bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Estimation of Quercetin and trans-Resveratrol in Cissus quadrangularis Extract in Rat Serum Using Validated LC-MS/MS Method: Application to Pharmacokinetic and Stability Studies
Authors: Dadge Shailesh D. , Syed Anees A. , Husain Athar , Valicherla Guru R. , Gayen Jiaur R.
Published: June 2023

Cissus quadrangularis is a nutrient-rich plant with a history of use in traditional medicine. It boasts a diverse range of polyphenols, including quercetin, resveratrol, β-sitosterol, myricetin, and other compounds. We developed and validated a sensitive LC-MS/MS method to quantify quercetin and t-res biomarkers in rat serum and applied this method to pharmacokinetic and stability studies. The mass spectrometer was set to negative ionization mode for the quantification of quercetin and t-res. Phenomenex Luna (C18(2), 100 A, 75 × 4.6 mm, 3 µ) column was utilized to separate the analytes using an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water (82:18). Validation of the method was performed using various parameters, including linearity, specificity, accuracy, stability, intra-day, inter-day precision, and the matrix effect. There was no observed significant endogenous interference from the blank serum. The analysis was completed within 5.0 min for each run, and the lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL. The calibration curves showed a linear range with a high correlation coefficient (r2 > 0.99). The precision for intra- and inter-day assays showed relative standard deviations from 3.32% to 8.86% and 4.35% to 9.61%, respectively. The analytes in rat serum were stable during bench-top, freeze-thaw, and autosampler (−4 °C) stability studies. After oral administration, the analytes showed rapid absorption but underwent metabolism in rat liver microsomes despite being stable in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Intragastric administration resulted in higher absorption of quercetin and t-res, with greater Cmax, shorter half-life, and improved elimination. No prior research has been conducted on the oral pharmacokinetics and stability of anti-diabetic compounds in the Ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis EECQ, making this the first report. Our findings can provide the knowledge of EECQ’s bioanalysis and pharmacokinetic properties which is useful for future clinical trials.
Vincamine Ameliorates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats; Targeting TGF-β/MAPK/Snai1 Pathway
Authors: Alaaeldin Rania , Mohyeldin Reham H. , Bekhit Amany Abdlrehim , Gomaa Wafaey , Zhao Qing-Li , Fathy Moustafa
Published: June 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive, irreversible lung disease that leads to respiratory failure and death. Vincamine is an indole alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Vinca minor and acts as a vasodilator. The present study aims to investigate the protective activity of vincamine against EMT in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis via assessing the apoptotic and TGF-β1/p38 MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, protein content, total cell count, and LDH activity were evaluated. N-cadherin, fibronectin, collagen, SOD, GPX, and MDA levels were determined in lung tissue using ELISA. Bax, p53, bcl2, TWIST, Snai1, and Slug mRNA levels were examined using qRT-PCR. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of TGF-β1, p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and cleaved caspase 3 proteins. H & E and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to analyze histopathology. In BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, vincamine reduced LDH activity, total protein content, and total and differential cell count. SOD and GPX were also increased following vincamine treatment, while MDA levels were decreased. Additionally, vincamine suppressed the expression of p53, Bax, TWIST, Snail, and Slug genes as well as the expression of factors such as TGF-β1, p/t p38 MAPK, p/t ERK1/2, and cleaved caspase 3 proteins, and, at the same time, vincamine increased bcl2 gene expression. Moreover, vincamine restored fibronectin, N-Catherine, and collagen protein elevation due to BLM-induced lung fibrosis. In addition, the histopathological examination of lung tissues revealed that vincamine attenuated the fibrotic and inflammatory conditions. In conclusion, vincamine suppressed bleomycin-induced EMT by attenuating TGF-β1/p38 MAPK/ERK1/2/TWIST/Snai1/Slug/fibronectin/N-cadherin pathway. Moreover, it exerted anti-apoptotic activity in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients Treated with Radioiodine
Authors: Fernandes Ana , Oliveira Ana , Carvalho Ana Luísa , Soares Raquel , Barata Pedro
Published: June 2023

Background: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, one of the most important bacteria of the human gut microbiota, produces butyrate (a short-chain fatty acid). Short-chain fatty acids are known to influence thyroid physiology and thyroid cancer’s response to treatment. We aimed to analyze the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii on the gut microbiota of differentiated thyroid cancer patients compared to controls and its variation after radioiodine therapy (RAIT). Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 37 patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer before and after radioiodine therapy and from 10 volunteers. The abundance of F. prausnitzii was determined using shotgun metagenomics. Results: Our study found that the relative abundance of F. prausnitzii is significantly reduced in thyroid cancer patients compared to volunteers. We also found that there was a mixed response to RAIT, with an increase in the relative and absolute abundances of this bacterium in most patients. Conclusions: Our study confirms that thyroid cancer patients present a dysbiotic gut microbiota, with a reduction in F. prausnitzii’s relative abundance. In our study, radioiodine did not negatively affect F. prausnitzii, quite the opposite, suggesting that this bacterium might play a role in resolving radiation aggression issues.
Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplementation Prevents or Reverses Decline in Vitamin Biomarkers and Cellular Energy Metabolism in Healthy Older Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Michels Alexander J. , Butler Judy A. , Uesugi Sandra L. , Lee Ken , Frei Balz B. , Bobe Gerd , Magnusson Kathy R. , Hagen Tory M.
Published: June 2023

