved in a rolling time window, facilitating real‐time operation of flexible energy sources in the building. This includes optimal charging and discharging of the battery energy system, electric vehicle battery charging, heating system operation, and determining the optimal start times for washing machines and dishwashers, all close to real‐time. The proposed approach enables users to predict and manage peak demand in daily operation, staying below the predetermined value through a close to real‐time energy management system. The effectiveness of this two‐stage approach in demand‐side management for residential buildings is demonstrated through a realistic case study.
Butterflies Species Richness and Diversity in Panti Forest Eco-Park, Johor, Malaysia
Authors: Awg Abdul Rahman Aqilah , Ahmad Fahmi Umi Syafiqah , Suhaili Kamisah , Mohamed Maryati
Published: March 2024

This study thoroughly examines butterfly diversity in the Panti Forest Eco-Park, Johor, Malaysia. Data collected from November 2017 to July 2018 involved the use of aerial nets and baited traps along a 1 km transect, resulting in 207 individuals of 75 species. The Nymphalidae family was most prevalent, representing 152 individuals across 49 species. The rank abundance curve highlighted Iambrix stellifer and Lexias pardalis dirteana as the most abundant species. Notably, 37 species were solitary occurrences, making up 49.3% of the entire sample. Several singleton species were identified, including Dichorragia nesimachus deiokes (Nymphalidae), Danaus melanippus hegesippus (Nymphalidae), Gandaca harina distanti (Pieridae), and Eooxylides tharis distanti (Lycaenidae). The calculated Hʹ Index of 4.004 and EH value of 0.9218 indicate high butterfly diversity, positioning the Panti Forest Eco-Park as one of Johor's most diverse locations. Variations in dominant families compared to earlier works may be due to sampling methods. Additionally, the attraction of Lexias pardalis dirteana to baited traps emphasizes the importance of methodological considerations in butterfly diversity assessments. Furthermore, compared to prior research, a lower species count was observed, attributed to the exclusion of the bunker trail as a sampling site.
Comparison of Morphometric and Genetic Characteristics of Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobracium rosenbergii) Si Jawa with Bengawan Solo and Siratu Populations
Authors: Suwartiningsih Nurul , Dwi Safitri Novita , Reva Ardiatama Ifaldo , Darmadi Darmadi , Hendra Diduk K. , Kurniawan Arga
Published: March 2024

The Giant freshwater prawn (GFP) Si Jawa population is a new population of GFP from Bengawan Solo domesticated by BPTPB Cangkringan. The good morphometric and genetic characteristics of Si Jawa have never been compared with those of Bengawan Solo, or with cross-breeding populations such as Siratu. This study was to compare the morphometric and polymorphic characteristics of the DNA of three populations. Sampling of GFP was carried out at UKBAP Samas. Characterization was carried out at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan. Each population took three male and three female individuals as samples. DNA polymorphisms were determined using ISSR 5 and ISSR 8 primers. Data on interpopulation morphometric characters were compared with the Kruskal Wallis test. The results showed that for the characters Cephalothorax:abdomen and carapace:abdomen was highest in males of Si Jawa and the lowest respectively in males of Siratu and Bengawan Solo. Carapace:rostrum were not significantly different (P>0.05). DNA polymorphisms from highest to lowest was Bengawan Solo (75%), Si Jawa (71.43%) and Siratu (68.75%). The results showed that Si Jawa was a morphometrically and genetically good population.
Preliminary Study of Ecology, Harvest and Trade of Dalbergia parviflora in Central Kalimantan Indonesia
Authors: Atikah Tika D. , Pratama Bayu A. , Tattiana Ettie
Published: March 2024