Despite the reported prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in older adults, it is not yet established whether multivitamin/multimineral (MV/MM) supplements improve blood micronutrient status in individuals over the age of 65. Therefore, a cohort of 35 healthy men (>67 years) was recruited for an MV/MM supplementation trial. The primary endpoint was, as an indicator of micronutrient status, changes in blood micronutrient biomarkers from baseline to at least six months of supplementation with MV/MM or placebo. The secondary endpoint was basal O2 consumption in monocytes as an indicator of cellular metabolism. MV/MM supplementation improved blood concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate, calcifediol, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene concentrations throughout the cohort. By contrast, those in the placebo group generally showed declines in blood vitamin concentrations and an increased prevalence of suboptimal vitamin status during the study period. On the other hand, MV/MM supplementation did not significantly affect blood mineral concentrations, i.e., calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Interestingly, MV/MM supplementation prevented the decline in monocyte O2 consumption rate. Overall, MV/MM use improves or prevents declines in vitamin, but not mineral, status and limits declines in cellular O2 consumption, which may have important implications for metabolism and immune health in healthy older men.
Vitamins C and D Exhibit Similar Antidepressant Effects to Escitalopram Mediated by NOx and FKBPL in a Stress-Induced Mice Model
Authors: Gammoh Omar , Ibrahim Aseel , Qnais Esam , Alqudah Abdelrahim , Altaber Sara , Aljabali Alaa A. A. , Tambuwala Murtaza M.
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of vitamin C and vitamin D in a stress-induced mouse model of depression, while also exploring the association between these effects and the levels of circulating NOx, periostin, and FKBPL. Our findings revealed that both vitamin C and vitamin D exhibited comparable antidepressant effects to escitalopram, a commonly used antidepressant, without demonstrating any anxiolytic effects. The antidepressant properties of vitamin C and vitamin D were linked to the normalization of Nox and FKBPL levels, while the levels of periostin showed no significant correlation. These results are consistent with previous research, indicating that the antidepressant effects of vitamin C and vitamin D may be attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as their modulation of neurotransmission and norepinephrine release. Additionally, our study uncovered elevated levels of periostin in stress-induced depression, which were only restored to normal levels by escitalopram, suggesting a potential role for periostin in mood disorders. Furthermore, FKBPL and NOx levels were increased in stress-induced depression and normalized by treatment with vitamin C, vitamin D, and escitalopram, indicating their involvement in the stress response and gene expression regulation. However, it is important to acknowledge certain limitations of our research, such as the use of a single depression induction model and limited dosing regimens. Future investigations should focus on examining these markers in specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their potential implications for depression. Overall, our findings suggest that vitamin C, vitamin D, and escitalopram may possess antidepressant properties mediated by NOx and FKBPL levels, while emphasizing the potential significance of periostin in the context of depression.
Efficiency of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hesperetin in the Treatment of Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes in Wistar Rats
Authors: Ahmed Osama M. , Saleh Ablaa S. , Ahmed Eman A. , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Ebrahim Hasnaa Ali , Abdelgawad Mohamed A. , Abdel-Gabbar Mohammed
Published: June 2023