Dalbergia parviflora, locally known as Akar Laka, are harvested for commercial purposes such as medicine, incense, joss sticks, and craft. D. parviflora is a thorny liana that usually grows along riverbanks or moist soils with stems reaching up to 30 m long. Indonesia has been exporting this species since the '90s, but since it was listed in Appendix II CITES in 2017, the trade of the species has been restricted by a quota. This quota must be based on scientific information such as population, distribution, harvest, and trade system. This study aims to provide data on the ecology, harvest, and trade. Most of the species traded were collected from dead woods. The dead wood’s population was varied, between 4-12.5 kg/4m2,while the standing stock was 17 individuals/400m2. The hunters collected wood from the riverbanks, sold it to middlemen and collectors, and exported it. This species is traded in various diameters ranging from less than 3 cm to more than 4 cm with prices between Rp.7000 to Rp.20,000 per kg from hunters to collectors. An estimated 1300 Indonesians in three districts are involved in the trade. This trade provides opportunities for rural communities to improve their well-being and livelihood resilience.
Diversity and Benefits of Asteraceae in Kapopo Ngatabaru Great Forest Park
Authors: Haruna Saprin S. , Rasyiid Mustafid , Iqbal Moh.
Published: March 2024

This study aims to determine the Asteraceae family's diversity, origin, and benefit in Kapopo Ngatabaru Great Forest Park, Central Sulawesi. The study was conducted in June 2023. The study used the exploration method. The results of this study found there are five species of Asteraceae in Kapopo Ngatabaru Great Forest Park: Chromolaena odorata, Porophyllum ruderale, Eleutheranthera ruderalis, Synedrella nodiflora, and Tridax procumbens. These five species are introduced species that have benefits as herbal medicine and pesticides.
Macroalgal community structure and composition in intertidal zone of Sarangan Beach, Gunungkidul, Indonesia
Authors: Mudrikah Siti , Widi Utami Laila , Oktavia Renada , Sayidinar Aisha , Deska Khairunnisa Arfista , Siti Nurlaila Arli , Windy Puspita Sari Renisha , Ariq Alfito Muhammad , Azizatul Ulya Luthfi , Amaliah Nabilah , Tri Wulandari Mutiara , Nur Maysaroh Alivia , Amani Kurniawan Indira , Nur Hidayah Alifia , Nawang Riris Lintang Kaloka Valeria , Nurhayati  , Aufa Astagina Rahman Rr. Rahil , Razaq Chasani Abdul
Published: March 2024

The intertidal zone of Sarangan Beach is characterized by rocky substrates and it has high macroalgae biodiversity. However, based on previous research, limited research was conducted at the location on the changes of macroalgae community structure. This research aims to study the structure and composition of macroalgae communities in the intertidal zone of Sarangan Beach and the physicochemical factors that affect its growth. Data was collected in September 2023, during the maximum low tide. The data collection was done by systematic sampling method using 60 plots 1x1 m2. The physicochemical parameters were measured and observed i.e. water and air temperature, pH, salinity, light intensity, and substrate type. The results showed 23 species of macroalgae were found in the intertidal zone of Sarangan Beach, consisting of 8 species of Chlorophyta, two species of Phaeophyta, and 13 species of Rhodophyta. The highest abundance was shown by Ulva lactuca, followed by Sargassum crassifolium and Kappaphycus alvarezii, while the lowest was Gracilaria spinulosa. The structure of the macroalgae community consists of moderate diversity (H’=1.97) with high uniformity (E=0.63) and low dominance (C=0.27). This is influenced by physicochemical parameters, especially water and air temperature, pH, and substrate condition.
Utilization Practices and Conservation Impacts of Endangered Wildlife in Asian Countries
Authors: Abdullah-Fauzi Nurfatiha Akmal Fawwazah , Othman Nursyuhada , Haris Hidayah , Sariyati Nur Hartini , Ramli Farah Farhana , Sufahani Suliadi Firdaus , Md-Zain Badrul Munir , Mohd-Ridwan Abd Rahman , Aifat Nor Rahman , Mohamed Mohd Sanusi , Maryanto Ibnu , Abdul-Latiff Muhammad Abu Bakar
Published: March 2024