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was established to be ameliorated by islet transplantation, but the shortage of the transplanted human islet tissue and the use of immunosuppressive drugs to inhibit the rejection of allogeneic grafts make this type of therapy is limited. Nowadays, therapy with stem cells is one of the most promising future treatments. This kind of therapy could have a profound impact on both replacement, as well as regenerative therapies, to improve or even cure various disorders, including diabetes mellitus. Flavonoids have also been shown to possess anti-diabetic effects. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and hesperetin in the treatment of a T1DM rat model. T1DM was induced in male Wistar rats that had been starved for 16 h via intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.). After 10 days of STZ injection, the diabetic rats were allocated into four groups. The first diabetic animal group was considered a diabetic control, while the other three diabetic animal groups were treated for six weeks, respectively, with hesperetin (given orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg b.wt.), BM-MSCs (injected intravenously at a dose of 1 × 106 cells/rat/week), and their combination (hesperetin and BM-MSCs). The use of hesperetin and BM-MSCs in the treatment of STZ-induced diabetic animals significantly improved the glycemic state, serum fructosamine, insulin and C-peptide levels, liver glycogen content, glycogen phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase activities, hepatic oxidative stress, and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-10, P53, and Bcl-2 in pancreatic tissue. The study suggested the therapy with both hesperetin and BM-MSCs produced marked antihyperglycemic effects, which may be mediated via their potencies to ameliorate pancreatic islet architecture and insulin secretory response, as well as to decrease hepatic glucose output in diabetic animals. The improvement effects of hesperetin and BM-MSCs on the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats may be mediated via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic actions.
Oligosaccharides as Potential Regulators of Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Health in Post-COVID-19 Management
Authors: Cheong Kit-Leong , Chen Shutong , Teng Bo , Veeraperumal Suresh , Zhong Saiyi , Tan Karsoon
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact worldwide, resulting in long-term health effects for many individuals. Recently, as more and more people recover from COVID-19, there is an increasing need to identify effective management strategies for post-COVID-19 syndrome, which may include diarrhea, fatigue, and chronic inflammation. Oligosaccharides derived from natural resources have been shown to have prebiotic effects, and emerging evidence suggests that they may also have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, which could be particularly relevant in mitigating the long-term effects of COVID-19. In this review, we explore the potential of oligosaccharides as regulators of gut microbiota and intestinal health in post-COVID-19 management. We discuss the complex interactions between the gut microbiota, their functional metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, and the immune system, highlighting the potential of oligosaccharides to improve gut health and manage post-COVID-19 syndrome. Furthermore, we review evidence of gut microbiota with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression for alleviating post-COVID-19 syndrome. Therefore, oligosaccharides offer a safe, natural, and effective approach to potentially improving gut microbiota, intestinal health, and overall health outcomes in post-COVID-19 management.
Dapagliflozin Mitigates Hypotension in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Inflammation Independent of Glycemia Level
Authors: Alanazi Wael A. , Alharbi Turki , El-Nagar Doaa M. , Albogami Abdullah M. , Alswayyed Mohammed
Published: June 2023

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties in diabetes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin (DAPA) in the attenuation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hypotension. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into normal and diabetic groups and received DAPA (1 mg/kg/day) for two weeks followed by a single dose of 10 mg/kg LPS. Blood pressure was recorded throughout the study and the circulatory levels of cytokines were assessed using a multiplex array, while the aortas were harvested for analysis. DAPA attenuated the vasodilation and hypotension caused by LPS. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was preserved in the normal and diabetic DAPA-treated septic groups (MAP = 83.17 ± 5.27, 98.43 ± 5.57 mmHg) compared to the vehicle-treated septic groups (MAP = 65.60 ± 3.31, 68.21 ± 5.88 mmHg). Most of the cytokines induced by LPS were decreased in the DAPA-treated septic groups. In the aorta, the inducible nitric oxide synthase-derived nitric oxide had lower expression in the DAPA-treated rats. In contrast, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a marker of the vessel’s contractile state, was higher in the DAPA-treated rats in comparison with non-treated septic rats. These findings revealed that the protective role of DAPA against LPS-induced hypotension is likely to be glucose-lowering independent, as was observed in the non-diabetic septic group. Taken together, the results show that DAPA has a potential effect in the prevention of the hemodynamic disturbances of sepsis regardless of glycemia levels.
Preparation and Evaluation of Inhalable Amifostine Microparticles Using Wet Ball Milling
Authors: Choi Jae-Cheol , Kang Ji-Hyun , Kim Dong-Wook , Park Chun-Woong
Published: June 2023

The conventional dosage form of Ethyol® (amifostine), a sterile lyophilized powder, involves reconstituting it with 9.7 mL of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride in accordance with the United States Pharmacopeia specifications for intravenous infusion. The purpose of this study was to develop inhalable microparticles of amifostine (AMF) and compare the physicochemical properties and inhalation efficiency of AMF microparticles prepared by different methods (jet milling and wet ball milling) and different solvents (methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and toluene). Inhalable microparticles of AMF dry powder were prepared using a wet ball-milling process with polar and non-polar solvents to improve their efficacy when delivered through the pulmonary route. The wet ball-milling process was performed as follows: AMF (10 g), zirconia balls (50 g), and solvent (20 mL) were mixed and placed in a cylindrical stainless-steel jar. Wet ball milling was performed at 400 rpm for 15 min. The physicochemical properties and aerodynamic characteristics of the prepared samples were evaluated. The physicochemical properties of wet-ball-milled microparticles (WBM-M and WBM-E) using polar solvents were confirmed. Aerodynamic characterization was not used to measure the % fine particle fraction (% FPF) value in the raw AMF. The % FPF value of JM was 26.9 ± 5.8%. The % FPF values of the wet-ball-milled microparticles WBM-M and WBM-E prepared using polar solvents were 34.5 ± 0.2% and 27.9 ± 0.7%, respectively; while the % FPF values of the wet-ball-milled microparticles WBM-C and WBM-T prepared using non-polar solvents were 45.5 ± 0.6% and 44.7 ± 0.3%, respectively. Using a non-polar solvent in the wet ball-milling process resulted in a more homogeneous and stable crystal form of the fine AMF powder than using a polar solvent.
Review on Additives in Hydrogels for 3D Bioprinting of Regenerative Medicine: From Mechanism to Methodology
Authors: Fang Wenzhuo , Yang Ming , Liu Meng , Jin Yangwang , Wang Yuhui , Yang Ranxing , Wang Ying , Zhang Kaile , Fu Qiang
Published: June 2023

The regeneration of biological tissues in medicine is challenging, and 3D bioprinting offers an innovative way to create functional multicellular tissues. One common way in bioprinting is bioink, which is one type of the cell-loaded hydrogel. For clinical application, however, the bioprinting still suffers from satisfactory performance, e.g., in vascularization, effective antibacterial, immunomodulation, and regulation of collagen deposition. Many studies incorporated different bioactive materials into the 3D-printed scaffolds to optimize the bioprinting. Here, we reviewed a variety of additives added to the 3D bioprinting hydrogel. The underlying mechanisms and methodology for biological regeneration are important and will provide a useful basis for future research.
Bulk-Fill Resins versus Conventional Resins: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Silva Gonçalo , Marto Carlos Miguel , Amaro Inês , Coelho Ana , Sousa José , Ferreira Manuel Marques , Francisco Inês , Vale Francisco , Oliveiros Bárbara , Carrilho Eunice , Paula Anabela Baptista
Published: June 2023

Currently, composite resins have become the material of choice for the restoration of posterior teeth. Although bulk-fill resins represent a tempting alternative due to their lower complexity and faster use, some dentists are reluctant to use this material. The objective is to compare the performance of bulk-fill resins and conventional resins in direct restorations of posterior teeth based on the literature. The databases that were used to carry out the research were PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the WOS. This umbrella literature review complies with PRISMA standards and assesses the quality of studies using the AMSTAR 2 tool. With the application of the criteria of the AMSTAR 2 tool, the reviews were considered low to moderate. The overall meta-analysis, although without statistical significance, favours mostly the use of conventional resin, as it is about five times more likely to obtain a favourable result than bulk-fill resin. Bulk-fill resins result in a simplification of the clinical process of posterior direct restorations, which is an advantage. The performance in terms of several properties of bulk-fill resins and conventional resins showed that they present similar behaviour.
Soluble Polymer Microneedles Loaded with Interferon Alpha 1b for Treatment of Hyperplastic Scar
Authors: Wang Baorui , Zhang Suohui , Cheng Aguo , Yan Juan , Gao Yunhua
Published: June 2023

To achieve the painless administration of interferon alpha 1b (rhIFNα-1b), a double-layered soluble polymer microneedle (MN) patch loaded with rhIFNα-1b was used to deliver rhIFNα-1b transdermally. The solution containing rhIFNα-1b was concentrated in the MN tips under negative pressure. The MNs punctured the skin and delivered rhIFNα-1b to the epidermis and dermis. The MN tips implanted in the skin dissolved within 30 min and gradually released rhIFNα-1b. The rhIFNα-1b had a significant inhibitory effect on the abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive deposition of collagen fibers in the scar tissue. The color and thickness of the scar tissue treated using the MN patches loaded with rhIFNα-1b were effectively reduced. The relative expressions of type I collagen (Collagen I), type III collagen (Collagen III), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were significantly downregulated in scar tissues. In summary, the MN patch loaded with rhIFNα-1b provided an effective method for the transdermal delivery of rhIFNα-1b.
Multi-Armed Star-Shaped Block Copolymers of Poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(furfuryl glycidol) as Long Circulating Nanocarriers
Authors: Nakagawa Yasuhiro , Ushidome Kotaro , Masuda Keita , Igarashi Kazunori , Matsumoto Yu , Yamasoba Tatsuya , Anraku Yasutaka , Takai Madoka , Cabral Horacio
Published: June 2023

Multi-arm star-shaped block copolymers with precisely tuned nano-architectures are promising candidates for drug delivery. Herein, we developed 4- and 6-arm star-shaped block copolymers consisting of poly(furfuryl glycidol) (PFG) as the core-forming segments and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the shell-forming blocks. The polymerization degree of each block was controlled by adjusting the feeding ratio of a furfuryl glycidyl ether and ethylene oxide. The size of the series of block copolymers was found to be less than 10 nm in DMF. In water, the polymers showed sizes larger than 20 nm, which can be related to the association of the polymers. The star-shaped block copolymers effectively loaded maleimide-bearing model drugs in their core-forming segment with the Diels–Alder reaction. These drugs were rapidly released upon heating via a retro Diels–Alder step. When the star-shaped block copolymers were injected intravenously in mice, they showed prolonged blood circulation, with more than 80% of the injected dose remaining in the bloodstream at 6 h after intravenous injection. These results indicate the potential of the star-shaped PFG-PEG block copolymers as long-circulating nanocarriers.
Tensile Performance Mechanism for Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced, Palm Oil-Based Resin Bio-Composites Using Finite Element Simulation and Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Wu Yuchao , Liu Wendi , Fu Tengfei , Qiu Renhui , Wu Shuyi
Published: June 2023