The Asian region is globally renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, rich ecosystems, and unique cultural heritage. However, the delicate equilibrium between human societies and the diverse flora and fauna faces increasing challenges due to the region's rich biodiversity and escalating utilization of wildlife resources. Hence, this paper aims to document the utilization of endangered wildlife across Asian countries and to report the existing conservation measures and recommendations for sustainable wildlife management over the years. We employed prominent academic databases, specifically SCOPUS, to explore the dynamics of wildlife utilization and its associated implications. From the findings, 9,989 records were successfully identified. However, only 65 articles were included in the review after the screening process. A total of 61 species, comprising 30 mammals, 22 reptiles, one amphibian, and eight birds, all endangered, were identified as subjects of wildlife utilization in 16 Asian countries. China possessed the highest count for wildlife utilization across all categories, including 15 species used for trading purposes. In conclusion, this research underscores the critical need for integrated approaches that balance human needs and conservation imperatives to ensure a sustainable future for Asia's wildlife biodiversity.
The Role of Citizen Scientist in the Emerging Scientific World: Supporting CEPA Through Advancements in Wildlife Conservation
Authors: Ilham-Norhakim Mohd Lokman , Othman Nursyuhada , Haris Hidayah , Sariyati Nur Hartini , Ramli Farah Farhana , Abdullah-Fauzi Nurfatiha Akmal Fawwazah , Munian Kaviarasu , Sufahani Suliadi Firdaus , Abdul-Latiff Muhammad Abu Bakar
Published: March 2024

Recently, citizen scientists have gained recognition for engaging the public in collaboration with professional scientists in scientific actions. Citizen scientists act as an important force contributing to the Community, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) initiatives and promoting sustainable development. Thus, the study's objectives are to conduct a systematic review for citizen scientists in addressing the challenges of working in environmental conservation research and to address the way forward for fellow citizen scientists. We conducted a systematic literature review using the SCOPUS database in September 2023 to review the relatable article on citizen science. The result successfully extracted 118 related articles by applying a few keywords, ‘Conservation’, ‘Education’, ‘Environment’, ‘Management’, and ‘Citizen Scientist’ as a primary keyword. Notably, approximately 62% of articles published focused on environmental conservation involving animals and plants. This study also highlights the contributions of citizen scientists in conserving and monitoring biodiversity, including volunteering activities. In conclusion, this review emphasizes citizen scientists' transformative potential in supporting CEPA and offers insights into the crucial role of citizen scientists and their promising pathway toward sustainability.
Coral health assessment of two marine national parks (takabonerate and wakatobi) in southern sulawesi
Authors: Satriya Utama Rizkie , Aryono Hadi Tri , Rahmat Nugraha Adiguna
Published: March 2024

Coral reef ecosystems carry out a wide range of ecological functions and sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities through fisheries, coastal protection, and tourism. However, the coral condition has declined recently due to climate changes and anthropogenic activities. This study was undertaken in May 2019 to assess reef health status in Takabonerate and Wakatobi Marine National Park based on three components: live coral cover, resilience component (macroalgae and rubble cover), and fish biomass. The highest coral cover was 45.53% (Wanci), with an average cover of 24.6% and 29.48% in Takabonerate and Wakatobi. The average biomass of reef fish in Wakatobi was higher in Wakatobi (1.26 kg/ha) than in Takabonerate (0.70 kg/ha). For the resilience score, the average cover of macroalgae and rubble was 0.11% and 6.35% in Takabonerate and 1.64% and 0.51% in Wakatobi. Based on the coral, resilience, and biomass fish score, the Coral Health Index scored 5 (fair) and 9 (good) for Takabonerate and Wakatobi. The data suggested that reefs in both locations could recover from disturbance. However, the low biomass of targeted fish in the Takabonerate shows high fishing activities, which might lead to a direct/indirect impact on coral health.