Plant fiber-reinforced composites have the advantages of environmental friendliness, sustainability, and high specific strength and modulus. They are widely used as low-carbon emission materials in automobiles, construction, and buildings. The prediction of their mechanical performance is critical for material optimal design and application. However, the variation in the physical structure of plant fibers, the randomness of meso-structures, and the multiple material parameters of composites limit the optimal design of the composite mechanical properties. Based on tensile experiments on bamboo fiber-reinforced, palm oil-based resin composites, finite element simulations were carried out and the effect of material parameters on the tensile performances of the composites was investigated. In addition, machine learning methods were used to predict the tensile properties of the composites. The numerical results showed that the resin type, contact interface, fiber volume fraction, and multi-factor coupling significantly influenced the tensile performance of the composites. The results of the machine learning analysis showed that the gradient boosting decision tree method had the best prediction performance for the tensile strength of the composites (R2 was 0.786) based on numerical simulation data from a small sample size. Furthermore, the machine learning analysis demonstrated that the resin performance and fiber volume fraction were critical parameters for the tensile strength of composites. This study provides an insightful understanding and effective route for investigating the tensile performance of complex bio-composites.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Fabrication of Natural Lining Leather Using Bio-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Piper Betle L. Leaf Extract
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc-Thang , Vu Tien-Hieu , Bui Van-Huan
Published: June 2023

Leather is often used to make comfortable shoes due to its soft and breathable nature. However, its innate ability to retain moisture, oxygen and nutrients renders it a suitable medium for the adsorption, growth, and survival of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Consequently, the intimate contact between the foot skin and the leather lining surface in shoes, which are subject to prolonged periods of sweating, may result in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms and cause discomfort for the wearer. To address such issues, we modified pig leather with silver nanoparticles (AgPBL) that were bio-synthesized from Piper betle L. leaf extract as an antimicrobial agent via the padding method. The evidence of AgPBL embedded into the leather matrix, leather surface morphology and element profile of AgPBL-modified leather samples (pLeAg) was investigated using colorimetry, SEM, EDX, AAS and FTIR analyses. The colorimetric data confirmed that the pLeAg samples changed to a more brown color with higher wet pickup and AgPBL concentration, owing to the higher quantity of AgPBL uptake onto the leather surfaces. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the pLeAg samples were both qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated using AATCC TM90, AATCC TM30 and ISO 16187:2013 test methods, approving a good synergistic antimicrobial efficiency of the modified leather against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a yeast Candida albicans and a mold Aspergillus niger. Additionally, the antimicrobial treatments of pig leather did not negatively impact its physico-mechanical properties, including tear strength, abrasion resistance, flex resistance, water vapour permeability and absorption, water absorption and desorption. These findings affirmed that the AgPBL-modified leather met all the requirements of upper lining according to the standard ISO 20882:2007 for making hygienic shoes.
The Role of Wonder in Creating Identity
Authors: Lawson Todd
Published: June 2023

Although the Bahāʾī Faith was born in a Shīʿī Islamic cultural milieu it has clearly gone beyond the “gravitational pull” of Islām and assumed a distinctive social, scriptural, and religious identity. Bahāʾīs revere Islām as “the source and background of their Faith” and consider the Qurʾān the only authentic, uncorrupted scripture apart from their own. However, Bahāʾī teachings insist that this new religious movement is more than a sectarian development. It represents a distinctive—if you will “autonomous”—religious dispensation along the lines of the development of Christianity out of its original Jewish setting. This assertion and trajectory is clear in the very earliest scriptures of the new religion revealed by the Bāb and runs through subsequent Bahāʾī writings. A key term, badīʿ, used dozens of times by the Bāb in his annunciatory composition, the Qayyūm al-Asmāʾ, denotes this sense of the “wondrously new”, something that is simultaneously ancient and unprecedented. It is suggested here that this term is a central and pivotal idea in the Bāb’s vision and that it had a major role in generating the imaginative and kerygmatic cultural energy that would eventually result in the above-mentioned escape from an Islamic orbit. The word badīʿ eventually acquires a life of its own in Bahāʾī thought and practice. It is the word used to designate the new calendar whose current year is 180 B.E., “Bahāʾī Era” or “Badīʿ Era”. It is used in the title of one of Bahāʾuʾllāh’s major books, the Kitāb-i Badīʿ. It is given as a name for one of the young heroes of the Bahāʾī Faith who was tortured and killed because he dared to attempt to communicate directly with the Shah of Iran to testify to the truth of Bahāʾuʾllāh’s mission. It is a word encountered frequently throughout the Bahāʾī writings and translated various ways. It functions as an emblem and symbol of the Bahāʾī ethos and message. The main focus here is the Qayyūm al-Asmāʾ, the Bāb’s proclamatory summons, disguised as a Qurʾān commentary, in which he claimed to be in immediate and intimate contact with the hidden Imām and, therefore, the centre of all authority (walāya) whether political or spiritual. The clarion message of the Qayyūm al-Asmāʾ, in which the much repeated Arabic word badīʿ is a powerful and vibrant symbol of “the new”, is that a profound and radical covenantal renewal—as distinct from “revivification/tajdīd”—is at hand, a renewal that would evolve into a distinctive Bahāʾī communal identity that is simultaneously–and therefore wondrously–new and primordial.
The Evolutionary Path of the Center of Gravity for Water Use, the Population, and the Economy, and Their Decomposed Contributions in China from 1965 to 2019
Authors: Wang Sicong , Qin Changhai , Zhao Yong , Zhao Jing , Han Yuping
Published: June 2023

Sustainable development is a hot issue in global research today. As a large developing country, China has increasingly prominent conflicts between water use, the population, and the economy, so it is necessary to solve the sustainable development issues represented by water use, the population, and the economy. To explore the evolutionary process for water use, the population, and the economy in China, we calculated the evolutionary path of the center of gravity for water use, the population, and the economy in China from 1965 to 2019 by using the center of gravity model, and we calculated the decomposed contributions of the evolutionary path of the center of gravity for water use, the population, and the economy in China from 1965 to 2019, which the six major areas in China contributed to, by using the center of gravity decomposed contributions model. The results show the following: (1) As a whole, the center of gravity cumulative yearly moving distance for water use was 835.77 km, and the center of gravity moving direction as well as angle were north by east, 18.95°. The center of gravity cumulative yearly moving distance for the population was 113.40 km, and the center of gravity moving direction as well as angle were south by west, 31.50°. The center of gravity cumulative yearly moving distance for the economy was 449.83 km, and the center of gravity moving direction as well as angle were south by east, 8.63°. (2) From the decomposed value contribution rate of the evolutionary path of the center of gravity in the latitude direction for water use, the population, and the economy in China from 1965 to 2019, which the six major areas in China contributed to, Northeast China contributed the most (42.26%, 34.09%, and 39.37%, respectively). The increasing proportion of total water use consumption in Northeast China most positively affected the evolutionary path of the center of gravity for water use in China, moving northwards from 1965 to 2019, and the decreasing proportion of the total population as well as gross regional product in Northeast China most negatively affected the evolutionary path of the center of gravity for the population and economy in China, moving southwards from 1965 to 2019.
Impacts of Green Energy Expansion and Gas Import Reduction on South Korea’s Economic Growth: A System Dynamics Approach
Authors: Ghezelbash Azam , Seyedzadeh Mitra , Khaligh Vahid , Liu Jay
Published: June 2023

South Korea, ranking ninth among the largest energy consumers and seventh in carbon dioxide emissions from 2016 to 2021, faces challenges in energy security and climate change mitigation. The primary challenge lies in transitioning from fossil fuel dependency to a more sustainable and diversified energy portfolio while meeting the growing energy demand for continued economic growth. This necessitates fostering innovation and investment in the green energy sector. This study examines the potential impact of green energy expansion (through integrating renewable energy and hydrogen production) and gas import reduction on South Korea’s economic growth using a system dynamics approach. The findings indicate that increasing investment in green energy can result in significant growth rates ranging from 7% to 35% between 2025 and 2040. Under the expansion, renewable energy scenario (A) suggests steady but sustainable economic growth in the long term, while the gas import reduction scenario (B) displays a potential for rapid economic growth in the short term with possible instability in the long term. The total production in Scenario B is USD 2.7 trillion in 2025 and will increase to USD 4.8 trillion by 2040. Scenario C, which combines the effects of both Scenarios A and B, results in consistently high economic growth rates over time and a substantial increase in total production by 2035–2040, from 20% to 46%. These findings are critical for policymakers in South Korea as they strive for sustainable economic growth and transition to renewable energy.
Prediction of Daily Temperature Based on the Robust Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Li Yu , Li Tongfei , Lv Wei , Liang Zhiyao , Wang Junxian
Published: June 2023

Temperature climate is an essential component of weather forecasting and is vital in predicting future weather patterns. Accurate temperature predictions can assist individuals and organizations in preparing for potential weather-related events such as heat waves or cold snaps. However, achieving precise temperature predictions necessitates thoroughly comprehending the underlying factors influencing climate patterns. The study utilized two models, LSTM and DLSTM, to forecast daily air temperature using 1097 data points gathered from central and southern regions of Tabriz city of Iran in Asia from 2017 to 2019. The results indicated that the proposed model had a high accuracy rate for predicting daily air temperature for test data, with RMSEDLSTM = 0.08 °C and R-SquareDLSTM = 0.99. The DLSTM algorithm is known for its high speed, accuracy, time series prediction, noise reduction capabilities for data, the large volume of data processing, and improved performance of predicted data. In summary, while both LSTM and DLSTM are used for predicting data points, DLSTM is a more advanced version that includes multiple layers of memory cells and is better suited for handling complex sequences of events.
Research on Regional Architectural Design Method Based on GIS
Authors: Zhou Ren , Guo Weimin
Published: June 2023

Urbanization and continued population growth have had a major impact on the urban environment. Many buildings lack close regional and biomimetic characteristics during the rapid generation process, making it impossible to achieve ecological sustainability. This article took the rehabilitation center of Jinghong Dai Cultural Park in Yunnan as an example for research, intending to highlight regional characteristics and change the current severely homogenized urban style. Visual on-site environmental analysis was performed through Arc GIS, CFD-phoenics, and sketchup, and the site form planning of ecological buildings from the perspective of “regional characteristics” was explored. Morphological data of local buildings and regional plants were collected, plant growth patterns were analyzed in Grasshopper software, and skins were generated from the perspective of “biomimetic properties”, and we combined the planning form with the skin to form the overall regional architectural design. The design approach of multi-parameter software combinations brings a richer expression morphologically and distinguishes the more homogeneous stereotypical image of the city, which is of great significance and value in expanding the form of architectural design. The spatial form of the site layout and the phenology of the native plants respect the original natural environment and create a symbiosis between man and nature.
Pipe Piles and Key Stratum Modeling for Grouting Reinforcement of Mine Floors under Mining Disturbance and Microseismic Monitoring Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Dangyu , Liu Shiqi , Guo Dongyu , Li Yubao , Song Wenxuan , Wang Yiming , Liu Yang
Published: June 2023

Owing to the increasing applications and popularity of grouting reinforcement technology for water control in mine floors, its control effect is becoming increasingly concerning. However, the lack of an effective evaluation method for the mine floor composite limestone aquifers under different treatment modes can lead to blindness and randomness in grouting engineering. Thus, based on engineering practices, we analyzed the prevention and control effect of water inrush from the working face floor under different grouting reinforcement and transformation modes. Moreover, we established a sub-model of “pipe pile” that was reinforced by cross-layer drilling grouting and a sub-model of “water-resistant key stratum” that was reinforced by regional treatment grouting, while we also simulated and analyzed the concrete function of the structural models formed by the two grouting modes. Different microseismic monitoring arrays were used to monitor and evaluate the grouting reinforcement effect of the working face floor. The monitoring results revealed noticeable differences in the microseismic characteristics of the floor limestone during the mining process under different treatment modes. This provides a basis for evaluating the grouting reinforcement effect.
How Does College Students’ Entrepreneurial Learning Influence Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from China
Authors: Huang Li , Bai Xuchen , Huang Leilei , Huang Yangjie , Han Guanshuang
Published: June 2023

In implementing an innovation-driven development strategy, it is important to promote the sustainable development capacity of the new generation. Entrepreneurial learning can enhance college students’ skills and entrepreneurial competence in facing the uncertain challenges of the future. In order to clarify the mechanism by which entrepreneurial learning influences college students’ entrepreneurial intention, a mediating moderation model was constructed, based on the theory of planned behavior, to explore the mediating role of entrepreneurial attitude, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and perceived behavioral control. Furthermore, the moderating effect of important peers and teachers’ support on campus was combined, initially to assess the entrepreneurial intention of college students. This study adopted a quantitative research approach with a questionnaire survey, taking 704 college students in the Yangtze River Delta region as subjects. The research results showed that entrepreneurial learning has a significant positive predictive effect on the entrepreneurial intention of college students; entrepreneurial attitude and perceived behavioral control play a mediating role between the entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial intention of college students; and important peers and teachers’ support on campus can adjust the impact of entrepreneurial learning on entrepreneurial intention. The proposed framework provides a more concrete understanding of entrepreneurial intention. The results also provide policy and managerial insights into promoting entrepreneurial intention within higher education.
Research on the Efficiency of Urban Infrastructure Investment under the Constraint of Carbon Emissions, Taking Provincial Capitals in China as an Example
Authors: Sun Chengshuang , Li Shijie , Luo Qianmai , Zhao Jinyu , Qi Zhenqiang
Published: June 2023

With the aggravation of the global climate problem, various countries are gradually formulating relevant policies and targets for carbon emission reduction in the infrastructure industry. Some countries or cities may have the problem of insufficient investment in infrastructure construction or blind investment, so it is urgent to carry out related research on the efficiency of infrastructure investment. From the perspective of carbon emission constraints, this study takes Chinese cities as the research case, and uses the unexpected output ultra-efficiency SBM model to measure the infrastructure investment efficiency and total-factor productivity from 2010 to 2020, and analyzes the influencing factors of infrastructure investment efficiency. The study found that (1) the regions with high infrastructure investment efficiency have the following two characteristics: the first relates to the cities with high investment, high output and fewer carbon emissions, and these cities rank at the forefront of economic development and scientific and technological level in the country. The second relates to the cities with high investment, high output and large carbon emissions. These cities have a large urban scale, their industrial structure is dominated by the secondary and tertiary industries, and their high output level plays a benign leading role. (2) Cities with low infrastructure investment efficiency are mainly manifest a large input of some infrastructure resources, low output level, high carbon emissions, and insufficient scale efficiency. (3) Economic level, industrial structure and fiscal expenditure play a positive role in improving the efficiency of infrastructure investment, and the development strategy of policies also affects the infrastructure investment mode. Finally, there are recommendations for the sustainable and high-quality development of infrastructure investment in developing countries.
Mapping the Themes Underlying the Literature on Cross-Listing of Shares—A Contemporary Corporate Strategy of Sustainable Growth
Authors: Lei Qiuyuan , Attari Muhammad Umer Quddoos , Hayat Mustansar , Ahmad Muhammad Munir , Haseeb Abdul , Rafique Amir
Published: June 2023

In the current era of globalization, cross-listing literature has been growing as a tool to achieve sustainable growth and provide policy implications for multinationals, international investors, and regulators. This research explores the three themes—influential aspects, intellectual structure, and conceptual structure—that underpin the growing cross-listing-based literature published in the Web of Sciences until July 2020. This study used bibliometric coupling to segregate the research front of cross-listing and then studied each theme’s conceptual structure and influential aspects separately. The analysis revealed that the cross-listing literature could be divided into three clusters: (1) price discrepancies and stock returns related to asymmetric information and market efficiencies, (2) earnings quality, earnings management, and the adoption of accounting standards, and (3) cross-listing benefits covering the growth, informativeness, and liquidity. For instance, our analysis identifies the impact of cross-listing on local market developments regarding trading volume and liquidity, secondly the benefits of financial market liberalization for cross-listing, particularly regarding the cost of capital, and thirdly the variation in abnormal returns after cross-listing with changing risk exposure, shareholding base, and amount of money raised. This research also proposes a future research agenda for the advancement of each cluster of cross-listing identified. The outcomes of this literature review will provide valuable information to practitioners and researchers and help them to further understand the broad perspective and prospects of cross-listing.
Key Processing Factors in Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Their Impacts on Corrosion of Reactor Alloys
Authors: Liu Minkang , Zeng Yimin
Published: June 2023

Despite intensive efforts to develop hydrothermal liquefaction for the conversion of wet biomass and biowaste feedstocks into valuable bio-oils, severe corrosion of conversion reactor alloys and other core components, induced by the pressurized hot water medium, catalysts, and inorganic and organic corrodants generated during the conversion process, has significantly hindered the industrial deployment of this attractive technology. In this paper, a general review of major operating parameters, including biomass feedstock types, temperature, pressure, and catalysts, was conducted to advance the understanding of their roles in conversion efficiency and the yield and properties of produced oils. Additionally, the corrosion performance of a representative constructional alloy (Alloy 33) was investigated in both non-catalytic and catalytic HTL environments at temperatures of 310 °C and 365 °C, respectively. The alloy experienced general oxidation in the non-catalytic HTL environment but suffered accelerated corrosion (up to 4.2 µm/year) with the addition of 0.5 M K2CO3 catalyst. The corrosion rate of the alloy noticeably increased with temperature and the presence of inorganic corrodants (S2− and Cl−) released from biowastes. SEM/XRD characterization showed that a thin and compact Cr-rich oxide layer grew on the alloy in the non-catalytic HTL environment, while the surface scale became a double-layer structure, composed of outer porous Fe/Cr/Ni oxides and inner Cr-rich oxide, with the introduction of the K2CO3 catalyst. From the corrosion perspective, the alloy is a suitable candidate for construction in the next phase of pilot-scale validation assessment.
Ecosystem Services for the City as a Complex System: A Methodological Proposal
Authors: Fistola Romano
Published: June 2023

Originating from the main theories on the interpretation of the city as a system, this paper calls attention to the need to build a new theoretical framework. This framework would be able to support actions related to the consideration of ecosystem services in the activities governing urban and territorial transformations. By adopting the systemic interpretation of the city, it may be possible to more readily identify the ecosystem services related to each of the urban subsystems, and promote a new and different consideration of them when defining urban policies on the sustainable management of urban and territorial systems. This reflection describes a new approach to the problem, by indicating mainly the theoretical references and methodological connections to be considered in the development of a new dimension of territorial government. This dimension would be, by necessity, built upon issues that characterize the current historical phase, such as ecological transition, and the new potential of technological innovation that, if properly reconsidered, could contribute to substantially redefining the field of traditional urban planning.